NEARLYWED NEWS

While undeniably wonderful and rewarding, planning your wedding day could well be one of the most stressful things you’ll ever do. So, with another string to her bow, celebrant Jen Walker of Chester-based JW Ceremonies also works with couples to guide them through this trying time, not just the planning process but also that challenging transition from fiance to spouse. Her goal is to ensure that this is the time of her clients’ lives – as magical and stress free as possible. Jen says, “Weddings can lead to burn-out, anxiety and friction within relationships, so being prepared for the project that lies ahead and noticing when you’re becoming overwhelmed is key. After all, no one wants sleepless nights, coldsores and wedding jitters in the run up to the big day.”

To find out more about JW Ceremonies’ wedding wellbeing service, get in touch via https://jwceremonies.com

NEWS Nearlywed Catch up on the latest from around the region

https://jainebriscoe-price.co.uk

DIARY DATE

It’s almost time for the region’s biggest wedding event – The North West Wedding Show. Now in its 12th year, the show is back at the Exhibition Centre Liverpool on 5th and 6th February 2022.

Leading local, national and international wedding suppliers will be exhibiting, showcasing new trends and exclusive show offers. Why not treat yourself to the VIP experience and enjoy champagne and canapés before taking your seat at the front row of the catwalk? Plus, with six spectacular catwalk shows to choose from, as well as the Live Lounge and Bar, The Curious Place for the alternative couple, and many more feature areas, it’s a weekend not to be missed! Check out https://thenorthwestweddingshow.co.uk

https://shanewebber.com

TOP SPA

The Spa at Carden has announced an impressive trio of prestigious award wins. The state-of-the-art spa launched in January 2020 following a £10 million investment, offering world class facilities and a 4,500 square-metre standalone space, making it one of the UK’s largest spa gardens. With views over the rolling Cheshire countryside, the spa offers multi-sensory wellbeing breaks with numerous thermal experiences and an all-weather Bollinger champagne bar.

The Professional Beauty Awards is the most established and highly-regarded scheme for the beauty, spa, nails and aesthetics markets. The awards are judged by a panel of experienced industry experts and recognise those who offer first-class treatment deliver, customer experience, leadership skills and industry innovation and The Spa at Carden is delighted to have won Large Spa of the Year 2021. Next up is its win at the World Luxury Spa Awards for Europe’s Best Luxury Destination Spa 2021. These accolades are voted for by more than 250,000 guests, travellers and industry players. So, for the winner this means the respect of guests and industry experts alike. Not stopping there, the local lovely went on to win England’s Best Country House Hotel Spa 2021 at the World Spa Awards. Launched in 2015, these prizes celebrate and reward excellence in spa and wellness tourism aiming to inspire exceptional standards.

For some well deserved pre- or post-wedding R&R, you’ll be in awardwinning hands at The Spa at Carden. Check out www.cardenpark.co.uk/spa

TIME FOR A FEAST

Meze Publishing’s latest cook book, Inspired Grazing by Laura Billington from Graze Cheshire, aims to spark creativity by encouraging personality in every platter. At its heart, the book fuels a passion for grazing, whether you’re a kitchen connoisseur or a cheeseboard newbie. With grazing leading the way in wedding catering trends this is definitely worth a look. Inspired Grazing offers you all the hints and tricks you need to pair flavours and bring that personal touch to your wedding breakfast platters, meaning you can approach your caterer with a fullyformed vision!

After all, a cheeseboard isn’t just a snack or after-dinner affair any longer; it’s grown into an art form, trend and timeless classic. From the wedding breakfast to evening snacks, these boards and platters are a joy sure to fill your guests with culinary delight. Laura’s recipes take you on a tour of the seasons, so this book will have you prepared whenever your wedding date. From the vivid Rainbow Board that’d make an incredible summer garden party centrepiece, to the Winter Celebration Board, which adds a special touch to festivities, every one is visually exciting as well as delicious.

Laura’s company, Graze Cheshire, was incorporated during the first lockdown in 2020 admist a slower pace of life and extra time to contemplate her career. After 20 years working in the legal industry, it was a complete change of direction where creativity, food and a love for everything local ignited a passion for preparing platters.

To find out more about Graze Cheshire head over to https://grazecheshire.co.uk. Inspired Grazing, £22, is available from www.bookshop.org, www.amazon.co.uk and www.mezepublishing.co.uk as well as in bookshops. Cheadle-based hair and beauty company Beauty Works has been granted the Queen’s Award for Enterprise in the International Trade category by the Vice Lord Lieutenant of Cheshire, Mrs Sharman Birtles. The award was accepted by the organisation’s managing director and founder, Penelope Cheshire. Describing the win as “a great honour,” Penelope said the accolade has been the culmination of many years of hard work and tireless efforts by her 60-strong team.

Now in its 56th year, the award is the most influential in British business and recognises the success of vibrant and forward-thinking companies that are leading the way by promoting the UK internationally, innovating via pioneering products or services, delivering impressive social mobility programmes, or demonstrating their dedication to excellent sustainable development practices. The award is the crème de la crème for any UK-based organisation!

Beauty Works was founded in 2010 by well-regarded leader in the hair industry, entrepreneur and philanthropist Penelope in a one-bedroom flat in Liverpool. The company has since become one of the world’s most successful and exciting beauty brands, offering hair extensions to more than 4,000 professional salons and consumers in more than 180 countries. They’ve been worn by Nicole Scherzinger, Olivia Palermo, Bella Hadid and Dame Joan Collins. As the organisation grows Penelope continues to employ young women from low socio-economic backgrounds, as well as supporting HideOut Youth Zone as founder patron, a charity that helps underprivileged children.

Get luscious wedding day locks, or make that voluminous up do possible. Find out more about Beauty Works at https://beautyworksonline.com

SHHHH...

At-home beauty service Secret Spa has now expanded to cover Cheshire. Thus far, its London therapists have received rave reviews and have caught the attention of celebrities including Amanda Holden, Mollie King and Pixie Lott. The idea is that Secret Spa’s expert therapists visit you at your home allowing you to enjoy your treatment in total comfort, happy in the knowledge that you don’t have to ruin your tranquillity by getting home afterwards – particularly in this grim wintry weather! There are an impressive array of treatments available from hair, make-up and nails, to tan, lashes and massages. So, whether it’s a pre-wedding pamper evening to make sure your skin is looking its big-day best and ready for your make-up artist, or you’re looking for help with your wedding beauty look, the team are on hand to make life easier.

To book simply head over to https://secretspa.co.uk, where you’ll be asked for your postcode, which will match you up with your local therapist and allow you to browse the list of available treatments and book.

COME ON IN

The owners of Soughton Hall in Sychdyn near Mold have invested £300,000 to open an exciting new wedding and events venue on the the 10-acre estate. The conversion of the Grade II listed coach house and stables has been a labour of love for managing director James Ramsbottom who says, “The Coach House was an amazing piece of bricks and mortar that was sat here doing nothing, having been operated as a restaurant by the previous owners. It was a waste to have a Grade II listed building without a real purpose, but now we’ve put that right. We’ve breathed new life into it, while retaining many of the original features. The Coach House is now available and we have already started accepting bookings. It will work well alongside the Hall since it offers something different, but equally special in its own way.” Soughton Hall is very much a community-based venue that aims to contribute as much as possible to the local economy, so with that in mind fresh local produce is used in all the meals it serves. And although all of the menus from the Hall will be available in the new location, the fare you can expect to find at the Coach House will be high-end classics with a cool twist.

The Hall itself was built in 1720 before being redesigned a century later by Sir Charles Barry, who went on to be the architect of the current House of Commons and Highclere Castle (the iconic location for Downton Abbey).

The Coach House is available to host a range of weddings from traditional seated meals for up to 80 guests and evening receptions for up to 200. Find out more at https://soughtonhall.co.uk

CARING IN CREWE

De Vere, a collection of historical mansion-house estates and contemporary hotels, which includes popular local wedding venue Cranage Estate in Crewe, has donated £560,696.69 to NHS Charities Together to help NHS staff, volunteers and patients at the centre of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Locally, NHS Charities Together has helped the Mid Cheshire Hospitals Charity, which supports the Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust by providing funding for state-of-the-art equipment and new facilities, as well as East Cheshire NHS Trust Charitable Fund, which supports Macclesfield District General, Congleton War Memorial Hospital and Knutsford and District Hospital.

Alan Corlett, chief commerial officer at De Vere says, “We’re always looking for ways to support our local communities and charities close to our heart. We’re honoured to be able to make this significant donation to NHS Charities Together to say ‘thank you’ to those who’ve looked after us and kept us safe throughout the pandemic.”

To find out more about saying “I do” at Cranage Estate, head over to www.devere.co.uk/cranage-estate

Liverpool Chamber

LEADING THE ENVIRONMENTAL WAY

In 2015, Gemma Wakerley took the decision to reduce the environmental impact of her business, Booker Flowers and Gifts. At the time it was quite a radical move given the green agenda we take for granted today was still in its infancy. Fast forward to 2022 and her business in Mossley Hill is the proud recipient of the Environmental and Climate award in the Liverpool Chamber Innovation in Business Awards.

Over the years Booker Flowers and Gifts has introduced numerous measures to reduce its carbon footprint and environmental impact including everything from using renewable energy suppliers and reducing plastic waste, to sourcing local produce where possible and returning cardboard packaging to suppliers. Gemma says, “ I was always interested in the environment and made the decision to do my bit to help preserve and protect it. In the beginning, there wasn’t as much information available, so it was a steep learning curve, but we persevered, and step by step we’ve made great progress. There’s still much to do but we’re working with Liverpool John Moores University and others to improve green composting processes and have ambitions to go electric with our delivery vehicles in order to achieve net zero by 2030.”

Find out about Booker Flowers and Gifts wedding services at www.bookerflowersandgifts.co.uk