Your East Midlands Wedding news and ideas from around the region

The Cake Queen wins prestige wedding award

Lincolnshire-based wedding cake designer Zoe Critchley at The Cake Queen has been named Cake Designer of the Year for the East Midlands in The Wedding Industry Awards 2023. Zoe has been creating wedding cakes for more than four years but has been baking cakes for 10 years in total. She says, "I've always loved weddings since I was little! I'd hear the church bells from my nan's house, and there was just something so magical about the sound."

County Wedding Magazine reader shares their prize win story!

Here at County Wedding Magazines HQ, we love nothing more than to hear from the winners of our competitions. In the crazy world of wedding planning, it's exciting for us to be able to offer our lovely readers some exciting giveaways and competitions which will hopefully give you a much-needed pick-me-up during on the countdown to your wedding day. In December 2022, CWM ran a competition, 'Win a relaxing spa day for two!' and the winners were nearlyweds Laura and Antoni. The lucky pair enjoyed a day at The Spa at Ardencote, a luxury four-star wedding venue in Warwickshire, including a 55-minute Elemis treatment, light lunch and full access to the award-winning spa facilities worth £130!

Wedding flowers for a lifetime

If you fell in love with your wedding flowers, or perhaps your chosen blooms on the big day had a sentimental meaning, the experts from Gardening Express have named the best flowers to grow in your garden so you can have memories forever of your wedding day. Dahlias come in a variety of colours and sizes, they have a long vase life, which means they will look fresh and beautiful. Dahlias are also associated with love and commitment, making them a meaningful choice.

Tie the knot outside at Tipis at Whatton House

After opening in 2021, Tipis at Whatton House has provided couples with three giant tipis and a chill-out tipi for dreamworthy weddings. Nestled in the jaw-dropping gardens of Whatton House, the venue is a hidden gem waiting to be discovered. With a cosy feel thanks to the solid wood flooring and twinkling lights that add a romantic vibe, what location could be better? It's not just the tipis that will have couples swooning; the grounds will transport pairs to a secret garden with a tranquil forest area, pristine lawns and beautiful blooms. Wander along the winding pathways and steal a few moments together as newlyweds while soaking up the spectacular views of the Leicestershire countryside. Tipis at Whatton House is also home to a charming rickety old bridge across a peaceful pond and an iconic swing, which provides couples with picture-perfect opportunities.

UK wedding catering trends 2023

Restaurant Associates reveals new data shows a definitive shift in style and substance at UK weddings post-Covid. Now that the dust has settled, and government mandated guest list limits are all but a thing of the past, the UK wedding scene has seen a definitive shift. New data from Restaurant Associates shows a preference to an informal style, plant-forward menus and reception only guests - so what does a 'normal' wedding look like, post-covid?

Emily White Music wins an exciting wedding award

Situated in the East Midlands, Emily White Music has won the Best Wedding Musical Act at The Wedding Industry Awards 2023 for the second year. The company's owner Emily White is a multi-award- winning singer and pianist who performs a unique blend of music that hints at her love for jazz, soul and the finest songwriters of the 70s to the present day. She is thrilled with the achievement as it shows her hard work and talent are paying off. With more than 10 years of experience, Emily has an extensive repertoire and strives to provide a bespoke and highly personalised experience for couples on their special day. She's happy to travel UK-wide and further afield.

Wedding favours that make a difference

Parkinson's UK has launched a new collection of wedding and celebration favours and place cards, meaning couples can rest assured with their ethical wedding choices. From old favourites to stunning new designs, there's something for everyone, and even better, with every purchase they're helping someone living with Parkinson's and their family, friends and carers. Parkinson's is the fastest-growing neurological condition in the world, and currently there is no cure. It affects around 145,000 people in the UK and every hour two more people are diagnosed with more than 40 symptoms, from tremor and pain to anxiety.

How to announce your wedding and involve your WIPs (Wedding Important People)

There are various levels of Wedding Important People (WIPs), which Rachel from The Wedding Party (TWP) says should govern how you tell them. "Significant WIPs, such as parents or guardians, should be face-to-face wherever possible. Getting families together to announce can kill two birds with one stone, but if your families have not met yet this can produce more nerves. If there are likely to be any reservations, then perhaps speak to your WIPs separately to allow for this. In the same breath, if parents are separated (yours or your partners), arrange to visit them separately but on the same day if possible. Finally, remember that using the video software available to you can ensure that you do this face-to-face no matter the circumstances.

The Hidden Hive offers the perfect space for outdoor weddings

Surrounded by enchanting woodland and idyllic lakes, The Hidden Hive is a laid-back venue located in the Derbyshire National Forest. With three giant tipis and a chill-out tipi all linked together to create the ultimate space, it's no wonder why the venue is so popular. Solid wooden flooring and twinkly lights throughout the tipis give the whole place that cosy and intimate feel. There's even a chill-out area consisting of Chesterfield sofas, armchairs and a fire pit to create a serious ambience. There's also outdoor seating for those warm summer nights as well as an indoor/outdoor bar. The venue is incredibly spacious yet has the rare ability to feel intimate. It's the perfect place for couples to let their imagination run wild – whether they want to host festive-style celebrations or elegant and understated soirées. No matter what, lovebirds will have vast amounts of space and open fields perfect for lawn games.

How to manage financial anxiety when planning a wedding

Anita Naik, Savings Expert at VoucherCodes.co.uk, provides her top tips on how to manage financial anxiety when planning a wedding: "Understanding and managing your finances is never an easy task at the best of the times, however, throwing in a big goal, such as saving for a wedding, can lead to feelings of stress and anxiety. Wedding planning should be fun, not daunting, therefore this Stress Awareness Month, I've pulled together my top tips to help reduce financial anxiety and make the process as enjoyable as possible.

Check out Jools Wedding Celebrant's current wedding offer

To help couples create the perfect personalised day, Jools Wedding Celebrant is offering a complimentary ceremony add-on to make weddings extra special. Based in Nottingham, the company works with nearlyweds throughout the planning journey to create exclusive and unique ceremonies with no restrictions. Couples can exchange vows at any time and location by having a celebrant-led wedding. Ceremonies can be funny, serious or quirky – so get creative and think outside the box! Couples can have loved ones participate, and their pets are welcome to join in. Owner Julia Gaunt will guide pairs every step of the way, and they'll know they're in safe hands. After sharing their love story, how much they mean to each other and any future hopes/dreams, Julia will work her magic to create memorable ceremonies.

The number one cause of wedding planning stress and how to reduce it!

What causes stress in wedding planning is something that is individual to each couple, but where does it mainly come from? Friends? Family? Finances? "A staggering 92% of our couples planning a wedding are feeling the pressure financially and it is causing overwhelm", says Rachel Allen, the CEO of The Wedding Party (TWP)." This was the reason that Rachel formulated The Overwhelm Button® to help couples to get good support. Rachel continues, "Being stressed over finances can take several different forms, the main three being as follows...

Cleatham Hall is a beautiful estate perfect for weddings

Nestled in the beautiful North Lincolnshire countryside, Cleatham Hall is a Grade II Palladian mansion surrounded by ancient parkland. The property's intimate atmosphere and historic surroundings offer a truly exclusive experience. Guests will experience the utterly bespoke wedding experience with total exclusivity of the entire 10-acre estate spread over three days. By working with couples' ideas and desires, the team will offer a magical experience to help them create their dream wedding. The excellent wedding team will cater for lovebirds every need with talented chefs delivering exquisite food and outstanding staff providing five-star service. The venue hosts ceremonies outside with the beautiful panoramic estate as the background or inside the ceremony room with 50 people, which features an original fi re place and floor-to-ceiling windows.

Sustainable wedding table ideas from LIGA

Known for their love of nature's wonder material - cork, LIGA's sustainable tableware collections are a stylish and unique wedding dining-setting choice. With their extensive collection of placemats, coasters, trays and candle holders, all made from eco-frendly and recycled materials, LIGA create clean and contemporary pieces, bringing a naturally beautiful element to the tablescape. Each with a unique grain and pattern, the organic cork selected by LIGA is lightweight and soft to touch, a wonderful raw material which is naturally water resistant and easy to clean. Sourced from the Montado Forests in Portugal, LIGA's cork is hand harvested using age-old skills without damaging the trees or the delicate eco-systems which thrive in the forests. Once cork has been made into a LIGA product it continues to absorb CO2, so a living and breathing piece of homeware.

Discover Ashleigh Richards Bridal's new bridal collection

Nottinghamshire-based Ashleigh Richards Bridal is celebrating its new Mon Cheri collection by Martin Thornburg. The seven new gowns coming soon are full of stunning details from beautiful sleeves, delicate lace, beautiful silhouettes and gorgeous backs. The boutique is set within a charming chapel built in 1888, with more than 130 years of history. After a fire broke out in 2014, the chapel required a complete renovation to bring new life and purpose to the space – it's now the ideal setting to find the one. Brides can find gowns from White Rose Bridal, LouLou Bride, Louise Bentley Bridalwear, Millie Grace, Sincerity Bridal, Herawhite Bridal and more. Prices range from £1,000 to £2,100 and payment plans are available upon request.

Team Hen's new Jelly Bag has landed

Meet the jelly bag that every bride tribe wants their hen party favours to arrive in 2023. Landing in three gram-worthy hues (off-white for the bride, dusky pink for the bridesmaids and maid-of-honour and pink for the hens). These reusable beauties are perfect for filling with Team Hen's latest array of coveted hen party favours and gifts whilst flaunting a cool, retro vibe. Plus, each comes tied with a matching ribbon, professionally printed in a luxe puffed design to create a slightly raised font effect. Not only are they the gift that keeps on giving (post-hen recipients can use them from beach to bar) but at £3.99 they're a steal!

County Wedding Events coming to Haycock Manor in Wansford, Cambridgeshire!

If you're newlyweds-to-be embarking on your wedding planning journey, pop along to the County Wedding Events wedding show at Haycock Manor, in Wansford, Cambridgeshire, for inspiration on Saturday 26th March 2023! Sister company to County Wedding Magazines, the event brings couples that are desperate for face-to-face wedding planning in touch with local professionals who are on hand to help plan the wedding day. From photographers to cake makers, musicians to florists you're sure to tick a lot off of your to-do list by attending one of our County Wedding Events.

Involving your family pet on the big day? Check out this personalised offering

Involving your four-legged friend on your wedding day? Are they taking a staring role walking down the aisle? If so, then you have to take a look at these smart and stylish personalised leather dog ring bearer pouches (£24) from Create Gift Love. Create Gift Love design and make personalised keepsake gifts and accessories to celebrate all of life's special moments, all handmade to order in its UK workshop from sustainable natural materials.

Osmaston Park offers the perfect setting for spring weddings

Situated in 3,000 acres of Derbyshire countryside on the edge of a quintessentially English village, Osmaston Park is a private venue that provides a stunning backdrop to weddings. Guests will love the picture-perfect views over the surrounding lakes, woodland and parkland areas. The venue hasn't got a civil ceremony licence, but couples can have celebrant-led blessings outside surrounded by the stunning scenery. The team offers an alternative space inside if the British weather is an issue. The silk-lined marquee can be tailored for receptions with 50 to 500 people. With fairylights and chandeliers that create a romantic atmosphere and the chance to decorate the space to match any theme, couples are sure to create their dream day. The team will provide all the tables and chairs, a dancefloor and a bar area for the ultimate celebrations.

The most popular 2023 trends according to Pinterest

To provide insight on the most popular wedding trends for spring 2023, the experts at Aura Print compiled a list of 25 popular trends after scouring Pinterest to discover the number of Pins for each. And here are the top 15 most popular spring 2023 wedding trends to be insipired by...First place for the most popular wedding trend for spring 2023 goes to the floral-themed trend. This trend had 22,148 Pins on the image sharing platform. It can include things like floral arches, flower-themed cakes or flower crowns. With a total of 11,765 Pins, the blue-themed wedding trend places second in the study. The trend also appeared on 116 Pinterest boards from 2022 onwards, cementing its popularity for the upcoming season. What is more, there's been a great interest in navy blue wedding invites, which had a whopping 16,725 Pins.