Your Midlands Wedding news and ideas from around the region

Lindsay Kay Bridal has announced several new promotions

Lindsay Kay Bridal, a family-run boutique in Warwick, has announced several new promotions. Over the past few months, the boutique has seen an influx of new wedding dresses and veils available in a range of styles. Brides-to-be will be able to enjoy tea and cakes throughout the appointment in a relaxed atmosphere surrounded by friendly staff. Evening appointments are also available if needed.

Bespoke wedding rings are another new addition to the boutique. Provided by BWR London, the jewellers can bring your dream rings to life in six to eight weeks.

5 engagement ring trends for 2024

With the festive season being the most popular time of year that couples choose to pop the question, it's no surprise that internet searches for 'engagement ring' have been steadily increasing the last six months as we head towards the new year. Luxury diamond jewellers, Diamonds Factory, have used Pinterest Trends data from the last six months (4th April 23' - 26th September 23') to find out which engagement ring styles are set to be big in 2024...

Bourton Hall is a beautiful Italian Renaissance-style mansion

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

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. Setting the scene for an unforgettable wedding, you and your guests can enjoy a ceremony in the breathtaking former Catholic Chapel, dine in the Banqueting Hall, enjoy croquet on the lawn, and relax in one of the fully stocked bars or cosy reception rooms before retiring to the luxurious on-site accommodation.

The secrets to a happy relationship

Researchers surveyed 2,000 British couples who have been together for ten years or longer, and it revealed a host of secrets to a happy, long-term relationship, according to those who have achieved it - including having no secrets (43 percent), a similar sense of humour (41 percent), never going to sleep on an argument (31 percent) and regular sex (32 percent.) Over a quarter (26 percent) of the long-term couples polled, said a 50/50 division of household labour was essential to keeping things amicable. Being able to laugh at each other (42 percent), not trying to change each other (36 percent) and having an open phone policy (10 percent) all featured in the list. Almost half (44 percent) of the British couples surveyed, claim they are very happy in their relationship, while a further 29 percent said they were generally happy.

The top autumn and winter wedding trends for 2023

An expert has forecast the wedding trends we can expect to see in the remainder of 2023. Wedding-goers in autumn and winter can expect to see a large emphasis on sustainability, DIY and an ode to all things vintage, according to Rachael Kiss from Alliance Online. She commented: "Wedding trends change seasonally, so it's crucial wedding hosts stay ahead of the curve. Efficient spending, sustainability and a vintage feel are key focuses this season, and rightly so. Wedding hosts no longer have to feel obliged to over-indulge in their big day and can instead, save money."

PoB Hotels has announced that The Elms Hotel in Worcestershire has joined its collection

PoB Hotels has announced that The Elms Hotel in Worcestershire has joined its collection. Recently completing an extensive refurbishment, The Elms embraces the PoB Hotels ethos by incorporating community into every aspect of the guest experience. Comprising of 23 rooms and suites, all designed by Darron Woore, no two suites are the same, and interiors include historic stained glass windows, tartan fabrics, luxurious marble and hushed grey tones. The hotel also features a state-of-the- art botanical-inspired spa, which offers an array of exciting facilities, including an indoor swimming pool, an indoor/outdoor hydrotherapy pool, a sauna, two steam rooms and an experience shower.

Sentimental wedding bands with Atelier VM

Fine Italian jewellery maker Atelier VM has just launched its beautiful new Impronta wedding bands, whereby brides and grooms can customise their special ring with their loved one's fingerprint. Each 18K ring is a unique piece made using the lost wax casting technique, of multiple finger prints layered, to create a beautifully personalised ring that makes a marriage of everlasting love extra special.

Walcot Hall is a private rural estate set within 30 acres of grounds

Walcot Hall is a private rural estate set within 30 acres of grounds with picturesque views of the Shropshire Hills. Boasting one of Britain's finest and most eclectic arboretums, the venue has plenty of accommodation to choose from, including 15 self-catering holiday cottages, 10 glamping pods, yurts, shepherds' huts, the Dipping Shed and Wheelwright's Shop. Walcot also has an on-site pub, The Powis Arms, right by the front gates that champions seasonal menus and local suppliers.

The therapeutic power of music on Mental Health Awareness Day

The issue of mental health has never been more important, three in five people in the UK suffer from some form of anxiety, but almost half of those people keep it a secret as they worry about being judged by others. And around one in six of the British population also suffers from moderate to severe depressive symptoms. Those shocking statistics show that the issue is still not spoken about enough, which means that sufferers feel excluded. But music can make a big difference! Making or playing music has been proven to deliver many mental health benefits.

UK's 15 most Instagrammed venues to get hitched

As UK searches for "wedding venues" skyrocketed by 110%* over the past months, the wedding experts at Aura Print scoured social media for the most popular autumn/winter wedding venues nationwide, and tallied Instagram hashtag numbers to reveal which venue stands out as the most memorable for weddings this season. Top 15 most Instagrammed wedding venues for autumn/winter 2023 to be inspired by...

Save money on wedding party gifts

With more and more couples choosing to thank their bridesmaids and groomsman with presents, Anita Naik, savings expert at the UK's most trusted savings site VoucherCodes.co.uk, has some great tips on how to save money on your wedding party gifts, without sparing the sentiment: Spend within your budget: Set a budget and stick to it. Often people can go down a rabbit hole when browsing for gifts, looking at items that are way over budget. It's important to set yourself a strict budget and spend an amount that you're comfortable with.

Brockencote Hall Hotel is hosting three wedding showcases

Brockencote Hall Hotel, an enchanting wedding venue in Worcestershire, is hosting a wedding showcase on 22nd October, between 11.30pm and 3pm, and on the 20th November and 12th December between 4pm and 8pm. The events will provide guests with the chance to meet with Brockencote's award-winning events and weddings team and experience guided tours of the spaces and facilities on offer to help shape their dream wedding.

The Victorian manor house is set within 70 acres of stunning parkland, has French-inspired architecture, and 21 bedrooms in the main manor house, all of which are elegantly decorated with luxurious furnishings and plush fabrics, representing the country estate splendour of the hotel.

The Lake at Barston is nestled within acres of countryside

Nestled within acres of countryside, The Lake at Barston is conveniently located less than 10 minutes from Solihull, Coventry and Birmingham. Boasting impressive views over the lawns, flower beds and large Barston Lake, The Lake at Barston can cater for weddings of up to 200 loved ones. As well as offering a picturesque setting for your big day, you can also take full advantage of the newly refurbished Restaurant available exclusively for you and your guests.

The Restaurant is the venue's largest space and can seat 180 friends and family. Featuring panoramic views of Barston Lake, there is a dancefloor big enough for 60 guests at a time, a stage for bands and a hot and cold food area for buffets, carverys or hog roasts. The room has the benefit of an adjacent annex, which is semi-private and can seat 40 guests or be used as a break-out area for additional seating, a photo booth, a sweet cart or a gift table.

County Wedding Magazines launch new websites!

Here at County Wedding Magazines HQ the office is abuzz with excitement at the launch of our new websites – I'm sure you can hear the *collective oohs and ahhs* from where you are! So yes, it's here, after months of hard work, sweat and tears (maybe less tears but more cheers!), our shiny, new, glorious websites are ready to be viewed by our much-loved readers – we really hope you like them as much as we do! Wedding planning at your fingertips - What's new, we hear you ask? Well, everything! The County names are as important as ever, it's our ethos after all, but we have a lush new font and modern colour scheme that really makes our County Wedding Magazine titles jump off the page.

The best of English sparkling wine, with Amelia Singer this National Champagne Week (1-7th October)

There's the New World of wine, and then the New New World: English Sparkling Wine is on the rise. This National Champagne Week, wine expert, Amelia Singer selects her favourite bubbles from our own green pastures... Which country comes to mind if you think of "wine"? For most, I imagine France, Italy, or perhaps even the USA these days, probably dominates. We all know, however, that the world is a-changing and so should our concept of wine and where it comes from. English wines are on the rise, and it's my opinion, along with a fair few of the worlds top wine experts, that they are the new frontier of wine making – even beating out top champagne houses in sparkling wine competitions.

Personalised wedding gifts from Pen Heaven

Find beautifully crafted, meaningful, and personalised wedding gifts to cherish forever with Pen Heaven. A master of exquisite stationary design, Pen Heaven was founded in 2008 and offer a comprehensive range of luxury writing instruments, leather journals and gifts. Specialists in classic brands such as Parker, Cross and Lamy, Pen Heaven also boast some more unusual and hard-to-find items such as the Japanese hand painted Platinum range, Italian calligraphy sets and the design focused Worther brand. Offering an in-house, by-hand engraving and embossing service, Pen Heaven are the ultimate destination for meaningful gifts with a personal touch perfect for big-day gifting.

The Black Swan has opened following an extensive refurbishment

The Black Swan, nestled in the heart of Henley- in-Arden, has opened following an extensive refurbishment. Heartwood Inns (formerly The White Brasserie Company) has lovingly restored The Black Swan's charming Tudor- fronted Grade II listed building, ensuring it retains its original features. Its traditional character has been seamlessly blended with a new oak-framed extension, housing a bright, contemporary garden dining area.

The Black Swan hopes to become the go-to place for locals and visitors alike, with an abundance of independent boutiques, bookshops and antique shops nearby,

County Wedding Magazines' readers share their prize win story!

Here at County Wedding Magazines HQ, we love nothing more than to hear from the winners of our competitions. In the crazy world of wedding planning, it's exciting for us to be able to offer our lovely readers some exciting giveaways and competitions which will hopefully give you a much-needed pick-me-up during on the countdown to your wedding day. In March 2023, CWM ran a competition, 'Win a minimoon in Northern Ireland!' and the winners were nearlyweds Jennifer and her partner.

The Grand Station was formerly known as the Lower Level Train Station

The Grand Station originally opened in 1854 as a Grade II listed property formerly known as the Lower Level Train Station. In 2012, after the building was derelict for almost 30 years, it was transformed into a popular venue for weddings, events and conferences.

Situated in the heart of the city, the Grand Station is just a short walk from Wolverhampton's train station. Boasting a large outdoor space, the exterior was designed by engineer Sir John Fowler, with the rack work by Mr Henry Robertson and the roof and layout by Mr Isambard Kingdom Brunel. The space has retained its historical feel, but the former train platforms have been transformed into modern venue spaces.

Halloween hen party ideas for 2023

If you're looking to throw a hen party that's nothing short of magical, mysterious and oh-so-memorable, then you're in for a treat, not a trick, with a Halloween hen party! This bewitching night is filled with laughter, eerie enchantment and spine-tingling surprises. Halloween, with its unique blend of the spooky and the playful, makes for a perfect theme that'll have everyone howling with delight. And just think of the costumes! Leading hen party company, Fizzbox is our guide as we embark on a haunted journey through the land of Halloween hen party ideas that will make your last night of freedom the talk of the town.