Tears of joy

Oneof my favourite parts of my job as Editor of Your North East Wedding is getting to write readers’ stories, as it means I get to look through all of our couples’ photos. Nosey? Of course – who doesn’t love looking at details and inspiration? However, it’s that moment the photographer captures your soon-to-be spouse seeing you walk up the aisle that gets me. Every single time. That raw emotion upon seeing the person you love most in the whole wide world as they’re about to become your husband or wife is a powerful thing – so huge congratulations; as you’re about to experience that incredible feeling for yourself!

Right, now that I’ve blabbed like a baby even writing that sentence, it’s time to chat about what we’ve got in store for you this issue. First up let’s talk about those amazing reader weddings, with Anna and Timmy, Amy and Oisín, and Kate and Lewis sharing their nuptials with you, starting on page 23. We’ve also got Northumberland venues with seriously impressive spaces to wed in (p15), advice from top hair and beauty experts (p72) and music and entertainment to wow friends and family with, courtesy of our feature on page 45. Plus, turn to page 11 to win a spa day at Rockliffe Hall!

See you in July…

Claire Muffett-Reece, Editor

45 TRICK OF THE TRADE

Magician Martin is just one entertainer to consider for your wedding

40 DAZZLING DUO

This exclusive shoot shows how gorgeous a crisp white wedding can be

Out In The Open

Outdoor weddings have become increasing popular following the recent changes to marriage laws, with the lawns and gardens at North Yorkshire’s Crathorne Hall an idyllic setting to say ‘we do.’ Here you can wed on the Front Lawn; framed by the impressive architecture of the hall and its grounds – or choose the tree-lined Glade, with towering horse chestnut trees for a ceremony encompassed by the beauty of nature. There’s even the choice to marry in the Sunken Garden, bursting with colour in the summer months with roses, hydrangea and lavender. And that’s before you’ve stepped inside the hall itself! Here, guests receive the red carpet treatment from the minute they arrive, taking in Crathorne’s stunning original fireplace with beautiful marbling in the Edwardian room; or the foyer’s arched ceilings surrounded by elaborate wood panelling.

For more info on weddings visit www.handpickedhotels.co.uk/crathorne-hall/weddings

Male Order

After something different for your last proper night out as a singleton? Darlington Hippodrome’s Forbidden Nights combines superlative circus and acrobatic skills with finely honed physiques. It showcases stunt-orientated routines and explosive choreography, performed by a cast hand-picked from across the UK which featured on Britain’s Got Talent. The show is guaranteed to have you on the edge of your seat as the cast perform heart racing tricks including aerial straps, fire, acrobatics and live music… not forgetting a few men in uniform thrown in for good measure.

Forbidden Nights is performing at the Darlington Hippodrome on 27 July – for more info visit the website www.darlingtonhippodrome.co.uk/whats-on/Forbidden-Nights

Laird For The Day

Ready to wed in Northumberland but looking for something to wow guests?

www.leescullion.com

Consider Lairds House, a bespoke, intimate and lovingly restored Georgian House, with 11 luxury bedrooms and spacious enclosed rear garden and sun terrace. Licensed for up to 65 guests for the ceremony and wedding breakfast, and up to 125 for an evening reception, this family run business works with you every step of the way to ensure your celebration is as individual as you are. Offering several bespoke options, you’re free to select the perfect combination for your special day, meaning no two Lairds House weddings need ever be the same. Included in each package is exclusive access to the garden terrace for drinks, a dedicated wedding coordinator, large cinema screen for rotating images, bespoke lighting for the dancefloor, a 12am bar licence and lots more! Visit https://lairdshouse.com/weddings/ for more info – and turn to our venues feature starting on page 15.

Ring The Changes

In the past month interest in ‘timeless engagement rings’ has increased by 200%; so, if you, too, are searching for something similar consider the following advice from Austen & Blake diamond expert Tony French: “An engagement ring is an investment you will hopefully wear for a lifetime, so the fact that people are looking for timeless pieces is great. Current engagement ring trends have seen a return of more classic stone cuts and settings and a preference for minimalist and simple features, all of which make for a classic, timeless piece. Round diamonds are considered by many to be the most timeless diamond cut for engagement rings. Thanks to their cut, round diamond engagement rings generate maximum sparkle due to their large number of facets and are an increasingly popular choice, likely due to their versatile design.”

For more information on Austen & Blake’s Newcastle store visit www.austenblake.com/customer-care/viewings/newcastle

THE SPA’S THE STAR

After some r’n’r in the run-up to your big day? We don’t blame you! With a much-needed dose of you-time needed, we caught up with Europe’s leading spa experience Spabreaks.com to find out which made it to the top five in Newcastle. The results are in… now all you have to do is choose where to head…

1Macdonald Linden Hall

On a spa break at Linden Hall you can choose everything from holistic healing therapy to a pampering treat aimed at making you look and feel glowing.

3Slaley Hall Hotel, Spa and Golf Resort

At Slaley everything is laid on for your relaxation. At the spa there’s stunning facilities and a menu of treatments designed to leave you feeling incredibly pampered.

2Holiday Inn Newcastle – Gosforth Park

Perfect for a pamper day, or as part of a stay, you and your group will have full use of the facilities as part of your visit, which includes a range of wet facilities to enjoy.

TOO GOOD TO EAT?

How incredible are these creations from Graeme Venus of Northumberland’s Sticky Sponge Cake Studio? “We create something amazing for your special day, from traditional wedding cakes and hand painted bakes to highly sculpted designs,” says Graeme. “For the third year running we’ve also recently been announced as one of the country’s top 50 wedding cake designers by Go Hen. With us, anything is possible, as we take your ideas and create a design that flows to enhance your day. We’ve also now launched options to give couples that something extra. As a lot of the cakes we make are highly sculpted designs, many customers don’t want to cut into such a work of art. That’s why we’re putting our past skills in illustration and sculpture to offer finished illustrations of the cakes that can be framed at an extra cost. Another option for couples is a small model replica of the cake, which we sculpt from clay and can be treasured for years to come.”

For more info visit www.stickysponge.co.uk

4Doxford Hall Hotel

This Georgian stately home has gorgeous restaurants and a maze to enjoy as well as the Aqueous Spa, with pool, spa bath, steam room and sauna as well as a menu of therapeutic treatments.

5Mercure George Washington Hotel Golf and Spa

This hotel has the perfect mix of pleasure and leisure, particularly at its Montana Leisure Club, which is chock full of facilities including heated pool, gym, Jacuzzi, steam room and more.

For more infor visit www.spabreaks.com

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