NEARLYWED NEWS

ECO-FRIENDLY PLANNING

Wedding planners, Your Forever After has become a part of the Chamber of Commerce in Lancashire. The owner, Deanna

Melia, tells us: “We have attended events about reducing carbon footprint in our business and are continuously taking steps to do just that. We’ve taken part in training and business events, which can help with staying green and networking with other companies. It’s amazing to be part of such a fantastic organisation.

“We’ve also launched a new blog on our website. Not only do we show you our magazine features, but we also discuss sustainability within the wedding industry. We think it’s important to remain conscious about your carbon footprint and make ecofriendly decisions, especially with how big the wedding industry is. We want to ensure that everything we do in our business is sustainable, and that’s why we want to bring awareness to how unsustainable the wedding industry is at the moment.”

Discover more at www.yourforeverafter.co.uk NEWS Nearlywed

All the latest from around the North West

ARRIVE IN STYLE

Something Cool Wedding Cars is a new transport company based in Rossendale. Owner Andy Buttery has spent months searching for the perfect car to bring his vision to life.

Andy is a former graphic designer and now a digital artist with many years of customer service experience. He tells us: “I was looking for a real head-turner, but something attractive that retained a classic appeal. Weddings are all about happiness and laughter, and a cool car can certainly bring lots of fun. I also like to think that we are providing the photographer with a fantastic prop to shoot with, inspiring them to get some great photos. Here at Something Cool Wedding Cars, we have found our niche, creating something different and unique for our couples. We are always available for an informal chat and happy to answer any questions on how we can use our creative side to weave your theme and ambition for the day into the look and feel of the car.

“The first car in our fleet is a 1974 VW Beetle ‘Wizard Roadster’ soft top conversion. Featuring lowered suspension, minimalistic body styling, a leather interior and lowered front screen, the appearance combined with the sound of the air-cooled engine is something spectacular. There’s also a Bluetooth subwoofer to blast out your playlist. For most couples, the preferred option of a soft-top Beetle is to fold the roof down, however, the Wizard remains stunning with the roof fastened if rain is forecast.

“As Something Cool Wedding Cars grows, so will its fleet with the ambition to add another custom VW Beetle or Camper Bus soon.”

Get in touch at www.somethingcoolcars.co.uk NEW BRIDAL BOUTIQUE!

Willow & Wilde is a new bridal boutique opening this October. Based in Helmshore, Rossendale, the store has a range of dresses priced from £500 - £2,000 with designers including Willowby by Watters, Freda Bennet, French Collection by Wendy Makin and Kelsey Rose.

The owner, Caroline Crompton, tells us: “At Willow & Wilde, we have selected a range of gorgeous gowns, separates and accessories to suit all weddings and budgets. Our style is modern vintage with a boho vibe, lots of soft tulle and chiffon with contemporary lace appliqué and a range of shades such as blush and titanium. Our designers have been chosen for their quality and amazing collections, but still with a great price to match all budgets.

“The boutique is designed to be a relaxing and inclusive space, where clients and their guests can feel confident and enjoy themselves. With more than 10 years’ experience working in the bridal industry with some of the top British designers, our fashion-forward and creative flair will help you make a decision that works for you and your wedding day.”

Head over to www.willowandwildebridal.co.uk for more information.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

H. Samuel, on Manchester’s Market Street, is celebrating 160 years of business. First opening in 1862, it introduced on-trend pieces that were designed with style and price in mind.

In a time when women could not vote or get an education, the owner, Harriet Samuel, beat all odds to follow her dreams and turned the family watchmakers into a mail-order business right in the heart of Manchester, with one goal: to make quality jewellery and watches accessible to everyone.

Visit www.hsamuel.co.uk for more information.

RING-A-DING-DING

Based in Manchester, Lily Arkwright is a sustainable and ethical luxury online jeweller offering lab-grown moissanite, diamonds, coloured gemstone engagement rings, wedding bands and jewellery in a variety of 18K white, yellow, rose gold and platinum. With weddings back in full swing this year, Lily Arkwright has put together a guide revealing the most popular times to propose.

Festive proposals are the most popular with many rings purchased in the Black Friday sales. Just like weddings, proposals are immensely popular as the sun begins to shine in the UK and as more people prepare for romantic holidays. Lily Arkwright sees sales rise by 38 per cent in April as couples prepare for springtime proposals. This continues into the summer months as July proves to be a favoured month for engagement ring shopping.

Surprisingly millennials no longer see Valentine’s Day, the day of love, as an ideal time to propose. With no spike in engagement ring sales in February in recent years, Valentine’s Day has quickly become an unpopular time of year for engagements, according to Lily Arkwright. Since launching in 2015, Lily Arkwright shares that sales of engagement rings typically rise in October. The retailer regularly has customers proposing on festive pre-Christmas holidays with popular destinations, including New York and European Christmas markets.

To find out more, visit www.lilyarkwright.com FALL IN LOVE

Storrs Hall is offering a cosy autumn break, perfect for minimoons. The Lakeside Suites are a beautiful place from which to view Cumbria’s autumn colours. Every year, the Lake District explodes into fiery hues, with the fells taking on stunning amber, gold and deep purple, and the still-warm weather combined with the quieter Lakeland streets, make it an idyllic time to visit.

Set apart from the main house of Storrs Hall, just steps from the shores of Windermere, The Lakeside Suites are vast in size, and each one has its own outdoor terrace with hot tub and glass walls to make the most of the views, huge beds, sofas with cosy blankets, a fire to stay toasty by and enormous bathrooms with freestanding baths, walk-in showers and double sinks.

In the main house, Storrs Hall’s cosy Tower Bar offers indulgent, hearty dishes and a roaring fire to snuggle up by. The hotel is renowned for its lavish afternoon teas too – perfect for refuelling after a morning exploring the Lake District’s autumn landscapes.

For more information, visit www.storrshall.com

FOOD, GLORIOUS FOOD

Get cosy this autumn with afternoon tea at The Belsfield Hotel. The luxurious four-star wedding venue, nestled on the banks of the majestic Lake Windermere, is offering afternoon tea from just £24.95 per person. The delicious range of afternoon teas, which are served from 12pm to 5pm, cater to all tastes and dietary requirements and allow guests to indulge in a sumptuous selection of homemade cakes, sandwiches, pastries and teas – the perfect way to stay toasty on a chilly autumn afternoon. The menu includes irresistible delicacies such as smoked salmon and cucumber sandwiches, raspberry crumble and plain and fruit buttermilk scones with strawberry jam and clotted cream. A plantbased menu is also available offering tempting delights such as falafel and roasted pepper sandwiches, mini-vegetable spring rolls, carrot cake, and scones with plant-based whipped cream. Gluten-free and dairy-free guests can also be catered for, and all afternoon teas can be upgraded to include a glass of champagne or prosecco.

Tea is served in the hotel’s stylish restaurant, which offers beautiful views of Lake Windermere in the crisp autumn sunshine.

Check out www.thebelsfieldhotel.com for more information.