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Hen do season is fast approaching, and if you are lucky enough to be named maid of honour you now have a lot of planning to do.

But there are so many potential pitfalls; inviting the right person, negotiating the budget, picking the perfect date and venue – keeping the bride and an entire friendship group happy can often be as much work as organising the wedding itself.

Below are a few top tips to help you avoid disaster while planning the brides-to-be’s perfect send of celebration.

ONE of the North East’s most prestigious hotels is inviting bridal couples to a special event.

Wynyard Hall Hotel and Spa, Tees Valley, is holding a Wedding Showcase Evening on Tuesday, 15 September, so brides and grooms-to-be, can find out more about its facilities and wedding packages.

Visitors will be offered a glass of sparkling wine and a selection of canapés on arrival, before meeting the wedding team and taking a tour of the four star hotel.

They say that good things come in trees. When it comes to good things, The Present Tree has it all wrapped up, offering beautiful trees as luxury, organic gifts to suit every occasion. Whether it’s for a birthday, a wedding, a new home, or to mark the birth of a baby, a tree is a long lasting gift that will flourish, grow and be treasured forever.

A personalised map gift in the shape of two love hearts. Centred on any postcode in England, Scotland & Wales -  a great way to celebrate where you met, got engaged or married. Make the gift even more special and add your own personal inscription or message. Ideal for all those in love.

Love Maps On has access to the largest collection of Victorian and present-day Ordnance Survey mapping that can be centred on any UK address to add a personal touch to your decor. 

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This innovative bra provides sensational support and comfort at all levels of exercise intensity. It features seamless, microfibre inner cups; a soft microfibre under-bust band that moulds to the body’s contours and ergonomically-styled relief straps which are padded and adjustable.

The high function, double-knit piqué fabric and netting inserts at the back regulate moisture absorption and ensure that the skin remains dry. Available in Black, White Ltd edition Cayenne Pepper and Brand new Honeycomb from Sep 15 www.amazon.co.uk RRP £46

Specialising in stunning affordable bridal gowns, beautiful bridesmaid’s dresses and accessories, Lacy Days is an established bridal shop in the heart of Ramsbottom, on the edge of the West Pennine Moors. Julie and her team have more than 40 years experience in making, selling, altering and fitting bridal wear to ensure that each dress is perfect for the bride’s special day.

With an excellent choice of bridal gowns from fabulous designers to try on, the shop also offers a wide range of bridesmaids dresses in a large choice of colours, along with a selection of accessories to add the right finishing touch.

As The National Wedding Show prepares to open its doors for autumn 2015, press were given an exclusive preview of some of the hottest wedding trends to look out for this season. The prestigious Lansdowne Club in Mayfair, former home of Mr Selfridge, once again played host to the press preview.

Stunning table settings by Royalties Events provided a glamorous finishing touch the Ballroom, which was filled by the sounds of talented musician Brendan Mills as he serenaded the crowds.

The NORTH East’s leading bridal shop is unveiling its new wedding gown collections with an evening of Champagne, canapés and …cowboy boots.

On Thursday, 10 September, catwalk models will display the latest creations from some of the world’s top designers at award-winning Kathryn S Trueman bridal shop, Bridge Street, Morpeth.

And, instead of tiaras and high heels, the models will be sporting cowboy boots and stetsons, in keeping with the vision behind some of the couture gowns.

Among the wedding dresses on parade, will be designs from Claire Pettibone’s Romantique collection, which has been heavily influenced by America’s Old Wild West.

If you're looking for something different for your London wedding, it's time to broaden your horizons and check out some alternative music choices.

Here are our top 5 unusual music bands to check out in London:

Bringing the festival vibe to weddings and events across the UK, Smith & Sons are a stylish set-up with a wide repertoire of floor-fillers and festival favourites. A 4-piece band, the musicians of Smith & Sons have performed at Glastonbury, and now bring their unique live covers to private events, covering dancefloor fillers in a Mumford & Sons style, then picking up the pace, a la Arctic Monkeys and Two Door Cinema Club, as the evening progresses, to make sure your guests have a fabulous night on the dancefloor.