Weddings Lancashire Local Issue 28

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Lancashire Local. Issue 28. Page 1.

Page 2. Issue 28. Lancashire Local

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Unusual Wedding Venues If you’ve never considered yourselves to be a conventional couple, check out our list of top alternative wedding venues in the U.K. Some are fun and quirky, some are downright odd.

The Gherkin Boasting the best views over the city of London, The Gherkin is the capital’s most iconic modern building.

The London landmark also offers a very high standard of hospitality with some the biggest companies choosing it as the venue for their lavish parties.

The Gherkin can be seen for miles around so your guests certainly won’t have any difficulty finding your wedding venue.

A Cave Wookey Hole in Somerset, who recently appointed a new resident witch, offer couples the opportunity to exchange their vows deep underground in one of their spooky

caves. There are a selection of caves to choose from, the largest can accommodate 120 guests, all of which are fully licensed for civil ceremonies.

A lighthouse West Usk Lighthouse is situated halfway between Newport and Cardiff in South Wales.

The lighthouse is privately owned and has been restored to a very high standard with a hot tub, four-poster beds, an exquisite spiral staircase and a beautiful roof garden with views across the Severn Estuary. Your ceremony can be conducted on top of the lighthouse in the open air. The building is steeped in history being over 180 years old and grade ll listed; keeps your eyes peeled as many of the local farmers have spotted UFO’s in the area.

Editor’s Office

We’re not sure why, but the offer is there. Media enthusiasts (if there is such a thing) can choose to commit themselves to each other in the Editor of The Daily Mirror’s office in Canary Wharf, London. Aaah, the romance!

If you’re a busy career couple, this maybe the perfect venue as you can tie the knot during your lunch break; even better if you happen to work at The Daily Mirror.

Theatre It’s expected that the newlyweds are the centre of attention on their big day, however privately owned Clonter Opera Theatre in Cheshire offers couples the opportunity to wed live on stage.

They have a selection of 5 separate reception rooms to choose for your reception. The theatre enjoys an idyllic setting surrounded by bluebells woods and lush parkland.

London Eye Climb aboard your own private capsule with your family and friends and hold tight.

A full revolution takes half an hour and by the time you’ve reached the highest point of the wheel 135 metres above the city, you’ll be married. If you choose the Platinum Package you’ll also be treated to a complementary ride on the Eye to celebrate your fist wedding anniversary.

Absolut Ice Bar Set in the heart of London this sub zero venue will certainly give your guests an occasion to remember. The aisle is constructed out of the purest ice harvested from a river in Sweden.

This bar is far from being a novelty venue as they also offer a very high standard of catering courtesy of their award winning chefs.

Combining beautiful architecture with picturesque Cheshire surroundings, Inglewood Manor, nestled within 38 acres of beautiful grounds and gardens makes for the perfect venue to hold your wedding ceremony or reception.

Situated between the historical cities of Liverpool and Chester, this delightful Grade 2 listed building retains all the charm and warmth of a lavish Edwardian family home, remaining almost unaltered since it was built in 1915.

Depending on the time of a year, a roaring log fire greets our guests in winter, and in summer elegant oakpanelled rooms lead out onto spacious sunlit terraces, creating a memorable backdrop for this most special of days.

Wisteria clad walkways, formally planted gardens, pretty ponds and shimmering lakes all contribute to an unforgettable setting for photographs you’ll treasure for a lifetime.

The beauty of the building is matched only by the quality of the food and service from your champagne

reception, to dancing long into the night. Our spaces include luxury dining rooms and a bar that can all be specially transformed for your wedding day. The team here at Inglewood Manor see every wedding as a unique opportunity to make your dreams come true. Offering a number of wedding packages, we simply could not try any harder to ensure that every single detail has been meticulously taken care of. Our award-winning chefs and experienced banqueting team ensure that every

meal is prepared with care, presented with pride and served with the friendliest of smiles.

From start to finish, our aim at Inglewood Manor is to create from your ideas and dreams a magical ceremony day for you and your guests.

Love at First Sight…

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Lancashire Local. Issue 28. Page 3.

Fairytales Castles for

your dream wedding

Edinburgh Castle The jewel in the crown of the Edinburgh skyline.

It’s difficult to imagine a more dramatic venue for your wedding. Tie the knot in one of Scotland’s most famous landmarks and have a magical wedding day.

Choose from a variety of packages and suites; all of the function rooms are immaculately restored and offer sumptuous surroundings with breathtaking views over Princes Street and Frith of Forth. If you choose to exchange vows in The Gatehouse Suite you’ll also benefit from a private terrace which looks out onto the historic Royal Mile.

Pendennis Castle This enchanting Castle in Falmouth, Cornwall, commands panoramic views across the sea. Your ceremony will take place in the Tudor Castle Keep surrounded by candles, ancient tapestries and flowers of your choice. Dinner can be served in the impressive Royal Artillery Barracks before which guests can take champagne and canapés on the grassy “chemise.” This magnificent building is at its most striking when it’s floodlit after dark.

Warwick Castle Warwick Castle is a truly majestic venue. Framed by mature sweeping trees and an idyllic lake, you really couldn’t hope for a better backdrop for your wedding photographs. The venue is also renowned for its high standard of hospitality and excellent catering facilities.

Drinks can be taken in the Peacock Gardens surrounded by fountains. Your reception can take place in either The Great Hall or the State dining room.

Leeds Castle Despite its name this Castle is actually in Kent. It enjoys a secluded location as it’s marooned on its very own private island in the middle of the River Len. The Castle is exquisitely decorated and also has an aviary, small golf course and even a maize to keep your guests amused.

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Lancashire Local. Issue 28. Page 5.

Booking A Church Wedding Ceremony:

Everything You Need to Know

Saying your vows in a church is a traditional part of planning a wedding, and a quarter of couples plan on getting married in a religious ceremony. www.hitched.co.uk have put together the ultimate beginner’s guide to church wedding ceremonies, so you know exactly what you need to do.

What are the legal requirements for a church wedding?

You can marry in a church wedding ceremony from the age of 18 onwards in a church wedding ceremony in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

If you’re aged 16 or 17, you will need your parents’ approval in England and Wales, but not in Scotland where it’s legal without consent providing there are two witnesses.

Church wedding ceremonies must take place between 8am and 6pm and be witnessed by at least two people.

You’ve probably heard about ‘having your banns read’ in connection to a church wedding – this is required before the marriage takes place as it signifies your intention to marry. Your banns will be read out in the parish where each of you lives as well as in the church where you’re planning on marrying for three Sundays during the three months leading up to the wedding.

If you’re marrying in a hurry it is possible to skip having your banns read, but you will need to apply for a common licence for this. They cost from £200. You may also need a licence if one of you isn’t a British citizen or currently lives outside of

the UK. In Scotland you’re required to give 15 days’ notice with the local registrar.

Do the rules differ depending on where in the UK the church is?

Depending on where you are in the UK and what kind of church you want to marry in will impact what you need to do.

Scotland has different rules relating to church weddings that England and Wales, as explained above, and there are stricter residency requirements for those planning a church wedding in Northern Ireland.

A Catholic church ceremony is different to book compared to a Church of England wedding too – for example, you will need a dispensation to marry in a Catholic ceremony if one of you is not Catholic, but you don’t have to have the banns read out beforehand. Do I have to attend the church to get married there?

The Church of England gives all British citizens with no former partner still living the right to get married in the parish church of the town where they live, or where either of the couple are on the church’s electoral roll.

You can also get married in church to which you have a connection, such as: - Either of you lived in that church’s parish for six months or more - One of you regularly attended worship in that parish for six months or more - Either of you were baptised or prepared for confirmation in the parish - One of your parents lived in the parish/regularly attended

worship there for six months or more in their child’s lifetime - Your parents or grandparents were married in the parish If you attend services at your chosen church for six months – even if you only attend a single service a month – that can help your case. Do I have to be religious to have a church wedding? You don’t have to be religious to have a Church of England wedding, however for a Catholic wedding at least one of you must follow the faith and you’re required to get a dispensation to marry there for the one that isn’t Catholic.

Anyone is welcome to have a Church of England wedding, regardless of their beliefs as the vicars understand that 'spiritual beliefs are complex and varied'.

How far in advance should I book my church wedding ceremony?

It works the same way as booking a civil wedding ceremony in that places will get booked up months in advance. Talk to your vicar or the church office as soon as possible, particularly if you’re hoping to marry in peak wedding season. Bear in mind most Church of England churches won’t host ceremonies during Lent, although this isn’t usually the case for Catholic ceremonies.

How much does a church wedding ceremony cost? It costs around £500 to get married in a church in England and Wales, so make sure you factor this into your wedding budget. This cost covers the expense of reading of the banns, the certificate, the

vicar and the use of the church itself.

Extra details such as flowers, having the bells rung or making use of the organist or choir will incur additional costs. It’s worth noting in Scotland and Northern Ireland there is no fixed cost for a church wedding.

Can we use our own vows in a church wedding ceremony? If you’re planning on writing your own wedding vows, a church ceremony might not be for you. In England and Wales you cannot change any part of the wedding vows, however in Scotland you can vary the traditional vows or write your own as long as the minister approves them.

You can include poems, readings or songs in your vows as long as your vicar is okay with it. Can I decorate the church with my own flowers? Most churches will be able to recommend someone from the parish who can decorate the church for you, but it shouldn’t be a problem to bring in your own floral displays.

Just check with your vicar where you can have the flowers as you wouldn’t want a large arrangement to get in the way during the ceremony.

What is a wedding rehearsal?

Lots of churches offer the chance to have a wedding rehearsal – this allows you, your partner and your

bridal party to run through the service ahead of the big day so you know what to expect and when.

Can we have confetti at our church wedding? This varies from church to church so check with your vicar and let your guests know in advance.

If wedding confetti is not allowed, find out if they’ll allow you to use a natural or bio-degradable type of confetti instead.

Can we have the reception in the church hall?

Usually you can – check with the church office to find out. You can also have your reception at a different venue if you wish.

Page 6. Issue 28. Lancashire Local

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Church Versus Registry Office Many women dream about their wedding day from childhood. Not only is it one of the biggest days of a person’s life, it is also likely to be the most romantic.

Given the momentous nature of the all-important wedding, it should therefore come as no surprise that a lot of thought goes into the planning involved. And one of the most significant aspects of that is the wedding venue.

While most people associate a wedding with a church and minister, tying the knot in registry offices has become increasingly popular over the years. Ultimately, however, the decision between church and registry office depends on the individuals in question.

A bride and groom-to-be could think about whether they want a traditional wedding versus modern. There is nothing more traditional than donning a lavish white wedding dress and walking down a long aisle flanked by scores of family and friends to the tune of Here Comes the Bride.

The tradition of having the father of the bride accompany his daughter and give her away at the altar is one that many dads dream about.

Having bridesmaids at the side of the wife-to-be is another comforting aspect of traditional weddings that is so engrained in our cultural identity.

But such strict adherence to tradition is not everyone’s cup of tea — particularly those who are in no way religious. Ultimately, marriage is a legal contract and what better way to seal that than by having a more official and straightforward ceremony in a registry office?

As opposed to having passages from the bible recited and old religious hymns sung by guests, registry office weddings can incorporate a more modern set up consisting of clear and concise vows - that are not necessarily devoid of romance — along with songs that again, are not strictly religious.

At the bones of the comparison between church and registry office is just how lavish you want your wedding to be. For example, at a church there will be room for more guests, in which case a big and extravagant ceremony is a possibility, but in an official office, only a handful of people can be present.

Brides feel more comfortable wearing a f a b u l o u s

traditional wedding gown in a church, but in a registry office, a smart dress and jacket seems more apt. A church wedding undoubtedly provides men and women — regardless of their religion - with the ultimate fairytale setting that is often considered more romantic and magical. But, on the plus side of the registry office, it can be an awful lot cheaper.

There is also less wedding planning and stress involved, meaning that the bride and groom can focus solely on each other and the reasons why they are tying the knot, instead of being distracted by the drama surrounding the spectacle that is their big day.

There is a lot to be said for couples who do not need to profess their love to the world by spending thousands of pounds on an over-the-top ceremony.

Clearly all they need is each other.

Top wedding

destinations abroad

Las Vegas America’s playground on the edge of the Nevada desert is a legendary wedding destination. It’s the city that doesn’t sleep where you can find casinos, entertainment and wedding ceremonies available 24 hours a day. Why not “do a Britney” and tie the knot in the world famous Little Wedding Chapel? They offer range of wedding services including the drive-through option, the Elvis and pink Cadillac option and the outdoor gazebo option. Guests who can’t make it can watch the ceremony as its streamed live over the internet.

Alternatively there’s a huge choice of immaculate hotels where you can hold both your civil ceremony and your reception.

Mauritius Crystal clear water and miles of golden sandy beaches, Mauritius is a mini paradise marooned in the middle of the Indian Ocean. No wonder it’s one of the most popular wedding and honeymoon destinations in the world.

Couples can exchange their vows on the beach and drinks cocktails as the sunsets over the ocean. The island is well equipped for luxury weddings with a selection of hideaway beach huts and 5 star resorts peppered all along the stunning coastline.

Sri Lanka With its exotic location, tropical jungles, exquisite beaches and ancient cities steeped in history, Sri Lanka has much to offer as a wedding resort.

With the help of a professional Sri Lankan based wedding planner, you will be able to organise your dream ceremony incorporating some of the local customs; make a dramatic entrance on your wedding day by arriving onboard an elephant.

Kenya This unique country rich with wildlife

and mythical culture will provide you with a memorable experience you’ll cherish forever. Kenya is renowned for its awe inspiring wildlife but its tropical coastline, which lies along the edge of the Indian Ocean, is often forgotten. Many couples choose to have a beach wedding then a safari honeymoon.

Thailand

Thailand is legendary throughout Asia for the warm welcome and high standards of hospitality offered

by Thai people. Money goes a long way in Thailand making it an exotic destination, with an affordable price tag. The stunning scenery, idyllic beaches and vibrant cities make Thailand a very attractive prospect for brides and grooms-to-be.

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Lancashire Local. Issue 28. Page 7.

How to Choose a Wedding Venue:

What You Need to Consider

Finding the perfect venue is likely to be at the top of any newly engaged couples list. With the venue playing a vital role in the success of your day it’s the big decision you really need to get right. Just like viewing a new property it is easy to become overexcited and fall in love with a place without checking the venue can cater to your requirements, so hitched.co.uk are here to answer that question - how to choose a wedding venue?

Wait until you get the feeling Much like finding your dress, the shoes, a new home, it is true that when you view venues you will know if it is right for you. You need to be able to picture yourself there on the day and ensure the style of the building both exterior and interior will work with the theme of your wedding.

Finding the right venue in our opinion is the most important factor, once you fall in love with somewhere before rushing in to anything at the very least check the following match your criteria: Is it the right location?

Where will your guests be coming from? If they are not local, choosing a venue that is easily accessible, has accommodation on site or hotels in close proximity is desirable. If you have guests coming from abroad how far is the closest international airport?

These factors may play a role in your decision making.

Is the capacity right for you?

Think about whether you need a large capacity wedding venue or a smaller and more intimate wedding venue. The size of the venue is just as important, too small for your number of guests and the room will feel stuffy and overcrowded, too big and guests will feel lost and the space will feel cold. When a space is empty it is hard to imagine how it will look when filled with tables. For this reason we would always advise viewing a venue when it is set up for a wedding. If this is not possible ask to see photographs, most venues should have a photo book or slide-show. Another tip is to ask for a seating plan of the room at capacity, this will give you a good idea of how much space there is and how comfortably your guests numbers will fit.

Ask about the flow of the day Make sure the venue representative talks you through how a typical day runs. The flow of the day is crucial, any long pauses or delays and your guests will become bored. If your ceremony and reception is in the same room how long does the turnaround take, where will the guests be and what will they be doing? This is also relevant between the reception meal and the evening dancing. The weather in the UK can be unpredictable to say the least! If it does rain does the venue have indoor space for the reception drinks? Do they provide a master of ceremonies/manager? This takes the stress off you and is the best way to make sure all your guests are where they are meant to be at all times.

Check the timings Planning the time of your ceremony is a big decision; when do the venue advise? In our experience weddings of 8-9 hours work well, any longer than this and the atmosphere dwindles towards the end, you want your wedding to end on a high!

Also bear in mind where the majority of people will be coming from on the day, leave plenty of time for people to get ready and arrive.

Also ask, what set up time is included in the hire fee, when will your suppliers have access to the room and when do things need to be collected?

Think about the lighting Lighting plays an important part in any event, if your ceremony is during the day does the room have lots of natural daylight?

During the evening do they provide/ let you bring in candles?

Cameras will be a big part of your day so practise your smiles!

Bearing this in mind what is the surrounding area around your venue like? Where will your photographs be? If you are looking at a central town hall where will you take outdoor photographs?

The view from the venue and any outdoor space is also a massive plus not only for photographs but for your guests enjoyment.

Does the venue have grounds or ample outdoor space – this is useful if you have children attending and for guests to stretch their legs for ten minutes after the reception meal.

Check the finer details At the venue viewing stage you will not know every detail of your day however you must ask the venue what is not permitted…. If you envisage a romantic candlelit winter ceremony check the venue permits candles! If you are having your ceremony at the same venue can you throw confetti?

Finding these details out early in the planning stage before you book is essential, you are likely to have an idea of what your day will be like and the venue needs to be able to live up to this, for this reason write a list of…..

Make a list of your non-negotiable's Before viewing any venues sit down with your partner and discuss any non-negotiable's these could include: Budget – will the venue be able to provide everything you need within your budget, is VAT included in the price, are staff gratuities added and if so are they optional? Catering – What type of cuisine would you like? Can the venue provide this?

Suppliers – do you have artistic friends that want to bake the cake or take the photographs? If so check the venue will permit this or do you need to use their recommended suppliers?

Live music – if you would like a band does the venue permit this? If you would like a string quartet during reception drinks do the venue allow music outside?

Fireworks, sparklers, flame eaters etc. – if you have any different entertainment ideas check your venue will allow it.

Finding your venue will be one of the big milestones in your wedding planning and will determine your date, location and therefore will impact a lot of your other wedding planning decisions. You may even want to consider finding a wedding dress that perfectly suits your venue.

Page 8. Issue 28. Lancashire Local

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Lancashire Local. Issue 28. Page 9.

MAJOR INVESTMENT BOOSTS WEDDING BOOKINGS

A major investment programme for Hurlston Hall golf club is now complete and wedding bookings at the venue are already on the up.

More than £2.5 million has been invested by owners of the club in a comprehensive rebuild programme which left “not one inch” of the old building undeveloped and created 19 new jobs for local people.

The programme, which has taken over 16 months to complete, creates a stunning new venue with a double storey extension to the main building more than doubling the capacity of the

wedding facilities. The room can now seat 300 people in a fabulous new event space surrounded by panoramic views of the course and wrap-around balconies with frameless screens to maximise the views.

Money has also been invested in two luxurious cottages each of which sleep eight and are available for wedding parties planning to stay on site.

There’s a brand new food destination, The Scullery, for pre-wedding drinks or post-wedding breakfast and a private dining room which couples

often use to host a meal for both families.

Managing Director, Aoife O’Brien said the investment is part of the strategy to position Hurlston Hall as a leading wedding venue in the region.

“We’ve always had lovely views and a great backdrop to any wedding but now the facilities are absolutely top notch too. With the cottages being refurbished to such a high standard that also gives us the ability to cater for the whole day from the brides and her bridesmaids getting ready in the morning to going to bed at night.

“The facilities now are just stunning and we are so pleased that the investment is already paying off, the feedback has been wonderful.”

The investment not only secures the jobs of the people employed

by Hurlston Hall but also creates 19 new positions across the site including a new chef and restaurant manager.

Thornton Manor the perfect wedding venue

Designer Wedding Fair Thornton Manors first annual Designer Wedding Fair is being held on Sunday February 26th 2017 in the fabulous Walled Garden Marquee. This marquee is the biggest of four venues that Thornton Manor Estate is home to. Sitting in a 2 acre plot of the original walled garden of the estate, the Marquee is the able to seat up to 1000 guests, and will host this years fabulous event.

The Waterside Pavillion, Lakeside Marquee and the Manor House itself are the three further wedding venues sat in the estate, each with its own character and charm. The Designer Wedding Fair will play host to some of the North Wests biggest and best wedding suppliers, including the likes of Flix n Pix photography and Qube venue decorating. There will be a stunning catwalk show taking place at 12pm, 2pm and 4pm on the day itself,

with a beautiful selection of wedding dresses from Tina Louise, Heswall and Champagne and Strawberries as well as some fantastic suits and bridesmaid dresses. The day itself will run 11am-6pm. There will be refreshments available on the day from our catering and bar companies.

Tickets will be available in advance or are also available on the door.

We can not wait to see you to start planning your special day!

Asian Wedding Fair Thornton Manors first annual Asian Wedding Fair is being held on Sunday February 19th 2017 in the fabulous Walled Garden Marquee.

This marquee is the biggest of four venues that Thornton Manor Estate is home to. Sitting in a 2 acre plot of the original walled garden of the estate, the Marquee is the able to seat up to 1000 guests, and will host this years fabulous event. The Waterside

Pavillion, Lakeside Marquee and the Manor House itself are the three further wedding venues sat in the estate, each with its own character and charm.

The Asian Wedding Fair will play host to some of the North Wests biggest and best Asian wedding suppliers, including the likes of Flix n Pix photography and Qube venue decorating. There will be a stunning catwalk show taking place at 12pm,

2pm and 4pm on the day itself, with a beautiful selection of bridal wear. The day itself will run 11am-6pm.

There will be refreshments available on the day from our catering and bar companies.

Tickets will be available in advance or are also available on the door.

We can not wait to see you to start planning your special day!

Page 10. Issue 28. Lancashire Local

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Lancashire Local. Issue 28. Page 11.

Page 12. Issue 28. Lancashire Local

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Couple hold Flintstones themed wedding in Devon

Two fanatical Flintstones fans celebrated their love for each other, and the cartoon, by incorporating the Bedrock characters into their wedding with the bride and groom donning Fred and Wilma Flintstone costumes to walk down the aisle.

Gayle Watson married Ed Robinson at The Landmark Theatre in Ilfracombe, Devon on Tuesday of this week. The wacky pair even managed to rope their wedding attendants into joining in with the Flintstones theme as their best man and maid of honour dressed up as Barney and Betty Rubble for the big day, with their flower girl and page boy turning out as Pebbles and Bam Bam. Even the 100 guests who were invited to the Flintstones inspired do got into the spirit of things with many turning

up in caveman and cave woman outfits especially for the occasion.

The bride and groom went to great lengths to incorporate the cartoon theme into every aspect of their wedding day. Their wedding car was especially created by themselves and is a replica of the Flintstones car seen in the series, they also plastered their ceremony venue so as to create a stone cave effect, and even invited a 20foot cardboard dinosaur to the wedding to help set the scene.

The reception venue was also transformed into a cave especially for the wedding party and it even changed its name for the day from The Royal Marie Pub, to The Bedrock.

You’ll be in safe hands when you

choose the Best Western Glendower

Hotel to host your wedding

Situated in a sea front location on the promenade in Lytham St Annes, we take pride in providing a unique wedding every time and we can be on hand as much or as little as you want in the build up to your big day.

We are fully licenced to hold civil weddings in our beautifully decorated Lowther Room and the Georgian suite. The Lowther Room can cater for a maximum of 40 guests and the Georgian Suite can cater for up to 160 guests in the evening. Make your wedding day a stress free experience

with your very own dedicated wedding co-ordinator, along with a toast master. On the day, arrive in style with our red carpet welcome, and enjoy our traditional cake stand and knife, elegant candelabra centre pieces. End the night in our complementary sea view room especially for the bride and groom.

During your wedding day you may have exclusive use of the hotel, ensuring that you are the only bride and groom on the day.

We recognise that organising your

wedding can be a stressful experience, in aim to take the strain out of some of your critical decisions we have created a two wedding packages based on 50 day guests and 100 evening guest starting at £3550.00. However if you are looking at getting married within the next couple of months, a late availability package starting from £2999.00 is available on selected dates. For more information, please contact the wedding co-ordinator on sales@glendowerhotel.co.uk or call 01253 723241.

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Lancashire Local. Issue 28. Page 13.

The Importance of Choosing the Right Colours for your Wedding

70% of the brides have no idea what colour theme to have for their big day, so if you fall into that 70% of the bridal population, you’re definitely not on your own. So the next time someone asks you, “which colour do you have in mind for the wedding theme?” there’s no need to jump at the first colour that springs to mind, take your time and above all, take advice from experts such as those from Chaircover Depot, who will be able to guide you through the task of wedding colour coordination for your big day.

Colours – Cool, Warm & Neutral.

Colours have the ability to have a dramatic impact on our psychology, hence it is important to choose the right colours for the weddings. Cool colours that are associated with water convey a calming effect. Moreover warm colours lead to excitement whereas neutral colours express unity and harmony. And there you

were thinking that choosing the right wedding colour for your big day would be a piece of cake?!

As well as choosing a colour theme which reflects the right qualities for your occasion, the colour you end up choosing should compliment everything from your groom, right through to your venue (be it indoors or outdoors), the decor, the season you’re getting married and even your bridesmaids!

Choosing a Colour Palette The foremost thing to be done is picking up a palette that will help bring the guests and you in the same colour zone. For example, red colour speaks out loud for itself symbolizing passion, love and strong affection, whereas pink symbolizes femininity and sensuality.

Blue stands for calmness and tranquillity, whites can prove to be jaw dropping and of course, white is a

very traditional colour for weddings as it signifies purity and innocence. The list of possible colour combinations of course, endless, however a good place to start is to consider the tones and colours which you are most drawn to in your everyday life, as first and foremost, you want your wedding to reflect you and your partner as a couple. Good palette selection will tie together all the decorating choices you make for your wedding, which is why it’s so important to choose a colour your really love as it will filter through into every area of your big day. Contrast is the new trend that has taken the limelight these days. People prefer a smart yet classy contrast like mint green with lavender, red and cyan. The idea remains that the effect of these combinations should be stunning and eye popping in addition to having the right colour psychology.

This contrast can be developed further with mapping many things you have in your wedding scene.

Your chosen colour scheme can be reflected in your wedding invitations, decors, flowers, wedding cake, chair covers, candelabras, favours, and even lighting. The use of colour can be subtle in many of these elements, with just a hint of your chosen colour theme carried through to create a perfectly coordinated impression without being overpowering.

Linking your colour scheme with the destination or theme of your wedding is a very popular option, with many couples using their wedding venue

as inspiration for their colour theme. However choosing the right colours for destination weddings is extremely important. Choosing some non-contextual colours for a beach wedding wouldn’t go down well with the theme. Thus, a beach wedding would compliment well with sunset colours like orange. Or a wedding

on an island should preferably infuse hues of blue and turquoise. If being different is your agenda then colours like hot pink, yellow may dominate the ceremony. Your wedding memories, and also the all-important wedding snaps, will last a lifetime so don’t take any risks when it comes to choosing your colour scheme – make

sure you take expert advice to ensure your wedding is picture perfect.

So seek the advice of the wedding planners and consider the colour that will make your wedding the most colourful occasion of your life.

Just trust yourself and your wedding planners and you really won’t go wrong with this.

Page 14. Issue 28. Lancashire Local

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Holy Bridal

Back in December 2014 I was running a catering events company specialising in weddings. At the time I was busy marketing the business trying to generate more bookings for the following year but found that my options were limited.

Having spoken to a lot of my brides-to-be about how they found me, the general consensus was via Google but this involves a manual search process looking for particular business types in your area.

When planning a wedding, you have to search for a lot of different businesses and this becomes tedious and normally involves a note pad and pen to help build a shortlist.

As we were fast approaching 2015 I thought that there had to be a better way to search for these companies and help build that shortlist of potential suppliers for your wedding day and that’s where the idea for The Holy Bridal Wedding app came from.

Launched in April 2015 and available to download for free on all Apple & Android devices, The Holy Bridal is the UK’s ONLY App based wedding directory putting all suppliers under, one simple to use platform. It allows you to build a shortlist via the favourites option and directly contact the supplier via different method including email, phone or via their website.

We now have well over 700 businesses on our unique directory including a host of amazing venues, photographers, caterers and many many more and due to the success we are having we now host our own wedding fairs up and down the country.

We have some great venues and if you head over to our website, you will find our 2017 line ups.

So not only can you find suppliers via our app but you can now go and meet them face to face at one of our events‌. The Holy Bridal really is the one-stop shop for weddings.

detail. We don’t just sell fabulous gowns, we mak looked after – it’s the little things we do tha

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Lancashire Local.

28.help Page Winning awards likeIssue these will to 15. put a spotlig

publicity will attract more bride and grooms to the Garstang is well known for its very creative indep every aspect of planning a wedding from cakes, allofonplanning one High S true’ says covering everyand aspect

Bubble-wrap wedding THE DRESSING ROOM

dress for eco bride

Eco conscious bride Rachel Robinson thought a traditional white wedding gown was a waste of money, so instead decided to take a radical approach to her dress for the big day. Forget silk, chiffon and taffeta, this bride opted for bubble wrap as her material of choice for her gown, more commonly used for packing parcels rather than walking down the aisle in.

The primary school teacher enlisted the help of her pupils and their parents to make the special dress which was originally used as part of a school fashion show under the theme of sustainable style.

The alternative dress was made by sewing 13 feet of bubble wrap onto a fabric base. A 3 foot train was created with overlapping layers of Haribo sweet packaging, and also white packing materials.

The sounds of the bridal march were interrupted by the pops from the bubble wrap as the bride walked down the aisle, although she explained that she was grateful for the pop-able material when she reached the alter as she had something to grab hold of to take the edge off her nerves.

The newlywed says she would recommend the bubble-wrap dress to any bride-to-be saying that as an individual who is passionate about the environment and wildlife, the eco-dress was the right choice of bridal wear for her.

owner Cathy a wedding from cakes, to florists,

TH February the resu Voting Pfinishes the 9and r o c t e r .on jewellers stationers and and all on one

‘ T h e High Street.

Vote by visiting D r e s s i n g Voting finishes on the 9TH February Room need and the results will be announced votes fromand this Spring. Vote by visiting www. all brides hitched.co.uk/awards/vote and bridal and www.littlewhitebooks.co.uk/ p a r t i e s awards w h e t h e r Or visit www.thedressingroompast present garstang.co.uk or future.

We are up against s o m e very well established boutiques across the country so each vote will help bring these prestigious awards to the North’ “We have b e e n nominated because of our customer service and our attention to detail.

We don’t just sell fabulous gowns, we make our customers feel welcome and looked after – it’s the little things we do that mean a lot to our brides” Winning awards like these will help to put a spotlight on Garstang and the additional publicity will attract more bride and grooms to the town and help the local economy.

Garstang is well known for its very creative independent small businesss

www.hitched.co

www.littlewhitebooks

Or visit www.thedressingroom

Did you know that one of the best wedding dress shops in the UK is located in Garstang just north of Preston!

The Dressing Room is a finalist in not one but two wedding industry awards as the ‘Best Bridal Boutique’ in the UK Wedding Awards and ‘Best Bridal Boutique’ in the Great Northern Wedding Awards.

‘To be nominated and shortlisted as a finalist is in itself wonderful recognition of the hard work we put in to make every brides dream come

Page 16. Issue 28. Lancashire Local

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Lancashire Local. Issue 28. Page 17.

The latest wedding Pinterest sees a rise in

catering trends pork pie wedding cakes

we’ve compiled a list of the top wedding catering trends sweeping weddings this year. Read on and be inspired by these inventive ideas, guaranteed to provide a talking point at your big day.

Grazing Yes, grazing is the new buzz word in the catering world; it’s a buffet, but not as we know it. The idea is to create a more sociable dining experience so guests aren’t restricted to sitting on a table surrounded by a handful of people. Everyone is free to mingle whilst they munch creating a more relaxed ambiance. Food stations are set up around the room as opposed to one specific area forcing guests to explore the room and make new acquaintances along the way.

Outrageous cakes It’s your big day, have your cake and eat it! If you have a colour theme extend that to your food too. Perhaps you can’t get enough of pink? Have a giant pink marshmallow wedding cake as the centre piece for your reception.

Monochrome theme wedding? How about a chequered cake decorated with white and dark chocolate pearls? One bride even went as far as having a life size replica of herself for her wedding cake; it goes to show, there really are no boundaries.

Self-service cocktail bars Present your guests with a range of liquors, fruit juices and mixers and let them loose with their imagination. It’s worth having a professional cocktail waiter on hand to assist your guests and offer them some tips. Cocktail

waiters are generally more than happy to show off their skills adding a great spectacle to your reception.

Organic menus Have a wedding breakfast with a conscience and use only fair trade, local, organic and seasonal produce to create your menu. Your insightful choice of ingredients won’t go unnoticed by your guests and many will appreciate the effort you’ve made. Clavelshay Barn in Taunton is a wedding venue set on a family run

farm. They offer a menu using locally sourced produce, with their speciality being their organic beef reared on their farm.

Banquet style Instead of segregating your guests off onto separate tables, arrange to have two or three long tables alongside each other and enjoy a medieval style wedding. For an added feature consider having your meat carved at the table for guests to watch whilst they wait to be served.

Latest findings by Pinterest suggest that wedding traditions are being turned on their head in favour of more creative ideas Pork pie wedding cakes are on the rise, as reported by Pinterest, which has seen a 20% increase in pins of the savoury alternative during 2016.

And this isn't the only unusual form of wedding catering that has grown in popularity with Pinterest users; gold pineapple wedding cakes, cheese wedding cakes and most notably,

geode wedding cakes (which have seen an increase in pins of 200%), have all proved firm favourites.

Uncovering a myriad of statistics that suggest couples are swaying towards more non-conventional weddings, further findings for 2016 include: Boho wedding hair pins - up by 47% Dessert tables - up by 13%, with macaron towers increasing by 52% in the last six months Alternative wedding attire - wedding dress jumpsuits up by 14% in the last

six months Engagement rings are also seeing a shift in convention, with brides opting for non-traditional designs such as morganite (up 62%), opal (up 42%) and pear shaped diamond (over 100% increase) in the past year.

However, classic wedding bands remain popular, with the most soughtafter designs over the last year including solitaire (up 27%), pave (up 24%), three stone (up 58%) and halo rings (up 11%).

Page 18. Issue 28. Lancashire Local

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£51 EBay bid wins one couple a

complete wedding package

One couple really struck gold after a hotel put a complete wedding package up for sale on EBay following a cancellation. Despite setting aside a maximum of £1,000 for the bid, all it took was a mere £51 to secure the wedding deal. As part of the bargain nuptials the couple were treated to a red carpet welcome with a Bucks Fizz reception followed by a 3 course meal for 35 guests, a toastmaster and a further evening buffet for 50 guests. And to end the perfect day the newlyweds were treated to a complimentary overnight stay in the hotel’s honeymoon suite.

After contacting the 3 star Buckatree Hall Hotel in Shropshire with a view to booking their wedding there,

the hotel’s staff tipped the couple off to the cancellation slot which had just gone up for sale on EBay. Ordinarily a wedding reception at this venue would set you back at least £1,555. Groom-to-be Les Clark had just been made redundant from his Civil Engineering position so their wedding was being conducted on a very tight budget. As a regular EBay user, Les wasted no time in placing a bid for the wedding reception. The bride, Colette Palin said they jumped at the opportunity saying:”We just thought we would see if we could strike lucky.” And Strike it lucky they did, winning the package for just £51.

And the bargains kept on coming as the 25-year-old bride managed to find

the perfect dress with a whopping 50% discount taking the cost down to £450.

The hotel’s manager, Jason Petty, explained that they had the idea of posting cancellation bookings on EBay a while ago, and the lost wedding booking gave them the perfect opportunity to try out their new strategy as he said: “The date came up and we knew we weren’t going to sell it so I thought, let’s go for it.”

The newlywed’s lucky streak shows no signs of stopping either; since they tied the knot Les has found a new job and Colette has revealed she is expecting their first baby in spring of next year.

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Lancashire Local. Issue 28. Page 19.

Wedding decorations on a budget There’s no need to cut corners when it comes to beautiful decorations for your special occasion, all it takes is a little bit of lateral thinking, and a stash of sello –tape! Here are our top tips for creating your own unique wedding adornments on the cheap. Table Centrepieces • Summer weddings or those which are taking place near the coast can take their inspiration, and their decor, directly from the sea. Collect an assortment of sea shells and fill clear or coloured vases full of the free ornaments.

Your shells can also double as place name settings with a name tag delicately tied around an individual shell.

• There’s something about candlelight which makes it eternally romantic -plus candles are dirt cheap, and you’ll probably be able to get them even cheaper if you buy in bulk. Have a selection of different candles to create different effects. A range of church candles of varying

sizes arranged on top of a mirror adds an extremely glamorous touch to any wedding table. Alternatively you could have tea tree lights floating in a crystal bowl with a few choice petals or flower heads for an elegant centrepiece. If you have a bit of time of your hands, collect glass jam jars and decorate with coloured glass paint. Pop a tea light candle in after dark and you have your own coloured lanterns.

• For inexpensive floral centrepieces choose flowers which are in season to keep costs down. If you’re planning your wedding in advance, why not

The 'Lancashire Bar Company' offer

a professional portable bar service.

Having over 10 years experience working in the bar industry, we understand our clients exact needs when hosting an event. We offer carefully constructed packages to your specific requirements.

In advance, we will liaise with you about our package options and prices, such as our Cash Bar, our Prepaid Bar and more!

We supply, deliver and set up the bar equipment and provide professional staff and glassware for the duration of your event, removing all our equipment at the end. We can serve any drinks menu to meet the needs of you and your guests. As you would expect from a professional Bar Company, we hold the appropriate licences and insurance.

We offer two flexible options to meet your bar requirements, namely the Cash Bar and the Prepaid Bar.

With the Cash Bar your guests pay for their own drinks for the duration of your event.

The Prepaid Bar operates in a similar

manner, providing your guests with drinks to a limit previously determined and credited to the bar by you.

If (or when) the prepaid limit is reached the Prepaid Bar reverts to a Cash Bar.

grow your own? Sweet peas are very easy to produce and grow like wildfire in the summer months, they come in a rainbow of colours too so you can coordinate them into you theme easily. You could also call on friends and neighbours for flowers from their gardens.

• Head to the park and pick up some broken branches from any kind of tree, the more spindly the branch, the better. Spray your find in either silver or gold and decorate with clear fairy lights.

• Utilise your bridesmaid’s bouquets by using them as the centrepieces for your table. After the actual ceremony they have little need for their posies so why not put them to good use during the reception?

Page 20. Issue 28. Lancashire Local

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