Your Midlands Wedding news and ideas from around the region

Hotel Indigo Stratford-upon-Avon shortlisted twice in the West Midlands Tourism Awards 2027!

The hotel and its restaurant and coffee lounge have been recognised in two regional awards programmes, with winners announced in October and the New Year. Hotel Indigo Stratford-upon-Avon is celebrating after receiving four award nominations, with its restaurant, coffee lounge and wider hotel team all recognised across two regional awards programmes. The Falcon Coffee Lounge has been shortlisted in the Café/Coffee Shop category of the 2027 West Midlands Tourism Awards, while The Woodsman is a finalist in the Restaurant category. Now in their seventh year, the awards celebrate the region's leading accommodation providers, food and drink venues, visitor attractions and cultural and sporting experiences. A total of 35 businesses and attractions are competing across 17 categories, with winners due to be announced at a ceremony early in 2027. Gold and silver recipients will also progress to VisitEngland's National Awards for Excellence.

Wowcher’s spa expert Cheryl Corns shares five ways to enjoy a little luxury for less

A relaxing spa visit doesn't have to involve an overnight stay or a three-figure budget. From choosing a shorter treatment with facilities access to comparing afternoon packages, there are ways to enjoy a little luxury while keeping spending down. Cheryl Corns, Wowcher's spa expert, shares five practical tips to help people find a spa experience that suits their budget. "Start with what you'd most enjoy from your visit," says Cheryl. "A massage, a swim and some time in the sauna might be exactly what you're looking for. You don't necessarily need a long treatment or an overnight stay to make it feel like a treat. "The key is to compare the whole experience—what treatment you get, which facilities you can use and how much time you have there—so you choose something that works for you."

Keepsakes to Treasure with House of Janneke

Lifestyle brand House of Janneke is expanding its collection of meaningful keepsakes with two new titles: The Book of Special Guests and The Book of Special Recipes, designed to preserve the people, stories and traditions that matter most. Following the success of The Book of Special Days, founder Janneke Simpson has created two beautifully presented books that encourage owners to capture memories by hand, creating personal mementoes to revisit and pass down through generations.

The A/W 2026 wedding trends: softer tailoring, richer tones and seasonal florals

From chocolate and camel tailoring to dahlias and trailing amaranthus, autumn/winter weddings are embracing richer colours and softer styling. As the autumn/winter wedding season gets underway, couples are moving away from rigid, perfectly matched styling in favour of looks that feel more relaxed, personal and connected to the season. Jess Levick, Assistant Buyer at Suit Direct, shares the key tailoring and styling trends shaping A/W 2026 occasionwear, alongside Lucy Hook, Floral Lead at Bloom & Wild, who reveals the flowers, colours and textures set to be popular for bouquets and displays this season.

What to do now to get your finances ready for 2027 

Aileen Robertson, Tesco Bank's Head of Savings, has shared ways soon-to-be-wedded couples and newlyweds can build healthy savings habits and step into 2027 feeling more confident about their shared futures! Aileen Robertson, Head of Savings at Tesco Bank, comments: "The start of a new year often feels like the perfect opportunity for a fresh start, with people embracing resolutions and looking to turn over a new leaf. But creating new habits can take time as people settle back into their routines, and sometimes those good intentions never quite get off the ground. "If you're trying to stay on top of your finances in 2027, taking small steps now can make that journey much easier. It's important to remember that it's never too late, or too early, to start working towards your goals. Setting them is the first step, whether they're big or small, so think about what you want your money to do for you. From here you can start to work towards your goals, building good savings habits along the way, and see your money grow over time."

Have you planned your confetti moment?

Ezra's Confetti is a family-run business creating completely bespoke, biodegradable natural petal confetti for weddings across the UK. With more than a million possible colour combinations and no dyes, paints or stains, couples can create a mix to perfectly complement their day, with prices starting from just 70p per guest. The business also works with environmentally conscious small businesses to offer wedding favours and décor, alongside its specialist resin flower preservation service. Your wedding flowers can be transformed into beautiful keepsakes including frames, jewellery, bookmarks, hearts, bookends and tables. Founded when six-year-old Ezra made confetti for his dad and stepmum's wedding, the business remains a true family affair, with Ezra and his sister Ivy still involved today.

Yankee Candle® launches limited-edition The Traitors collection

Fans of the BBC's hit reality show The Traitors can bring a little intrigue into their homes this autumn with a limited-edition candle collection from Yankee Candle. Inspired by the BAFTA-winning series, the new collection features two Signature Large Jar Candles: Faithful and Traitor. Each fragrance represents a different side of the game, inviting fans to choose their allegiance while settling in for the latest round of suspicion, secrets and unexpected reveals. Faithful is designed to evoke comfort and calm, blending cashmere vanilla and rose with a warm amber base. Its soft, powdery fragrance is ideal for cosy evenings spent analysing clues and debating who can be trusted.

Traitors, Bake Off and Strictly: the TV-inspired hen dos you can actually book

With The Traitors, Strictly Come Dancing and The Great British Bake Off all back on our screens, hen and stag parties can take inspiration from some of the nation's favourite TV shows. Chillisauce is offering groups the chance to recreate the drama, dancing and baking challenges for themselves, with experiences designed to bring a little competitive spirit to pre-wedding celebrations. Whether you fancy uncovering a secret traitor, putting your baking skills to the test or learning a new dance routine, there are options to suit a range of groups and locations across the UK. Discover three TV-inspired hen and stag party ideas, from murder mystery experiences in 26 locations to baking challenges and themed dance classes....

ALDI launches new wick-ed £4.99 confetti Halloween candles

Aldi is getting into the Halloween spirit with its new Hotel Collection Halloween Confetti Candles, priced at just £4.99 each. The 180g candles feature colourful confetti patterns and come in three designs: Ghost, Pumpkin and Black Cat. Each candle offers an approximate burn time of 34 hours, making them an affordable way to add an autumnal touch to the home. Shoppers can choose from three seasonal fragrances, each with its own distinctive blend of notes.

Looking ahead to wedding trends for hens and stags in 2027

Hen Dos Stay Home While Stags Head Abroad, Chillisauce Data Reveals: Hen parties are increasingly choosing UK destinations, while stag groups are becoming more likely to head overseas, according to booking data from Chillisauce, which suggests the divide could widen further in 2027. The company's figures show that the proportion of hen bookings taking place in the UK rose from 69% in 2024 to 76% in 2026. Over the same period, the share of stag dos abroad increased from 59% to 68%. Robyn Davis, Head of Stag and Hen at Chillisauce, says affordability and accessibility are helping to shape hen party plans.

Sleep Like A Traitor

The Traitors is back! And with Britons fully embracing their inner detectives, the allure of a suspense-soaked countryside escape complete with shadowy hallways, crackling fires and the irresistible question of "who's hiding what?" is stronger than ever. Groups can immerse themselves in their very own plot twist this winter thanks to Rural Retreats. From atmospheric farmhouses to sprawling manors perfect for plotting and sleuthing, the scene is set for the ultimate Great British Whodunnit Weekend.

Manchester is the UK’s Marriage-Search Capital, New Research Finds

From searching for the perfect engagement ring to browsing wedding venues and proposal ideas, Brits are increasingly turning to Google when preparing to take the next step in their relationships. But new research has revealed that some UK cities are considerably more marriage-minded online than others. Manchester has emerged as the UK city with the highest level of marriage-related search interest relative to its population, according to research from Agilis. The city records an estimated 1,540.7 searches per 100,000 residents across terms relating to engagement rings, proposals, wedding planning, marriage advice and civil partnerships. Plymouth comes in second, with 1,435.6 searches per 100,000 residents, while Leeds takes third place with 1,343.9. Newcastle upon Tyne, Glasgow and Birmingham also feature strongly, with each recording more than 1,300 searches per 100,000 people.

Wedding photographer’s plea to guests: “Please don’t do this during the big moments”

As weddings become increasingly visual experiences, from professional photography and videography to social content and guest photos, modern couples are placing more focus than ever on preserving the moments they will look back on for years to come. To help couples and guests navigate this evolving landscape, leading bridal brand Grace Loves Lace has partnered with wedding photographer and planner Patrizia Corbianco, founder of Blancorazon Wedding, who has spent years capturing modern weddings and helping couples create meaningful, visually considered celebrations.

The 2026 UK Wedding Blacklist: The 10 Songs Couples Don’t Want on the Dancefloor

Modern British couples are officially rewriting the rules of wedding entertainment, according to new social listening research released today by UK live music and entertainment agency Jonny Ross Music. An analysis of social media discussions across TikTok and Reddit (r/UKweddings) reveals that traditional party staples are being systematically blacklisted in favour of curated, sophisticated setlists. The results point to a clear change in what younger couples want from their wedding receptions. Group dances, heavily played 2010s pop songs and football-style chants are among the tracks and trends couples are increasingly asking DJs and live bands to leave off their playlists.

The rise of ‘wedding-like’ commitment ceremonies – and the legal dangers couples don’t see coming

With the costofliving still shaping how couples celebrate, and social media normalising nontraditional ceremonies; more people are opting for celebrations that look like weddings but aren't legally binding, and many couples aren't realising the risk until it's too late. Google searches for "what is a commitment ceremony" have surged 63% in the past year, and with costs ranging from just £200 for a simple register-office ceremony, non-legal celebrations are becoming an increasingly attractive option with the cost-of-living continuing to put couples under pressure when considering marriage. However, these ceremonies also carry hidden legal pitfalls

New UK map reveals Brits’ favourite proposal spots according to social media

National family-owned jeweller, Beaverbrooks, has unveiled a new map revealing the 15 best places in the UK to pop the question, based on Instagram hashtag data. Whether it's against a backdrop of dramatic coastlines, rolling countryside or iconic city skylines, choosing the perfect place to propose is almost as overwhelming as choosing the ring. To help partners looking to ask the all-important question to their other halves, Beaverbrooks has created a new 'Proposal Map of the UK', making it easier than ever to find an idyllic location.

Big Day, Smaller Budget, Beautiful Weddings at Barnsdale

Barnsdale Gardens in Rutland is offering couples 25% off weddings taking place in 2027 when booked by 31 December 2026. Set across 38 individually styled gardens, the venue offers a romantic setting for weddings in every season, from spring blooms and summer colour to autumn hues and winter charm. Couples can exchange vows beneath a beautiful oak arbour surrounded by spectacular planting, before exploring the gardens for photographs in settings including the Woodland Walk, Japanese Garden, Formal Pond and Knot Garden. With an experienced team and a flexible approach to celebrations, Barnsdale Gardens can accommodate everything from Champagne and canapés to a traditional wedding breakfast, creating a day tailored to each couple.

Why more couples are letting the coast shape their wedding day

For couples planning a wedding, the setting is increasingly becoming more than a backdrop. Research from WeddingDates found that 78% of UK couples consider location an important factor when choosing a venue, with more than a third specifically influenced by the view. Rockwater, the UK coastal hospitality brand with beachfront venues in Hove and Branksome, says this is helping reshape how couples approach weddings by the water. Rather than simply choosing a coastal venue and then planning the celebration independently of it, couples are increasingly allowing the landscape, changing light and relationship between indoor and outdoor spaces to influence the day itself. Rockwater has identified four of the key considerations shaping modern coastal weddings.

Something old, something gone: The British wedding traditions on borrowed time

New Aspall research reveals the wedding traditions that are being dropped - from the bouquet toss and choreographed first dances, to the father-of-the-bride speech - and the modern alternatives taking their place. Speeches given only by men (36%), a choreographed first dance (34%) and the formal receiving line (30%) are among the wedding traditions that couples are keenest to ditch, a new study reveals. Wearing a veil, the 15-minute father-of-the-bride speech with no speech from the bride, and the traditional tiered fruit cake are also increasingly falling out of favour as Brits tie the knot, researchers found.

New app launches to simplify one of marriage’s biggest admin headaches

Changing your name after marriage can mean updating details with countless organisations, from banks and subscriptions to official documents and employers. New app Name Change Navigator aims to make the process easier, guiding newlyweds through each step from one platform. Founded by Rebecca Dainton, Head of Product at Flutter UK & Ireland, the app was created to reduce the stress and mental load associated with name changes. It supports a range of naming journeys, including traditional surname changes, double-barrelling, blended surnames and other choices following marriage, civil partnership, divorce or personal identity changes. The launch comes as younger generations increasingly rethink traditional naming conventions, with technology offering a more streamlined approach to this often-overlooked part of newlywed life.