Your Midlands Wedding news and ideas from around the region

The Bridal Outlet is a new bridal boutique in Sutton Coldfield

The Bridal Outlet by Wedding Belles of Four Oaks is a new bridal boutique in Sutton Coldfield. Owners Melanie and Claire have an impressive 35+ years of combined experience in bridal styling, and are owners of the award-winning flagship store, Wedding Belles of Four Oaks, which recently celebrated its sweet 16 milestone.

Melanie and Claire tell us: "At The Bridal Outlet, we firmly believe that every bride deserves to feel like the most beautiful version of herself on her special day without breaking the bank or compromising on style. We are here to redefine the concept of off-the-peg dresses entirely. For too long, off-the-peg dresses have been associated with compromises in quality and luxury. However, we aim to change that perception."

Let's talk about sleep - the importance of rest

A new nationwide study has revealed as many as 86 percent of us now regularly struggle to drift off - not good if you're wanting to look and feel your best physically and mentally in the run up to your wedding day and on-the-day itself! Research has revealed the top 20 natural sleep inducers in the modern age – and counting sheep or mugs of Horlicks did not make the cut. In fact, modern Brits are more likely to get intimate with their other half, listen to a true crime podcast, watch a comedy show, tidy their room from top to bottom, or cuddle up with their pet. But the survey shows, simply reading a book is the number one snooze inducing activity (23 percent), followed by scrolling through social media (22 percent), despite the consensus that looking at phones is bad for our sleep patterns.

Calling all newlyweds and nearlyweds - County Wedding Magazines need you!

Here at County Wedding Magazines HQ, there's nothing we love more than our real wedding features - and we couldn't do them without you! If you would like to see your wedding grace the pages of one of our County Wedding Magazine titles, then please do get in touch! Grand and big-budget extravaganzas, to small and intimate I dos, themed from beginning to end, or personalised with a sentimental touch - we want to hear about them all!

Mallory Court Hotel and Spa is a country house hotel in Leamington Spa

Mallory Court Hotel and Spa in Leamington Spa is a member of Relais & Châteaux. A magnificent country house hotel surrounded by 10 acres of landscaped gardens and set amidst picturesque countryside, with 42 blissful bedrooms and a three AA Rosette restaurant. The house creates a beautiful backdrop for your celebration, be it basking in the summer sunshine or relaxing by a roaring fire.

The events team will guide you through the best possible options to suit the theme of your special day. From the moment you arrive, to your wedding breakfast, to your first dance, Mallory Court can make your wedding dreams a reality.

Luxor Events Venue is a newly-renovated wedding venue in Sandwell

Luxor Events Venue is a newly-renovated wedding venue in Sandwell. Owners Sandip and Dalveer Gillar have spent thousands transforming The Regis on Reddal Hill Road into the new Luxor Events Venue.

"We can accommodate up to 300 guests in our larger room and have a private car park," says Sandip. "This building has been open since the 1950s, and the locals have had some great times in the past, but it was time for a revamp and modernisation of the space. We are mainly booking private and corporate events, including weddings, birthdays and parties. Our versatile venue has everything you need to make your event truly unforgettable."

Hawkstone Hall & Gardens is a Grade I listed mansion that’s a vision of Georgian elegance

Hawkstone Hall & Gardens is a Grade I listed 18th-century mansion that's a vision of Georgian elegance. The venue encompasses 88 acres of countryside, rolling hills and ancient trees. At the front of the property are views of the Shropshire countryside, and to the rear are gardens featuring a lily pond, rose garden, apple orchard, trees and a stew pond with waterfalls.

Inside is a collection of historic features, beautifully complemented by modern touches, such as gilded gold ceilings and original artwork, all with an Art Deco twist.

Chesford Grange Hotel has announced a refurbishment is underway

Chesford Grange Hotel, a Tudor-style manor house in Warwickshire, has announced a refurbishment is underway. Upgrades to the property will include premium event spaces, newly decorated bedrooms and a refreshed hotel entrance, with a modern and stylish look throughout.

The property has also introduced a new sustainability programme demonstrating its commitment to positively impacting the environment. These changes include electric car charging points, reducing the use of paper and single-use plastics and implementing waste reduction and recycling practices. The team has also committed to sewing wild bird seeds and bird boxes and nurturing new beehives on-site.

Set within 60 acres of Worcestershire countryside is the grand Alcott Weddings

Set within 60 acres of stunning Worcestershire countryside is the grand Alcott Weddings. There are plenty of places to take those all-important photographs throughout the venue, including the gardens, the lakes, the Equestrian yard, the stables and with the gorgeous horses.

There is a range of quirky and traditional structures available for weddings that can hold up to 450 loved ones. The most cost-effective option is The Capris Marquee. It has clear panels, so your guests can admire the views, and if more space is needed, another marquee can be added.

Four tips for storing your wedding dress after the big day

With September tipped to be the most popular month for weddings, when the big day is done deciding what to do with a wedding dress can be tricky. Whilst some people sell them or donate them so future brides can use them, others prefer to keep hold of them and preserve the memory of their wedding day. If you're looking to preserve your wedding dress after the big day, or pass it down to future generations, proper storage is essential in maintaining its pristine condition. With this in mind, Vlatka Lake, storage expert at Space Station shares four tips for storing your wedding dress to keep it in pristine condition. Vlatka adds: "Before putting your dress into storage, make sure you have it cleaned to remove any stains or marks that may have appeared from your wedding day. The most important thing to remember when putting your wedding gown into storage is that it shouldn't be stored in a plastic bag or hung on a hanger. "Plastic covers don't allow for humidity changes and can often let light in that will fade the material of your dress. Hanging your dress can also affect its shape by adding unnecessary stress on the seams or the fabric."

Unique gifts couples give each other on their wedding day

The team at hampers.com recently surveyed UK adults who have gotten married or attended a wedding in the past five years, with the goal of determining what the gifting landscape looks like for wedding season. In doing so, they spoke to almost 800 newlyweds from across the UK and a further 1,400 UK adults who have attended a wedding in the same time frame. Firstly, the study found that it's common for brides and grooms to buy each other a gift for the wedding day itself, with 65% stating they did this for their own wedding day. The average spend was found to be £115, with women most likely to purchase a pocket watch (24%) or a vintage bottle of alcohol (22%) and men most likely to purchase jewellery (37%) or personalised 'Mrs' clothing (19%)...

Big-day gifting ideas from Don't Buy Her Flowers

Gift company, Don't Buy Her Flowers, prides itself for having thoughtfulness at its core, with customers able to create a bespoke gift box that perfectly suits the person and occasion. Whether it's to celebrate, commiserate or offer someone some TLC during a tough time, Don't Buy Her Flowers offers a range of luxury British products from delicious treats, cashmere socks and bubble bath to the perfect G&T and a selection of great books. Each gift box is beautifully gift wrapped with the customer's personalised message handwritten on the gift tag, making it the perfect package for everyone from mothers, newlyweds, teachers and employees.

The National Wedding Show returns to Birmingham

Planning a wedding is one of the most exciting times of your life, and what better way to celebrate than a day out with your partner or wedding party? The National Wedding Show returns to Birmingham (NEC) between 22nd and 24th September, and to London (ExCeL) 14th and 15th October, for two weekends of unbridled wedding inspiration.

Chat to hundreds of local and national suppliers, try on dreamy dresses, get the scoop at insider talks and make the most of some unique discounts too. After all, when it comes to planning the biggest day of your lives, every little helps.

Avoncroft Museum of Historic Buildings is a truly romantic setting for weddings

Avoncroft Museum of Historic Buildings, with its character-filled grounds, historic buildings and views over the picturesque Worcestershire countryside, is a truly romantic setting for weddings.

New Guesten Hall, located near the museum's entrance, boasts a 14th-century roof that was originally part of Worcester Cathedral's reception hall. Containing beautifully detailed Medieval carpentry, it's a large and flexible space, which can accommodate up to 120 guests for the civil ceremony and wedding breakfast and can be expanded to cater for an extra 60 loved ones for the evening reception.

Five reasons why Champagne is the pinnacle of sparkling wine

The Champagne Bureau UK* have rounded up five reasons why Champagne is the long-standing pinnacle of sparkling wine. Firstly, Champagne only comes from Champagne. Champagne is a 100% French product - the Champagne region is located in France, approximately 90 miles east of Paris. It is a protected appellation (AOC). From 816 to 1825, France's royalty was crowned in Champagne's Reims Cathedral, where Champagne was said to flow freely at all the coronation banquets. Soon, highly prized for their taste and finesse, it became customary to gift these wines to any royalty visiting the region. This is how the Champagne came to be known as the wine of coronation and known in France as "the wine of Kings and the King of wines".

7 ways to ask your friends to be bridesmaids

Bridesmaid proposals are a special moment in any friendship so it's natural to want to put some thought behind popping the question. Personalising gifts such as photo frames or pyjamas are a great way to give friends something they can keep forever. The glass experts at MeandMyGlass.co.uk have shared some of the best bridesmaid proposal ideas to make the occasion memorable.John Cutts, founder of MeandMyGlass said, "Asking your friends and family to be bridesmaids is a special moment and should be done in a special way. "You can't go wrong with a personal touch which is why things like photo frames and pyjamas are a great way to show appreciation to your bridesmaids and you know they'll keep their gift.

Georgina Ford is offering our readers an exclusive discount

Georgina Ford offers a range of services, such as engagement shoots, full day wedding coverage and family portraits. Georgina tells us: "I have always loved photography for as long as I can remember. I have memories of carrying my grandad's huge camera around with me as a child taking pictures of anything and everything. Learning photography started as a hobby for me whilst I focussed on my career until one day I realised, why don't I make my passion my career? So here I am. My style is very much about capturing emotions, from the moment you walk in and see each other to laughing with your friends on the dancefloor. I put everything I have into creating beautiful, personalised images which are a snapshot of your unique story. I will ensure we spend some time together beforehand so I can learn all about your world and what is most important to you, so all you need to do on the day is relax and smile."

Wedding fragrance suggestions

Floral, citrus, or woody - and everything in between - wedding scents are becoming more popular as couples incorporate them into their day. They can provide an ideal way to remember the occasion, the trigger of a special memory when you come across that fragrance connected to it. What's more, key scents can also help control emotions according to psychologists. Yasmin Sharp, essential oils expert at Nikura, says, "With more than 12 million hashtag views on TikTok, wedding scents (#weddingscent) are becoming more and more popular

Ettington Park Hotel is set within 40 acres of parkland

Set within 40 acres of parkland in a verdant valley with the River Stour meandering through is the grand Ettington Park Hotel. Inside, couples will find historic architecture, wondrous ceilings, ornate chandeliers and floor-to-ceiling windows, which present breathtaking views of the grounds. There are also several bedrooms for your guests to choose from, extravagant lounges and inspiring suites.

Outside, there are plenty of places to explore and take photographs, including the impressive turrets, neo-Gothic brickwork, classic arched windows and on-site Norman Church and Orangery.

Wedding ring mistakes to avoid!

Aimee Howlett, jewellery expert at Diamonds Factory, has shared how to choose and clean your wedding band. 'When choosing your wedding band, it's important to consider your lifestyle and daily activities. If you're someone with an active lifestyle you might want to go for a more durable material like platinum or tungsten that can withstand potential scratches and avoid a ring that has diamonds. With this in mind, it's worth visiting a jewellery store and trying on different styles of wedding bands, which can be really fun! Pay attention to comfort, fit, and how well it pairs with your engagement ring (if you have one).

Wedding gift inspiration from L'OR

Coffee brand L'OR provides the perfect machine which will ensure you capture the heart of any coffee-loving couple, whilst also providing a useful gift that lasts! With a unique double-spouted design that offers flexibility to adapt to different coffee preferences, the L'OR BARISTA is powered by Phillips technology and has become a much-loved coffee machine since its launch. What's more, the machine is not only compatible with L'OR pods, but also a wide range of alternative branded coffee capsules on the market*, providing maximum flexibility and choice.

L'OR BARISTA Sublime Coffee Machine (£104.99*) is available in Piano Noir, Satin Blanc and Sunset Rubis, while the L'OR BARISTA Original Latte Machines (£164.99*) is available in Piano Noir and includes built-in milk frother.