Your East Midlands Wedding news and ideas from around the region

Discover the new wedding venue opening in Lincolnshire

After ten years of planning and careful consideration, Thetford Farm Barn is a privately owned wedding venue that will launch in South Lincolnshire. Available for bookings starting from Spring 2024 with the website launching early June 2023, the venue will provide couples with a showstopping backdrop for their day. The main barn is located at the centre of an 'E' shaped layout with a capacity of up to 400 guests, and promises to offer a truly unforgettable experience for couples looking for a picturesque location to get married. The brick barn in the parish of Baston is a beautifully restored venue that retains its rustic charm and character, creating a unique atmosphere.

Sentimental gift ideas from Heads & Tails Jewellery

Heads & Tails Jewellery has been making personalised, beautifully designed jewellery for more than 10 years. The brand's innovative products can be treasured by your loved ones for years to come, making them ideal for wedding day gifting. Every handcrafted gift uses high-quality materials and is presented in a luxury gift bag or luxury gift box and comes with a 12 month warranty. Emma Pearson, owner of Heads & Tails Jewellery, shares her top advice for wedding day gifting.

Weatherproofing your UK Wedding

Outdoor weddings can create truly magical experiences, from fairytale forests to Bridgerton-style countryside escapes, being surrounded by the natural world, the sound of birdsong and a gentle breeze is a perfect day for some. We wish that were always the case, but no matter how meticulously you plan your wedding, the one thing that will always be beyond your control is the notoriously unpredictable Great British weather. Fulton Umbrellas have come up with a handy guide on how you can weatherproof your wedding.

Attending a wedding this summer - save on travel costs

Now that wedding season is upon us, a recent survey by Railcard has revealed that wedding guests spend on average a whopping £402.90 on each wedding they attend. With 31% of Brits having attended between one and three weddings in the past two years, these sometimes-overlooked expenses can quickly rack up. In fact, 59% of those surveyed admit that they would decline a wedding invitation if the costs of attending were too high, showing that cost-savings to any wedding expense can really make the difference for those who RSVP 'Yes' or a regretful 'No'.

Plan your wedding at The National Wedding Show

Planning a wedding is one of the most exciting times of your life and what better way to celebrate than a day out with your partner or wedding party. County Wedding Magazines has teamed up as media partners with The National Wedding Show which returns to Birmingham (NEC) between 22-24 September, and to London (ExCeL) 14-15 October, for two full weekends of unbridled wedding inspiration. Chat to hundreds of local and national suppliers, try on dreamy dresses, get the scoop at insider talks and make the most of some unique discounts too. After all, when it comes to planning the biggest day of your lives, every little helps.

Wedding speech pressure: top tips to nail it!

Whether the best man, the bride or a family member, giving a speech at a wedding naturally comes with pressure to perform. In fact Dr Chris Hartley, a sport and performance psychologist working with Insure4Sport, has likened it to the pressure faced by professional sportspeople in a major event like a penalty kick or break point. Here, he shares top tips on how to cope with the weight of expectation, fear of failure when giving a wedding speech, using sport psychology techniques he employs when working with top athletes.

Should more women taking the wedding speech spotlight

More women should be taking the spotlight at big events, according to new research from learning and development company Good Shout. However, according to a new poll, conducted in partnership with YouGov, the very prospect fills two thirds of women (67%) with dread. Of those women in the UK who would refuse to give speeches at a wedding, 50% said that it was the "cringe factor" that held them back, i.e. being too self-conscious or feeling too awkward or uncomfortable in the situation.

Paper Starlights launches new collection

Paper Starlights, renowned for its beautiful and intricate star lanterns, has launched its new wedding collection to bring enchantment, sustainability and light to wedding celebrations. Handmade using responsibly sourced paper, these paper lanterns will add an elegant touch to wedding décor with their glowing aura and romantic design. "Whether you're planning a formal reception or an informal garden elopement, the right wedding lighting creates atmosphere and takes your big day into night", says Paper Starlights co-founder Andy Jupp.

Tips for tying the knot while it’s hot

With Summer wedding season in full-swing and the English weather as unpredictable as ever, happy couples across the country may get more than what they bargained for when it comes to wishing for a sunny day. As temperatures across the UK already reaching highs of 30C and the Met Office predicting even hotter temperatures expected ahead, Samantha Gilchrist, former wedding photographer turned cofounder and CEO of The Gilchrist Collection, the UK's largest wedding venue collection, gives her expert advice gathered from over 15 years in the industry.

Hen parties in UK more popular now

Hen parties on UK soil are the number one choice for Brits, according to new research from Butlin's Big Weekenders. According to a study commissioned to mark the reopening of Butlin's Big Weekenders breaks in September, over half of Brits (53%) say a hen do in the UK is more appealing than one abroad and almost the same (54%) say a hen do is better on one resort where all the facilities are in one place. On a Butlin's Big Weekender guests can enjoy accommodation, food, drink entertainment, and activities all in one place. The adult-only weekends are available at all three resorts - Bognor Regis, Minehead and Skegness. What's more, organisation is key for British hens, as data reveals the most common time to plan a hen do is 3-4 months in advance, in stark comparison to men, who are most likely to plan a stag do just 2-3 days in advance!

Discover Oddhouse Farm in Nottinghamshire

Centrally located on the Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire and Lincolnshire borders and skirting the stunning Vale of Belvoir; Oddhouse Farm offers a rural setting nestled within the beautiful British countryside. Surrounded by open fields and rolling hills, couples can enjoy the rare combination of tranquillity and a relaxed atmosphere to tie the knot, celebrate their big day and rest in ultimate comfort. The Granary is a charming old threshing barn that has been sympathetically restored and is fully licensed for civil ceremonies with 85 people. Its delightful character is encapsulated within the red brick walls, oak beams and limestone detail – perfect for intimate celebrations. Receptions occur in the spacious Dutch Barn, which can seat up to 85 guests for wedding breakfasts and 140 for evening receptions. There's plenty of space for a dancefloor and entertainment.

Most Instagrammable beach wedding venues in the UK

Wedding invitation company, Aura Print, analysed 70 of the most sought-after beach wedding destinations and discovered the UK's most Instagrammable coastal wedding venues. The stunning spot of Tunnels Beaches in Ilfracombe, Devon boasts over 13k hashtags on Instagram, making this the study's number one pick. Located on the beautiful North Devon coast, Tunnels Beaches is situated on a cliff top with hand carved tunnels down to a secluded private beach. The venue provides a thatched roof gazebo which overlooks the breathtaking Devon coastline for a picture-perfect backdrop

Brits feel judged on wedding gifts

Almost one in five (20%) Brits feel judged by friends and family when they cannot afford wedding gifts and 14% say they feel judged when they can't afford to attend a wedding, stag or hen party. 81% are depending on a form of finance other than their main income to provide for their family New research has revealed that almost one in five Brits (20%) feel judged by friends and family when they cannot afford wedding gifts. A further 14% say they feel judged when they can't afford to attend a wedding, stag or hen party.

Sara Davies, Fred Sirieix and Raj Somaiya revealed as BBC judges

Launching in August, BBC Two's Ultimate Wedding Planner will see eight wedding planners battle it out to prove they are Britain's next best wedding expert as they design spectacular ceremonies for six couples. Dragons' Den star Sara Davies, First Dates favourite Fred Sirieix and wedding industry expert Raj Somaiya will be the judges and mentors - overseeing the planners as they create dream weddings for our couples. Throughout the competition they will send home the weakest planner until just two remain in the final where the planners will face one final challenge to decide who will be crowned the winner.

Hanbeck Farm offers the perfect backdrop to weddings

Hanbeck Farm offers a dream-worthy location for weddings, tailored completely around couples from midweek weddings to weekend dates. With one to three-day hire options, pairs will create memorable weddings surrounded by their nearest and dearests. Nestled among picturesque gardens and a lake where couples can watch magnificent sunsets with their favourite tipple, the property can host 100 guests for ceremonies and 120 evening guests in the main wedding barn. The incredibly versatile space features bi-folding doors that open onto the private courtyard, perfect for garden games.

The 'anti-wedding' wedding trends making their mark in 2023

'Anti-wedding' is the hottest new wedding trend this summer, from ditching tradition with bridal pant suits, short wedding dresses and mismatched bridesmaid dresses - get ready to see these trends everywhere this wedding season. Wedding supply experts at Aura Print have scoped out TikTok to serve up the top 10 anti-wedding wedding trends to look out for this summer. More people are ditching traditional for unconventional, allowing for their special day to be even more unique to the couple.

LUXE Hair Beauty Bridal wins wedding award

LUXE Hair Beauty Bridal wins Best UK Bridal Salon in the UK Hair and Beauty Awards for the third year. The company opened during the lockdown in 2020 as a space for brides to enjoy bridal trials in a designated area while enjoying a glass of Prosecco or two. Over the years, it has grown a team of six bridal and beauty specialists on hand to get bridal parties wedding ready. They cover all aspects of hair, make-up, spray tans, lashes, nails, aesthetics and skin treatments.

How to throw a Barbie-themed hen party this summer

With the launch of the new Barbie movie, searches for "barbie party" on Pinterest have seen a 121% increase in the last six months as people look for inspiration on how to throw their own, pink-themed parties. As the wedding season is in full swing, thortful.com has teamed up with Pippa Masson, party planning expert at Hen Party Company Fizzbox, to compile top tips on how to throw a Barbie-themed hen party this summer. From Barbie themed cocktails to choosing the perfect venue, this is how to have the ultimate bachelorette Barbie herself would even love.

Fun and luxe wedding gifts

Attending a wedding this summer? Looking for the ultimate addition to your wedding day gift list? Look no further, Who Icons, seamlessly combines refined luxury with a touch of casual elegance, creating the ultimate personalised wedding gift. Who Icons understands that love stories are unique, and so should be the gifts that commemorate them. Its exquisite collection of handcrafted treasures is meticulously designed to captivate the hearts of discerning couples. From The Royals to the Beckhams, Anna Wintour to Karl Largerfield, the debut collection featuring the world's most influential fashion icons - and here at County Wedding Magazines HQ we're finding it hard to pick our favourite, we'll just have to collect them all.

Take a break from the wed-min - 30 things which bring happiness

Although joyous occasions, planning a wedding can be stressful with money worries and family politics all thrown into the mix. If you feel like this is your situation right now, grab yourself a brew and a biscuit and read this heartfelt study by Samsung: a definitive list of 30 things which bring us pure moments of happiness! An optimistic 94 percent of those surveyed, agree that joy is all around us, we just have to choose to see it.