NEARLYWED NEWS

JUST FOR YOU The Lowry Hotel, a Manchester icon synonymous with chic luxury, has launched a new menu of inroom surprise options that can be pre-booked. From birthdays and cleverly orchestrated marriage proposals to anniversaries to remember and exciting gender reveals, The Lowry Hotel promises to make your stay special.

Marketa Solcanska, the celebrations expert from The Lowry Hotel, said; “We’ve been helping people make moments special for 20 years now. More and more, we’re getting asked to help make them unforgettable, and that’s why we’ve made it even easier for people to build a bespoke package and have it ready and waiting either in their room, in one of our suites or one of our events spaces.”

Celebrations Inspired packages start from £110 and are available to book now. For more information, visit www.thelowryhotel.com/celebrations-inspired

www.blackpoolphotographer.co.uk MOMENTS THAT MATTER

Kelly Garrick, a celebrant based in Blackpool, is offering her services for couples and guests who are hard of hearing. “One in four people are hard of hearing, myself included,” says Kelly. “I’m currently in training to walk a marathon for a charity named RNID to help the research and development of hearing loss. I’m also beginning to offer subtitled ceremonies/weddings to help everyone be included in the celebration.” She is invested in recognizing what is truly important to every client with more than two decades of experience and qualifications in event management and project management. She has been certified with the IoCF and started leading ceremonies in 2012. Kelly’s energy and passion and love for her work is shown through her desire to make a difference. She was previously a chairperson of a swimming club and dedicated herself to a local charity as a fundraising manager and is now a trustee of the “Love & Loss” NEWS Nearlywed which connects people through grief. Discover more at www.kellygarrickcelebrants.com All the latest from around the North West

ECO-FRIENDLY BEAUTY

Grüum, a Manchester-based skincare and haircare brand, has launched a new range of wash bags made from ocean-bound plastic. Ideal for eco-conscious brides and grooms, the bag is available in three colours, is ethically sourced and is 100 per cent vegan. The new range comes as non-profit organisation Plastic Oceans estimates that 10 million tonnes of plastic are dumped into our oceans every year, the equivalent of a truck-load every minute.

Andy Shaw, the co-founder, said: “Sustainability is at the heart of everything we do. From our ever-expanding range of zero-plastic products to our packaging choices, it’s really important to us. We only want to create products that serve a real purpose, with no gimmicks or labels. Sustainability and inclusivity are core pillars of everything we do, so we don’t make things ‘for him’ or ‘for her’; we make them for everyone, with one fair price for all.”

Head over to www.gruum.com to see more.

RENOVATION TIME Gilsland Hall sits proudly in 140 acres of landscaped garden and natural woodland and is an idyllic location with spectacular views over the Cumbrian countryside. The hotel was recently purchased by Stratsmore Holdings and will be operated by Monday Hospitality Group and their new country house hotel brand, Black Book Hotels. As a result, the property will undergo a complete renovation, transforming it into a luxury five-star country house hotel by Spring 2022. The new hotel will offer luxury suites and family rooms with patios, ideal for those with pets. There will be an array of guest experiences, amenities, wedding and event spaces, including in house screening room and luxury spa facilities, making it the ideal retreat for couples. In the meantime, the hotel in its existing incarnation is available for affordable staycations for couples looking for a base from which to explore the region for a relaxing minimoon or pre-wedding getaway.

Check out www.gilslandhall.com for more information.

REST AND RELAXATION The Rena Spa at the Midland, based in central Manchester, is transporting its guests to the rolling countryside of Bordeaux by providing face and body treatments from French beauty brand Caudalie.

Whether you have a few stolen hours or a whole weekend to unwind in Manchester, there’s a range of treatments and products to choose from, such as sleep chambers, a heated relaxation pool, steam rooms and an indulgent treatment menu.

After a busy day, calm the mind and body with a deeply relaxing leg and back treatment. This ritual begins with a back cleanse, exfoliation, and deep tissue massage and incorporates a nourishing mask applied to the back. This will relieve tension and revitalise, leaving guests feeling rejuvenated. Alternatively, the Crushed Cabernet Scrub Treatment incorporates one of the most popular scrubs from Caudalie’s spas. This exfoliation technique regains the skin’s radiance and softness, providing the optimum opportunity for the skin to absorb hydrating ingredients. The Caudalie signature sculpting massage follows, using the contouring concentrate, which stimulates the systems of the body and encourages the natural elimination of toxins.

To see the full list of treatments available, visit www.themidlandhotel.co.uk AT ONE WITH NATURE

With searches for ‘boosting immunity’ hitting an all-time high during the peaks of the pandemic, people are turning to the healing powers of natural remedies more than ever before. Armathwaite Hall Hotel & Spa is a wellness retreat ideal for restoring the mind, body and spirit. Hidden away in the Lake District, the spa is offering new experiences to help jumpstart couples’ wellness journeys.

The Two Night Forest Bathing Spa Package encourages people to slow down, reconnect with the outdoors and soak up nature’s sensory elements. Featuring a ‘nature reset’ walk by an accredited Forest Bathing guide, guests can relax knowing the clean, crisp air will improve their immunity, encourage deeper sleep and boost energy levels. This retreat also includes a 55-minute Temple Spa full body massage which calms frazzled nerves, winds down an active mind and relieves tension in the body built up by stress.

Alternatively, the Wild Swimming & Waterfalls package is available. Under the careful guidance of wild swimming coach Ali Phillips, guests can spend a half-day hopping across the area’s beautiful water features. Lastly, sit back and choose from a plethora of facials and massages.

For more information, visit www.armathwaite-hall.com