Your Midlands Wedding news and ideas from around the region

Six things you need to insure when tying the knot

As wedding season draws nearer, couples are scrambling to tie up loose ends and ensure their special day goes off without a hitch. Amidst the excitement and anticipation, there have been 11K Google searches for 'wedding insurance' in the past month alone. The insurance experts at Bionic have looked into some of the most useful insurances to have for your big day. As of 2023, the average amount spent on wedding venues in the UK was nearly £8,000, meaning a significant amount of money would be at stake if the day were to be cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances affecting the venue. Similarly, the average spent on wedding videography and photography was nearly £3,000. In the event of any technical faults on the day, you could be at risk of memories of your special day not being captured, and also losing out on thousands if you weren't to take out cover.

Discover The Priest House Hotel in Derby

Set in a tranquil and stunning location on the banks of the River Trent, The Priest House Hotel has a rich history that can be traced back almost 1,000 years. Combined with its own Grade II listed water wheel, opulent surroundings and contemporary style that complements the charm and romance of the English countryside, the venue is perfect for weddings. Set in more than 60 acres of woodland, gardens and meadows with breathtaking views of the rolling countryside and the River Trent, the grounds are something out of a fairytale. Watching the sunset over the river with the gardens lit up makes for magical evening transformations. The Garden Suite is a spacious room with original exposed wooden beams and fairylights to add that extra sparkle to events.

Leading Celebrant says industry needs infusion of new talent

The UK celebrant industry is seen as boring and is ripe for reinvigoration, according to Richard Lavender, founder of UK Celebrant Academy, a new training company for modern celebrants. There is now much more demand for celebrant-led ceremonies than ever before, as people want weddings that reflect their unique stories and values. "Celebrants, unlike registrars, provide completely unique and personalised ceremonies, with no limitations on location or content. But there are a lot of celebrants who are providing boring cookie cutter ceremonies. The Celebrant industry needs an infusion of new blood that will bring energy, humour and fun to special days whether they are weddings, funerals, baby naming or vow renewals," says Richard.