NEARLYWED NEWS

SWITCH IT UP

Award-winning wedding florist Foam Wedding Flowers & Gifts, based in Maghull, cleverly adapted the business to stay afloat when the Covid-19 pandemic hit. When her couples were forced to postpone or cancel their big days, owner Joanne Quinn turned to home decoration to keep her busy.

She started with relevant themes and seasons, listening to her customers and creating a connection to their thoughts and feelings, making the most vibrant rainbow floral arrangements to honour our outstanding NHS and creating hundreds of Christmas products, from wreaths to table centrepieces to make homes feel extra special at a difficult time. Many people were focusing on making those muchneeded home improvements and revitalising the place they were spending so much time in, so Joanne expanded her offering into finishing touches with vases, pampas grass and artificial house plants taking over her shop.

Now, with restrictions lifted, Joanne is back to focusing on creating perfect posies and stunning sprays of foam flowers for her belated brides-to-be and is hopeful that weddings can once again be the perfect days that couples have longed for.

You can follow Foam Wedding Flowers & Gifts at www.instagram.com/foamweddingflowers

BUBBLY BREAKS

Cottons Hotel & Spa in Knutsford, is part of the award-winning hotel collective The House of Daniel Thwaites, which has announced its most decadent spa experience to date in partnership with iconic champagne house Bollinger. The Bollinger Experience includes a superior Signature bedroom and, upon arrival, you’ll be welcomed with a bottle of chilled bubbles, presented in a Bollinger cooler and champagne glasses that are yours to take home. Also included are pre-dinner cocktails, with £30 per person towards an evening meal, a full English breakfast the next morning and a luxurious late check-out. Of course, the trip wouldn’t be complete without a visit to the spa. So, select a 25-minute treatment of your choice, by French skincare brand, Caudalie. Treatments include lifting and firming eye therapies, luxurious back massages, body scrubs and purifying facials. The Bollinger Experience is available to book until November 2021 and prices start from £165 per person based on a one-night stay, plus NEWS Nearlywed all bookings offer a no quibble full refund available up to 24 hours in advance of the check-in date. Visit www.cottonshotel.co.uk Catch up on the latest from around the region

WIND DOWN

Following the challenges of the last 18 months, you may be one of the many looking to the restorative and relaxing benefits of a spa. Since they began reopening in April, booking agency www.spabreaks.com has seen an increase in demand for two-night breaks as its customers look to enjoy the benefits of a staycation. The company has shared with us some of its top trips and amongst them is Cheshire hotspot Shrigley Hall Hotel Golf and Country Club.

Supporting mental and physical wellbeing, spa facilities at Shrigley Hall near Macclesfield include a tranquillity room, a Jacuzzi, infinity pool, sauna, steam room, gym and outdoor tennis. Plus, staff are available to offer health and fitness assessments, as well as nutritional consultations. The Hotel’s two-night Bazaar Indulgence package offers bed and breakfast, a seasonally-inspired two-course dinner on the first evening, two 50-minute treaments and use of the Bazaar silk garden and indoor facilities at limited times on both days, or full-day access on one day. Prices start from £180 per person for a minimum of two people.

Head over to www.spabreaks.com and to find out more about Shrigley Hall as a wedding venue check out our venues feature on page 15.

The team at Colshaw Hall has made the most of recent lockdowns, when they’d usually be hosting weddings, and have created The Den, a new dedicated pre-ceremony space for grooms and their groomsmen. Designed to steady any last minute nerves before the “I dos,” the space is located next to The Ceremony Room and is super-stylishly decorated in a Cheshirecountryman theme. There are comfy sofas, Harris tweed furnishings and leather-look walls in cool grey tones, offering a fab backdrop for weddingprep photography.

Hang up your jacket and choose whether to play table tennis, table football or chill in front of the widescreen TV. There’s plenty of space to get ready too. The bar area will be fi nished soon too and will include a fridge of drinks on the house.

The Den is available from 11am on the day of the wedding. Check out www.colshawhall.com

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FIVE MINUTES WITH...

This issue, we chat big-day beauty with professional freelance make-up artist Leah Hughes of Painted by Leah.

What’s your favourite bridal look and why? I love elegant and timeless looks that really enhance and capture brides’ natural beauty. I think it’s so important for them to feel like the best version of themselves on their special day, giving them full confi dence when they walk down the aisle.

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SOCIAL CORNER

As you can tell from our recent Instagram post, the editorial team here at CWM HQ were a tad excited the day Boris announced weddings could go ahead restriction-free! How long before the wedding should brides book an appointment? I’d say around 12-18 months prior to the wedding. I love to build a strong relationship with all my brides so the more time we have to get to know each other the better. Trials are usually around six months before the big day.

Do you have any top tips for brides thinking about their wedding day hair and make-up? Start early with skincare. A good skincare regime will make a huge difference to your overall make-up application and give you that gorgeous fl awless fi nish making you look radiant in all of your pictures. I will always recommend products I trust and can give you any advice you might need.

Leah offers tailored make-up services for brides and their bridal parties. Head over to https://paintedbyleah.wixsite.com/bridal for more information.

DIARY DATE

If you started your wedding planning during a lockdown, you’ll no doubt be itching to get out and about to immerse yourself in some wedspiration #IRL! So, why not pop The Cheshire Wedding Fayre on your calendar for Sunday 26th September 2021, 10am-3pm?

The county’s biggest free-entry wedding show will be hosted at Cheshire View in Chester, where you’ll fi nd more than 70 suppliers throughout the venue. Explore a wide selection of specialists from live music and entertainment, to big-day attire. What’s more, the fi rst 50 couples will receive an exclusive goody bag on entry fi lled with the latest special offers and discounts, so don’t delay!

Register online at https://bouquetandbells.com/the-cheshirewedding-fayre

Margaret Mason

Margaret was delighted to work with Geraldine, and be a part of this special day. Since 1961…Margaret Mason is proud to have been in business for 60 years this year, providing both wedding and event florals and managing a very successful florist shop in the centre of Preston.

In addition, Margaret Mason has expanded her floral empire - with Hire Props UK, an event hire company, housing a unique collection of wedding and event props. Built over Margaret’s 60 years in business, Hire Props UK has an impressive large showroom, filled with over 50,000 props available to hire, which is open to both the general public, and suppliers.