Your Midlands Wedding news and ideas from around the region

Blackbrook Barn is set to be a new wedding venue

Plans to transform a former antiques centre into an exciting new luxury wedding venue in the West Midlands have been unveiled by property consultants Burley Browne. Blackbrook Barns, prominently located between Lichfield and Sutton Coldfield, is set to be re-imagined by its new owners as a high-class wedding venue set within beautiful rural surroundings against the backdrop of a Grade-II-listed hall and outbuildings.

The venue will be able to accommodate wedding ceremonies and all the subsequent celebrations. The development will also boast eight retail units, which are ideally suited to retailers and businesses associated with the wedding and wider hospitality sectors.

TikTok’s wedding trends - what we can expect in 2024

TikTok has become the best place to source beautiful wedding inspiration, from wedding dress fashion to food. But what were the biggest TikTok wedding trends of 2023, and what can we expect to see in 2024? By analysing TikTok hashtags, ethical jewellery brand Sacet provides insights into the most influential trends of 2023, the wedding trends on the decline, and predictions for the upcoming year.

Stratford Manor Hotel is a spacious venue located in the Warwickshire countryside

Stratford Manor Hotel is a spacious 104-bedroom venue with newly refurbished rooms in the peaceful Warwickshire countryside. The modern retreat in the heart of Shakespeare Country is just three miles from Stratford-upon-Avon and boasts modern surroundings, extensive facilities, and an expert team who care passionately about planning your occasion perfectly from start to finish.

The contemporary design and facilities at the Stratford Manor Hotel make it a fantastic place for unforgettable celebrations. From romantic and intimate to large and contemporary, the hotel has three rooms for you to choose from.

Inside the UK’s most ‘Traitorous’ castle

The Traitors is Britain's hottest new reality competition, where a group of twenty strangers come together for the investigation of their life: to find and stop the Traitors from stealing the ultimate prize pot! It's a show full of mind-games, backstabbing and trust, and its second series proves to be gripping the nation once again. And the setting of this treacherous game makes it all the more entertaining: a beautiful castle in the Scottish highlands. In fact, enquiries about this castle have shot up since the show first aired in 2022.

Wedding floral trends for 2024

Bloom & Wild florist, Emma Forsey, presents a vision of floral enchantment that goes beyond the ordinary. From local blooms and wild meadows to bold colour clashes and the evolution of AI, here's what to come in 2024 for wedding blooms. Local flowers have been getting the love they deserve in the wedding scene, and it looks like they're going to be the go-to choice for UK weddings in 2024. More and more couples are valuing the eco-friendly element of homegrown blooms, appreciating the chance to support local flower growers. British flowers aren't just a trendy word anymore; they're becoming a significant and lasting part of the wedding flower industry.

How to create an authentic 70's inspired tablescape

Tablescaping can help create the perfect ambiance on your wedding day. Here, Amy Harvey from Burleigh Pottery shares her tips for putting together a retro display:

When it comes to wedding aesthetics, the 1970s offer a captivating blend of nostalgia and style. Whether you're having a 70s-themed wedding or just want a nod to the era, why not consider putting together an authentic tablescape to infuse your celebration with a touch of retro charm?

Here, I'll guide you through the process of creating a sophisticated table setting, harmonising the rich cultural tapestry of the 1970s with the luxury of a wedding day.

That's so Fetch: 10 Ideas for the ultimate Mean Girls-themed hen party

It's time to channel your inner Regina George and party like it's October 3rd! To celebrate the release of the new Mean Girls movie on 19th January 2024, Fizzbox has the rundown on Mean Girls themed hen party ideas that are so fetch! In a world where wearing pink on Wednesdays isn't just a choice but a lifestyle, this is the ultimate way to celebrate your upcoming nuptials in style, whether you're an aspiring Spring Fling Queen or a Mathlete. So break out the Burn Book and dust off your Plastics-approved heels. Get in loser, we're going on a hen do!

From casual to formal, here’s how to plan your picture-perfect engagement party

Firsty, congratulations! You're getting married! After a proposal, there are so many things to think about, but before preparing for the big day itself, an engagement party is a great way to share your exciting news and get your nearest and dearest together to celebrate. Pinterest trends1 revealed the largest peak in searches for 'engagement party ideas' were in January last year, now is the time to get the ball rolling and start planning for the prelude of the main event. Whether you're planning an intimate gathering or a lavish affair, party planning expert at Ginger Ray, Jess Martin, shares 10 tips for your celebration, no matter how big or small:

Hagley Hall has partnered with Fews to create a new orangery

Often described as one of Worcestershire's best-kept secrets, Hagley Hall has recently partnered with Fews, an award-winning marquee company, to launch its new breathtaking structure for Summer 2024 and 2025 called The Orangery.

Set within 350 acres of breathtaking parkland, the Hall itself dates back to the 18th century and is considered to be one of the last great Palladian mansion houses, steeped in history and supreme architecture.

The wedding gifts couples in 2024 really want...

When it comes to wedding planning, there is so much to think about, the same goes for wedding gift lists & etiquette. Gifting Guru at The Wedding Shop, Liza Baucher, answers you everything you need to know about wedding registries... In short, we advise adding 2-3 gifts per wedding guest invited. Adding a variety of gifts to your wedding list caters to the differing budgets and preferences of your guests. It's a thoughtful approach to include a wide range of items, from smaller, more affordable pieces to a few higher-end gifts. The key is balance and variety. Typically, having slightly more gifts than the number of guests or households invited allows for enough choice without overwhelming your guests.

Safari Venues is home to three gorgeous wedding venues

Safari Venues is situated within the grounds of West Midland Safari Park and is home to three gorgeous wedding venues. Couples can expect a grand and special setting with a team that is passionate about making celebrations unforgettable.

Set within the scenic grounds, Spring Grove House is a Georgian manor that has built its well-deserved reputation on impeccable service, luxury menu selections, and attention to detail.

For large wedding celebrations, Treetops Pavilion is big and bold. Its vast proportions and capacity make it one of the largest entertainment facilities in the county, perfect for civil ceremonies, wedding breakfasts, and evening receptions.

Wedding ring trends 2024 according to Queensmith

Symbolising unconditional love, devotion and commitment, wedding rings represent the union of marriage between two people and unlike engagement rings, they are worn by both. Often, wedding rings tend to be more simple and minimalist, but there are still so many different choices you can make from the metal colour, style and bandwidth. As such, experts at engagement and wedding ring jeweller, Queensmith, have released exclusive internal data to help guide couples on what wedding rings will be popular in 2024.

2024 wedding trend: cocktails to serve at 70s-inspired weddings!

Pinterest has launched its Pinterest Predicts report and '70s-inspired weddings are set to be huge in 2024, with searches for 'groovy wedding' increasing 170% and 'retro wedding theme' spiking 80%. Experts at NIO Cocktails have shared popular cocktails from the 1970s that you should serve at your retro wedding: "The era that brought us the rise of disco music, retro prints and bell bottom trousers also brought us a resurgence in classic cocktails and new ones, too! There were many cocktails that were popular in the 1970s and if you're wanting to throw the perfect '70s-inspired wedding, we'd definitely advise including our top three '70s cocktail picks in your wedding."

PURE Spa and Beauty is now open at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole

PURE Spa and Beauty is now open at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole. For Hilton guests looking to unwind or add a splash of luxury to their stay, PURE Spa boasts luxurious treatment rooms, a nail bar, a sauna, an indoor Jacuzzi, 24-hour fitness facilities, and a steam room. Guests can indulge in a comprehensive suite of essential beauty and relaxing spa treatments – the perfect pairing for a stay at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole. All of PURE's indulgent spa treatments use PURE Spa Skincare, their own line of 100 per cent natural, oil-based, vegan skincare, ideal for lovers of safe, sustainable products. From express beauty treatments to an indulgent spa day, you're in safe hands with the friendly therapists. PURE Spa will take care of your wellbeing needs as you drift into a state of relaxation, far away from the stresses of wedding planning.

2024 food and drink trends predicted by the experts

From flexitarianism and the rise of sharing plates, to higher demand for whiskies and the rise in under-loved species of fish; here, renowned chefs and drink experts predict what will be the food and drink trends to take 2024 by storm - inspiration for your big-day catering too, with so much choice it will be hard to pick your favourite trend!

Stockton House is a beautiful Grade II* listed building in Shropshire

Stockton House is a beautiful Grade II* listed building nestled in 8,500 acres of Shropshire countryside on the Apley Estate. Stockton has been newly renovated, transforming what once was a family home into a boutique wedding venue. The 18th-century building is full of history, and during the renovation, the team wanted to preserve the original features and architecture the house has to offer and pay homage to the history and heritage this amazing house has.

Celebrate your wedding day with Niche Cocktails

If you want to serve amazing cocktails on the big day, then Niche Cocktails has you covered with its premium ready-to-drink canned cocktails. Perfect for kick-starting the celebrations, Niche Cocktails' range of all-natural cocktails taste just as good (if not better) than the ones you'd make from scratch, meaning that cocktail-loving couples can serve their favourite combos on their wedding day - why not enjoy your favourite tipples on your hen/stag or sten do too! Pre-mixed to ensure there's one less thing to worry about, you and your guests can enjoy a tasty tipple with Niche's delicious range that is so simple to serve. Each can can be poured straight into a glass or into a shaker with ice, allowing your guests more time for mingling.

Should I get a prenup ahead of my wedding?

Should I get a prenup ahead of my wedding? If you're planning your wedding, it's likely you're experiencing a whole mix of emotions! On the one hand, you'll be on cloud nine and feeling so excited. On the other, the stress can often get the better of you, no matter how in love you are. The planning, the preparation and the pressure can be overwhelming at times. In amongst all of this, you may not be thinking about putting measures in place to protect yourself in the event of the relationship one day breaking down. Whilst not the most romantic of things to be thinking about, an ever-growing number of couples are turning to prenuptial agreements ('prenups') to safeguard their money and assets before they begin their marriage and post nuptial agreements thereafter. At Stowe Family Law, we have seen enquiries for prenups increase by a quarter in the last year.

Alrewas Hayes is hosting an open day on Sunday 21st January

Alrewas Hayes, a stunning wedding venue in Staffordshire, is hosting an open day on Sunday 21st January 2024. The historic country estate will be opening its doors for couples to see the elegantly dressed wedding spaces and meet the friendly and knowledgeable wedding and events team.

Enjoy a glass of fizz upon arrival and talk all things wedding with a handpicked selection of talented suppliers. With full access to the venue and grounds, you can take a tour and begin picturing your dream wedding day.

Most popular day for marriage proposals revealed

New research has revealed the most common dates for marriage proposals in the UK, with Christmas Day, New Year's Eve and Valentine's Day taking the top three spots. In order to delve into engagement trends, a UK wedding venue has conducted a survey of married, engaged and single people... More than 2,700 people aged 18 and over took part in the research, 76% of whom were married or engaged and 24% of whom had not been engaged yet. Respondents answered questions about their past proposals, or what they would want from a proposal in future. Wedding venue Hensol Castle first of all asked what date of the year anyone who was or had been engaged was asked for their hand in marriage (or did the asking), which revealed the following top five dates to be the most popular of the year: