Look what catches the eye of the editor with a special emphasis on local wedding businesses, shops and suppliers.
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Vadim was the keyboard player of the worldwide metal band Dragonforce, famous for fast heavy music and featured in Guitar Hero III and Despicable Me 4 movie - Natalie was a fan of the band. The couple met at a Dragonforce concert where Natalie was photographing the show, and Vadim noticed her in the crowd and thought she was naturally beautiful and stood out. After meeting at the end of the show they fell in love very fast and had the, 'when you know, you know' feeling. Natalie was already a fan and had posters of the band on her wall as a teenager, so she was really surprised that her crush noticed her and was interested in her. Today, the pair have been married 10 years and have two daughters. Their love is stronger than ever and having not had a big wedding then, decided now was the time to renew their vows and have a huge celebration. On 2nd November 2024 they did just that at East Mersea Hall.
Vicky Endersby from Wonderland Blooms (www.wonderlandblooms.uk) says: In 2025, UK wedding floral trends are set to embrace a blend of timeless elegance and modern creativity. One of the most notable trends is the return to seasonal and locally-sourced blooms. Couples are increasingly prioritising sustainability, opting for flowers that are in season to reduce the environmental impact. Expect to see an abundance of garden roses, dahlias, and wildflowers that bring a natural and organic feel to wedding arrangements.
Dried flowers will continue to be popular, either mixed with fresh blooms or used as standalone arrangements, lending a rustic, bohemian touch to wedding decor. Pampas grass, dried lavender, and preserved eucalyptus add texture and a vintage flair, perfect for couples looking for an unusual twist.
Finally, expect to see a rise in immersive floral experiences. Couples are moving beyond simple bouquets and centrepieces to include dramatic floral arches, hanging installations, and flower walls. These eye-catching arrangements serve as memorable backdrops for ceremonies and receptions, making the floral design a focal point of the wedding.
For more of our 2025 hotlist, check out the Hot Topic pages in the Jan/Feb25 issue of Your Yorkshire Wedding. It's free to download at www.youryorkshire.wedding/free-download
Helen met Dan when he joined the company she worked for. Over time they became friends, eventually best friends. Six years later, they realised their strong connection was something more and became a couple. “We call ourselves split-aparts (Plato's theory of soulmates) and constantly share the same thought at the same time. It's kind of spooky actually,” Helen says. “We laugh at the same things and are impossibly co-dependent, which in turn makes everyone else laugh at us!”
Dan proposed in 2023, exactly 10 years to the day they met for the first time. He chose to do so on a beach in Christchurch, Dorset, the setting for their first break away as a couple. He'd intended to do it on the cliff top with a picnic he'd prepared but as they sat down to eat, they were besieged by tiny black flies. Undeterred he suggested they go down onto the beach instead. “I had no idea what was about to happen,” Helen says. “First, he presented me with a book of the cute little notes he'd written every day for me since we'd been together. He told me it was a 10th anniversary present. The final note ended, 'Our relationship has changed volumes – from colleagues to friends, to best friends, to split-aparts. Today, 10 years later, marks the day it changes once more...'” As she finished reading, she turned to find him holding a box containing the most beautiful ring and asked her to marry him. “Yes, I cried,” she says.
The couple had their hearts set on an al fresco ceremony and found several beautiful locations including barns. They loved them all, but accommodation was sometimes an issue. They had set some quite specific criteria and Cottesmore Hotel Golf & Country Club ticked all the boxes. When they saw the wedding lawn, they fell in love straight away. “The entire place feels like this most amazing, relaxed barn-like venue,” Helen says. “It feels so exclusive, and is so pretty, rustic and relaxed while still having a very fresh modern feel. Any guest would be as at home in chinos and a shirt as they would in a tuxedo.” So, they wasted no time in securing their date 19th July 2024.
Discover the story of the day in the Feb/Mar25 issue of Your Sussex Wedding, free to download now at www.your-sussex.wedding/free-download
Emma has been the owner of Maria Modes for nine years, which is a little different from most boutiques. A wedding department store, it offers not only bridal but bridesmaids, menswear and mother-of-the-bride/groom too. Located in Macclesfield, it's set over three spacious floors. “We aim for laid-back luxury as our mantra, bringing you the most gorgeous offering (if I do say so myself!) of fashion forward and traditional wedding dresses, and everything in between,” Emma says.
For more local bridal bouqtique inspiration and wisdom, download the Jan/Feb25 issue of Your Cheshire & Merseyside Wedding at https://www.yourcheshiremerseyside.wedding/free-download
Charlie and Alice met on Hinge during lockdown and had their first date the day the pubs reopened. What a day that was! Charlie was attracted to Alice's sense of humour, smile and love of sport. Alice was attracted to Charlie's handsome smile and the fact he also happened to be a Chelsea FC fan. Post lockdown the pair moved to New York and worked and breathed city life there for 13 months. A Stateside wedding was out of the question, as the pair wanted to invite all of their nearest and dearest – which couldn't be attained the other side of the Atlantic. Alice Foster-Nagel married Charlie Nagel at Hedingham Castle on 7th September 2024.
How gorgeous are the real wedding couple Robyn and Qusai looking here on their special day at The Green Cornwall? Read their love story on page 33 of the new issue available to download now for FREE!
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Sisters Asher and Ellis got engaged at a similar time, so Asher and fiancé Mike waited for Ellis and John to confirm their date first, allowing them to tie the knot within the following month or two. When away on a weekend away together as a group, the topic of a double wedding came up as a joke. “We were quite a few drinks deep at this point, so we can't remember who exactly suggested it,” Asher laughs. Fast forward a few months, when all three sisters and their other halves were on another weekend away in Mallorca, and the joke idea of a double wedding came up again. This time they all gave it some serious thought and a plan started to form. “We all agreed we'd like to do it and the planning began,” Asher shares.
Asher and Ellis have always been very close and share lots of friends, and of course, family members. Attending both weddings would have been practically identical for the guests! “It just made sense for us to join forces,” Asher explains, “have one big wedding instead of separate celebrations.” The four were excited about the prospect of getting married together and it worked for each for different reasons. “The boys were both keen to share the limelight, and the cost... let's face it, weddings are expensive!” Asher says. Indeed, both husbands-to be were involved in conversations about a double wedding from the start and were equally excited we're told. The idea of less pressure on the day certainly appealed. Not to mention, when taking a pragmatic and logical approach, as the gents did, when they looked at the joint guest list and the amazing wedding they could have by joining forces, it all made sense and fell into place. “The grooms also got off lightly when it came to the planning,” Asher says. “We had it under control and only consulted them once we had researched everything and wanted a final sign off!”
You can find the full story of the big day in the Jan/Feb25 issue of Your Yorkshire Wedding, free to download at www.youryorkshire.wedding/free-download
Ronan proposed to Gráinne outside the house where they first kissed in White Street, Brighton. The couple live in Ireland, but met in Brighton, which was where it all began for them back in 2011.
The pair refer to Brighton as 'their special place,' so it was here they wanted to marry. “The Doubletree by Hilton Brighton Metropole is a classy venue on the seafront, where a lot of our memories together began,” Gráinne explains. So, with the venue chosen, the date was set for 6th September 2024.
Discover more about the couple's big day in the Feb/Mar25 issue of Your Sussex Wedding, free to download at www.your-sussex.wedding/free-download
Captured at Northover Manor Hotel in Illchester by Infinity Photography, this shoot gives us all the romantic vibes of a glorious winter wedding, complete with nature's seasonal palette of burgundy, oranges, browns and yellows. It was a theme that suited the Hotel's rustic, beamed function space and its 16th-century manor house to perfection.
The team took their inspiration from the venue's 400-year-old horse chestnut tree and gardens, which offer breathtaking views of the Somerset countryside. How could one fail to fall in love with the setting? The day came together with the assistance of some wonderfully talented local suppliers and we're delighted to present the results.
Don't miss the full shoot in the Feb/Mar25 issue of Your Somerset, Glos & Wilts Wedding, free to download at www.yoursomersetglosandwilts.wedding/free-download
Cynthia Green was born in Bolton and her illustrious 27-year-long career as a celebrant and registrar is peppered with firsts. She conducted the first same sex civil partnership ceremony in 2005 and made history by leading the UK's first opposite sex civil partnership at midnight in 2014. She has also conducted the first and only ever Scientology wedding. To date, Cynthia has married more than 20,000 couples.
Find out more: download the Jan/Feb25 issue of Your Cheshire & Merseyside Wedding free at www.yourcheshiremerseyside.wedding/free-download