Your Midlands Wedding news and ideas from around the region

Hampton Manor offers a showstopping backdrop to weddings

Hampton Manor combines the timelessness of a country manor house with interiors that blend contemporary design with historic beauty. The arts and crafts manor is weaved with William Morris' nature-inspired patterns alongside modern craftsmanship to create a luxury sense of home. Forty-five acres of gardens and woodland surround the manor. A clocktower terrace, lawns, woodland, bluebell drifts, a daffodil dell during spring and a walled garden provide beautiful backdrops for your wedding photos. Hampton Manor sits in a sleepy village with a Medieval church and chocolate-box cottages. It is very close to major links such as Birmingham International and M6/M42 for easy access for your guests. There are 15 individually designed bedrooms, and MasterChef: The Professionals champion Stuart Deeley curates the wedding menus.

Spring Bank Holiday weekend is set to host second highest number of weddings for 2024

The team at hampers.com, who strive to bring joy and wholehearted togetherness through gifting, recently undertook a study to determine the most popular dates for weddings in 2024, surveying almost 2,300 UK adults who were set to get married this year. When asked what date they were getting married on, the most popular dates were found to be were these here...

Need a helping hand with your groom's speech? Check out these top tips from Speechy

'The Speech Surgery' with Heidi Ellert McDermott, founder of Speechy & author of The Modern Couple's Guide to Wedding Speeches'. My groom isn't naturally romantic. How can I help him with his speech without actually writing it for him? Well, no one will be expecting him to be reciting sonnets and he doesn't need to have a personality transplant, but it would be nice if he managed to deliver at least a few suitably sweet lines in his speech! Send him a few good blog posts (including this one) and encourage him to get the advice & feedback from his friends (ideally, married ones who have been through the speechwriting process before).

Indulge in Vera Wang x Chopin vodka this wedding season

With the 2024 wedding season fast approaching, brides and grooms-to-be are looking for ways to impart luxury to their special day. From elevating their drink offering with expertly crafted cocktails to creating a sophisticated monochrome look, the Vera Wang x Chopin vodka has all the assets to make one's celebration stylish and memorable. Vera Wang x Chopin vodka comes from a unique partnership blending the refined style of iconic fashion designer Vera Wang with the unparalleled craftsmanship of Chopin.

The UK’s top stately homes for Bridgerton-themed weddings

A recent study has revealed the UK's highest-rated stately homes for Bridgerton-themed weddings, with Pembroke Lodge, Surrey named the best. The research, conducted by photo wall art creator StoryBoards, analysed user-generated review data from a popular wedding planning site to identify the UK regions with the highest quantity of top-rated stately homes by creating an overall rating score. The study has revealed that Pembroke Lodge is the nation's most highly rated stately home. Located in Surrey, the grand wedding venue has over 1,100 five-star ratings and an overall perfect score of 10 out of 10.

Discover Taylormade Wedding Band for the ultimate celebration

From floor-filling classics to the latest chart hits and indie/rock anthems, Taylormade Wedding Band has been magnetising dancefloors since 2008. Bringing amazing vocals, foot-stomping music and energy to over 700 weddings, corporate events and charity balls. "Weddings are our specialty," says the team. "We're professional musicians and experienced party-starters who really know how to take your wedding to another level. There are a lot of bands out there, but none offer our mix of musical talent, wedding experience and professionalism. Our acoustic duo is the perfect daytime wedding entertainment. For a breathtaking bridal entrance and ceremony, followed by a feel-good drinks reception, our cool, stripped-back 'live lounge' style covers are a great choice.

New research reveals biggest wedding trends of 2024, and some will surprise you

The wedding themes of 2024? Expect them to be smaller and more intimate, more informal and just generally more fun! That's according to a new study which was commissioned by high street jewellers, F.Hinds. They asked 2,000 UK couples for their thoughts on which wedding traditions are still important (and which aren't), and what new trends will be incorporated into wedding day plans for 2024. They also spoke to a wedding expert for her views. Their research revealed that the 'big day' traditions that remain in favour include the bride walking walked down the aisle (53%), having wedding rings (52%), cutting the cake (49%), having a best man (44%), and the bride being given away by a family member (43%).

Inkersall Grange Farm is the ideal setting for rustic weddings

Couples will find Inkersall Grange Farm, a relaxed rustic-meets-luxury tipi wedding venue in the Nottinghamshire countryside. The team's mission is to ensure pairs have stunning weddings, providing them with a premium experience. They hope to bring pairs luxurious wedding experiences, with a selection of prestigious suppliers at their fingertips, the bonus of total flexibility and a memorable location. The beautiful setting can host up to 120 people for the vows. This blank canvas space is just asking to be filled with love, laughter, dancing, confetti and all the good vibes. The team is thrilled to announce that pairs can officially get married at Inkersall Grange Farm.

Having a multicultural wedding? Make sure everyone is include with these tips from Speechy

'The Speech Surgery' with Heidi Ellert McDermott, Founder of Speechy & author of The Modern Couple's Guide to Wedding Speeches. My groom's family is Italian and some of them don't speak any English. How do we ensure they feel included during the speeches? This is becoming an issue for more and more couples as relationships become increasingly international. Bringing two cultures together at a wedding can be wonderful but it's not without its challenges, the prime example being the speeches.

Top tips on moving in together for the first time

Making the big decision to move in together can be an exciting, yet daunting time! Whether you've been living apart due to distance, financial constraints or other circumstances, deciding to take the next step in your relationship can help strengthen your bond and progress it further. Whilst being around each other 24/7 has its benefits, it's important not to overlook the potential issues that could arise as a result. Property experts at Essential Living have teamed up with Dr Becky Spelman, Psychologist and Founder at Private Therapy Clinic to reveal some of the issues the couples might experience and her top tips on what to keep in mind before taking the big step.

Brinsop Manor House and Barn has been voted as the UK's favourite wedding venue

Voted as the UK's number one venue by Hitched, Brinsop Manor House and Barn is a historic wedding venue nestled in the heart of Herefordshire in the West Midlands.

This stunning property has 86 five-star reviews from happy couples and encompasses over 800 acres of ancient woodland, a newly built event barn and a 12th-century moated manor house. Here, couples and their guests can enjoy beautiful event spaces, attentive services and delightful accommodation to complete any special day.

Wedding menu guide from Papier

A wedding day is an unparalleled occasion, filled with unforgettable moments and cherished memories. Best-selling British stationery brand Papier understand the importance of every detail on this special day, especially when it comes to creating a memorable dining experience for the happy couple and their guests. Food is a huge part of your wedding day. Whether it's a meal guests have chosen or a set menu, informing your loved ones about what's ahead gets them excited to sit down and tuck in

Bourton Hall is a family-owned and run wedding venue

Bourton Hall is part of Country House Weddings Ltd and has more than 30 years of experience creating dream weddings. This family-owned and run wedding venue group has collectively held over 10,000 weddings across its six manors.

A beautiful Italian Renaissance-style mansion, Bourton Hall offers exclusive use of its house and grounds to couples on the day of their wedding, with the picturesque gardens and idyllic Warwickshire countryside providing an unrivalled backdrop for your special day. This 18th-century country mansion exudes style and charm, with gorgeous period features such as a grand staircase and ornate ceilings throughout.

Worried about your dad's wedding speech? Here's some top advice from Speechy

'The Speech Surgery' with Heidi Ellert McDermott, founder of Speechy & author of 'The Modern Couple's Guide to Wedding Speeches. At Speechy, we believe that all great speeches have good story-telling at the heart of them. So instead of hunting down one-liners, encourage your dad to simply tell his favourite stories. Remind him that he can call on your mum or siblings for help with content and constructive feedback, and send him links to lots of various speech examples to get his brain thinking.

The Business Awards UK has announced the winners and finalists of the 2023 Wedding Services Awards

The Business Awards UK has announced the winners and finalists of the 2023 Wedding Services Awards. These awards recognise the exceptional talent and dedication of professionals in the wedding industry, celebrating those who have demonstrated excellence in their services and contributed significantly to making wedding experiences memorable.

The 2023 Wedding Services Awards honour these distinguished companies and individuals who have set high standards in the wedding industry, showcasing exceptional creativity, professionalism and passion. These awards not only recognise their outstanding achievements but also celebrate their role in creating dream weddings and unforgettable moments for couples.

The best place in the UK for a springtime wedding

A new study has revealed the areas in the UK with the best vendors and venues for spring wedding ceremonies, with Essex being crowned top for both. The research conducted by photo wall art creator StoryBoards analyzed data from a popular wedding planning site, to identify the UK regions with the highest quantity of top-rated vendors and venues, including vineyards, cake companies, and stationery brands. Most brides and grooms will agree that planning a wedding is stressful, as trying to pull off an event that feels unique to the couple while managing expectations, budget, and family can be difficult at times. Thankfully, beautiful venues exist to help make the whole process easier.

Alveston Manor is a 16th century manor house situated within five acres of beautiful gardens

Alveston Manor is a 16th century manor house situated within five acres of beautiful gardens. The grounds are well maintained, with a splash of colour from the flowers and the famous Cedar Tree, where Shakespeare did his first performance of A Midsummer Night's Dream.

Boasting original features throughout, the house has plenty of character and looks charming in photographs. The Manor Bar and Blue Lounge are ideal for guests to relax pre-wedding, along with the Manor Restaurant, which serves delicious meals and breakfasts.

Discover The Hidden Hive in the Derbyshire National Forest

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 area 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. The chill-out area consists 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 space and open fields perfect for lawn games.

Does your mum need help with her wedding speech? Read these tips from Speechy

The Speech Surgery with Heidi Ellert McDermott, founder of Speechy & author of The Modern Couple's Guide to Wedding Speeches. Firstly, reassure your mum that we work with lots of mothers (both of the bride, and increasingly, the groom's) so it's no longer unusual to see a mum on the mic. Whether your mum is standing in for your father, speaking in addition to him or your dad isn't part of the picture, we generally find mothers have a lot to say! In terms of getting your mum excited at the prospect of delivering a speech, rather than dreading it, send her a few blog posts to show her how simple writing her speech can be.

Your ultimate hen do survival guide by SilkFred

With April being the most popular month for hen do's, and online fashion destination SilkFred finding that 625 people will be attending at least one hen do this 'hen do season' (with 93 of respondents attending 3+ hen do's)*, we've sat down with Georgie Mitchell, Wedding Planner, Coordinator and Wedding Expert at Silkfred and Head Stylist Megan Watkins, who have shared their ultimate 'Hen Do Survival Hacks' to manage everything from budgets and schedules to styling tips and mastering the art of saying "no".