Look what catches the eye of the editor with a special emphasis on local wedding businesses, shops and suppliers.
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.
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 Feb/Mar25 issue of Your Sussex Wedding, free at www.your-sussex.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.yoursomersetglosandwilts.wedding/free-download
Following the joys, stresses and excitement of wedding planning, when it comes to your honeymoon, it's time to breathe deeply and slow down. Capo d'Orso, one of the properties in the family-run Delphina Hotels & Resorts portfolio, is the ideal place to get in touch with nature and get to know your wedded partner all over again. It truly is a couple's paradise, where privacy is paramount. Even during peak season, the hotel has so many intimate spots, hidden hammocks and secluded nooks for you to sunbathe and read a book or simply enjoy a glass of wine gazing out to sea, you'll never feel overlooked.
Find out more in the Jan/Feb25 issue of Your Cheshire & Merseyside Wedding free to download at www.yourcheshiremerseyside.wedding/free-download
We delve into the charm of every season to assist you in planning your wedding. Discover expert advice in our April/May issue, available to download for free now.
Get rid of those pre-wedding nervous with a memorable trip to Moddershall Oaks Country Spa Retreat. Discover more about the property in our Feb/March issue, available to download for free now.
Local wedding photographers reveal their best big-day images in the latest issue available to download now for FREE! They include photographer Tonja Fritz-Johnson from WPW Wallingford Portraits & Weddings.
Ian Webber recently returned to Gidleigh Park as executive head chef – read more on page 15 of the new issue available to download now for FREE!
Katie Marie Creations brings the sparkle to life's most meaningful moments, turning emotions into heirlooms and connections into keepsakes. Discover the company in our May/June issue, available to download for free now.
Our inspiring reader weddings offer practical insights and creative ideas from other couples, like Lindsay and Nicky's special day surrounded by loved ones. Discover their stunning wedding in our March/April issue, available to download for free now.
Through the power of social media, Louise and Paul found each other. Louise remembers, “We both felt really comfortable in each other's company from day one. The proposal was a complete surprise as when I met him, he was very anti marriage due to his past experience.” Louise must have made quite the impression and on 7th August 2024, Louise and Paul became Mr and Mrs at The Compasses at Pattiswick.
We asked Rotherham boutique owner Paula from Wedding Vows for her favourite gown in store at the moment...
"I'd say our favourite gown at the moment is Kaoria by Veni Infantino for Ronald Joyce," she says. "It's a beautiful coloured floral design, available in full length or tea length, along with a matching full cathedral-length veil and an overskirt to turn it into an even bigger ball gown. It's just phenomenal. It's one of the best-selling designs of the last two seasons and we can see why. We've also had one of our suppliers create a matching headpiece with the pearls and crystals added in to match the colours on the dress.
For more bridal gown inspiration don't meet our local boutiques feature in the Jan/Feb25 issue of Your Yorkshire Wedding, free to download at www.youryorkshire.wedding/free-download
Kerrie Bridger from Highgate Florist (www.highgateflorist.co.uk) says, “I'd recommend you start by researching what flowers are in season in the month you're getting married. Your florist can help you with this. Using seasonal flowers won't only mean there have been less resources used to grow them, but you'll also get better quality, as they're grown without force and as nature intended.”
For more floral inspiration and words of wisdom, check out the Feb/Mar25 issue of Your Sussex Wedding, free to download at www.your-sussex.wedding/free-download
“The timing of food at weddings is often different from when people are accustomed to eating. With the sit-down meal often not being until late afternoon, your guests will need some post-ceremony sustenance,” explains Jo Cranston from Queen & Whippet. “We recommend serving canapés as soon as guests arrive at the reception, alongside a selection of thirst-quenching non-alcoholic drinks in addition to the Champagne. Our canapés are designed to be substantial and self-contained; juggling leftover skewers and spoons is a pain for guests, so we don't use them. Canapés are a wonderful opportunity to add a personal touch to your reception. We create bespoke options that reference the couple's shared tastes and travels, which can be a great talking point for your guests. Recently, we've designed burrata and truffle cones for a couple who met in Rome and bite-sized empanadas for a Brazilian groom.”
For more foodie words of wisdom, check out our catering feature in the Feb/Mar25 issue of Your Somerset, Glos & Wilts Wedding, free to download at www.yoursomersetglosandwilts.wedding/free-download
Conceived in 1989 as an experimental lab, Atelier Versace focuses on innovation and research. The Atelier's pursuit of only the highest quality ingredients and exceptional craftsmanship has now been translated into a range of exclusive fragrances, which has recently expanded to include four beautiful new scents: Amber Nectar, Rose Flamboyante, Rêve de Myrrhe and the special edition Patchouli Précieux. All fragrances are £300 for 100ml, available at Harrods and Selfridges.
Download the Jan/Feb25 issue of Your Cheshire & Merseyside Wedding for more beauty news: www.yourcheshiremerseyside.wedding/free-download
Planning a summer wedding? Look no further than Stanlake Park Wine Estate in Reading, where real wedding couple Sam and Ben hosted their special day. Read their love story on page 34 of the latest issue available to download now for FREE!
Wish you were here! Turn to page 13 of the new issue available to download now for FREE to take advantage of our hot honeymoon offer with World Class Adventures.
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