Spa

Sketchley Grange Hotel and Spa is inviting those who are looking to turn their dream big day into reality to register for its Wedding Fayre, taking place on Sunday 24th February between 11am and 3pm in the Bradgate & Grove Suite at the hotel and spa in Hinckley.

The exclusive event will provide inspiration and ideas for brides and grooms, as well as making the whole process of planning a wedding as stress-free as possible. Sketchley Grange has teamed up with organiser, Whoop Events East Limited, to hand-pick over 60 expert wedding suppliers to exhibit at the event, including wedding attire specialists, venue dressers, florists and videographers.

Vows & Venues' managing editor Emma Hatherall took a trip to historic Chester for a relaxing spa weekend in a romantic setting. Read her review here…

Crabwall Manor is located a short taxi ride from the historic city of Chester and has a lot to offer whether you're looking for a wedding venue, a hen do or even just a chilled out spa weekend. Set in Mollington, it’s a stone's throw from all that Chester has to offer – the shopping, the horse racing, the history – Crabwall Manor still has that lovely country house feel to it. I took my Mum for an overnight spa break and we loved it

For bridal parties looking to relax, unwind and truly pamper themselves before the big day, The Verbena spa offers luxurious spa experiences with delicious lunches, fizz and bespoke treatments that ticks all the beauty boxes. The Feversham Arms, home to The Verbena Spa in North Yorkshire, welcomes your hen party throughout the year to treat themselves and prepare their mind and body for the special occasion ahead.

As I scurry through the city streets trying to escape the worst of the pouring rain, I glance up to the grey sky and wonder how anywhere else on this planet could be blessed with sunshine and warmth. But Manchester has a hidden secret; an oasis of calm and relaxation among the buzz of the Northern Quarter offering a splash of exotic colour against the dreary, drab streets of the city in winter.

Finally I spot my my destination. Rather unassuming from the outside, the Sarasin Spa, in Bradley Street, looks like the usual hairdressers or beauty salon you’d expect to find in Manchester, but I urge you not to be fooled by its newbuild, typically British exterior.

Weddings can be a stressful affair. Perpetual planning, hunting for THAT dress and don’t even mention the pesky guest list… What a bride-to-be needs, is relaxation and to escape that very busy head space of hers from time to time and at Vows and Venues, we know just the place.

Ok so it’s a spa, but stay with us because this isn’t just any spa, this is the world of ESPA...

We often think of spas as a special treat, a luxurious once in a blue moon break, which of course they can be, but how about upping the ante and making your journey through steam and sauna a necessity instead?

In the heart of the Yorkshire countryside, Rudding Park is perfect for an idyllic escape with a loved one. The leading luxury hotel and wedding venue is home to the UK’s very first roof top spa and garden, complete with an outdoor hydrotherapy infinity pool, garden sauna cabin, herbal infused steam and spa bath.

Wellness of mind, body and soul form the foundations of Rudding Park Spa, with an emphasis on bringing the best of the outdoors inside. The revolutionary new spa is perfect for a pre-wedding pampering treat or hen party from the organic treatments inspired by nature to head chef Murray Wilson’s kitchen garden cuisine at Horto. With experiences ranging from Moorish mud treatments to the herbal bath steam room and sauna, guests will truly be spoilt for choice.

Murder She Wrote

If butler in the buffs and pink stetsons aren’t your idea of a great night out, then look no further. Michelle Clarke knows a thing or two about a classy hen do. In the colder months, an intimate indoor location is key. Throw in some fab activities and you’re onto a winning winter hen party…

A murder mystery evening might seem an obvious one but it’s a great way to bring the hen party together and bring out the guests theatrical sides! Plus it’s an event that can be held almost anywhere. Choose a theme to suit your bride to be, her favourite Dickens novel, movie characters, or Alice in Wonderland’s Mad Hatters.

A Spa Weekend

A honeymoon is about the beginning of the rest of your lives together - and what better way to celebrate that than on the golden sands of the Mediterranean surrounded by sunshine and blue skies at this year's most extraordinary new hotel.  Opening in just 11 days, next Friday will mark the most highly anticipated opening of the year  when  Miraggio Thermal Spa Resort throws open its doors.  

Sure to become a magnet for luxury honeymooners, Miraggio Thermal Spa Resort is Greece’s largest Thermae Resort with an unwavering commitment to wellness - honouring  the ancient Greek conviction of the healing powers of water.  

From the wedding venue to wedding vows, from the wedding dress to flower arrangements, there are so many opportunities to make your special day unique to you. However, the cake is an opportunity that often gets overlooked. Many people naturally gravitate to the traditional white wedding cake without a moment’s thought, but with less traditional options growing in popularity there’s plenty of creative inspiration out there.

Set on the jaw-dropping Cretan coastline, Domes of Elounda is a truly magical place to begin the rest of your lives together  - stunning views, beautiful beach, spectacular dining, impeccable service and an excellent spa matched only by the glimmering views over the Bay of Elounda and the enchanting island of Spinalonga.

Domes of Elounda is without question one of the world’s premiere honeymoon destinations, specializing in creating a honeymoon that dreams are made of.

With a £2.5 million refurbishment now complete, Seaham Hotel is a beautiful venue for a wedding. Seaham Hall perches on a cliff-top on Durham’s Heritage Coast, just three hours by train from London. The poet Lord Byron’s wedding took place here in 1815, setting a romantic precedent for the future.

With 20 individually-designed suites and a large ballroom, it's available for exclusive hire. The 44,000 sq ft, award-winning Serenity Spa, with 17 treatment rooms and pool, is a haven of tranquillity for brides-to-be, mother of the bride and bridesmaids (and the groom, and best man, of course!).

A wedding day is one that will be joyfully remembered for a lifetime –

Greece’s iconic hotel Domes of Elounda has created an extraordinary setting in which to celebrate the beginning of a new life. From a rose strewn,  private chapel with spectacular views of the sea, to the sprawling wooden decks perched over clear blue water and surrounded by the lush and exotic gardens, this is a day that will be coloured by everlasting memories.

The Mill Wheel Spa at The Three Horseshoes Inn, Staffordshire Peak District

Featuring many UK first experiences, The Mill Wheel Spa complete with its own beach experience at The Three Horseshoes Country Inn, on the edge of the picturesque Staffordshire Peak District, is now open! Founded by the Kirk family, this new spa at the Inn celebrates the heritage of its Staffordshire farming roots with new wellness innovations and a warm welcome.