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Wedding beauty trends for 2020 brides

Dr Qureshi on Wedding beauty trends for 2020 brides

From puppet facelifts to non invasive jawline snatching – one London cosmetic doctor has revealed three 2020 beauty trends that are helping brides look and feel sensational for their upcoming nuptials.
 
According to Dr Awais Qureshi, owner of Elixir Cosmetics based in North London, 2020 is set to be the year Brit brides ditch surgery in favour of quicker treatments designed to lift, plump and smooth skin ahead of the big day.
 
According to the skin rejuvenation expert the focus of brides to be has moved to pleasant ‘lunchtime’ treatments with little to no downtime, to complement the increasingly busy lives of the women getting hitched.
 

Say "I do" in the largest Limestone show-caves in England

Wedding in the limestone show-caves

Why not say “I do” in the the largest and most spectacular Limestone show-caves in England?
 
Whether your dream wedding is the ultimate fairy tale or a small intimate celebration, Wookey Hole can work with you to create a flawless and unforgettable day.  Wookey Hole Caves holds the most beautiful rock formations of any cave in England. With a choice of three chambers, this unusual and magical venue will ensure that it’s a wedding to remember!
 

Top Tips For A Do It Yourself Spring Wedding

Table decor at DIY Spring wedding

Spring is quickly becoming one of the most popular seasons to get hitched in; such a beautiful time of year with so many flowers in bloom, the sun is beginning to shine again and the days beginning to get longer once again.
Wedding planning can be stressful and overwhelming, especially when you’ve decided to take on many of the main responsibilities yourself. Whether you’re a couple looking to adhere to a tight budget or simply love all the DIY possibilities that come with planning a wedding, it is certainly possible to plan the wedding of your dreams.

18 years is believed to be the sweet spot for true wedded bliss

A couple in wedded bliss

18 years is believed to be the sweet spot for true wedded bliss and 267,961 couples could be celebrating that anniversary this year

A new study commissioned by Beaverbrooks the Jewellers shows that 41% of people across the nation still firmly believe in the concept of marriage.

As part of the survey, 1,000 respondents were asked to pinpoint the year in which they felt people are the happiest in a marriage, with the majority suggesting that 18 years is the sweet spot for true wedded bliss.

Some 267,961 couples got married in England and Wales in 2001, which means a lot of people will be marking their 18th (porcelain) anniversary this year*.

Macdonald Linden Hall Hotel opens its venue to brides and grooms 

Macdonald Linden Hall Hotel

With as many as a third of all proposals happening during December, hundreds of couples across the country will be entering the new year with nuptials to plan.
 
To help budding brides and grooms organise their perfect day, Macdonald Linden Hall Hotel, in Morpeth, will be hosting a special festive Wedding Open Day on Sunday 12 January, showcasing its stunning wedding space, opulent suites and picturesque grounds. 
 
As guests tour the facilities, they will be treated to a glass of Champagne and will be able to sample a selection of delicious dishes. Local wedding suppliers will also be on hand to discuss all the finer details and give them a glimpse into their special day. 
 

Weddings help preserve historic hall for future generations

Couple getting married at historic hall

A MOVE towards more sustainable and ethical weddings is helping ensure one historically important property is preserved for future generations. 

Grade I-listed Samlesbury Hall, in Lancashire, has long offered a timeless, romantic setting for couples looking to tie the knot.

 But ceremonies held at the venue every year are now helping to protect the unique heritage of the eye-catching 700-year-old building - with the income generated contributing to its upkeep in order to keep it safe for years to come.

Samlesbury Hall director Sharon Jones explained more couples are looking to incorporate elements to their wedding that leave a longer-term benefit to the venue or local area.

Heartfelt keepsakes for your wedding guests

Giftboxes with Sophie design - perfect keepsakes for your guests

Traditionally, wedding guests would receive wedding keepsakes in the form of a bag or box filled with five sugared almonds representing the five blessings - Health, Wealth, Happiness, Long Life and Fertility.

Given to guests as a token of gratitude, wedding favours are still as popular as ever but these days there are a whole host of fun, funky and unique items to choose from. 

Why 2020 wedding trends are more affordable

An outdoor wedding - 2019 wedding trends

Your wedding day is widely considered to be the best and most important day of your life. That’s a lot of pressure, right? Not only do you have your own extravagant expectations to wrestle with, but also those of your friends, family and the cultural demands and wedding trends of the time. When the day comes to put your money where your mouth is, you could be in trouble. 

A recent survey discovered that the duties involved in weddings leave one third of bridesmaids in debt! And if that’s the state of the bridesmaids’ bank account, imagine how the bride and groom's bank accounts look! 

Never lose the stag or hen do kitty again with Pingit

Girl using Pingit sash to pay bill on Hen do

The pre-wedding send-off is a pricey affair with average man forking out £7,997 across 11 stag dos in their lifetime and women heading on ten hens at a cost of £5,510. Researchers from the social money app Pingit polled Brits to reveal that the average stag or hen do kitty, where shared expenses such as drinks and taxis are paid from, is worth a whopping £928.

 

However, while the costs and activities may differ, one thing remains consistent - no one wants to be left holding the communal kitty. With every man contributing an average of £104, compared to £68 from women, it’s no surprise that cautious Brits are worried about taking charge of it - 73 per cent saying they hate being the one designated to look after the central pot of cash.

 

7 tips every bride needs to remember when posing for wedding photos

7 tips every bride needs to remember when posing for wedding photos

When the big day arrives, every bride wants to look her best in those wedding photos that will be admired for years to come. But for many, knowing how to pose and capture the best angle of yourself can be a tricky skill to master. Luckily for all you brides-to-be, Clare Moreton – photography expert at  CEWE – offers her advice to ensure you look your best in a beautiful collection of wedding photos.

Looking for prepping beauty products? We review Arbonne

Arbonne beauty products review

For many brides, wedding planning involves getting into a good health and beauty routine before the big day. Vows & Venues’ Wendy Allen-Smith gave herself a facial by testing the Talented Twosome beauty products from Arbonne which promise to prep your skin and give it a boost in time for the photos…

Arbonne beauty products review

I was recently sent some fabulously luxurious premium beauty products supplied by Arbonne to review. The products arrived in a beautiful presentation box and contained two of their new products; RE9 Advanced Prepwork Micellular Water (£19) and Overnight Face Jelly (£36). This duo is named the Talented Twosome on their website www.arbonne.com. 

Caer Rhun Hall will make your wedding dreams come true - Review

Caer Rhun Hall - exterior

Our editor Victoria Galligan headed off to Wales for a fairytale weekend where guests are treated like royalty…

If your idea of getting married involves images of a handsome prince sweeping you off your feet to a traditional countryside wedding, where the views are breathtaking and the building is steeped in history, then Caer Rhun Hall can make your dreams come true.* This venue on the banks of the River Conwy is secluded enough to provide a cosy little bubble around your wedding, which only the lucky invited can enter, yet easily accessible for guests – just an hour’s drive from the M6 at Cheshire and a short journey from Conwy. 

Escape from the city into a luxury wedding venue - Review

Thorpe Park - wedding venue - reception troom

Vows & Venues editor Victoria Galligan headed off to Leeds to review a wedding venue but soon felt she was holidaying on the Med…

If you live in or around Leeds you’ll know what a bustling, vibrant and cultural city it is. For shopping, meals and a good night out, it’s the perfect location. Situated just outside the thriving city, close to the M1 and easily accessible from the north, lies Thorpe Park hotel – and it’s here where the pace of life slows down a little.

Wedding catering for large events 

Wedding catering - a food platter

Big weddings: brilliant for an unrivalled party vibe, the fact there’s never an empty dance floor and of course, celebrating with ALL of your loved ones (with no headache over who to leave off the guest list). But when it comes to wedding catering, it could feel like you’re feeding the five thousand rather than a few hundred – especially where the budget is concerned. Luckily Megan Coakley, from DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Sheffield Park, is on hand with some insider insight into wedding catering for large events. 

A guide to summer wedding photography

A guide to summer wedding photography - bride smelling bouquet

A venue bathed in sunshine, drinks on the terrace, garden parties and dining al fresco… summer weddings can be picture perfect. Yet the squinty eyes, red faces and difficult light conditions could mean your wedding photos are less so. Jo Critchley-Saville from Mosborough Hall Hotel, a restored 12th Century Manor House just outside Sheffield, shares this advice on ensuring your summer wedding snaps shine (whatever the weather).

Weddings at Chetham's Library

Bride outside Chetham's Library

Fall in love with the magical atmosphere of Chetham’s Library and say your vows in the medieval Baronial Hall with its beautiful inglenook fireplace and magnificent timber roof. Dating back to 1421, the mellow sandstone buildings, ancient stone cloisters and richly appointed rooms are full of character and history.

You and your guests will have exclusive use of the medieval buildings for your special day, and can mingle in the cloisters, and the courtyard garden, soaking up the unique atmosphere of this haven of tranquillity. The gorgeous time-worn sandstone and sumptuous oak-panelled rooms provide the perfect backdrop for your wedding photographs, and the stunning Baronial Hall will give your ceremony the wow factor.

Cheadle House - A Cheshire Victorian Mansion 

Cheadle House Wedding Interior

Cheadle House - A Cheshire Victorian Mansion 

£500.00 Bar Tab for all remaining 2019 & Spring/Autumn 2020 Wedding Dates

Cheadle House is positioned on the border of Manchester and Cheshire, surrounded by beautiful scenery. The House boasts original character mixed with stylish and modern interiors, offering fantastic photo opportunities with the historic charm of the building and a picturesque lake.What could be more idyllic than saying ‘I do’at a stunning venue that offers a wonderful setting for your wedding day from your ceremony right through to your evening reception. 

A guide on how to look for high-quality when buying jewellery

How to buy high quality jewellery

James Rees Founder of Baroc jewellery boutique talks to Vows and Venues about what to look for when buying jewellery for a wedding.

Buying jewellery during wedding preparations is no longer a daunting task solely reserved for the groom-to-be or happy couple. Aside from engagement rings and wedding bands, buying jewellery as gifts for bridesmaids or groomsmen is becoming more and more popular to ensure that the occasion is a time never forgotten.