Your Midlands Wedding news and ideas from around the region

The Speech Surgery part two - icebreakers and tips for the best man

The Speech Surgery part two, Heidi Ellert McDermott shares her tips on icebreakers and advice for the best man. The wedding speech tradition is as prevalent as ever and is still very much one of the key parts of the day. For some, public speaking comes quite naturally, and they wouldn't think twice about standing up and 'performing' on cue, while for others it may cause sleepless nights and anxiety but the pressure of pleasing a loved one means you can't say no! Fear not, whether you're a pro and want to heighten your speech, or a novice and you need some advice on how to settle those nerves, Heidi is here to answer your all-important questions...

Townhouse has launched a new store in Birmingham

Townhouse, one of the UK's leading luxury nail care brands, has launched a new store in Birmingham. Nestled in the heart of the city, just across the road from Hotel du Vin and a 30-second walk from Cathedral Square, Townhouse Birmingham is set to become a go-to nail care destination for flawless nails.

To celebrate the opening, the salon hosted a launch party with drinks, delicious canapés, handcrafted personalised bracelets and gift bags.

The worst Valentine’s Day presents ever gifted

With Valentine's Day fast approaching, many people in relationships will be facing one of the toughest questions of the year - "What do I buy my other half?". There have already been 43,000 online searches for "Valentine's Day gifts" as people look for inspiration and whilst some people might receive extravagant and romantic presents, some people are less fortunate. With this in mind, Ninja surveyed the nation to find out what the worst presents people had been given for Valentine's Day, and between a bag of crisps and cat food, the results will shock you

Hen do and stag party tips 2024

Anita Naik, Savings Expert at VoucherCodes.co.uk provides her top tips on reducing the cost of a hen or stag do: "Many bridal and groom parties begin planning their respective hen and stag dos throughout the months of January and February. Taking the time to plan carefully is crucial, especially if you are planning on jetting off somewhere. "But, with rising living costs and foreign destinations being more expensive than ever, I've put together my top tips to help you have some pre-wedding fun without breaking the bank - either domestically, or abroad.

Karma Salford Hall is a Grade I listed manor house in Warwickshire

Karma Salford Hall is a Grade I listed manor house that has retained its Tudor charm, boasting stained-glass windows, a bell tower, and engraving into Cotswold stone. Set in manicured gardens and nestled amid rolling hills and farmland, the property has a quintessentially English feel, with new and period furnishings creating a traditional yet contemporary setting.

Once the guest home for the monks of Evesham Abbey and later owned by King Henry VIII, the building is steeped in history and old-world charm with grand fireplaces, wood panelling, and oil paintings.

2024 is here and it's time to get organised with a new wedding planner

Whether it's a new year's resolution to get more organised, or you're feeling overwhelmed with the wedding planning, use the new Our Wedding Planner to keeping track of your dreams and decisions for a stress-free wedding planning experience - allowing you to focus on enjoying day! Our Wedding Planner will not only organise your big day, but also create treasured memories for years to come. Every detail of your wedding, including hen and stag parties and the honeymoon are covered, allowing you to create your perfect wedding and keep that all-important budget on track along the way. Bursting with easy to follow advice, and space to record details of every conceivable aspect of planning the big day, this new book offers a one stop depository for ideas, prices, venues, suppliers and guests.

The Speech Surgery - How many speeches are too many?

The Speech Surgery with Heidi Ellert McDermott, founder of Speechy and author of The Modern Couple's Guide to Wedding Speeches: The wedding speech tradition is as prevalent as ever and is still very much one of the key parts of the day. For some, public speaking comes quite naturally, and they wouldn't think twice about standing up and 'performing' on cue, while for others it may cause sleepless nights and anxiety but the pressure of pleasing a loved one means you can't say no! Fear not, whether you're a pro and want to heighten your speech, or a novice and you need some advice on how to settle those nerves, Heidi is here to answer your all-important questions...

A matchmade in heaven for wedding gifting

Habulous is excited to reveal the latest addition to their range of personalised products, the perfect match striker pot. Handmade in the UK these personalised ceramic match striker pots look at home in your living room. The wheel-thrown pot is carefully glazed with a choice of personalisation inside the heart - reminiscent of those retro love doodles! Filled with pastel matches in complementary shades, the jars come in five signature colours: Cornflower Blue, Mint Green, Off White, Pale Pink, Light Yellow.

HARIBO giving free wedding cake to Gummy Ring proposals this Valentine's

From lockdown couples to celebrities, the last few years has seen the nation embrace their inner child by getting engaged with HARIBO's iconic Friendship Ring. To mark this Valentine's Day, HARIBO, the UK's number one sweets manufacturer, is delighted to declare that lovebirds ready to unleash their inner child and dive into marital bliss with its iconic gummy ring will get the sweetest reward – the chance to win their very own HARIBO Heart Throb Wedding Cake for their big day.

Blackbrook Barn is set to be a new wedding venue

Plans to transform a former antiques centre into an exciting new luxury wedding venue in the West Midlands have been unveiled by property consultants Burley Browne. Blackbrook Barns, prominently located between Lichfield and Sutton Coldfield, is set to be re-imagined by its new owners as a high-class wedding venue set within beautiful rural surroundings against the backdrop of a Grade-II-listed hall and outbuildings.

The venue will be able to accommodate wedding ceremonies and all the subsequent celebrations. The development will also boast eight retail units, which are ideally suited to retailers and businesses associated with the wedding and wider hospitality sectors.

TikTok’s wedding trends - what we can expect in 2024

TikTok has become the best place to source beautiful wedding inspiration, from wedding dress fashion to food. But what were the biggest TikTok wedding trends of 2023, and what can we expect to see in 2024? By analysing TikTok hashtags, ethical jewellery brand Sacet provides insights into the most influential trends of 2023, the wedding trends on the decline, and predictions for the upcoming year.

Stratford Manor Hotel is a spacious venue located in the Warwickshire countryside

Stratford Manor Hotel is a spacious 104-bedroom venue with newly refurbished rooms in the peaceful Warwickshire countryside. The modern retreat in the heart of Shakespeare Country is just three miles from Stratford-upon-Avon and boasts modern surroundings, extensive facilities, and an expert team who care passionately about planning your occasion perfectly from start to finish.

The contemporary design and facilities at the Stratford Manor Hotel make it a fantastic place for unforgettable celebrations. From romantic and intimate to large and contemporary, the hotel has three rooms for you to choose from.

Wedding floral trends for 2024

Bloom & Wild florist, Emma Forsey, presents a vision of floral enchantment that goes beyond the ordinary. From local blooms and wild meadows to bold colour clashes and the evolution of AI, here's what to come in 2024 for wedding blooms. Local flowers have been getting the love they deserve in the wedding scene, and it looks like they're going to be the go-to choice for UK weddings in 2024. More and more couples are valuing the eco-friendly element of homegrown blooms, appreciating the chance to support local flower growers. British flowers aren't just a trendy word anymore; they're becoming a significant and lasting part of the wedding flower industry.

Inside the UK’s most ‘Traitorous’ castle

The Traitors is Britain's hottest new reality competition, where a group of twenty strangers come together for the investigation of their life: to find and stop the Traitors from stealing the ultimate prize pot! It's a show full of mind-games, backstabbing and trust, and its second series proves to be gripping the nation once again. And the setting of this treacherous game makes it all the more entertaining: a beautiful castle in the Scottish highlands. In fact, enquiries about this castle have shot up since the show first aired in 2022.

From casual to formal, here’s how to plan your picture-perfect engagement party

Firsty, congratulations! You're getting married! After a proposal, there are so many things to think about, but before preparing for the big day itself, an engagement party is a great way to share your exciting news and get your nearest and dearest together to celebrate. Pinterest trends1 revealed the largest peak in searches for 'engagement party ideas' were in January last year, now is the time to get the ball rolling and start planning for the prelude of the main event. Whether you're planning an intimate gathering or a lavish affair, party planning expert at Ginger Ray, Jess Martin, shares 10 tips for your celebration, no matter how big or small:

How to create an authentic 70's inspired tablescape

Tablescaping can help create the perfect ambiance on your wedding day. Here, Amy Harvey from Burleigh Pottery shares her tips for putting together a retro display:

When it comes to wedding aesthetics, the 1970s offer a captivating blend of nostalgia and style. Whether you're having a 70s-themed wedding or just want a nod to the era, why not consider putting together an authentic tablescape to infuse your celebration with a touch of retro charm?

Here, I'll guide you through the process of creating a sophisticated table setting, harmonising the rich cultural tapestry of the 1970s with the luxury of a wedding day.

That's so Fetch: 10 Ideas for the ultimate Mean Girls-themed hen party

It's time to channel your inner Regina George and party like it's October 3rd! To celebrate the release of the new Mean Girls movie on 19th January 2024, Fizzbox has the rundown on Mean Girls themed hen party ideas that are so fetch! In a world where wearing pink on Wednesdays isn't just a choice but a lifestyle, this is the ultimate way to celebrate your upcoming nuptials in style, whether you're an aspiring Spring Fling Queen or a Mathlete. So break out the Burn Book and dust off your Plastics-approved heels. Get in loser, we're going on a hen do!

Hagley Hall has partnered with Fews to create a new orangery

Often described as one of Worcestershire's best-kept secrets, Hagley Hall has recently partnered with Fews, an award-winning marquee company, to launch its new breathtaking structure for Summer 2024 and 2025 called The Orangery.

Set within 350 acres of breathtaking parkland, the Hall itself dates back to the 18th century and is considered to be one of the last great Palladian mansion houses, steeped in history and supreme architecture.

The wedding gifts couples in 2024 really want...

When it comes to wedding planning, there is so much to think about, the same goes for wedding gift lists & etiquette. Gifting Guru at The Wedding Shop, Liza Baucher, answers you everything you need to know about wedding registries... In short, we advise adding 2-3 gifts per wedding guest invited. Adding a variety of gifts to your wedding list caters to the differing budgets and preferences of your guests. It's a thoughtful approach to include a wide range of items, from smaller, more affordable pieces to a few higher-end gifts. The key is balance and variety. Typically, having slightly more gifts than the number of guests or households invited allows for enough choice without overwhelming your guests.

Safari Venues is home to three gorgeous wedding venues

Safari Venues is situated within the grounds of West Midland Safari Park and is home to three gorgeous wedding venues. Couples can expect a grand and special setting with a team that is passionate about making celebrations unforgettable.

Set within the scenic grounds, Spring Grove House is a Georgian manor that has built its well-deserved reputation on impeccable service, luxury menu selections, and attention to detail.

For large wedding celebrations, Treetops Pavilion is big and bold. Its vast proportions and capacity make it one of the largest entertainment facilities in the county, perfect for civil ceremonies, wedding breakfasts, and evening receptions.