Raise a cheer for beer If you’re looking to serve a memorable, curated drinks menu at your wedding head on down to the Craft Beer Expo, returning to Black Lodge Brewery on Friday 12th and Saturday 13th June 2026, and explore the offerings at the Baltic Triangle site in Liverpool. For 2026, the team has broadened the drinks offer beyond beer, including independent cider, cocktails and summer serves, alongside an expanded brewery list and food offer. More than 30 breweries feature in the first announcement with more due to be confirmed. So, you’re sure to find the right tipple to delight your guests. Tickets are now on sale, with four sessions available alongside day passes and a full weekend ticket. Prices start at £15 plus fees, and each ticket includes a limited-edition beer brewed for the event. Tickets are available at craftbeerexpo.co.uk HAPPY ANNIVERSARY! Somerset Blooms started with £40, a bucket of flowers and, “absolutely no idea where it would lead.” This soon flourished into a floristry business with projects across the UK and now celebrates its fourth anniversary. For owner Nathalie, this has meant, “Four years of early starts, late finishes, muddy shoes, sore arms, mood boards that changed 27 times and flowers absolutely everywhere,” she says. “From everyday bunches to big moments, every order, message, recommendation and bit of support has genuinely meant the world. Here’s to good flowers, good people, and whatever chaos comes next!” Find out more about Somerset Blooms at somersetblooms.co.uk THE MODERN WEDDING If you’re starting out on your journey to W-day, getting a handle on the latest statistics and trends may well help you navigate the planning process. Party Houses has analysed everything from average costs and guest numbers, so you don’t have to. Here’s a breakdown of the key facts shaping UK weddings right now, based on the most recent available data. The average cost of a UK wedding in 2024 was reported to be between £21,000 and £25,000, while the cost-of-living crisis impacted the wedding budget for 58 per cent of couples. The good news is that neighbouring Wales is the least expensive place to get married at an average cost of £15,529. In 2024, the average number of wedding guests was around 8389, an increase from the previous period. Smaller, more intimate weddings are a continuing trend going forward. Hotels were the most popular venue choice, selected by 26-29 per cent of couples, while barns were chosen by approximately 1522 per cent. Saturday remains the most frequent day for weddings although its dominance is decreasing with many venues offering fantastic deals on other days of the week. There’s now a trend towards offpeak dates, with autumn, particularly October becoming almost as popular as the summer months. Check out the full report at partyhouses.co.uk/wedding-statisticsuk. Party Houses boasts a variety of wedding reception venues across North Wales, so head over to the website to find out more. Image courtesy of Craft Beer Expo cocobella-photography.com LATEST NEWS 7
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