County Brides Magazine 2024/25

Your local Wedding Magazine 

Real life 

WEDDINGS 

WIN £1000 

towards your 

HONEYMOON 

AWARD 

WINNING 

suppliers 

and creatives 

Issue No. 16 

2024/2025 

£4.95 

Stunning dress 

COLLECTIONS 

countybrides.com 

1 COUNTY BRIDES 2017/18 County Brides 2024/25 1

SAVE THE DATE 2024-2025 

AUTUMN 2024 

ETIHAD STADIUM 

Sunday 8th September 2024 

11.30am – 4.00pm 

Ashton New Road 

Manchester M11 3FF 

Free parking 

Admission - £4.00 pp 

(for pre-paid) £5.00 on door 

LAST DROP VILLAGE 

Sunday 22nd September 

2024 

12.00pm – 4.00pm 

Bromley Cross, Bolton 

Greater Manchester BL7 9PZ 

Free admission 

Free parking 

CREWE ALEXANDRA 


12.00pm – 3.00pm 

Gresty Road, Crewe CW2 6EB 


Free parking 

THE PARK HOTEL 

LIVERPOOL 

Sunday 6th October 2024 

12.00pm – 3.00pm 

Dunnings Bridge Road 

Liverpool L30 6YN 


ASTLEY BANK 


12.00pm – 3.00pm 

Off Bolton Road 

Astley Bank, Darwen 

Lancashire BB3 2QB 


Free parking 

CREWE HALL 


12.00pm – 4.00pm 

Weston Road, Crewe CW1 6UZ 


Free parking 

THE MONASTERY 

MANCHESTER 


12.00pm – 3.00pm 

89 Gorton Lane 

Manchester M12 5WF 


Free parking 

LION & SWAN HOTEL 

Wednesday 30th October 2024 

5.00pm – 8.00pm 

Swan Bank, Congleton 

Cheshire CW12 1AH 


Free parking 

THE CLUBHOUSE BY 

ROPEWALKS HOTEL 

Sunday 10th November 2024 

12.00pm – 3.00pm 

42 Seel Street 

Liverpool L1 4BE 


SPRING 2025 


Sunday 19th January 2025 

11.30am – 4.00pm 




(for pre-registration) 

£5.00 on door 

Free parking 

ASTLEY BANK 


12.00pm – 3.00pm 





Free parking 


Sunday 9th February 2025 

12.00pm – 4.00pm 




Free parking 


Sunday 23rd February 2025 

12.00pm – 3.00pm 

Gresty Road, Crewe 

CW2 6EB 


Free parking 



Sunday 2nd March 2025 

12.00pm – 3.00pm 





LIVERPOOL 

Sunday 9th March 2025 

12.00pm – 3.00pm 




CREWE HALL 

Sunday 23rd March 2025 

12.00pm – 4.00pm 

Weston Road 

Crewe CW1 6UZ 


Free parking 

AUTUMN 2025 


Sunday 7th September 2025 

11.30am – 4.00pm 



Free parking 


(for pre-registration) 

£5.00 on door 

CREWE HALL 


11.30am – 4.00pm 

Weston Road, Crewe 

CW1 6UZ 


Free parking 

FAIRMONT CHESHIRE 

AT THE MERE 

Sunday 21st September 2025 

12.00pm – 4.00pm 

Chester Road, Mere, 

Knutsford, Cheshire WA16 6LJ 


Free parking 



12.00pm – 3.00pm 

Gresty Road, Crewe CW2 6EB 


Free parking 


LIVERPOOL 

Sunday 5th October 2025 

12.00pm – 3.00pm 




ASTLEY BANK 


12.00pm – 3.00pm 





Free parking 



12.00pm – 4.00pm 


Greater Manchester 

BL7 9PZ 


Free parking 




12.00pm – 3.00pm 




Countybrides @countybridesltd Countybrides instagram.com/countybrides 

2 County Brides 2024/25

County Brides 2024/25 3

editors letter 

Welcome to the latest edition of County Brides 

Magazine, your ultimate companion for planning the 

perfect wedding day here in The North West. Whether 

you're newly engaged or finalising the details for your 

big day, we're here to inspire, guide, and support you 

every step of the way. 

Our cover this year is an ode to timeless elegance and 

regency, inspired by the Netflix series of the moment: 

Bridgerton. Shot at the Grosvenor Pulford Hotel & Spa, 

the theme encapsulates the opulence and charm many 

couples are embracing for their weddings this season. 

As we delve into the trends for 2024/5, one theme we 

can’t get enough of, especially after our cover shoot, is 

floral wedding dresses. Beautifully unique, they add a 

splash of colour with intricate botanical details making 

a step away from the traditional white. Personalisation 

is another key trend as couples are making their 

weddings truly unique, reflecting their personal stories 

and styles. From bespoke attire to custom cocktails 

named after significant moments in their relationship, 

personalisation is proving to be key this season. 

Inside this edition, you’ll find a treasure trove of 

inspiration. Our pages are brimming with beautiful real 

weddings, expert advice, and the latest trends. Plus, 

an amazing range of local, trusted suppliers who 

can help bring your vision to life, from florists and 

photographers to caterers and cars. 

You’ll also find our wedding fayre dates for the coming 

year. These events are a fantastic opportunity to meet 

with local suppliers, see their work up close, and get 

personalised advice. Each fayre promises to be an 

inspiring day out, with exclusive offers, catwalk shows, 

and plenty of opportunities to plan and refine the details 

of your wedding. 

As well as this magazine, we have plenty more helpful 

tips, ideas and inspiration on our website and socials. 

Our online Bride Bible is a directory with some of the 

North West’s leading venues, suppliers and creatives 

all in one place. 

If you have a great experience with a supplier, be 

sure to cast a vote for them in our annual North West 

Wedding Awards so they receive the recognition 

they deserve! Voting will open on our website on 

1st September. 

As you flip through this issue, we hope you find 

plenty of inspiration and practical tips to make 

your wedding day everything you've dreamed of. 

The County Brides Magazine 

Editor Dawn Thornborough 

FACEBOOK www.facebook.com/countybrides 

TWITTER @countybridesltd 

INSTAGRA instagram.com/countybrides 

© No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without the prior written permission of the publisher County Brides & Events Ltd. 

Whilst every care is taken, the publisher cannot accept responsibility for errors and/or omissions in advertisments, venue information, 

photographs or illustrations. The opinions given in this magazine do not necessarily express the view of the Editor or publisher. 


Editor: 

Dawn Thornborough 

dawn@countybrides.com 

Sales: 

Duane Thornborough 

duane@countybrides.com 

Wedding Fayres: 

fayres@countybrides.com 

General Enquiries: 

info@countybrides.com 

For more information please contact: 

County Brides & Events Ltd 

The Old Smithy Loft 

253 Newton Road, Lowton 

Warrington, Cheshire 

WA3 1LB 

Tel: 01942 20 64 46 

www.countybrides.com 


THE CONTENTS 

Wedding Fayres 

Come and meeting the best suppliers & creatives 2, 73 - 79 

Hair, Health & Beauty 

How to look your best for the big day 14 

Stationery 

Creative idea's to get your guests attention 36 

Occasion Wear 

Stand out styles for all the mums 28-29 

Transport 

Arrive in style 38 

Registration & Legal 

Information 

All the legal requirements 42-43, 63, 90 

Photography & Videography 

Flash, bang, wallop what a picture 36-38 

Entertainment 

Lets get the party started 56-58 

Florist & Venue Styling 

Give your wedding the wow factor 55, 66-69 

Honeymoon's & Travel 

The most exciting locations in the world 80-89 

Venues 

The perfect venue for your wedding day 97-132 


13-25 

BRIDAL 

Say yes to the dress 

County Brides Magazine 2024/25 

30-31 

MENSWEAR 

Here come the 

boys 

26-27 

BRIDESMAIDS 

Help your bridetribe look 

stunning 

47-51 

CATERING 

Food glorious food 

35-36 

JEWELLERY 

For the special 

moment 


PHOTOSHOOT 2024. 

We asked Emma from Maria Modes 

to supply her beautiful dresses, 

Suzanne from Country Flowers to 

supply some gorgeous bouquets, 

Jewellery is from Henry D Johnstone, 

hairstyling & makeup was designed 

by Sian at OAH Hair & Makeup, 

Photographs were taken by Christina 

from Fish2 Photography and the 

team at the stunning Grosvenor 

Pulford who went above and beyond 

to make sure everything was just 

right, and of course not forgetting 

a special thank you to our model. 

Our thanks go to 

the people who 

helped us create such 

fantastic images. 


www.Fish2.co.uk 

www.mariamodes.com 

www.countryflowersflorist.co.uk 

www.henryjohnstone.co.uk 

www.oahhairandmakeup.co.uk 

www.grosvenorpulfordhotel.co.uk 



Mr. & Mr. 

Sutherland/ Burrell 

Married 23rd September 2023 

o 

We met on a hot sweaty dancefloor in Manchester at Pride 2018 and haven’t looked back since. 

We’d known each other socially for a few months and shared a lot of common interests but... 

well, you’re never sure until the gin and tonics are flowing. We needn’t have worried 

because we work together perfectly. We don’t take ourselves too seriously and talk each 

other down from our personal dramas. 


Crap Adventures 

Adam’s social media handle is @crapadventurer because 

he likes to go on, well, ... crap adventures (think days 

out to pencil museums, or a trip to a new town for a 

tap water tasting session) which I, being equally nerdy 

got on board with. Since meeting we’ve been on a longdistance 

train journey across America, found happiness 

in a Bangkok cat café and discovered joy in buying too 

much fabric and thread… but more on that later. 

Our relationship went through some enormous changes quite 

early. The pandemic saw us move in together a little sooner 

than planned, then we sold our houses to find something 

together which was a great levelling experience. We bought 

a project house and threw ourselves into a couple of years 

of big renovation work. And then the worst happened. 

" We suddenly realised how 

precarious our relationship was " 

A close friend’s partner died suddenly and unexpectedly. 

With no legal connection between them he found himself 

alone and with nothing. We suddenly realised how precarious 

our relationship was. Over tears in the living room, we 

decided to get married. There was no romance, no ring, no 

down-on-one-knee. It was envisioned as a necessary legal 

transaction, but as we planned and plotted it became, well... 

a crap adventure! 

from start to finish. Importantly, they kept us “real” and made 

sure we had an amazing party! They gave us the honour of 

breaking in their brand-new Velvet Events venue above the 

restaurant – a beautifully decked out bar and events space 

that allowed us to swell our numbers to 100 for dancing until 

the early hours. They even hooked us up with an amazing 

DJ – Luke Lucent (@lukelucent), who perfectly understood 

our clashing taste for camp classics, house floor fillers and 

lashings of Eurovision. 

" We Clicked Instantly" 

After the venue, we needed to find a photographer who 

could let us be our crazy, unconventional selves. After 

trawling through local photographers, we arranged a meeting 

with Christina from Fish2Photo (@fish2photo) over lunch at 

a café in Stockport. Like a portent, it was sunny and warm. 

We clicked instantly, she made us feel so comfortable to be 

us, and we loved her natural reportage style. Christina 

proved a key part of the wedding, and she did such a 

wonderful job making us feel at ease - it was like being 

photographed by your best mate. 

One of the things that brought us closer and saved our sanity 

during lockdown was sewing. I have been a lover of whipping 

up my own shirts for years so when it came to outfits for the 

big day, I knew I simply had to create my own suit – that's 

We went out and booked our register office marriage on 

a sunny February morning for September of the same 

year, without any idea of where to have the subsequent 

celebration. We launched ourselves into Greater Manchester’s 

wedding venue market with gay abandon and naiveté. 

Imagine the responses to “Hi, we’re getting married in 

September and need a venue for a party...” Most of those 

conversations never got beyond “September” before we were 

politely informed that the venue was booked up until 2026. 

This didn’t deter us because neither of us are “mainstream” 

and, if anything, we like to do things a little differently. 

Close Family and Friends 

We wanted a small celebration, 40 people or less and mostly 

our close family and friends. We looked at many venues and 

quickly realised it’s easy to get bounced into an event for 120 

people just to fill a room. After exploring a former church, 

an upmarket chain hotel and a well-respected restaurant in 

Stockport, we were able to narrow down the values to our 

wedding. It had to be local, intimate, and part of the queer 

community as much as possible. The restaurant didn’t “do” 

weddings, the church was far too big, and the upmarket chain 

hotel was lovely but didn’t reflect our values. And then we 

visited the Velvet Hotel in Manchester (@velvetmanchester). 

It was a “Goldilocks” venue, just right in every way. A local 

business, effortlessly chic, queer run, right in the middle of 

the community that we called home. It was perfectly sized 

for a sit-down meal for 40ish people, with space for a 

more relaxed party afterwards. They were open and 

accommodating to everything we wanted and went out of 

their way to make it a special and smooth experience for us 


sensible when you’re fast tracking your wedding, right? 

The months between engagement and wedding were a slow 

process of learning and improving. I made a test version and 

tracked down the perfect fabric from a New York boutique 

(@moodfabrics). A lot of late nights and hand-sewing later, 

I produced a handmade suit to be proud of with time to 

spare. Not resting on my laurels, I also knocked up matching 

floral shirts for the big day too. Adam’s suit was a different 

story, he’d just finished a PhD and started a new job so was 

quite happy with an off-the-rack high street purchase, but he 

bought gorgeous shoes from a local Lancashire bootmaker, 

@lanxshoes. With our outfits sorted, we had a colour scheme 

and the vibe we wanted for the décor. The next step was to 

find a florist to help us say that with flowers. Heaton Moorbased 

Blue Door Flowers (@bluedoorflowers1) were 

recommended by one of my friends and over a cuppa with 

owner Tory, we knew we would be in safe hands. The Blue 

Door Flowers aesthetic matched our relaxed, informal vibe 

and they brought a beautiful sense of occasion to our venue 

with their hand-tied bouquets in mismatched vintage 

glassware. 

Routemaster Bus Bedecked 

The day itself was stunning – the last proper day of summer. 

The register office was filled with tears of joy, and a 

Routemaster Bus bedecked for a wedding party that bore 

the “192” route number, after the iconic route from central 

Manchester to Stockport, took us to the venue for the 

celebration. Imagine the consternation of punters on the street 

trying to flag down our 192 as we growled our way down the 

bus lane into town! The guests were delighted (especially 

Gavin’s dad!). We all partied until 2 a.m. when we’d drunk 

the bar dry, and the grooms needed to get to bed. 

While it may have begun as a marriage of necessity, we 

ended up having the most wonderful day and it was such a 

joy to share it with our closest family and friends. Happiness 

really can be found in the darkest places, and we couldn’t 

be happier to be seeking out new crap adventures together. 

"Thank you for making our day so special " 

CHEESE TOWER: Chorlton Cheesemongers 

www.chroltoncheesemongers.co.uk 

FLOWERS: Blue Door Flowers 

www.bluedoorflowers.com 

PHOTOGRAPHER: Fish2 Photography 

www.fish2.co.uk 

VENUE: Velvet Hotel Manchester 

www.velvetmanchester.com 

o 


The UK , 

s award winning 

wedding department store 

Welcome to Wonderful 

CHESHIRE 

OCCASIONWEAR 

Mother of the Bride/Groom 

CHESHIRE 

MENSWEAR 

Grooms & Menswear 

MARIA MODES 

Bridal & Bridesmaids 

Bridal & Bridesmaids 

24-30 Park Green, Macclesfield, Cheshire SK11 7NA 

www.mariamodes.com | 01625 502 502 | 


Hair 

• Make sure on the run up to 

your wedding you are getting 

6/8 week trims just to keep your 

ends fresh. 

• Use a good conditioning 

treatment to help keep your hair 

silky and shiny. 

• Drink plenty of water this is 

not only good for your skin but 

your hair as well. 

• Make sure you and your bridal 

party have freshly washed and 

dried hair ready to style on the 

morning of your wedding. 

• Greasy hair is very hard to 

work with! 

Makeup 

• Skin care is so important when 

you are getting married. On your 

wedding day you want to look 

flawless so keeping hydrated is key. 

• Make sure you don’t start trying 

new facial products months before 

because reactions can take weeks 

to come out, so stick with what 

works for you. 

• You will always receive a trial for 

hair and makeup around 12 to 8 

weeks before the big day. This will 

be your chance to discuss what 

styles you like and have a practice 

for the wedding. 

• Party lashes will always be 

included in the price, but you don’t 

necessarily have to have them. 

Remember to always 

choose your bride tribe 

wisely. It’s your day and you 

need calm not drama. 

Think of the ones that will 

help to make the day 

special for you. 

Specialising in all types of bridal 

looks to suit you and your bridal 

party for your special day 

www.oahhairandmakeup.co.uk 



LOCAL 

STOCKIST 

MARIA MODES 

24-30 Park Green 

Macclesfield 

Cheshire SK11 7NA 

01625 502 502 



LOCAL 

STOCKIST 

MARIA MODES 


Macclesfield 


01625 502 502 



LOCAL 

STOCKIST 

MARIA MODES 


Macclesfield 


01625 502 502 



LOCAL 

STOCKIST 

MARIA MODES 


Macclesfield 


01625 502 502 



LOCAL 

STOCKIST 

MARIA MODES 


Macclesfield 


01625 502 502 



LOCAL 

STOCKIST 

MARIA MODES 


Macclesfield 


01625 502 502 



LOCAL 

STOCKIST 

WEDDING BELLES BRIDAL 

BOUTIQUE 

23a High Street, Frodsham 

Cheshire WA6 7AH 

01928 735 688 

www.weddingbellesbridal 

boutique.co.uk 


LOCAL 

STOCKIST 


BOUTIQUE 



01928 735 688 




LOCAL 

STOCKIST 


BOUTIQUE 



01928 735 688 




LOCAL 

STOCKIST 


BOUTIQUE 



01928 735 688 



County Brides 2024/25 25

LOCAL 

STOCKIST 

ADEAVA BRIDAL 

15 Chester Road 

Macclesfield 

Cheshire SK11 8DG 

01625 409082 

www.adeavabridal.co.uk 


LOCAL 

STOCKIST 

ADEAVA BRIDAL 

15 Chester Road 

Macclesfield 

Cheshire SK11 8DG 

01625 409082 

www.adeavabridal.co.uk 


LOCAL 

STOCKIST 

CHESHIRE OCCASIONWEAR 


Macclesfield 


01625 502 502 

www.cheshireoccasionwear.com 


LOCAL 

STOCKIST 

CHESHIRE OCCASIONWEAR 


Macclesfield 


01625 502 502 

www.cheshireoccasionwear.com 


LOCAL 

STOCKIST 

CHESHIRE MENSWEAR 


Macclesfield 


01625 502 502 

www.cheshiremenswear.com 


LOCAL 

STOCKIST 

CHESHIRE MENSWEAR 


Macclesfield 


01625 502 502 

www.cheshiremenswear.com 


Mr. & Mrs. 

Terjek 

Married 2nd May 2024 

d 

I live on the beautiful island of Kos in Greece. Four years ago, 

I met a man on holiday from Switzerland. Our love blossomed quickly, 

and in August 2022, Pitch turned up at my workplace, he got down on one knee, 

and asked me to be his forever. Overwhelmed with joy, I said yes. 


Planning the Perfect Day 

We booked our wedding for May 2nd 2024, with the 

incredible Emma Karanastasi from Weddings in Kos as our 

wedding planner. Emma was a true godsend, guiding us 

through every detail with precision and care. She provided 

us with timelines for submitting documents, step-by-step 

instructions for the legalities of marrying abroad, and took 

care of booking the wedding cake, cars, and flowers. Emma’s 

dedication ensured that everything was in place well ahead 

of time, making the planning process smooth and enjoyable. 

The Venue 

Choosing our venue was one of the easiest decisions we 

made. Aplo Beach Bar in Mastichari. With its stunning sunset 

views overlooking the sea and the island of Kalymnos, it 

was the perfect backdrop for our special day. We opted 

for a traditional Greek meze for the reception, featuring a 

delightful array of small Greek dishes. George and his team 

at Aplo Beach Bar were fantastic, and the food was 

simply outstanding. 

The Dress 

I decided to find my wedding dress in the UK. I discovered 

the perfect gown at a Bridal Factory Outlet. The staff 

there were incredibly helpful, providing expert advice on 

styles that would complement my figure and suit our beach 

wedding. Walking out of the boutique with my dream dress, 

I felt like everything was falling perfectly into place. 

The Big Day 

Nineteen months flew by in the blink of an eye and before 

we knew it, the day had arrived. All my stress and worries 

melted away as soon as my hair and makeup artist, Maxine 

Bailey-Houtioudi, arrived. Maxine had already done a 

trial session with me, so she knew exactly what to do. 

She worked her magic on my hair and the bridesmaids’, 

creating stunning looks that were both elegant and beach 

appropriate. Katy Michele, our makeup artist, selected 

colours that would look great in photos and last all day and 

night, ensuring we looked flawless from dawn till dusk. 

Capturing the Moments 

Our fantastic photographer, Mark Copeland from Envision 

Images, with years of experience shooting weddings 

worldwide, knows how to capture the best in everything. 

He arrived at the hotel to photograph the bridal preparations 

and then headed to see the groom before the ceremony. 

Pitch thought he was travelling to the wedding with the 

other guests, but we had a little surprise in store for him – 

a Harley Davidson. Given Pitch’s history with Harley 

Davidson, this was a dream come true, and Mark captured 

the perfect picture of Pitch’s joy. 

Throughout the day, Mark captured stunning, natural, 

candid shots of us and our guests as well as mesmerising 

sunset shots that are nothing short of spectacular! He made 

the whole day effortless, relaxed and most of all, having 

our photos taken, fun! 

The Ceremony and Reception 

As the sun began to set, painting the sky with hues of orange 

and pink, we exchanged our vows. The gentle sound of the 

waves and the breathtaking view made the moment even 

more magical. The reception that followed was a feast of 

flavours with our Greek meze, allowing our guests to indulge 

in a variety of delicious dishes. Laughter, music, and love 

filled the air as we celebrated with our family and friends. 


A Magical Day 

Our wedding day was nothing short of amazing, thanks 

to the fabulous people who helped make it possible. 

Everything went to plan and we realised there was no 

need for all the stress. 

One piece of advice we’d like to share for your special day, 

take a moment to stop, breathe, and step back to watch your 

family and friends enjoying your magical day with you. 

Those few minutes will become some of your most cherished 

memories. 

Reflecting on our journey, from our chance meeting on the 

island of Kos to our unforgettable wedding day, we were filled 

with gratitude and love. Here's to a lifetime of beautiful 

sunsets and shared dreams. 


PHOTOGRAPHER: Envision Images 

www.envisionimages.co.uk 

VENUE: Aplo Beach Bar 

Aplo Beach Bar Mastichari 

d 


Looking for the perfect wedding ring? Look no further! 

With over 20 years of experience, we take pride in offering a professional and bespoke 

service like no other. Our unrivalled choice of unique designs and materials, often 

exclusive to us, guarantees you a one-of-a-kind symbol of love. 

Collaborating with top goldsmiths from around the world allows us to provide 

exceptional quality and value for money. It’s no wonder our brides and grooms have 

voted us the best jeweller in the North West Wedding Awards for over a decade! 

Join our award-winning journey today and experience the difference for yourself. 

51A London Road, Alderley Edge, Cheshire SK9 7DY 

Telephone: 01625 583 565 

59 Park Lane, Poynton, Cheshire SK12 1RD 

Telephone: 01625 872 470 

alderley@henryjohnstone.co.uk | www.henryjohnstone.co.uk | Henry D Johnstone Jewellers 


WE’VE GOT 

THE PERFECT 

WEDDING RINGS 

FOR YOU. 

GET IN TOUCH TODAY 

@OSCARANDOLIVIAJEWELLERY 

OSCARANDOLIVIA.CO.UK 

stationery for lovers looking for luxury. 

SAVE THE DATE CARDS / INVITATIONS / PLACE CARDS / MENUS 

ORDER OF SERVICE / SEATING PLAN + MUCH MORE 

Get your FREE wedding stationery planner e-book: 

www.paperswanstationery.co.uk 

07807 243 082 • lucy@paperswanstationery.co.uk 


Personality driven wedding photography 

fish2.co.uk | info@fish2.co.uk 

Lancashire Based Wedding Photographer T: 07591 884171 E: jon.harrison@trusilver.com W: www.jonharrisonimage.co.uk 


Stuart Hornby Photography 

Scan for more 

Documentary style with editorial touches 

Beautifully captured authentic moments 

www.stuarthornbyphotography.co.uk 


Give your wedding The Added Extra 

Scan Me 

We provide: 

4ft LED Letters 

Selfie Mirrors 

Arcade Games 

Audio Guest Book 

Neon Lights 

Pylon Booth 

Backdrops 

Sweet Carts 

LED Dance Floors 

Balloon Arches 

Post Boxes 

Event Decorations 

and more 

/theaddedextra @theaddedextra 01260 591415 

www.theaddedextra.co.uk 


COUNTY BRIDES 2024 NORTH WEST 

WeddingAwards 

The 14th annual North West Wedding Awards, the region’s most prestigious event recognising excellence 

in the wedding industry, took place on 12th June 2024. The awards ceremony brought together top 

wedding suppliers, venues and creatives from across the North West to celebrate their exceptional 

contributions to creating unforgettable wedding experiences. 

Organised by County Brides, the North West Wedding Awards has become a hallmark event for the wedding 

industry in the region. Year after year, it honours the tireless efforts and remarkable talents of wedding 

professionals who go above and beyond to make dreams come true for couples. Finalists did incredibly well 

this year to make it through with over 15,000 votes and 2,500 individual companies nominated. 

The theme for the evening was ‘Tropical’ which created a backdrop of elegance and glamour at the 

Mercure Piccadilly Manchester. Welcomed with a red carpet entrance, guests had chance to network with 

their peers before a gala dinner, auction, live entertainment and of course, the awards. 

“We were thrilled to celebrate the 14th Annual North West Wedding Awards and honour the incredible 

talents and hard work of our region’s wedding suppliers,” said Duane Thornborough, Director at County 

Brides. “It was a night filled with joy, camaraderie, and an unwavering commitment to excellence. We are 

equally proud to have raised £4,000 so far including “Gift Aid” for Destination Florida and contribute to 

their important mission. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all the participants, sponsors, and supporters 

who made this event a resounding success.” 

The 14th Annual North West Wedding Awards served as a reminder of the resilience and creativity within 

the wedding industry, by recognising and applauding the exceptional talents of wedding professionals, this 

event has continued to set the standard for excellence in the North West. 

For more information about the North West Wedding Awards, please visit www.countybrides.co.uk 

Suppliers’ acknowledgement: 

• Hosts – County Brides 

• AV/PA/Lighting – iCatching 

Events 

• DJ/Compare – Jon Holling 

• Large Letter & Draping – Ice 

Entertainment UK 

• Venue Styling – Boujee Boxes 

• Band – Soul Revolver 

• Ice Sculpture – Glacial Art Ice 

Sculptors 

• Photo Mirror – RS Events & Ice 

Entertainment UK 

• Casino Tables – Manhattan 

Casino Nights 

• Florist – Country Flowers 

• Photographer – Envision Images 

• Videographer – Jon Paul Films 

• Venue – Mercure Piccadilly 

Manchester 

• Table Plans – NDigital Print 

& Sign Ltd 

• Champagne Tower – 

Mr Flavour Events 

• Red Carpet – Stellar Event 

Carpets 

Thank you for all the prizes: 

• Crewe Hall 

• Ivory of Cheshire 

• Mere Resort 

• The Editor 

• AC Magic 

• Mercure Piccadilly 

• Joanne Lucas Make-up 

Artistry 

• Crazy 9 

• Henry D Johnstone 

• Last Drop Village 

• Cheshire Bees Voucher 

towards flowers 

• Mere Court 

• John Pass 

• Taylory 

• Destination Florida Children’s 

Charity 

• Yvette Royal 

• Falling Like The Stars 

• Envision Images 

• Ridgway Caterers 

Thank you to 

everyone that 

donated a raffle 

prize. The Awards 

will re-open on 

the 1st September 

2024. 


OUR WINNERS FOR 2024 

Best Hair 

Dirty Blonde Hair Design 

Best Celebrant 

Celebrant Ceremonies by Becky 

Best Entertainment DJ 

DJ Tom Finkill 

Best Venue – Merseyside 

The Bentley 

Best Bridal 

Wedding Belles Bridal Boutique 

Best Bridesmaid 

Bridesmaid by JB 

Best Entertainment Agency 

Hipswing 

Best Venue Manchester 

King Street Townhouse 

Best Cake 

Sara's Cake Heaven 

Best Photobooth 

The Added Extra 

Best Entertainment Non-Musical 

Crazy9 

Best Caterer 

Top Table Weddings & Events 

Best Venue Stylist 

Cover Story Weddings & Events 

Best Male Photographer 

Liam Gingell Photography 

Best Beauty 

All Things Face 

Best Ceremony Provider 

Cheshire East Registration Service 

Best Florist 

County Flowers 

Best Female Photographer 

Alex Meletiou Photography 

Best Entertainment Magician 

AC Magic 

Best Toastmaster 

Dave Knowles - Stirk House 

Best Artificial Florist 

Bloomin Weddings 

Best Videographer 

Stephen Whitehead Films 

Best Venue – No accommodation 

The Oaktree of Peover 

Best Wedding Co-ordinator 

Chelsea Buckley: The Royal Toby Hotel 

Best Transport 

Cumbria Classic Cars 

Best Stationer 

Charlotte Designs 

Best Venue – Cheshire 

The Plough at Eaton 

New Business of the Year 

Envision Vintage Wedding Cars 

Best Special Touches 

Little Betty's Boutique 

Best Jeweller 

Henry D Johnstone 

Best Venue – Lancashire 

The Villa Wrea Green 

Business of the Year 

Henry D Johnstonel 

Best Travel 

Claire Young Travel Counsellors 

Best Entertainment Act 

The Singalong Waiters 

Best Venue – Cumbria 

The Merewood Hotel 

OTHER COUNTY BRIDES 

WINNERS ARE: 

Best Marquee/Tipi 

Special Event Tipis & Marquees 

Best Menswear 

Peter Posh 


Registration Services 

You have decided to get married or register your civil partnership and the thoughts of dresses, bridesmaids, 

suits, flowers and invitations fill your mind - but do you know about the legal requirements you will need 

to go through before your celebrations become legal? 

You can get married or register your civil partnership 

without the dress/suit (jeans and a tee shirt will do!). Also 

there is no legal requirement for a ring. However, if you do 

not follow the correct legal procedures your big day might 

end up as a very expensive party! 

The following information on Notices relates to all 

Marriages or Civil Partnerships in England and Wales 

(with the exception of Church of England or Wales) – 

providing both parties are British, Irish or have European 

Settled Status. If either party has does not have British 

or Irish nationality or does not have European Settled 

Status please contact your local Register Office 

for advice. 

If you wish to have a civil marriage or partnership, the 

ceremony may take place in any Register Office or 

Approved Venue (hotels or stately homes etc which are 

licensed for this purpose – each Register Office should 

have a list of these venues on their web site). 

If you wish to have a religious marriage the ceremony must 

take place in a religious building in the district in which 

either you or your partner live. If the religious building is 

outside of your district of residence please consult your 

local register office for advice. You will need to speak to the 

person in charge of the religious building to arrange the 

date and time before the appointment at the Register 

Office to give your Notices of Marriage or Civil Partnership. 

What is a Notice of Marriage/Civil Partnership? 

For all weddings (except Church of England or Church in 

Wales where banns will be called – you will need to speak to 

the Vicar about this), each of the parties to a marriage or civil 

partnership has to give Notice of their intention. The Notice 

is a legal statement which you must sign. You cannot ask a 

friend or relative to do this on your behalf. Your Notices will 

be displayed in the Register Office for any legal objections 

to be made. 


Providing no objections are received, 

and all necessary documentation has 

been produced, 28 days after your 

Notices are given the authority for your 

marriage or civil partnership may 

be issued. 

When can you give your Notices 

of Marriage Civil Partnership? 

A Notice is valid for one year. The 

minimum amount of time before the 

wedding that the Notice can be given 

is 28 clear days. 

Where can you give your Notices 

of Marriage/Civil Partnership? 

Your Notices of Marriage must be given 

at the Register Office covering the 

district in which you normally reside or 

in which you have 8 consecutive nights 

residence immediately preceding the 

giving of the notice. 

Do you need to make an 

appointment? 

Liverpool Register Office, in common 

with many others, operates an 

appointment system. Please contact 

your local Register Office to confirm. 

What documents will you need 

to provide? 

You will need to provide evidence of your 

name, age, and nationality and marital 

condition. The most commonly accepted 

documents are: 

• Name, age and nationality – current 

passport. If you do not have a current 

passport your birth certificate will 

suffice providing you were born on 

or before 31.12.1982. If you were born 

on or after 1.1.1983 you will need to 

provide your full birth certificate 

(which contains your parent’s details 

as well as your name, date and place 

of birth) and evidence of your parent’s 

nationalities also. 

• Condition (this is required when you 

have been previously married or 

formed a legally recognised civil 

partnership) – evidence of how the 

marriage/civil partnership ended, for 

example Decree Absolute of Divorce 

or death certificate of former 

husband/wife/civil partner. A Decree 

Nisi of Divorce is not acceptable. 

You will also be asked to provide specific 

evidence of your current address. 

If you cannot provide any of the above 

documents please contact your local 

register office for advice. 

How much does a Notice of 

Marriage/Civil Partnership cost? 

The fee payable for each Notice is 

£42-£57 (£84-£114 per couple) depending 

on immigration status. Your local 

Register Office will be able to advise 

you of the fee payable for you. (correct 

at July 2024). You will also need to pay 

a fee to the Registrar who attends to 

register your marriage or civil partnership. 

How much will the Registrar 

charge? 

Fees for marriages at the Liverpool 

Register Office at St George’s Hall range 

from £68.50-£315. The fee charged 

reflects the time and day chosen, the 

number of guests and the enhanced 

ceremonies available. 

The fee for a wedding at an approved 

venue varies. You will need to 

contact the register office who will 

perform the ceremony to confirm. 

The fee charged at a religious building 

varies. You will need to contact the 

person at the religious building who is 

arranging your wedding to confirm. 

Registration and Certificates 

On 4 May 2021 the way marriages are 

registered changed. The registration and 

obtaining the certificate is now the same 

process for both marriages and civil 

partnerships. 

Marriage and Civil Partnership 

at Register Office or Approved 

Venue 

On the day of the ceremony the Registrar 

will ask couple and their witnesses will 

sign a Schedule. The Registrar will then 

take the Schedule back to the Register 

Office and the registration will be made 

on the national database. Any certificates 

you have paid for will then be sent 

to you. 

Marriage at a religious 

building 

For CoE or CoW churches the couple and 

witnesses will be asked to sign a 

Marriage Document. For all other 

religious buildings the couple and 

witnesses will be asked to sign a 

Schedule. The Document or Schedule 

must be delivered to the Register Office 

covering the locality of the religious 

building within 21 days of the ceremony. 

The registration will then be made on the 

national database. Any certificates you 

have paid for will then be sent to you. 

So, a lot to take in! Do your research – 

decide if you want to marry or form a civil 

partnership, visit the venue, register 

office or religious building and see what 

they offer. Remember when you give 

your notices you have to know where you 

are getting married/civil partnered. Good 

luck and we wish you all the best for your 

big day and your future together! 

LIVERPOOL REGISTRATION SERVICE 

St. George’s Hall, Visitor Centre Entrance 

St. George’s Place, Liverpool L1 1JJ 

www.ceremonies.liverpool.gov.uk 


Mr. & Mrs. 

Sidebotham 

Married 2nd March 2024 

v 

Chris and I met during the 2020 lockdown. I wasn’t overly hopeful, but thought I’d give dating 

apps a try. After a few weeks, we matched and there was just an instant connection. 

We used to send ‘war and peace’ length messages to each other. After a week or so, we decided 

to meet to see if this connection was there in reality and oh wow it was! 


We moved in with each other very quickly and knew 

early on we had found exactly what we were looking 

for in each other. Chris proposed on a random Monday 

evening in December 2022, which completely took 

me by surprise, but it was perfect: homely, intimate 

and just very us. We were so excited to start wedding 

planning and in January we started venue shopping. 

"The stunning lake sealed the deal " 

Sandhole Oak Barn was first on the list and we instantly 

fell in love with it. It was simply beautiful. The stunning lake 

sealed the deal for Chris, whereas the rustic barn with its 

bright airy space and picturesque views sealed it for me. 

Within 10 minutes, we had booked a provisional date. We 

had a vision of how our big day would look and Sandhole 

fitted this perfectly. The staff were amazing, so enthusiastic 

and helpful. Their fuss - free attitude and the free rein we 

had to find our own suppliers and tailor the venue to suit us, 

was perfect and ensured our wedding was exactly how we 

pictured it. Soon after booking our wedding, we were invited 

for our taster and to meet the staff at Top Table Catering. 

We chatted with a wedding planner about all the things we 

wanted and ate the most amazing food. We knew we wanted 

an intimate wedding filled with family and friends in a relaxed 

atmosphere. Although Sandhole is a large barn, they showed 

us how they could make it feel more intimate, and having 

the B&B on site exclusively for our use on our wedding day 

was amazing. It really did give us the intimate family feel 

we were looking for. Our excitement just grew and grew. 

Scrolling through TikTok one day, I stumbled across Flossie’s 

Wedding and Occasions, and I knew in that second, I wanted 

them to dress our venue. Their rustic, romantic style was 

everything I had imagined, and I knew it complemented the 

barn perfectly. The staff at Flossie’s were incredible and 

they made the planning of the décor and the choosing of the 

flowers a piece of cake. I’m not the most decisive person and 

Chris wasn’t too interested in choosing flowers, but working 

alongside Flossie’s manager Amy took that stress away. 

Wedding Photographer 

Three months before our big day, due to unforeseen 

circumstances, our photographer could no longer do our 

wedding. We were devastated and felt in a bit of a 

predicament. We took Chris’ son Cody to football one day 

and were chatting about what had happened on the sidelines. 

One of the parents, who is a wedding photographer, 

overheard us and offered his services. We were delighted as 

his style was exactly what we wanted - candid and natural. 

The stress of the situation melted away and everything felt 

back on track. 

As the day was getting closer, the communication with 

Sandhole Oak Barn and Top Table Catering was flawless. 

We were allocated Jane as our wedding co-ordinator, 

and she ensured our day ran like a well-oiled machine. 

I arrived at the venue at 9a.m and spent the morning in the 

bridal suite with my lovely mum and excited bridesmaids, 

as well as my make up artist and hair stylist. As per the 

British weather, it was a drizzly day, however I was adamant 

nothing would bring the mood down! The dressing room 

was filled with everything we could possibly need and 

the natural lighting in there was faultless. Spending the 

morning getting ready with my bridal squad in such a lovely 

environment put my nerves completely at ease and I was 

just so excited to see Chris. He arrived at around 11a.m and 

spent the time with his groomsmen and my dad drinking 

cold beer that had been sat in the fridge since we arrived. 

Before I knew it, it was 2p.m and we were ready to go. 

I can honestly say I was the most exited I had ever been... 

I just wanted to see Chris. I walked up the aisle to Stand 

by Me by Florence and the Machine. We had chosen 

to use our phones for music during the ceremony and 

wedding breakfast, and Jane and the staff at Top Table 

ensured they knew exactly which songs to play and when. 


eceived our video, we have watched them over and over 

again to relive that moment. They were captured perfectly. 

We hired a photo booth as a bit of night-time entertainment, 

and it was always full with a queue of people waiting. In our 

package, we received a guest book and the day after we 

thoroughly enjoyed flicking through all the pictures, laughing 

at the props people were wearing and reading their lovely 

messages. I love a bit of a boogie, so it was a no brainer to 

hire Andy as our DJ. He could read the vibe of our guests 

and knew which song to play next to ensure everyone was 

having a great night and we could happily dance the night 

away. 

Our wedding was the best day of our lives. All our 

suppliers ensured our vision came to life and everything 

was perfect. Our day was faultless. We would do it all 

again tomorrow and would not change a thing. Sandhole 

Oak Barn will always hold a special place in our hearts, 

and it was the perfect place to start our married life. 

Our Top Tips 

• Enjoy every minute - the day absolutely flies. 

• Make some time for you two during the day, just 

to take it all in and catch up with each other. 

• Don’t stress over all the small details - the most 

important thing is that you have the perfect day. 

• Make sure you capture your speeches. We love watching 

ours regularly and living in that moment again. 

• Pack your comfy shoes if your planning on having 

a boogie! 


CAKE: The Sweetest Thing Cakery 

www.sweetestthingcakery.com 

CATERERS: Top Table Weddings and Events 

www.top-table.co.uk 

DRESS: The White Dress Culcheth 

www.thewhitedressculcheth.booksy.com 

As the double doors opened and I started walking up 

the aisle, Chris turned around. He looked so handsome 

in his suit, and everything just looked as I had pictured. 

It was amazing! The ceremony was perfect. It was short 

and sweet which was just our style, but personal with 

the addition of my mum reading a poem. We could not 

stop smiling. As we walked out of the venue, the sun was 

shining for us. We hired mini golf for the drinks reception 

for the kids - however I think the adults enjoyed it more! 

We spent this time eating canapés (which were exquisite) and 

mingling with our friends and family. The wedding breakfast 

was delectable, so many of our guests commented on the 

high quality of the food and Top Table ensured we got that 

intimate feel from the layout of the dinner tables. The 

speeches were emotional and funny and since we have 

FLORIST: Flossie’s Weddings and Occasions 

www.flossies.info 

HAIR: The Wildflower Hair Company 

www.wildflowerhaircompany.co.uk 

MAKE UP: Emma Hartley Make up 

www.emmahartleymakeup.co.uk 

PHOTOGRAPHER: David Stubbs Photography 

www.davidstubbsphotography.co.uk 

VENUE: Sandhole Oak Barn Wedding Venue 

www.sandholeoakbarn-weddings.co.uk 

VENUE STYLIST: Flossie’s Weddings and Occasions 


v 

VIDEOGRAPHER: Ainsley Films 

www.ainsleyfilms.co.uk 



Cocktail Master 

Class Sessions 

NO BAR, NO PROBLEM! 

• Full bar service • Bespoke drink packages 

• All bar equipment supplied 

The perfect cocktail 

for any occasion 

Great night! 

YOUR PERFECT WEDDING PARTNER 

Contact us today on 07710 373442 / 01978 502124 • Email: info@the-mobile-bar.co.uk 

www.the-mobile-bar.co.uk 

Classic Conveniences 

Traditional Service at your convenience 

Classic Conveniences is a premier provider of first class 

portable toilet facilities. With years of experience and the 

best equipment available we ensure that the most important 

facilities for your wedding are supplied with the utmost 

discretion and care. Our dedicated staff are only too aware 

of the huge difference that quality service can make to your 

wedding and constantly strive to provide just that. We have 

luxury trailer units available and we also have the superior 

modular style toilets which can be configured to cater for 

any amount of guests for that wow factor. 




Creating memories that last 

& relationships that endure 

Are you looking for a catering service for 

your wedding or special event? 

T 01260 543 977 

E info@vanillainallseasons.co.uk 

www.vanillainallseasons.co.uk 

Find us on Facebook & Twitter: 

@VanillaInAllseasons 

@VinAcatering 

@VANILLAINALLSEASONS 


Mr. & Mrs. 

Donald 

Married 20th July 2024 

x 

Our engagement was well due. Almost 10 years together, a dog, living in our 

second home and said anniversary (April 2020) was looming. A surprise trip to New York 

was booked, along with a shiny ring purchased. Unfortunately, Covid brought it all 

to a halt and we (I) tried again in September with a weekend in Edinburgh, 

a city that would become a favourite of ours. 


Beautiful Daughter. 

At last! We were engaged, and the preparations could 

commence. Then the following summer we were gifted 

a beautiful daughter. We wanted a wedding where she 

could be actively involved, so for now, it was on hold. 

We had always held similar views on planning a wedding. 

Relatively simple, with no seating plan, no formal meal, just 

an amazing day with family and friends that culminated in 

a big party! 

We looked at and enquired about several venues, both in 

the UK and overseas, including spending another weekend 

in Edinburgh on the chance that we’d find something that 

suited our requirements along with the added magical 

bonus of its sentimental location. Unfortunately, none of 

them quite met our vision, and we decided Edinburgh/ 

abroad might have been a little too far away for everyone 

on our planned guest list. We believe that guests play a 

significant role, and we wanted as many there as possible. 

The Loft 

Then we found the Loft at High Legh. It wasn’t too far 

away, it had great views of the surrounding golf course 

and greenery, it had that rooftop terrace (a big appeal 

for us), great bars (both upstairs and down) and it could 

accommodate all our guests. We were happy, and it 

was decided. 

From our first meeting, Gaynor was fantastic. She was 

enthusiastic, onboard with all our ideas from the beginning, 

and with a genuine interest in how something might look, and 

how we might achieve it. Throughout the whole process, her 

input and professionalism were invaluable. 

The Cookie Creation! 

As we’ve said, an important element for our big day was 

our guest list, and it was a good size, originally coming in 

at 175 people. Eventually, due to the usual holidays booked, 

work commitments and childcare, that number dropped 

to 157. In terms of catering, whilst a sit down, three course 

meal is a nice experience, it wasn’t fitting with the casual 

day we wanted, and it would have gone against our decision 

not to have a seating plan. We opted for a simple buffet 

including pizza, burger sliders, chicken strips and chips. 

The exact sort of thing you want after a few beers! 

We didn’t even have a cake, instead creating our own 

‘tower of cookies’ as a substitute. Neither of us are big 

cake lovers, so it didn’t make sense for us to buy one 

as they can be expensive and are often overlooked in 

favour of another drink! Once again, Gaynor was brilliant, 

giving us several options and combinations for the food 

and she was quite excited about the cookie creation! We 

didn’t want our guests to feel rooted in any way, and 

encouraged them to move around whenever possible, to 

meet new people and catch up with old friends. In the 

end, we respectfully reserved a few tables specifically 

for our parents, who filled them as they saw fit. 

In terms of entertainment, whilst we both enjoy a band or a 

singer, we prefer a DJ and loved visualising the space at High 

Legh and imagining where everyone would be and how it 

would turn out. 

Weekend in Munich 

The time passed and soon the Hen/Stag dos arrived. We 

both had a brilliant time. The bride threw a big party with 

decorations, DJ and games and the stag do was, to be 

expected, a little wilder, with a weekend in Munich which 

was right in the middle of the Euros. It was a great weekend 

for everyone involved! 

The big day loomed large. Unfortunately, the weather reports 

suggested that EVERY OTHER day the week of the wedding 

was sunny, whilst our day, Saturday, promised rain... maybe 

we’d get away with it. 

20/07/2024. At last, after 2 years, we’d arrived! 

We opted for a late ceremony, 4 p.m. Our guests arrived at 

3 p.m, so they could take time to settle into the downstairs 

bar and enjoy each other’s company before making their way 

upstairs for the ceremony itself. 

Gossip of the imminent arrival of the bride began and we 

made our way up. Everyone was seated (and we had a good 

laugh at the best man tripping midway up the stairs) and 

before we knew it, we stood again, as the first song of the 

day played through the speaker system and our mothers 


spirits, then the buffet was announced. We ate upstairs, 

and the room looked fantastic. Having enough room 

was a big worry of ours early on, but everyone was 

accommodated with space to spare for moving around. 

Plenty of Laughs 

began the precession. Both looking lovely of course! Our 

blushing bridesmaids followed, and then came our beautiful 

daughter with the stepfather of the bride, her dress as big 

as her personality, although not her smile (it’s quite an 

overwhelming experience for a 3-year-old after all). 

And then, the big moment, the arrival of the stunning 

bride; her father proudly linked arm in arm. The ceremony 

could begin. 

Golf Buggy 

David, our minister did an exceptional job. In keeping with 

the theme of the day. We chose simple, traditional vows 

and before we knew it, we were wed! Another three songs 

of our choosing complimented the signing of the certificates 

and we made our way downstairs to rapturous applause. 

Gaynor had arranged for us to commandeer a golf buggy 

and we made our way to a scenic spot on the other 

side of the course next to a lovely water feature. Our 

photographer (a family friend of ours) took some amazing 

shots, and we were privileged to have him with us. Then 

it was back to the Loft for more photos with the rest of 

the bridal/ groom party. Everyone looked fantastic. 

Then...unfortunately, the reports came true and 

mother nature unleashed the rain. The only mark on 

our magical day, although one which of course, couldn’t 

be helped. We weren’t going to let it dampen our 

The speeches followed with some colourful language, but 

they went down well and there were plenty of laughs. 

Our first dance came next, with a custom made take 

on a favourite song of ours. With little encouragement 

required, more and more guests joined us, and the 

party was underway! We’re well into music and worked 

with the DJ beforehand to prepare the evening in a 

way that would accommodate our guests whilst keeping 

in line with our tastes. I (the groom) also managed a 

30-minute slot of my own later in the evening, and the 

dancefloor never emptied from the first dance to close. 

Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end and 

the time flashed by before we knew, it was midnight. 

We had a truly amazing day, and we really can’t thank 

everyone enough who helped us in any way, especially 

Gaynor, she really put it all together. The venue was 

perfect for what we wanted, and we’d absolutely 

recommend it to anyone after doing the same. 

Love, Mr and Mrs Donald. 


DANCEFLOOR: Lets Dance Events 

www.lets-dance-events.com 

PHOTOGRAPHER: Fez Photography of Bath 

www.fezphoto.com 

VENUE: The Club at High Legh Park The Loft 

www.theclubathighleghpark.com 

x 

VENUE STYLIST: Elegant Event Designs 

www.eleganteventdesigns.co.uk 


MAKE AN 

ENTRANCE 

Introducing the latest innovation in luxury design - the 

Fibre Optic Carpets. Developed and established in the 

UK now available in Gibraltar, these stunning carpets 

are set to revolutionize the events and wedding industry. 

But that’s not all - soon to be launched in Dubai, these 

cutting-edge carpets will also make their mark in the 

interior design market. From the comfort of your own 

home to the sleek interiors of a luxury car, and even the 

extravagant super yachts, these Fibre Optic Carpets are 

sure to impress. 

Imagine walking up the aisle on a carpet that sparkles 

with the twinkle of a thousand stars, or driving through 

the city in a car that exudes elegance with every step. 

Stellar event carpets have also developed personalised 

fibre optic car mats for the automotive industry… 

With the versatility to be customized and tailored to 

your specific events and requirements , the possibilities 

are endless. 

Don’t miss your chance to experience the magic of Fibre 

Optic Carpets. Stay ahead of the curve and elevate your 

space to new heights of sophistication and style. The 

future of luxury design is here, and it’s shining brighter 

than ever before. 

To book your consultation please call Jayne on 

M: +44 (0)7944 799748 

E: jayne@stellareventcarpets.com 

UNIQUE BESPOKE FIBRE-OPTIC EVENT 

CARPETS TO ADD STYLE & GLAMOUR TO ANY OCCASION 

Blake House, 18 Blake Street 

York, North Yorkshire 

England YO1 8QG 

Telephone: 01904 340796 

Mobile: +44 (0)7944 799748 

jayne@stellareventcarpets.com or 

info@stellareventcarpets.com 

www.stellareventcarpets.com 


Piano entertainment for your Wedding Day 

Ceremony - Drinks Reception - Wedding Breakfast 

www.domtheweddingpianist.co.uk 

Quote CB24 for 

10% Discount 


Acoustic Acts 

. Singers, Guitarists, Bands, Violin. 

. Ceremony, Wedding breakfast, 

Cocktail hour, First dance. 

Musically rich and crowd engaging 

artist,s fabricating a musical love 

story throughout your day. 

DJ and Live Musicians 

. DJ + (1, 2, 3, 4) musicians. 

. DJ, Sax, Singer, Bongo, Violin. 

Choose your Dream team to 

amplify the best day of your life. 

With a dynamic performance and 

over 10 years of industry experience. 

EXTRA , S 

Dance floor, photobooth. 

. 

Confetti cannons, backdrops. 

Sound & lighting upgrades & hire. 

Create the wow factor. Create the 

Dream experience. 

Turning dreams into melodies 


2 SCOOPS 

ICE CREAM 

twoscoopsicecreamuk@outlook.com 

CARNIVAL GAMES HIRE UK 

carnivalgamesuk@outlook.com 

CASINO 

sales@manhattancasinonights.co.uk 

07710 373 442 / 01978 502124 • www.manhattancasinonights.co.uk 


Mr. & Mrs. 

Brindle 

Married 5th May 2024 

6 

We first met in 2022 when Steph joined the Willows pub and restaurant in Blackburn. 

I had already been working there a for a short while and funnily enough in the beginning 

neither of us took much notice of each other, or so I thought, until one day 

Steph plucked up the courage and decided to ask me if I fancied going out one night 

for something to eat. This is where our story began. 


We started dating, we would go on days out to theme 

parks and out for meals or just spend some time 

together, until eventually we were inseparable. 

Not long after, we found out that Steph was pregnant. 

We were over the moon, and we welcomed our 

beautiful little girl Avery - May into the world. She is 

now 13 months old, and she keeps us on our toes. 

I think finding out Steph was pregnant and having our 

little princess, only brought us closer together and 

made us look forward to our future. So, with this in 

mind, I decided there was only one thing left to do 

and that was to make our little family complete. 

" I got down on one knee and proposed 

with the most beautiful engagement ring" 

On 22nd July 2023 I organised a ‘birthday meal’ for Steph, 

inviting close friends and family to enjoy a night of 

celebrations. It was all a ploy. I sneaked off with Avery and 

when I came out from around the corner holding Avery, she 

was wearing a vest saying ‘Mummy because I’m already a 

Brindle, I would like you to become one too! Will you marry 

my Daddy?’ ‘Then in front of our closest family and friends I 

got down on one knee and proposed with the most beautiful 

engagement ring, and of course, Steph said yes! Needless to 

say, our family and friends were over the moon. 

We both knew that we didn’t want to wait forever to have our 

special day, so with excitement in the air, we went wedding 

venue hunting. The first place we went to was Park Hall hotel 

and we knew after seeing the beautiful medieval banquet 

hall, that we didn’t need to look anywhere else, it had 

everything we wanted. We had found our dream venue and 

it was perfect. 

Arts and Crafts 

Steph loves nothing more than doing a bit of arts and crafts, 

so she threw herself into doing everything for the wedding, 

from the save the dates, invitations, to all the wedding décor 

on the day. Steph did it all, she even created a beautiful 

archway for the ceremony. 

Steph started looking for her wedding dress. She found it on 

Facebook marketplace. She immediately asked if she could go 

and see it and try it on, she fell in love with the dress and 

just had to buy it! It was beautiful, with lots of sparkle and 

intricate details. It was everything she had imagined for her 

special day. 

I however, didn’t find it as easy. After scrolling the Internet 

for hours and looking at every suit possible, I eventually found 

the perfect one. However, me being me, I did this so last 

minute that it definitely stressed Steph out. I don’t think she 

thought that I would get a suit for the wedding. Thankfully, 

it came just in time, and it looked amazing in the photos. 

"We loved every second of it " 

Then came the big day! 5th May 2024, and everything was 

perfect. Words can’t describe how much we loved every 

second of it. The Park Hall hotel staff were amazing in 

making our vision come to life. Steph had told them exactly 

how she wanted everything laying out and that’s just what 

they did, and more! 

The Ceremony took place in the medieval banquet hall. 

Of course Avery who was 11 months at the time, had her 

own starring role. She made her grand entrance in style 

in a mini pink range rover, now it was time for Steph to 

make the walk up the aisle to me. I had tears in my eyes 

and a huge smile on my face. A moment I will treasure 

forever. After the ceremony, we all went into the lounge 

area for our drink’s reception of Kir Royale. However the 

sun was shining, so most of the guests enjoyed a drink 


outside in the hotel’s beautiful courtyard area. Steph and I 

had photographs taken in the courtyard, on the jetty of the 

lake and the hotels beautiful grounds and wedding garden. 

Our photographer Stefan Willoughby captured our day so 

beautifully and gave us pictures that we will cherish forever. 

Doughnut Tower 

The staff had then turned the medieval banquet around 

ready for the wedding breakfast. Once it was ready, we 

got the chance to have a look before our guests came in. 

It looked beautiful, and the staff had done an amazing 

job. Ignoring the stereotypical wedding cake, we decided 

to have something completely different and so we had 

a huge doughnut tower, which went down a treat. 

The wedding breakfast was amazing, we got so many 

compliments on the food. We kept it nice and simple with a 

soup starter, chicken for main and cheesecake for dessert. 

Empty plates all round. 

After this, we went back into the lounge area and the 

staff turned the room around ready for the evening reception. 

We then danced the night away and enjoyed a drink or 

two. We topped it off with an evening buffet of Pizza 

and chips. 

We truly had the best day ever, everything was perfect. 

We had so many compliments on the whole day from all 

our friends and family and we can’t thank the Park Hall 

Hotel enough for all they did to make our day so special. 

We have some amazing memories, and we will cherish 

them forever. 


PHOTOGRAPHER: Stefan Willoughby Photography 

www.stefanwilloughby.com 

6 

VENUE: The Park Hall Hotel 

www.parkhallhotel.com 


Your Personal and Meaningful 

Ceremony In Cheshire East 

In Cheshire East, we pride ourselves on our meaningful, and heartfelt ceremonies. The Your 

Ceremony Team has been recognised with the County Brides Award for "Best Ceremony Provider" 

in the North West of England for a number of consecutive years. 

What makes this award so special is that it is voted for by our 

couples based on the quality, friendly and personable service 

provided and how we made a difference to their big day. 

Your Registrar will be the one who helps bring your ceremony 

to life. We understand the flow of a ceremony and can advise 

on any additions you wish to make. Your ceremony is where 

you get to show the world just how much you love each other, 

and how you decide to tell the world is completely up to you. 

We have heard “You can’t personalise a Civil Ceremony” on 

numerous occasions and that really couldn't be further from the 

truth. Whether it's through 

meaningful readings, a 

personalised introduction, 

writing your own promises, 

music choices, or the inclusion 

of a symbolic unity ceremony, 

we are here to help you create 

a ceremony that truly reflects 

your own unique love story. 

So, let’s look at some of the 

ways you can enhance your 

ceremony with personal 

and meaningful touches: 

Hand Tying Ceremony - In a hand tying ceremony your 

hands are bound together with cords, vines, or ribbons in a 

symbolic joining of you both. This ceremony is the origin of the 

phrase “tying the knot” You can consider choosing ribbons 

to match your colour scheme or colours with special 

meanings. You can also choose to involve a special 

family member or friend to help you tie the knot or 

read some special words as your hands are tied 

together. 

Sand Ceremony - This symbolic ceremony 

involves the couple pouring coloured sand into 

one single container. Just as the sand will never be 

separated, neither will the two of you. Sand Ceremonies are 

a wonderful way of including children in your ceremony. 

Love letters Ceremony - Before your Big Day, write a 

love letter to each other. During the ceremony, you will place 

it in a box along with a bottle of something nice and two 

glasses. Set a date in the future to open the box to enjoy 

and remember all the reasons why you love each other. 

We have the perfect script for every unity ceremony, 

we just ask that you provide the equipment needed. 

Readings - Invite a loved one to prepare a reading for 

during the ceremony. There are such a wide variety of 

readings on the internet for you to choose from. They are a 

great way of personalising your ceremony and highlighting 

what love and marriage ultimately mean to you as a couple. 

Your Own Personal Promises - There is often a bit of a 

misconception that you can write your own vows, however the 

vows are legal declarations that ensure you are legally married. 

With that being said, you can write 

your own personal promises to one 

another. This is a heartfelt way of 

personalising your ceremony. Write 

from the heart and be true to who 

you are as a couple. Remember your 

promises are not a best man’s 

speech though – leave tales from the 

stag and hen dos for the speeches. 

A Personalised Introduction - 

A personalised introduction is a 

lovely way to set the scene for your 

ceremony. Consider things that your 

guests may not know about you or a funny story of how you 

got together. 

Furry friends - We all know that our furry friends 

are not just pets but part of the family. We love 

nothing more than for them to be included in your 

ceremony. We have had many ring bearers in our 

time, from owls and alpacas to proud pooches to 

name but a few. These may not always go to plan 

but most definitely create a memorable moment. 

If you would like any “out of the box” inclusions, we are 

always open to embracing new ideas. The only restriction to 

any civil ceremony is that there can’t be any religious content. 

"By now we are sure that you have realised that this 

really is Your Ceremony and Your Choice. Don’t 

believe everything that you may hear - we do more 

than just marry you. Your Big Day deserves the 

very best and our unrivalled ceremonies and 

multi-award winning team will help you create 

memories that will last a lifetime." 



THE 

COUPLES 

GALLERY 

Every year in the UK over 220,000 couples 

get married. Here are a small selection. 


MR & MRS BASRA 

9th March 2024 

Stock Farm Barn 

AW Photography 

MR & MRS D'COSTA 

23rd March 2024 

Castlefield Rooms 


MR & MRS DAY 

1st September 2023 

Stocks Farm 


MR & MRS SHARPE 

6th September 2023 

Oak Tree of Peover 


MR & MRS WELCH 

17th February 2023 

Victoria Warehouse 


MR & MRS BRITTON 

20th October 2023 

Red Hall Hotel 

Fish2 Photography 

MR & MRS GILLISON 

21st October 2023 

Salmesbury Hall 


MR & MRS GRIMSBY 

5th September 2023 

Nazarene Theological 

College. Fish2 Photography 

MR & MRS HUSSAIN-MOSS 

29th May 2023 

Stirk House 


MR & MRS MCGINTY 

28th July 2023 

Ivory Tower Preston 


MR & MRS EURSLEY 

29th December 2023 

Hollins House 

Jon Harrison Photography 

MR & MRS FAIRHURST 

21st July 2024 

Alcumlow Barn 


MR & MRS MARLAND 

19th July 2024 

West Tower 


MR & MRS MARTIN 

6th May 2024 

Mitton Hall 


MR & MRS PEMBERTON 

28th June 2024 

Netherwood Hotel 


MR & MRS KERCHER 

6th April 2024 

Victoria Warehouse 


MR & MRS McCAIG 


Capesthorne Hall 


MR & MRS QUILIGOTTI 

20th April 2024 

Manchester Hall 


MR & MRS OWEN 


Owen House Wedding Barn 


MR & MRS PATRICK 

15th August 2023 

Holmes Mill 




Contact: info@boujeeboxes.com 

Telephone: 07511 359987 

@boujeebxofficial 

www.boujeeboxes.com 


MANCHESTER 

Wedding & Events Venue Stylist & Florist - ‘Bringing your Vision to life, 

creating unforgettable memories and turning your dreams into a reality’ 

© Steve Grogan Photography 

Willow & Fig Greater Manchester @willowandfigmcr E: catherine.willowandfig@outlook.com M: 0750 6570101 

T: 07879680274 

E: dreamydecor2023@yahoo.com 

Dreamy Decor Wedding & Event Hire 

dreamydecor.wedding.event.hire 


Country Flowers 

Award winning bespoke wedding specialists 

www.countryflowersflorist.co.uk 

info@countryflowersflorist.co.uk 

01565 722116 


15th North West Wedding 

Awards 2025 

Cast your vote now! 

Award Categories 

2025 

• Special Touches 

• Beauty, Health & Well Being 

• Bridal Retailer 

• Bridesmaid Retailer 

• Cakes/Sweet Treats 

• Catering & Bar Services 

• Celebrant 

• Ceremony Provider 

• Entertainment Act 

• Entertainment Agency 

• Entertainment DJ 

• Entertainment (Non-Musical) 

• Entertainment Magician 

• Floristry 

• Floristry Artificial 

• Hair 

• Jeweller 

• Marquee/Tipi 

• Menswear 

• Photobooth/Magic Mirror 

• Photographer Female 

• Photographer Male 

• Stationer 

• Toastmaster 

• Transport 

• Travel/Honeymoons 

• Venue Cheshire 

• Venue Cumbria 

• Venue Manchester 

• Venue Lancashire 

• Venue Merseyside 

• Venue (No Accommodation) 

• Venue Stylist 

• Videographer 

• Wedding Co-Ordinator 

• New Business of the Year 


Your vote counts! 

it's so easy to vote 

Brides and Bridegrooms help us by giving something back 

to the wedding suppliers that helped make your wedding 

day a dream come true. 

It’s easy, log onto our website www.countybrides.com and 

vote for the suppliers that made your wedding day so special. 


For more information, please contact County Brides on: 

01942 206446 

To vote for your favourite wedding supplier log onto 


Hosted by County Brides 


e inspired! 

Congratulations on your engagement! The fun of planning 

your perfect day starts with the County Brides website 

and social media platforms, with all the information you 

need for your big day. 

Our website features more than ever before a comprehensive 

directory of the North West’s best wedding suppliers and 

creatives, searchable by category to make it easy to find 

exactly what you are looking for. 

Come and join us on Facebook and Instagram, On Instagram we 

have a total of 35.7k followers. Since May, on Instagram we’ve 

reached over 13 million accounts with 14.4 million impressions and 

had a follower growth of 6k. One reel reached 30.7 million 

accounts with 61 million plays and 4.5 million likes. Another reel 

had 15.2 million plays with 1 million likes and a reach of 7 million. 

On Facebook we have over 34k followers. In the last 

90 days we’ve reached 3.9 million accounts, gained 3.5k new 

followers and had 3.3 million 3-second video views. 

County Brides organise wedding fayres throughout the North 

West where you can chat to the wedding experts about your 

plans, and see the latest exclusive designs in wedding gowns, 

formal wear for the groom and groomsmen, bridesmaid dresses 

and occasion wear in our stunning catwalk shows. 

• Vote for your favourite suppliers in the annual 

North West Wedding Awards. 

• Be inspired by the Real Life Wedding features. 

• Plan with the help of our hints and tips. 


Start planning, 

be inspired, visit our 

website now! 


Lion & Swan 

Wedding Fayre 

Wednesday 30th October 2024 

5.00pm – 8.00pm 

FREE entry 

FREE parking 

Lion & Swan Hotel 

Swan Bank, Congleton, Cheshire CW12 1AH 

For more information and to pre-register visit 


Telephone: 01942 206446 

facebook.com/countybrides 

twitter.com/countybridesltd 

instagram.com/countybrides 


SOMETHING BLUE... 

Why not have your wedding in one of the most prestigious venues in the 

country. Whether you’re planning a traditional wedding breakfast, evening 

reception, or both, we can tailor our package to suit your exact requirements. 

Wedding Fayre hosted by County Brides 

Etihad Stadium, Etihad Campus, Manchester M11 3FF 

East Stand 

The home of Manchester City Football Club 




11.30am – 4.00pm, Free parking, 

£4.00 entry per adult pre-paid. £5.00 on door 

2 catwalk shows 1pm & 3pm and 

3 floors of inspiration for your wedding day 

For more information and to pre register visit 


T: 01942 206446 

For security reasons - bags and prams maybe searched. 

74 County Brides 2024/25 

facebook.com/countybrides twitter.com/countybridesltd instagram.com/countybrides

Crewe Hall 

Wedding Fayres 

LOCAL EXHIBITORS 

FREE Parking 

FREE Entry 

FREE County 

Brides Magazine 

Two stunning catwalk 

shows at 1pm & 3pm 

Let Love Blossom at Crewe Hall 

Your Wedding is one of the most treasured, special and important 

days of your life, so if you want to experience a fairytale wedding - 

in which your dreams come true and your memories will be treasured 

forever – Crewe Hall will make a lasting impression on your cherished 

guests, with a host of period features, grand fireplaces and elegant formal 

gardens to wow them and leave an everlasting impression. 

Sunday 20 th October 2024 - Sunday 23 rd March 2025 - Sunday 14 th September 2025 

12 noon - 4.00pm 

For more information and to pre-register visit 

www.countybrides.com Telephone: 01942 206446 

facebook.com/countybrides twitter.com/countybridesltd instagram.com/countybrides 

Crewe Hall, Weston Road, Crewe, Cheshire CW1 6UZ 

County Brides 2024/25 75 

Frank Henshall Photography.


ASTLEY BANK Wedding Fayre 




12.00pm – 3.00pm 

For more information and to pre-register 

visit www.countybrides.com 

Tel: 01942 206446 

FREE PARKING 

FREE ENTRY 

FREE COUNTY BRIDES MAGAZINE 

Astley Bank is one of the most eye-catching wedding venues in Lancashire. Standing 

on 6 acres of immensely landscaped grounds and gardens, it has been home to some 

of Lancashire’s leading dignitaries and its transformation from a private mansion 

house to an exclusive hotel has been sensational. The setting says it all and our food & 

service will not be beaten either. We will make your day utterly amazing, whether your 

dream wedding is an intimate gathering or a grander affair. Our friendly and caring 

team have organised numerous successful weddings, so we are in no doubt that we 

can deliver the most beautiful day for you and those closest to you. 

Astley Bank Hotel, Off Bolton Road, Astley Bank, Darwen, Lancashire BB3 2QB 


FREE Parking 

FREE Entry 

FREE County Brides 

Magazine 

Catwalk 

show at 1.15pm 


Sunday 23rd February 2025 


12.00pm - 3.00pm 

For more information and 

to pre-register visit 


Telephone: 01942 206446 

Crewe Alexandra FC 

Mornflake Stadium, Gresty Road, Crewe, Cheshire CW2 6EB 


 

 

 

facebook.com countybrides 

twitter.com countybridesltd 

instagram.com countybrides

The Clubhouse 

by 

Ropewalks Hotel 

WEDDING FAYRE 

• FREE ENTRY • FREE COUNTY BRIDES MAGAZINE 

Sunday 10th November 2024 

Sunday 2nd March 2025 


12.00pm – 3.00pm 



Tel: 01942 206446 

Ropewalks Hotel, 42 Seel Street, Liverpool L1 4BE 



Wedding Fayre 

Sunday 22nd Spetember 2024 

Sunday 9th February 2025 


• FREE PARKING • FREE ENTRY 

• FREE COUNTY BRIDES MAGAZINE • CATWALK 

12.00pm – 4.00pm 



Tel: 01942 206446 

Your Wedding Your Way at the award winning Last Drop Village Hotel & Spa. 

Whether you are planning a micro wedding with close friends and family or a 

extravagant wedding celebration, we are here to create a perfect and memorable 

day for you. One of the leading wedding venues in the North West, located on 

the edge of the beautiful West Pennine Moors, we are surrounded by manicured 

grounds and have a choice of elegant wedding suites to create your dream wedding. 

Last Drop Village, Bromley Cross, Bolton, Greater Manchester BL7 9PZ 


All the best for 

your big day 

Our Honeymoon Gift Registry service lets your guests give you the most 

memorable gift of all – the perfect honeymoon you’ve always dreamed of. 

No duplicate toasters. No lifetime supply of kettles. Our Honeymoon Gift Registry service helps 

you enjoy the ultimate in honeymoon luxury by allowing your guests to contribute towards your 

dream honeymoon... including those fine details and finishing touches like private transfers, VIP 

airport lounge passes and once in a lifetime excursions. 

Whether you’ve set your heart on a luxurious retreat to postcard-perfect faraway shores, a 

romantic city break or the ultimate adventure trip, the Gift Registry will help make it happen. 

Another option available with this unique service is a beautiful keepsake pack which includes cards 

specially designed to send to your guests, telling them how they can give towards your dream 

honeymoon via your own personal webpage. 

All we ask for is a small commitment fee which will simply be deducted from the cost of your 

honeymoon when it’s booked. 

Claire Young 

T R A VEL C OUNSE L L O R 

0161 297 0508 

honeymoons.cy@travelcounsellors.com 

travelcounsellors.co.uk/claire.young 


Win £1000 

T O W ARD S Y OUR D R E AM HONE Y M OON 

Answer this question to win: 

Which of these animals does not 

make up the Big-5? 

1 ) LION 

2) GIRAFFE 

3 ) RHINO 

Enter by email or at your nearest 

County Brides wedding fayre T&Cs 

apply, visit www.countybrides.com/ 

competitions for details 



Where to go when 

Jan 

C ARIBBEAN 

It’s dry season in the Caribbean, and 

its extremely popular, so book early 

Feb 

MALD IVES 

Leave the winter blues behind with a 

honeymoon in the Maldives 

Mar 

M EXICO 

There’s guaranteed sunshine in 

Mexico this time of year 

Apr 

H A W AII 

The sweet spot for Hawaii a warm 

climate but fewer crowds 

May 

SEY C HELLES 

Experience the Seychelles 

spectacular shores in May 

Jun 

M ALAY SIAN 

Get a taste of the exotic with a 

Malaysian honeymoon 

Jul 

SOUT H AFRIC A 

The perfect time to view big game in 

South Africa 

Aug 

BALI 

When it comes to long haul luxury, 

Bali is hard to beat 

Sep 

I T A LY 

The prime time for weddings or 

honeymoons in Italy 

Oct 

SOUT H AFRIC A 

Honeymoon with the backdrop of 

South Africa’s natural wonders 

Nov 

DUBAI 

For year-round sunshine, opt for 

Dubai 

Dec 

M A URITIUS 

Escape the Winter blues on Mauritius 

pristine beaches 


Honeymoons 

What if you could say ‘I do’ to technicolour sunsets and roaming 

wildlife at dawn. Allow me to introduce you to the safari-moon. 

Whether it’s a close encounter 

with a lion, leopard or cheetah, or 

feeling the vibrations as a heard 

of elephants dashes across rough 

terrain – it’s these sort of tense 

moments that make a safari-moon 

stand out from other honeymoons. 

Taking you off the beaten track 

for a wildly romantic experience, a 

safari-moon gives you the combined 

experience of contemporary cultures, 

vibrant traditions, dense rainforest and 

vast savannahs. And, when you are done 

with all that adventure you can relax, 

recharge and reconnect on one of those 

idyllic beaches you have dreamed about. 

There’s a lot to consider for this style of 

trip, and taking a walk on the wild side 

for your first adventure as newlyweds 

might seem a bit daunting. So, here 

are my top tips and go to safarimoon 

options to get you started. 

WHERE TO START 

Planning is key – and you should 

start by asking yourself what you are 

looking for from the experience, and 

most importantly – how you want to 

feel. Does the majesty of the classic 

Big-5 East African Safari call to you? 

Or maybe you dream about seeing 

The Great Migration in all its glory. 

As well as the game viewing you want to 

see you will also need think about where 

you stay whilst on safari. Choosing 

between a safari on a private game 

reserve or one of the amazing National 

Park areas, will ultimately dictate the 

content and how far off road you 

can go when on your game drives. 

BEST TIME TO TRAVEL 

Given the sheer expanse of the 

country the best time to travel will vary 

depending on which country you choose 

for your safari. If you are opting for a 

multi-entre honeymoon then you will 

also need to consider the climate in your 

second destination too. This is where 

you will need an expert hand to guide 

you through the options available. 

WHERE TO GO 

From South Africa, Botswana, Tanzania, 

Kenya, Zambia and Namibia, to name 

a few – Africa is a vast country with 

plenty of opportunity to tick way more 

than one destination or experience off 

your bucket-list. Twinning perfectly 

with other areas of South Africa, such 

as Cape Town, Johannesburg, The 

Garden Route. As well as dreamy beach 

destinations such as Maldives, Mauritius, 

Seychelles this is the perfect multicentre 

honeymoon. Add in the fantastic 

routes offered by several airlines via 

the middle-eastern cities of Dubai, Abu 

Dhabi and Doha you can add in a short 

stop to get your culture vulture fix too! 


Three ways to Safari-moon 

There are a huge array of options available for safari-moon’s which makes it hard to 

choose, but I have managed to pick out three great options to whet your appetite. 

■The fuss-free safarimoon 

experience – 

1. 

South Africa & Mauritius 

If you are looking to get loved up and 

on the baby-train as soon as possible 

then this is the safari-moon for you. 

Start your safari-moon with a 3 

nights stay at Welgevonden Game 

Reserve, one of the most accessible 

premier, malaria free, big-five game 

reserves in South Africa. Located in the 

Waterberg District, a short distance 

from Johannesburg. Here you can 

experience a guided safari or specialised 

bush walks. Home to more than 65 

mammal species including the bigfive. 

Add to that the rare and unusual 

species of Cheetah, brown hyena, 

caracal, aardwolf and aardvark. As 

well as over 300 species of bird life. 

Choose between each of the 29 

individual lodges that are dotted 

around this amazing reserve. From 

the beautiful Clifftop Safari Hideaway 

with just 8 lodges overlooking the 

flowing Serkstroom River. To the 

Makweti Safari Lodge – catering 

to no more than 10 guests - where 

wildlife visit freely to the waterhole 

just 80 yards from the open lounge. 

And, when you are done with all 

the adventure, you will overnight 

in Johannesburg, before catching 

your onward flight to continue your 

honeymoon on the pristine beaches 

of Mauritius. Staying a further 9 nights 

you can choose to explore the islands 

vibrant townships of Grand Baie, visit 

the capital of Port Louis. Marvel at the 

coloured earth of Chamarel or take a 

tour of Pamplemousses Gardens. And 

if you don’t want to do anything other 

than soak up the sun at the beach or 

by the pool, you can do that too! 

■Out of Africa safari-moon 

2. 

experience – Botswana 

Safari & Seychelles Beach 

On arrival you will be taken to your light 

aircraft, which will fly you into the Savuti 

area of Chobe National Park, famed for 

its predator and elephant population. 

Onto the Okavango Delta, a wetland in 

the middle of the desert creating a home 

to huge diversity of wildlife. Experiences 

here are by river boat, canoe or on foot. 

Your next stop is Moremi Game Reserve 

with its wide variety of wildlife, seen 

by river boat or 4x4 vehicles. This is 

the first African game reserve that was 

established by the local people, and 

finally onwards to end your stay in the 

Seychelles. Over 115 islands make up 

this fascinating string of islands, with 

only 16 of them inhabited. The perfect 


Photos by Claire Young Travel Counsellor.

end to your honeymoon surrounded by 

pristine beaches and turquoise waters. 

■The ULTIMATE sleep under 

3. 

the stars safari-moon – 

Kenya, 8 day luxury air safari 

This is the ultimate A-List experience. 

After landing in Nairobi, fast-tracked 

through the international airport, you will 

be driven to your hotel for an overnight 

stay. After breakfast, and a briefing you 

will drive to meet your aircraft and be 

flown into Meru National Park. Famed in 

the 60’s after Joy Adamson’s best-selling 

book Born Free, followed in 1966 by the 

feature film of the same name. With only 

two lodges, you could be forgiven for 

thinking you have the place to yourself. 

After a 2-night stay, driving out to the 

airstrip, you fly to Loisaba Conservancy, 

your home for the next two nights. 

Home to Big-5 game viewing as well as 

other endangered species, from open 

plains to river valleys and rich forests. 

If you are looking for the WOW factor 

then Loisaba will truly deliver with their 

one of a kind star beds. Once wheeled 

outside onto your deck, you might 

just find yourself too excited to sleep. 

From the array of stars in the night 

sky above to the sounds of the bush 

all around you. After your stay, back 

to the airstrip you go for another sky 

safari flight onwards to Masai Mara. 

Another 2-night stay will have you 

within the vast plains of the Masai Mara. 

Between July and November over 

1.3 million zebra and wilder beast will 

cross from the Serengeti into Masai 

Mara. It’s a sight to behold and no 

wonder that it is classed as one of the 

seven wonders of the world. But even if 

you are not travelling at this time, there is 

still some of the most amazing sights to 

see from the lions, leopards and hyenas 

to buffalo, elephant and giraffe. Game 

drives to bush walks, this is a wonderous 

last stop on an breathtaking itinerary. 

Still not sure if 

a safari-moon 

is for you? 

Get in touch today for an 

informal chat about your 

honeymoon plans. Whatever 

style of honeymoon you 

choose, I am perfectly 

placed to offer expert 

advice and guidance. 

With almost 30 years 

industry experience and 

offering a 360-degree 

service from the very early 

planning stages, I’ll make 

your honeymoon one less 

thing to worry about. 

Visiting a County 

Brides event this 

year, drop me an 

email to pre-book 

an appointment for 

a friendly informal 

chat on the day. 

County COUNTY Brides BRIDES 2024/25 2023/24 87 87

Need to know – Here’s a quick 

guide to some of things I am 

frequently asked or that like to 

tell my couples when we are 

planning their safari-moons. 

WHAT IS THE BIG-5? 

A term originally coined in the 

19th century and attributed to 

Lion, Leopard, Rhino, Elephants 

and African Buffalo – these were 

considered the most dangerous 

creatures to hunt on foot in Africa. 

WHAT IS THE GREAT MIGRATION? 

A spectacular annual cycle from place to 

place, your safari can be tailored to give 

you the best game viewing over the four 

seasons; The Calving Season | The Trek 

North | River Crossings | Calving Begins 

HOW MANY GAME DRIVES 

DO YOU GET ON A SAFARI? 

Typically you will have at least 2 

game drives a day. One will be early 

morning leaving at around 5/6am 

and then you will return to the lodge 

for breakfast and to spend the day 

relaxing. There is another game drive 

that is usually late afternoon before 

dinner. But this can vary depending 

on the location you choose to safari. 

DO I NEED ANY VACCINATIONS? 

Every couple is different, and depending 

where you are in your life plan, some 

destinations may not suit you from a 

health and wellness perspective. I have 

had lots of funny looks when I meet a 

happy couple and my first set of 

questions all revolve around whether 

they already have a family, do they want 

a family and how quickly they want to 

start trying for a baby. But these are all 

important questions that can often be 

overlooked and it’s important that 

couples understand the risks in relation 

to Zika Virus and Malaria among others 

when they are choosing their 

honeymoon destination. Failure to 

understand these can mean having to 

delay stating a family. Luckily there are 

some destinations that offer a fuss-free 

option so you don’t have to compromise 

on your dream honeymoon. 

WHAT ARE THE AVERAGE COSTS 

FOR A SAFARI-MOON? 

Costs can vary massively for a 

safari-moon. They could start from 

as little as £3750 per person and be 

as high as almost £12k per person. 

Since every couple is different the 

costs will depend on the choice of 

destination, accommodation, modes 

of transport and how private you 

wish your safari experience to be. 

WHAT SHOULD I PACK? 

Packing for a safari is daunting for 

most people as you can never be 

too sure what to expect. You might 

be surprised to know that game 

drives in the early hours of the 

morning can be cold and you may 

need a hat, scarf and gloves. You 

will want to make sure that you have 

a decent camera as mobile phones 

are frowned upon on game drives. 

Packing needs will also vary depending 

on your location and the time of year 

that you are travelling. It’s essential 

you have everything you need as you 

can’t just nip out to the shops, but 

you don’t want to go overboard either 

as internal flights can be operated 

on smaller aircraft with limited pace 

for luggage. Every couple I work 

with gets a full packing list in good 

time so that they are well 

prepared in advance. 


Photos by Claire Young Travel Counsellor.

Short Haul Africa - 

Morrocco 

If you don’t want to go too far for your 

post wedding break, then the North 

African coast is perfect. In particular 

Morocco. A vibrant destination, made 

up of awe-inspiring landscapes and 

Sahara sands, you can bask in sunshine 

here for over 300 days a year. Agadir on 

the coast as an almost Mediterranean 

climate, whilst Marrakech is landlocked 

with no coast, the hotels here range 

from hidden gems within the bustling 

souks to larger resort style hotels 

with all-inclusive offerings. One thing 

is for sure, there is no shortage of 

unique culture and sightseeing fixes. 

There are luxury hotels in abundance 

but the Riu Palace Tikida Taghazout 

is nestled on the beach enjoying 

captivating views of the Atlantic Ocean. 

And if round the clock attention is 

your thing, the 24-hour all-inclusive 

offering ensures that you are never 

left wanting at any hour of the day. 

Pairing eye catching design with 

top-class amenities, you will be 

spoilt for choice with access to 

seven outdoor pools, including 2 

infinity pools or cool off on one of 

the terraces with a cocktail in hand. 

Perfect for those who don’t want 

to stray too far, just a 4 hour flight 

from the UK, you can easily stay 

for 3, 4 or 7 nights – making it the 

perfect mini-moon destination. 

When it comes to tantalizing your 

tastebuds, you will not be disappointed. 

Choose between the main buffet 

restaurant or one of the amazing 

alternatives, ranging from fusion to 

Moroccan and the steakhouse. Looking 

to wet your whistle? The bars number 

the same as pools here at seven 

in total and include a swim up bar, 

beach bar and more – which means 

drinks or snacks are never far away. 

Get in touch for an informal 

chat and a personalised 

quotation based your preferences. 

And, if you are a couple who will 

struggle for childcare to get away, then 

its an ideal choice. Short flights and 

transfers added to the hotels amazing 

kids facilities and menu’s makes it a 

great option for a family-moon. 

With prices from £934pp* for a 

7 night stay on All-Inclusive, what 

are you waiting for - get in touch for 

an informal chat and a personalised 

quotation based your preferences. 

*Pricing subject to change and 

availability – based on departure of 

31.10.2024, includes flights, standard 

coach transfer and hotel stay. 

honeymoons.cy@travelcounsellors.com 

County COUNTY Brides BRIDES 2024/25 2023/24 89 89

Marriages Abroad 

Marriages Abroad It is becoming increasingly popular for couples to get married 

abroad, particularly if they want to increase the chance of fine weather on their 

wedding day. 

If you want to get married abroad, 

your first step should be contacting 

the appropriate embassy in the 

UK for the country you want to get 

married in. The embassy will be able 

to give you up to date information 

and advice on the formalities that 

you will need to observe and the 

documentation that you will have 

to provide to make sure that your 

marriage is legal. Each country has 

its own rules and regulations so your 

local register office is not the best 

place to seek advice on this. 

We would advise that you purchase 

at least two marriage certificates on 

your wedding day if you get married 

abroad so that you can store them 

separately when travelling home. (If 

you lose the certificate you won’t be 

able to just pop to the register office 

to get another one!). 

You will also need to get a translation 

of the marriage certificate if it is 

written in a foreign language, in 

case you need to provide it for any 

purpose once you are back in the UK. 

If there are lots of family and friends 

who could not join you at your 

wedding abroad why not celebrate 

with a ‘Renewal of Vows’ service 

when you get back home? You can 

arrange this to be just like a second 

wedding ceremony if you wish, 

(although it is purely celebratory) and 

because it does not have any legal 

element to it, it can be held at a venue 

that is not licensed for marriage 

ceremonies. Check with your local 

register office to see if they offer 

these sorts of ceremonies. 

The day can be as simple or elaborate 

as you wish, with a wider choice 

of venues, and you could use the 

occasion to do something less formal 

as there is no legal wording required. 

The choice is yours! 

For example you could: 

• Wear your beautiful outfits again 

• Be walked up the aisle with a relative or friend 

• Have more contemporary music 

• Say special words/promises vows to 

each other 

• Include your children with special 

words and promises 

• Show footage of your other wedding 

ceremony to family and friends 

• Include readings 

• Sign a commemorative certificate 

for photographs 

Please check the government website 

www.gov.uk/guidance/red-amber-and-green-list-rules-for-entering-england 

for any travel restrictions. 


COUNTY County BRIDES Brides 2024/25 2023/24 91

Countdown Guide 

Do it Now... Announce your Engagement! 

Set the date but bear in mind that some venues are booked 

years in advance so consider times outside the wedding season 

(May to September) or a day other than a Saturday. 

Decide on a civil or religious ceremony; if you 

want to include any religious element in the service this may 

restrict your choice of venue, so make sure to ask about any 

restrictions before committing. 

Set a budget; discuss your guest numbers and priorities for 

the day, taking account of who will be footing the bill of course! 

Contact potential venues to check prices, availability 

and whether they can accommodate your number of guests 

then draw up a shortlist to visit. Check any terms and 

conditions concerning minimum numbers, deposits and 

cancellation policy carefully before making any bookings for 

the service and/or evening reception. 

A step by step 

guide for your 

wedding day 


Consider using a wedding 

planner or an App to keep track of 

your plans, suppliers’ details, payment 

schedules and appointments. 

Send out ‘save the date’ cards 

if your wedding is more than a year away. 

Set up a ‘wedding fund’ or 

dedicated account for savings/expenses 

and arrange wedding insurance. 

Select the bridal party; best man, 

bridesmaids, ushers and tell them the good 

news! Then arrange to go to some bridal 

fairs and look at magazines for inspiration. 

6-12 months to go 

Arrange to meet your registrar. 

If you are having a civil ceremony, 

book the registrar and reconfirm your 

booking with your venue. 

For marquee weddings at home, 

you will need a Temporary Event Notice 

if you are having a pay bar, or any music 

and dancing your caterer or bar provider 

may be able to apply for this on your 

behalf. You will also need to think about 

power, water, toilet facilities and rubbish 

disposal so ask if the marquee company 

can provide these services. 

Choose your main suppliers 

including photographers, videographers, 

wedding cars and any additional 

transport, look at wedding stationery 

and arrange menu tastings with caterers 

and cake companies, asking about lead 

times for orders and confirmations with 

anyone you are considering using. 

Try on some wedding dresses, 

remember that a dress may take six 

months to arrive at the bridal shop and 

may need minor alterations. Look at 

bridesmaids dresses too. 

Meet with your florist to discuss 

colours and styles for arrangements. 

Book your reception or ceremony 

entertainment and try and see them 

perform live so you make sure they are 

right for your event. 


If you have not done so already 

and you are not getting married in a C 

of E church, give notice of the marriage 

to the superintendent registrar at your 

local registry office. 

Confirm your readings and choice of 

music for the ceremony with your minister 

or registrar, remembering if it is a civil 

ceremony there can be no religious content. 

The groom should arrange suit 

hire for himself, his groomsmen and the 

wedding party. 

Order your wedding cake if you 

have not already done so and enquire 

about a stand which you may need to 

hire separately if your venue cannot 

provide something suitable. 

Select your wedding rings. 

Check all the wording on the 

invitations with your stationery supplier. 

Register a gift list so you can 

include the details with invitations along 

with any other guest information such 

as directions, accommodation details, 

menu choices and so on. 

Finalise your guest list, taking into 

consideration the numbers allowed at 

your venue. 

Select or start to make your wedding 

favours and book any other venue 

dressings or hired equipment required. 

Attend your first dress fitting 

with your shoes, accessories and lingerie 

and order bridesmaids dresses if not 

already done so. 

Select a hair and make-up 

artist, decide who will be having their 

hair and make-up done. 

Book a toastmaster, if required. 

The best bit... plan and book your 

honeymoon! 


Send out your invitations, and 

guest information. Date RSVP’s at least 

one week before you need the final 

numbers for your venue or caterer to 

allow you time to chase any late replies. 

Confirm your booking if marrying in 

a registry office and check the fees payable. 

Meet your minister or celebrant 

to arrange a rehearsal date if needed; 

finalise your Order of Service and have 

it printed. 

Finalise plans for your 

honeymoon, including visas, jabs, 

travel insurance and passports. If you 

require any jabs for the honeymoon 

have those as soon as possible. 

Buy a guest book or organise an 

alternative idea. Plan your hen and 

stag parties. Buy gifts for the 

bridal party and decide how they will be 

presented; as part of the groom’s speech, 

placed at their table or before the big day. 


Follow up any unanswered 

invitations. 

Finalise your seating plan. 

Give the final numbers and dietary 

requirements to your caterer/venue. 

Arrange the final meetings with 

your venue, caterer, florist, cake maker 

and photographer to ensure that no 

details are overlooked, and all suppliers 

have the information that they need. 

Arrange your hair and make-up 

trial, remembering to wear a neckline 

and colour like your dress. 

Arrange final fittings for your dress 

and the bridesmaids. 

Hold your stag and hen parties. 

2 week to go 

Write out your place cards or 

send them to be printed. 

Give the seating details to the 

stationer making your table plan or 

create your own. 

Gather all the items that will need to 

be taken to the venue. 

Confirm your honeymoon details. 

Ensure you have everything 

you need for the honeymoon, such as 

travellers’ cheques, toiletries, clothes, 

and so on. 

Arrange to pick up your wedding 

outfits. 

1 week to go 

Confirm again final numbers to 

your caterer or venue. 

Pick up outfits and all 

accessories for the wedding party to 

try on and allocate the job of returning 

everything after the wedding to 

someone you trust. 

Wear-in your wedding shoes. 

Collect your rings. Pack for your 

honeymoon. 

The day before 

If necessary, help to decorate 

the venue. 

Have a manicure and pedicure. 

Deliver all the table décor items 

to the venue. 

Try to have a relaxing evening 

and an early night. 


Mr. & Mrs. 

Hamilton 

Married 7th April 2024 

d 

Michael and I first met 5 years ago on the shores of the Costa Blanca. 

Each on holiday with our own friends, we immediately became inseparable. 

Whilst most were juggling the stress of the pandemic, the lockdown gave our blended 

family the time it needed to thrive. 


Now, when I first laid eyes on Michael, I couldn't help but 

notice his cheeky, fun-loving spirit, his striking blue eyes 

and well, those massive arms and shoulders. Michael, on 

the other hand, said he was immediately smitten. After 

just 10 minutes together, Michael had a gut feeling and said 

that I was the only one for him. Our friends, witnesses to 

this spontaneous match, were quick to chime in, affirming 

that this impulsive pairing embodied the very essence 

of love. Drawn to each other like magnets, we spent 

every waking moment together during that holiday. 

Fast forward to 2021 and our baby son, Louie made his 

grand entrance, completing our family and solidifying our 

commitment to a lifetime together. And so it was only a 

matter of time before Michael started planning the perfect 

proposal. One evening, Me, Michael, Louie, Mikey, Aaliyah, 

Poppy, Daisy, Yasmine, and our mums, gathered for a family 

dinner for my birthday in a local restaurant. Little did I know, 

Michael was secretly concealing the engagement ring in his 

pocket, waiting for an opportune moment to propose. As 

dessert arrived, Michael knew this was it! Mustering up all his 

courage, he casually placed the engagement ring on my plate. 

No elaborate speeches, no getting down on one knee, just a 

sweet and simple gesture that spoke volumes. Now, I knew 

Michael was everything I’d ever wanted in a partner, and so, 

of course, I said yes, sealing our destiny in that moment! 

going through our never-ending check lists. Ryan even 

came to my rescue on the day with an umbrella to shield 

me from the unexpected drizzle on my way around. 

"A moment to ourselves" 

After the ceremony, we were whisked away in a prestige car 

to have a moment to ourselves with Ryan the photographer 

to make a toast and take the city in. When we returned, we 

were met again on the rooftop by Ryan the wedding 

coordinator, who took us to our guests who were already 

Bentley Wedding Fayre 

In July 2023, we decided it was time to plan our elopement. 

With a blended family of eight, we booked a home away 

from home and started to make our plans. In January 

2024, Michael looked at me over dinner one night and 

asked me why we were eloping when he preferred to show 

me off to his friends and family. With that, we decided 

to stay in Liverpool. We went straight to the Bentley 

wedding fayre with only our date for the ceremony in 

hand. We love a good party and the set up was perfect. 

We went with our gut and booked it all up on that day. 

The layout is brilliant, with the Cunard Room offering the 

most atmospheric view of the liver birds, perfect for the 

speeches and wedding breakfast, and even more beautiful 

in the golden hour when the sun began to go down as the 

evening guests arrived. The rooms were so flexible, the 

middle room held our mementos, time capsules and sand 

poured from the ceremony, cocktails, and snacks for the 

grazers. Once we saw The Port of Liverpool room where the 

party would happen, we were sold! The stage was calling 

to be partied on and the planning went into action fast. 

" We made the best choices 

without losing any sleep" 

Ryan and the team, Sophia, and a meeting with the chef, 

gave us the confidence we needed and the patience and 

commitment to put together our wedding on such a fast scale. 

I loved how Ryan had genuine tried and tested vendors who 

were familiar with the venue and that meant we made the 

best choices without losing any sleep. We felt like we were 

dealing with close friends and that’s exactly how it should be. 

The build up to the day was stressful as expected, but 

Ryan and the team were always at the end of the phone 


seated enjoying their drinks and music, waiting for us to 

arrive. We chose to have relaxed photography throughout the 

day, and it worked so well. Everyone could get into the fun 

and relax. 

“ The Hamilton Rap” 

As everyone went to sit down and eat, we held back for a 

moment before we made our grand entrance. We spent 

the next half hour listening to the best part of the day, the 

speeches. My dad, Stephen, the best man, Marc, Michael, 

and then the cream on the crop, our teenage daughters 

Yasmine and Daisy who surprised us with “The Hamilton 

Rap” which they wrote, rehearsed and performed themselves! 

We bawled in laugher and cheers and then sat down for our 

wedding breakfast in top spirits. Gary sang us through to 

the evening and before we knew it, it was time to head to 

The Port of Liverpool room as our evening guests arrived for 

cocktails. We were welcomed with the cutting of the cake, 

and everyone was up and dancing. We kept another surprise 

for our guests and after a quick outfit change, we kicked off 

a massive party with Après music, the beautiful DJ Kayla 

Lou, Beats by Tom on the bongo, disco ball head dances, 

and Jonny Crane on the Sax, who started us off with the 

iconic ‘Save Me’ which just gave everyone goosebumps!! 

At 2 a. m., my husband and I were the last ones standing 

with a handful of our friends. It was all perfect from beginning 

to end, we just didn’t want it to finish. All the tiny issues we 

faced on the day were smoothed out straight away without us 

even noticing. I genuinely felt sad the morning after knowing 

our meetings back and forth and chats over our vision were 

now done. Loads of our guests expressed how amazing their 

day and night was and how it was a wedding they’ll never 

forget. It’s not hard to see how The Bentley won the title of 

Best Venue Merseyside in the North West Wedding Awards 

after what they did for us. Well deserved. Thank you. 


DJ APRES: Kayla Lou 

www.apresmusic.com 

HOST AND SINGER: Gary Barker 

www.facebook.com/gary.barker.167 

PHOTOGRAPHER: Roll and Stop Wedding Shop 

d 

www.rollandstop.co.uk 

VENUE: The Bentley 

www.bentleyliverpool.co.uk 


Say “ I DO “ at the Bentley 

Liverpool where elegance meets 

breathtaking views 

• Stunning views during ceremony of the iconic three graces 

• Bespoke wedding packages tailored to your dreams 

• Exquisite catering and dressing 

Call Us 07756 264706 

Enquire via enquiries@thebentley.co 


50 Brunswick Street, Liverpool, L2 0PL 


Mr. & Mrs. 

Fox 

Married 13th May 2023 

w 

The wedding venue, Hilltop Country House in Cheshire, is situated in 

15 acres of formal gardens, fields and woodland and is exclusively 

yours for your special day. 


Award-winning Service 

Discover a 17-century country house, marquee, four civil 

ceremony areas, fabulous indoor and outdoor bars and even 

their very own nightclub. They are also award-winning for 

their dedicated and caring service to all Hilltop couples. As 

you enter through their tree-lined drive, you are surrounded 

by wooded areas filled with trees and flowers for all seasons. 

So, when you’re thinking of your wedding theme, why not 

bring the outdoors in with a woodland wedding theme. 

Nadine and Adam married at Hilltop Country House on a 

sunny Saturday in May. The moment their eyes set upon 

Hilltop Country House, two people who had never envisaged 

getting married, knew they had found their dream venue. 

The only decision that Nadine and Adam had made instantly 

about the wedding was that there was to be a woodland 

theme to tie in with their married name, Fox, and Hilltop 

Country House was the perfect place to bring their ideas 

to life. 

“ Hilltop ticked every box, and more” 

To help Nadine and Adam bring the beautiful woodland into 

Hilltop Country House, they recruited wedding stylist Amy 

from Ink & Alder who really made their visions into a 

seamless reality. They used lots of forest green, assorted 

wood with brass and white accents and obviously, a sneaky 

fox had to appear here and there. They opted for dark 

wooden straight tables for a more rustic outdoor feel and 

made a statement out of the wedding cake with a framed 

backdrop and hanging neon sign. 

Nadine spent a long morning getting ready with her 

bridesmaids and pink champagne of course, whilst Adam and 

his groomsmen enjoyed the morning in the local village with 

a beer in hand. 

“ We had a sun-drenched 

ceremony on the terrace which 

went without a single hitch, 

thanks to the Hilltop team” 

Their colour scheme was gorgeous greens and whites. Nadine 

in an elegant dress, her bridesmaids in sage green and Adam 

and all his boys in classic tuxedos. 

Following their personal wedding ceremony, conducted 

by celebrant Emma Parker, Nadine and Adam’s outdoor 

wedding reception was filled with beers, Pimm’s and canapés! 

For their wedding breakfast menu, they chose smoked 

haddock fishcakes with sweet chilli followed by garlic, lemon 

and thyme roasted chicken and a milk chocolate and 

honeycomb truffle torte for dessert. 


Planned Suprise 

Adam planned a surprise for Nadine on the day with 

Amy from Ink and Alder, creating a customised leather 

jacket which was cleverly hidden in the bridal suite for 

Nadine to wear in the evening and to be a keepsake. 

Just before Nadine, Adam and all their guests spent 

the evening celebrating, they took a moment to 

get some amazing group shots with flares. 

Nadine has truly caught the ‘wedding bug’. With the 

magic of Hilltop Country House as inspiration and her 

newly formed friendship with Amy, she is now part 

of the team at Ink & Alder as a stylist, helping other 

brides and grooms bring the vision for their perfect 

day to reality. Hilltop Country House are super excited 

that they’ll be seeing Nadine often and cannot wait to 

work on many more weddings with her and Amy. 

“ Whatever the weather, the warmest of 

welcomes is always provided to past and 

future couples at Hilltop and I can’t wait to 

be back at Cheshire’s most beautiful venue 

now as a supplier, instead of a bride but 

still with champagne to hand in the garden.” 


CELEBRANT: Emma Parker 

www.facebook.com/ecpcelebrant 

FLOWERS: A New Leaf Wedding Flowers 

www.anewleafflowers.co.uk 

MAKEUP: Cheshire Makeup Co 

www.cheshiremakeupco.co.uk 

PHOTOGRAPHER: Imogen Wastell 

www.imogenwastellphotography.com 

VENUE: Hilltop Country House 

www.yourhilltopwedding.com 

VENUE STYLIST: Ink & Alder 

www.inkandalder.co.uk 

w 


Located in Prestbury in the Cheshire countryside, 

discover Hilltop Country House. A charming 17th century 

house with accommodation, surrounded by formal 

gardens with flowers for all seasons. 

Hilltop’s location offers complete privacy. The venue bursts 

with character and has all the classical features to make 

you fall in love. Breathtaking views through every window 

and with every corner you turn, the fabulous gardens 

can be admired wherever you may be. 

Hilltop has four magnificent ceremony areas to suit all 

weddings. Indoor ceremonies are held in the garden room 

or marquee. Choose the terrace or top lawn for 

your outdoor ceremony. 

The marquee with magical lighting and glass bifold 

windows and doors presents a blank canvas for your special 

wedding style. Their dedicated wedding coordinators, 

in-house chef and bar manager will take care of you 

throughout the entire planning process. Hilltop offers a 

unique outdoor chillout area with garden games and an 

outdoor bar with a wood-fired pizza oven and BBQ. 

Hilltop’s has its very own nightclub and our in-house 

DJ who will create a bespoke playlist. 

Start your Hilltop Journey... 

enquiries@hilltop-countryhouse.com 

yourhilltopwedding.com 


GET MARRIED IN 2025 

FROM JUST £3025 FOR 50 GUESTS! 

Say “I do” at our multi award winning 

16th century oak barn in the heart 

of rural Cheshire. 

01260 280207 

weddings@theploughinncheshire.com 

www.theploughinncheshire.com 

A wedding venue 1000 years in the making – just waiting for you to make 

it your own...bring friends and family together for a timeless celebration. 

Eat, drink, love – celebrate your way. 

An ancient, fairytale tower set high above a gentle river and approached by 

majestic parklands; Michelin-starred food accompanied by award-winning 

wine; rooms quite literally fit for a Queen; a Grade II listed Wedding 

Barn named Cumbria’s Wedding Venue of the Year 2022, all set in acres of 

lovingly cared for ornamental gardens; and of course – love – loads of it. 

Welcome to your wedding at Askham Hall 

www.askhamhall.co.uk 

01931 712350 | weddings@askhamhall.co.uk 

Magical Winter wedding package 

Special package offer for 50 day and 80 evening guests to include: 

• Civil ceremony room hire 

• Hotel’s white aisle carpet 

• Prosecco drinks reception 

• 3-course wedding breakfast 

with tea and coffee 

• Half bottle of house wine per guest with meal 

• Glass of prosecco for the toast 

• Chiavari chairs 

• Hotel’s mirror plates and tealights 

for table centres 

• Evening winter buffet 

• Music from the hotel’s DJ 

• Dancefloor and star cloth 

• Suite for the night of the wedding for 

the newly weds including breakfast 

• Dedicated wedding manager and services 

of an informal toast master 

• Wedding tasting for two 

• Discounted accommodation rates 

for your guests 

Magical Winter package 2024 £6000 I 2025 £6250 I 2026 £6500 

Available from November to March. 

Additional day guests at £85. Additional evening guests at £25. 

Prices subject to yearly increase. 

For more information, please contact our dedicated wedding manager 

on 01565 622132 or events@cottonshotel.co.uk 

Cottons Hotel & Spa, Manchester Road, Knutsford, Cheshire WA16 0SU 

01565 650333 | cottonshotel.co.uk | danielthwaites.co.uk 


Mr. & Mrs. 

Gleave 

Married 5th August 2023 

x 

After being together for eight years, in November 2021 on our anniversary, Nick finally popped 

the question and we didn’t waste any time looking at venues and planning our dream wedding. 

We looked at so many stunning venues in and around the Cheshire area, but for me there 

was always something missing until we came across Mere court. 


The Lodge 

Mere Court, Cheshire 

We wanted a venue that could not only be ours for the day 

but also for the weekend and somewhere for us to always 

be able to come back to for special occasions and bring our 

children. We visited the venue on an open evening in January 

and fell in love with everything about it and knew it was 

‘the one.’ We pencilled in a date with them there and then 

and we had everything booked within a week of viewing. 

The night before our wedding we had thirty five guests 

staying at the hotel, so we planned a sit-down meal in 

the stunning “Arboreum.” Some of our family had come 

a long way, so having a catch up with them all the night 

before was ideal! We started off with drinks before the 

food, everyone loved it and it really set the tone for the 

weekend ahead. The food and the staff were amazing 

and the whole place just felt like ours the whole time we 

were there. Having the venue the night before meant Nick 

could sneak off with his groomsman for a drink and I 

headed off with the bridesmaids to give them their gifts. 

Nick stayed in the main hotel with his groomsmen while 

myself and my bridesmaids stayed in the lodge, which is 

a lovely cottage at the entrance of the venue. The lodge 

was perfect for the night before and to get ready in for the 

morning of the wedding. I had 8 bridesmaids in total, and 

when our makeup and hair girls arrived, they both had 

more than enough room to get us ready even with memory 

box films and our photographer there too. It never once 

felt cramped even though there was so many of us! The 

wedding morning was one of my favourite parts, we popped 

open the Prosecco and got the music on which really 

settled my nerves for the day ahead. Shortly after getting 

our hair and makeup done we headed straight over to the 

bridal suite for some more photos. The bridal suite is so 

beautiful I felt we had to get some photos in there, which 

the wedding coordinator organised for me, ensuring Nick 

and I didn't cross paths. It was the most perfect morning! 

"Alot of young children" 

Nick and I have lots of family and friends with a lot of young 

children who were attending, but we love a party and the 

whole layout of Mere Court was perfect for what we wanted. 

At first we did have our hearts set on an outdoor ceremony 

as the grounds are so beautiful, but on the day it rained. 

Luckily the venue had 2 other gorgeous rooms and the 

Manager of the hotel said that that we could choose which 

room we wanted, we chose to get married in ‘the Dunkerley’ 

which was newly refurbished but also had an intimate cosy 

feel. It turned out perfect and we were both so glad it worked 

out how it did. The photos taken of our ceremony are some 

of my favourites from the whole day. 

Which brings me onto Gemma Collins photography. 

When we came across Gemma’s Instagram page, I knew 


without even speaking to her I wanted her to photograph 

our wedding. Her style of photography was everything we 

were looking for, not only did she take the most amazing 

photos, but we also all loved her, she was like our best 

friend for the day and made us all feel so comfortable. 

Once we got our photos back, we were blown away by 

them. I can’t thank Gemma enough for creating photos we 

will treasure forever. To add, Beth and Josh from memory 

box who were in constant communication with each other, 

Josh was with Nick and Beth was with me which meant we 

could capture the most amazing reactions when my two 

sons saw me in my dress for the first time and I got to see 

them in their page boy suits as they had got ready with 

Nick. This is one of Nicks favourite parts of our wedding 

video as he was unable to see their reactions live. 

could start the speeches and then get the party started. 

We had speeches from my two sister in laws, Danielle and 

Megan, Nicks best man, John and from my stepson Kieran. 

They were a perfect mix of humour and emotion. Especially 

when Kieran did his speech, there wasn’t a dry eye in 

the room! 

Some Time Together 

While the room was being turned around for the evening, 

our guests enjoyed the gin terrace for some drinks and 

pictures against the flower wall. I had a quick outfit change 

and Nick and I spent time away from the party drinking 

String Infusion 

After our ceremony we all moved into the bar area for 

our drinks reception. We had an electric duo from ‘string 

infusion’ playing. We both love Bridgerton so the brief I 

gave them was that theme, they really set the party feel for 

the rest of the day ahead! We managed to get outside for 

an hour as the rain held off, which was lovely as we could 

all appreciate the beautiful hotel grounds. The kids loved 

playing around the gardens and it gave us time to get photos. 

We then moved onto our wedding breakfast in the 

conservatory. We love everything about Mere Court, but this 

room is the showstopper of the whole venue for us, it has a 

marquee feel to it with lots of natural light and a stunning 

backdrop of the lake with the fountains. ‘Perfect weddings’ 

also did an amazing job with the décor and really brought 

my vision to life! 

We had string infusion playing again while our guests enjoyed 

their food. Everything about the wedding breakfast was 

perfect, from the food to the speeches it couldn’t have gone 

any smoother. The food was amazing, we had ninety-five sat 

down in total and everything was served efficiently so we 


The staff at Mere Court mentioned as we checked out that 

it was one of the quietest breakfast services the day after a 

wedding they had ever seen, most of us ended up sleeping 

through until check out in part due to the resident’s bar 

staying open late for us. 

A Dream Come True 

The whole weekend was a dream come true, the staff, from 

the moment we booked until the day of our wedding, were 

just amazing, they even made the build-up so special with 

the wine and menu tasting, nothing was too much trouble 

and admittedly, I did have a lot of requests and changes on 

the build-up none of which were a problem! We have had 

so many compliments about our wedding, some guests even 

saying it was the best wedding they had ever been too! 

We can’t thank everyone at Mere Court enough. The day was 

perfect from start to finish and we can’t wait to celebrate our 

first year’s anniversary at the venue. 


CAKE: Zig Zag Cakes 

www.zigzagcakes.co.uk 

ENTERTAINMENT: String Infusion 

www.stringinfusion.com 

the champagne which had kindly been put in the bridal 

suite. It was great to get some time together to reflect on 

the day so far and take it all in as it really does fly by. Our 

evening guests arrived at half seven and we went straight 

onto the cake cutting and first dance. We had a DJ and 

saxophone player who were amazing. The only time the 

dance floor wasn’t full was when the evening buffet was 

served which was delicious and much needed by that point 

for everyone to refuel. We had 120 for the evening party and 

with the room being so spacious, it was perfect for everyone 

to stay up on their feet as we danced the night away. 

PHOTOGRAPHER: Gemma Collins Photography 

www.gemmacollinsphotography.co.uk 

VENUE: Mere Court 

www.merecourt.co.uk 

VENUE STYLIST: Perfect Weddings Altrincham 

www.perfectweds.co.uk 

x 

VIDEOGRAPHER: Memory Box 

www.memoryboxfilms.co.uk 


YOUR CHESHIRE COUNTRY HOUSE HOTEL 

Exclusive use upgrade from £1,500 

CIVIL CEREMONIES FOR UP TO 150 PEOPLE 

OUTDOOR CEREMONIES IN OUR LANDSCAPED GARDENS 

WEDDING RECEPTIONS FOR UP TO 200 PEOPLE 

To find out more about all our stunning venue contact our wedding co-ordinator on... 

weddings@merecourt.co.uk | WWW.MERECOURT.CO.UK 

Warrington Road, Mere, Knutsford, Cheshire WA16 0RW 


County 

Brides 

magazine 

launch 

The sixteenth edition of the 

County Brides magazine is full of 

information, real life wedding inspiration, 

advice, and of course LOCAL wedding 

suppliers and creatives – making it an essential 

publication for all engaged couples in the 

North West! The magazine is available through 

wedding businesses and at an extensive 

network of wedding fayres and shows. 

Every year we hold a launch party, and 

in 2023 it was held at Mere Court, with 

canapés and fizz. It was a huge success. 

County Brides customers picked up the 

new County Brides magazine and chatted 

to other suppliers, taking the opportunity 

to network and catch up on all the new 

ideas and offers that they can pass on to 

future engaged couples for their big day. 

During the evening guests were treated to a 

presentation by Charlotte Smith our resident 

social media guru on new marketing ideas, 

blogging, promotional campaigns, marketing 

strategies and social media engagement; all 

designed to help their businesses to grow and 

be successful. 

Our thanks go to Manchester Disco Company, 

Mere Court, Manhatton Casino, Charlotte Smith 

and Jon Harrison Photography. 


Thousands of 

copies distributed 

across the 

North West 

each year 



Mr. & Mrs. 

Lee 

Married 22nd June 2024 

g 

When Helen and I began dating, she made me promise that I would not propose until 

we had been together for at least three whole years. Once we had celebrated New Years 

on our third year together, she joked that I could now ask. As luck would have it, 

my birthday is the fourth of January, so I waited four whole days to pop the question 

(a handy way to remember one’s engagement!). 


‘upstairs’ and gave us a nudge. I also lost my father when I 

was eighteen so, for our big day, I was similarly able to take 

my father’s wedding ring as my own. Sadly, Helen then lost 

her own father in the year after our engagement, but we 

take solace in knowing that he was able to see her engaged 

and approved of the wedding that would one day come. 

It had taken us some time, however, to reach this point! 

Our plans were delayed, year on year. Helen had to undergo 

two major surgeries, I ended up with cancer and major 

surgery, Helen started her own cake shop business, I changed 

jobs several times, we moved house, and of course there 

was that pesky pandemic, but we got there in the end! 

" The Court of King Arthur" 

As a couple of geeks, we did not want to have a ‘normal’ 

wedding. We both love our science fiction and fantasy, but 

we wanted to keep it tasteful and elegant, so we chose 

to go with a general fantasy/medieval theme. Think ‘The 

Court of King Arthur’ with a dash of ‘Lord of the Rings’. 

We also had family coming from as far afield as Australia, 

New Zealand and Spain, and we wanted to make it a special 

day that everyone would remember as truly unique. 

The Cake 

Given that Helen has her own cake business and I often help 

deliver cakes at weekends, we get to see a wide selection 

of venues, as well as meeting suppliers at different wedding 

fairs. After discussing our favourite options, we settled on 

Alcumlow Wedding Barn. Not only did it fit our theme, with 

a rustic and somewhat fantasy-esque atmosphere, but it was 

a comfortable size for the number of guests we had planned. 

The Planning 

Between other people’s weddings and birthday cakes, Helen 

managed to squeeze in the vast bulk of the wedding planning. 

Amongst the numerous elements, she was able to design 

our wedding invites, table plan and ice cream tokens! 

In addition, we had to visit wedding stylists, where we 

discussed the tasteful decoration that would fit our theme, 

food tastings and dance lessons. 

Mother’s Engagement Ring 

During a meal with friends at a local pub-restaurant, 

I got down on one knee and asked Helen to give 

me her mother’s engagement ring, which she always 

wore on a different finger, and then I was able 

to propose. The rest, as they say, is history. 

Although we have a lot in common, from our love of movies 

and movie soundtracks to gaming and drawing, we also 

bonded over the fact that, in the year before meeting, each 

of us had lost our own mothers. As such, Helen’s engagement 

ring has added meaning. We joke that the two of them met 

"The cake was very ‘us’, 

and totally unique" 

As you know, Helen is a cake maker, we could not leave 

that item to anyone else. However, we did not want to 

spend the entirety of the week prior to the wedding 

simply working on the cake (although we did a fair bit 

anyway!). We planned it out in panels that could be 

created separately and then placed onto the cake when 

it was ready. Each panel represented one of our favourite 

movies, tv shows, or games. We focused more on our 

favourite fantasy movies, given the theme, but there was 

a healthy dose of science fiction and games as well. 


As we are both quite creative and I have aided in sculpting 

many an item for other cakes in the past, we both worked 

to design and sculpt each panel. In the end, it was truly a 

team effort. If you know your eighties fantasy and science 

fiction, you will be able to guess many of the items. 

Ultimately, the cake was very ‘us’, and totally unique. 

Dressing for the Occasion 

After some research and a little trial and error, I was 

able to pull together the elements for my outfit and that 

of my two best men (my best friend and his son). I was 

able to make sure the styles matched, whilst utilising 

brown tones for their outfits, and black for mine, so 

that it stood out. I also had a green cloak and pauldron 

on one shoulder, and of course we all had swords. 

What groom and groomsmen wouldn’t enjoy that? 

Helen’s dress was created in secrecy over several 

months, hand-made in intricate detail by her friend, 

Carmen Turner, who is a seamstress with experience 

in creating medieval costumes. Helen’s dress is perhaps 

the most ambitious item she has ever created. When I 

finally saw it, as Helen walked up the aisle, I understood 

why she had been so keen on the green cloak which 

matched the greens of her incredible dress. 

In addition, the bridesmaids (Helen’s sister, her nieces, 

and their mother), wore medieval-style dresses that Helen 

had imported from a specialist dress maker in America. 


We didn’t make the theme mandatory for all our guests, 

given that some were older family members, but we 

encouraged dressing appropriately, for those willing, so there 

were many who joined us in dressing in medieval or fantasy 

attire, which made it all the more fun. Our photographer 

and videographer had a fantastic time, as they were able 

to film a wedding that was that little bit different. 

We had oversized outdoor games for people to play during 

the day, and silly games on the tables in the evening to 

keep everyone amused and chatting, along with a sweet 

and snack cart, and a wide selection of cakes and tray 

bakes. The main meal was a delicious buffet, and for the 

evening it was pizza and ice-cream, courtesy of Alcumlow’s 

own outdoor pizza oven and ice-cream selection. 

Love Theme 

In keeping with our theme, we had a string quartet for 

the first part of the day, including the ceremony. As 

special commissions, they were able to play a number 

of key pieces from our favourite fantasy movies and 

for walking up the aisle we had the ‘love theme’ from 

the eighties fantasy movie, Krull, by James Horner. 

As background for the rest of the day, we put together 

several hours of fantasy music and a mix of other pieces 

from our favourite movies. Given that many of our guests 

had travelled from far and wide, and quite a few were older, 

we wanted everyone to be able to chat and catch up rather 

than shouting over loud music, so we avoided songs and 

had a silent disco that was enjoyed by the younglings. 

Alcumlow has facilities for both a lovely rustic 

indoor ceremony or, weather permitting, an outdoor 

ceremony, situated within a metal ‘wireframe’ chapellike 

structure, known as the ‘White House’. As luck 

would have it, we had perfect weather for our day, 

and were able to have a stunning ceremony outside 

where we read our vows from hand-written scrolls. 

Overall, the day was a wonderful success, and I would like 

to think we achieved the dream wedding we had imagined, 

as well as creating a memorable experience for our friends 

and family. 


CATERER: Ridgway Caterers 

www.ridgwaycaterers.co.uk 

PHOTOGRAPHER: Carpe Diem Wedding Photography 

www.carpediemphotographycheshire.co.uk 

STRING QUARTET: Suave String Quartet 

www.entertainment-nation.co.uk/suave-string-quartet 

VENUE: Alcumlow Wedding Barn 

www.alcumlowweddingbarn.co.uk 

VENUE STYLIST: Flossie’s Weddings & Occasions 


g 

VIDEOGRAPHER: Scrawndog Media 

www.scrawndogmedia.co.uk 


Crafting LOVE STORIES since 1680 

The Barn at the Manor is a romantic and sophisticated 

wedding barn blending historic character with 

contemporary elegance. 

Celebrate your marriage in this lovingly- restored barn, 

boasting its own private bar area and accommodating 

parties from 20 to 100 guests; offering the perfect 

backdrop in which to create life’s finest memories. 

Discover The Barn at the next 

wedding open evening, taking 

place monthly throughout the year. 

Contact the weddings team for 

more information on 

weddings@themanorgreasby.co.uk 

Contact our weddings team for exclusive offers on remaining 2025 dates 

Steven Rooney Photography 

www.themanorgreasby.co.uk 

weddings@themanorgreasby.co.uk 

0151 677 7034 

Owned and operated by Nelson Hotels & Inns 


Mr. & Mrs 

Groga 

Married 22nd June 2024 

e 

We met on an online dating site in the summer of 2017. Six weeks after we met, Daniel drove 

to Belgium with a friend to watch the Formula one racing. This is where he rang me and declared 

he’d fallen in love with me, and our love story began. Seven years and two wonderful 

children later we finally tied the knot and had our dream wedding. 


Chose My Own Ring 

Daniel finally proposed at home on a Wednesday afternoon, 

12 months to the date after I caught my friend’s bouquet 

at their wedding in Spain. However, Daniel didn’t propose 

with a ring and therefore took me shopping the day after 

as he didn’t want to disappoint me, and he allowed me 

to choose my own ring. Daniel then proposed again with 

the children by his side at home on 22nd June 2023. 

Choosing The Astley Bank Hotel was one of the best 

decisions we made, it stood out in every way. It was the 

perfect venue for our wedding, offering a blend of elegance 

and appeal, and some great spots for our photographs. 

Its stunning gardens and historic charm provided an 

idyllic setting for our ceremony. The cozy and intimate 

ambiance made our guests feel right at home and the 

attentive staff went above and beyond to cater to our every 

need. From start to finish every moment was magical, 

making it a day we will cherish forever. We couldn't have 

imagined a more perfect place to celebrate our love. 

After the ceremony, we were whisked away in a beautiful 

vintage car provided by Limo Scene for some private time 

and a toast before rejoining our guests for group photos. 

We enjoyed delicious canapés and welcome drinks on 

the patio while the sun was shining, making it a truly 

beautiful day. 

Flossy Pots Venue Décor transformed Astley Bank into an 

even more breathtaking venue, surpassing our expectations. 

We were warmly welcomed into our wedding breakfast by 

our Toastmaster, surrounded by our beloved family and 

friends. 

During our visit, we learned that the hotel had recently 

partnered with local vendors to create a brand new wedding 

package that includes literally all the suppliers that we 

could have possibly needed. This package was phenomenal 

and alleviated much of the wedding planning stress. As 

most of the arrangements were already taken care of, we 

took the plunge and we booked our big day for the 22nd 

June 2024, 12 months to the date after Daniel proposed. 

Classic and Elegant 

Then the journey began. I had my heart set on one place for 

my gown: the superb Ava Rose Hamilton in Colne. The staff 

there were fantastic, warm and welcoming, making me feel 

incredible. I chose a classic and elegant gown by designer 

Stella York. For the suits, we turned to Mark Darcy from 

Bridgewater Menswear, conveniently located directly above 

Ava Rose. 

As the big day fast approached, each vendor proved to be 

superb. They contacted us promptly, were organised, and 

made the entire process stress-free. On the day of the 

wedding, every vendor performed flawlessly, ensuring 

everything went perfectly. 

Leading up to the celebrations we were both extremely 

excited, a little anxious at the hopes the day would come 

together just how we imagined. The night before the 

wedding, I stayed over at Astley Bank with the bridal party 

and parents, we enjoyed a nice relaxing meal with the 

excitement building for the big day. 

Angel of Mine 

The day went by seamlessly without a single hiccup. I got 

ready with my bridal party at Astley Bank in the uniquely 

beautiful Boudoir Room, with makeup by Bec & Co and hair 

by Dan Shoreman. Their talents kept the bridal party lively 

and the preparations running smoothly. Soon, it was time 

to say, "I do." I walked up the aisle to an acoustic rendition 

of "Angel of Mine" by Eternal, performed by Dylan Dale. 


"A sensational speech that 

hilariously embarrassed me" 

Once seated, the speeches commenced. The groom 

kicked things off with his quick wit and sense of humour, 

leaving us all in stitches. Following him were our best men, 

brothers Craig and Mark, who delivered a sensational 

speech that hilariously embarrassed me, having known 

me longer than the groom. It was all in great fun. Finally, 

my father, Philip, shared some touching words. 

After the heartfelt speeches, we enjoyed a wedding 

breakfast that was nothing short of extraordinary. Each 

dish literally delighted the senses, and the presentation 

was fabulous, leaving our guests raving about the 

exceptional quality and taste. Many guests remarked it 

was the best food they had ever tasted at a wedding. 

Singing Waiters 

Then followed the best surprise of the day, the Singing 

Waiters. The best choice of entertainment we could possibly 

have asked for and they got the whole wedding party on 

their feet. 

We then had a small break whilst the band, The Elevation, 

set up and got the party started all over again. Then the 

cutting of the cake which was made by Occasion Cakes, 

it was just delicious. We also had a dessert table by Finch 

Bakery and their blondies and brownies went down a treat. 

We then had our first dance to the acoustic version of 

‘I came here for love’ by Sigala. This song means so much 

to myself and Dan and it was so special. 

Eftal from Ladybird Photography was equally sensational. 

His work is not only unique and creative, but he brought fun, 

energy, and absolute professionalism to everything he did. 


"A stunning preview of our wedding" 

Aidan Blunt and his wonderful wife Sarah, our videographers, 

captured our day perfectly. They were calm, collected, and 

organised throughout, keeping everything on track. They 

impressed us all with a stunning preview of our wedding day 

just one day after, which completely blew us away. It was 

just incredible and really helped with the wedding blues. 

We were both quite overwhelmed with emotions after the 

big day and that it was all over. We shed quite a few tears 

that day mainly from all the hard work and excitement 

that we put in to making it so special and it all came 

together so perfectly. We couldn’t have asked for more. 

Last but not least, all the staff at Astley Bank were truly 

exceptional, going above and beyond to ensure our day was 

perfect. Their warmth, professionalism and attentiveness 

made us feel genuinely cared for from start to finish. We 

cannot praise everyone involved highly enough as it was 

truly the best day of our lives. Our wedding coordinators, 

Veronika and Lauren were an absolute joy to work 

with. They shared in our excitement for the big day, 

making the entire process enjoyable and stress-free. 

Attention to Detail 

The operations team were on the ball, their coordination 

and attention to detail was second to none, and they 

made sure everything ran smoothly. The reception team 

greeted all our guests with a warm welcome and a friendly 

demeanour. Their genuine hospitality helped create a 

welcoming atmosphere that made everyone feel at home. 

We are immensely grateful for their dedication and hard 

work which made our experience unforgettable. Every detail 

was meticulously handled, allowing us to fully enjoy our 

celebration. We both feel that the dedication and expertise 

of the staff was what really made our day truly exceptional. 

Their commitment and genuine care made this the most 

beautiful day of our lives and one we will cherish forever. 


CAKE: Occasion Cakes 

www.occasioncakes.co.uk 

CAR: Limo Scene Wedding Cars 

www.limo-sceneuk.co.uk 

FLORISTS: Hope Flowers 

www.hope-flowers.co.uk 

PHOTOGRAPHER: Ladybirds Photography 

www.ladybirdsphotography.comm 

SINGING WAITERS: Surprise Shows 

www.surpriseshows.co.uk 

VENUE: The Astley Bank Hotel 

www.astleybank.co.uk 

VENUE STYLIST: Flossy Pots Events 

www.flossypotsevents.com 

e 


Liverpool’s exquisite 

new wedding venue 

in the city centre 

Please contact Sue Williams : 

swilliams@seftoncollection.com 

www.ropewalkshotel.co.uk 

0151 6650510 

Autumn Wedding Showcase 

Sunday 13th October 

12pm - 4pm 

Get ready for the ultimate wedding showcase at 

Red Hall Hotel, an exquisite wedding venue situated on 

the outskirts of Bury, overlooking the beautiful 

countryside hills of Ramsbottom. 

Held in conjunction with Little White Books, this is the 

perfect opportunity for you to see the venue fully styled, 

be inspired by a selection of amazing wedding suppliers 

and discuss creating your dream wedding with our Red 

Hall Wedding & Events team. 

Free entry - no tickets or registration required. 

Manchester Road, Walmersley, Bury, 

Lancashire BL9 5NA 

01706 822476 

events@red-hall.co.uk 

www.red-hall.co.uk 

@RedHallHotel 



Astley Bank 

A hidden gem in the heart of Lancashire, our 

superbly maintained 19th Century Manor 

House features stunning gardens and an 

idyllic setting with picturesque surroundings. 

We offer bespoke tailor made packages to 

take the stress away from wedding planning, 

making your special day truly unforgettable. 

Wedding Fayres in partnership with County Brides 

Packages 

Starting 

from 

£3945 

24/25 Open Nights 

Thursday 24th October 2024 

Thursday 6th February 2025 

Thursday 19th June 2025 

Thursday 23rd October 2025 

Complimentary Food & Drinks 

17.00 - 20.00 



www.astleybankhotel.co.uk 01254 777700 weddings@astleybank.co.uk @astleybankhotel 



Venues... 

North West 

ABBEYWOOD ESTATE 

Chester Road 

Delamere 

Northwich 

Cheshire CW8 2HS 

Tel: 01606 889477 

www.abbeywoodestate.co.uk 

ABBEY HOUSE HOTEL 

AND GARDENS 

Abbey Road 

Furness Abbey 

Cumbria LA13 0PA 

Tel: 01229 838282 

www.abbeyhousehotel.com 

ARLEY HALL & GARDENS 

Arley 

Northwich 

Cheshire CW9 6NA 

Tel: 01565 777 353 

www.arleyhallandgardens.com 

ASKHAM HALL 

Askham Near Penrith 

Cumbria 

CA10 2PF 

Tel: 01931 712350 

www.askhamhall.co.uk 

CHESHIRE WOODLAND WEDDINGS 

Blakemere Village 

Chester Road 

Northwich 

Cheshire CW8 2EB 

Tel: 01606 882223 

www.cheshirewoodlandweddings.com 

COTTONS HOTEL 

& SPA 

Manchester Road 

Knutsford 

Cheshire WA16 0SU 

Tel: 01565 650333 

www.thwaites.co.uk 

CRAGWOOD COUNTRY 

HOUSE HOTEL 

Ecclerigg 

Windermere 

Cumbria LA23 1LQ 

Tel: 01539 488177 

www.lakedistrictcountryhotels.co.uk 

CREWE HALL 

Weston Road 

Crewe 

Cheshire CW1 6UZ 

Tel: 01270 253333 

www.qhotels.co.uk 

GROSVENOR PULFORD HOTEL & SPA 

Wrexham Road 

Pulford 

Chester CH4 9DG 

Tel: 01244 570560 

www.grosvenorpulfordhotel.co.uk 

HEATHER GLEN 

COUNTRY HOTEL 

Ainstable Carlisle 

Cumbria CA4 9QT 

Tel: 01768 896219 

www.heatherglencountry 

house.co.uk 

HILLTOP COUNTRY HOUSE 

Flash Lane 

Prestbury 

Macclesfield 

Cheshire SK10 4ED 

Tel: 01625 448212 

www.yourhilltopwedding.com 

HOLMES MILL 

Greenacre Street 

Clitheroe 

Lancashire BB7 1EB 

Tel: 01200 407 183 

www.holmesmill.co.uk 

ASTLEY BANK HOTEL 

Bolton Road 

Darwen BB3 2QB 

Tel: 01254 777700 

www.astleybank.co.uk 

BEESTON MANOR 

Quaker Brook Lane 

Preston 

Lancashire PR5 0RA 


www.beestonmanor.com 

DE VERE CRANAGE 

ESTATE 

Byley Lane 

Holmes Chapel 

Cheshire CW4 8EW 

Tel: 01477 551612 

www.phcompany.com 

THE DUNES HOTEL 

Roanhead Beach 

Lake District 

Cumbria LA14 4QW 

Tel: 01229 461200 

www.theduneshotel.co.uk 

KING STREET TOWN HOUSE 

10 Booth Street 

Manchester M2 4AW 

Tel: 0161 667 0707 

www.kingstreettownhouse.co.uk 

KNOWSLEY HALL 

Prescot 

Merseyside L34 4AG 

Tel: 0151 489 4827 

www.knowsleyhallvenue.co.uk 

THE BENTLEY 

50 Brunswick Street 

Liverpool L2 0PL 

Tel: 07756 264706 


EAVES HALL 

Moor Lane 

West Bradford 

Clitheroe BB7 3JG 

Tel: 01200 425271 

www.eaveshall.co.uk 


Bromley Cross 

Bolton 


Tel: 01204 873 500 

www.lastdropvillage.co.uk 

BRAMALL HALL 

Hall Road 

Bramhall 

Stockport SK7 3NX 

Tel: 0161 474 3451 

www.stockportevents.co.uk 

FERRARIS COUNTRY 

HOUSE HOTEL 

Chipping Lane 

Preston PR3 2TB 

Tel: 01772 783148 

www.ferrariscountryhouse.co.uk 

LINDETH HOWE HOTEL 

Longtail Hill 

Bowness-on-Windermere 

Windermere LA23 3JF 

Tel: 01539 445 759 

www.lindeth-howe.co.uk 

CHAMPNEYS MOTTRAM 

HALL HOTEL 

Wilmslow Road 

Mottram 

Cheshire SK10 4QT 


www.mottramhall.com 

CHESHIRE VIEW 

Plough Lane 

Christleton 

Cheshire CH3 7PT 

Tel: 01244 332442 

www.cheshireview.co.uk 

FORMBY HALL 

Southport Old Road 

Formby 

Liverpool L37 0AB 

Tel: 01704 875 699 

www.formbyhallgolfresort.co.uk 

FOXFIELDS COUNTRY 

HOTEL 

Whalley Bridge 

Clitheroe 

Lancashire BB7 9HY 

Tel: 01254 822556 

www.foxfieldshotel.com 

LION & SWAN 

Swan Bank 

Congleton 

Cheshire CW12 1AH 

Tel 01260 211 211 

www.lionandswan.co.uk 

LODORE FALLS HOTEL 

& SPA 

Borrowdale Valley 

Keswick 

Cumbria CA12 5UX 

Tel: 01768 777285 

www.lakedistricthotels.net 


Please visit the County Brides website for more stunning venues: 


MANCHESTER HALL 

36 Bridge Street 

Manchester M3 3BT 

Tel: 0161 8326256 

www.manchesterhall.co.uk 




Tel: 0151 374 0004 

www.ropewalkshotel.co.uk 

STOCKPORT TOWN HALL 

Stopford House 

Piccadilly 

Stockport SK1 3XE 

Tel: 0161 474 3451 

www.stockportevents.co.uk 

THE MANOR AT GREASBY 

91 Greasby Road 

Greasby 

Wirral 

Cheshire CH49 3NF 

Tel: 0151 677 7034 

www.themanorgreasby.co.uk 

MERE COURT HOTEL 

Warrington Road 

Mere, Knutsford 

Cheshire WA16 0RW 

Tel: 01565 831000 

www.merecourt.co.uk 

THE MERE RESORT 

Chester Road Mere 

Knutsford 

Cheshire WA16 6LJ 

Tel: 01565 830155 

www.themereresort.co.uk 

SANDHOLE OAK BARN 


Hulme Walfield, Congleton 

Cheshire CW12 2JH 

Tel: 01260 540007 

www.sandholeoakbarn-weddings. 

co.uk 

THE CLUB AT HIGH LEGH 

Park Warrington Road 

Knutsford 

Cheshire WA16 0WA 

Tel: 01565 830888 

www.theclubathighleghpark.com 

THE SHIREBURN ARMS 

Hurst Green Whalley 

Clitheroe 

Lancashire BB7 9QJ 


www.shireburnarmshotel.co.uk 

TITANIC HOTEL 

Stanley Dock 

Regent Road 

Liverpool L3 0AN 

Tel: 0151 559 1444 

www.titanichotelliverpool.com 

THE TYTHERINGTON CLUB 

90 Dorchester Way 

Tytherington 

Macclesfield 

Cheshire SK10 2JP 


www.thetytheringtonclub.com 

THE VILLA LEVENS 

Brettargh Holt 

Kendal 

Cumbria LA8 8EA 

Tel: 01539 980980 

www.thevillalevens.co.uk 

MEREWOOD COUNTRY 

HOUSE HOTEL 

Merewood 

Windermere 

Cumbria LA23 1LH 

Tel: 01539 446484 

www.merewoodhotel.co.uk 

THE OAKTREE OF PEOVER 

Back Lane 

Lower Peover 

Knutsford 

Cheshire WA16 9SG 

Tel: 01565 723337 

www.oaktreeofpeover.co.uk 

THE PLOUGH AT EATON 

Macclesfield Road 

Congleton 

Cheshire CW12 2NH 

Tel: 01260 280207 

www.theploughinncheshire.com 

SINGLETON LODGE 

Lodge Lane 

Little Singleton 

Poulton-le-Fylde FY6 8LT 


www.singletonlodge.co.uk 

SKITBY HOUSE 

Skitby Road 

Smithfield 

Carlisle CA6 6DL 

Tel: 01228 675241 

www.skitby.co.uk 

SMOKIES PARK 

Ashton Road 

Bardsley 

Oldham OL8 3HX 

Tel: 0161 785 5000 

www.smokies.co.uk 

THE VILLA WREA GREEN 

Moss Side 

Lane Preston 

PR4 2PE 

Tel: 01772 804040 

www.thevillawreagreen.co.uk 

WEST TOWER 

Mill Lane 

Aughton 

Lancashire L39 7HJ 

Tel: 01695 423328 

www.westtower.com 

WINDY HARBOUR 

Woodhead Road 

Padfield 

Glossop SK13 7QE 

Tel: 01457 853107 

www.windyharbour.co.uk 

PARK HALL HOTEL 

Park Hall Road 

Charnoch Richard 

Preston PR7 5LP 


www.parkhallhotel.com 

RED HALL HOTEL 


Bury 

Greater Manchester 

BL9 5NA 

Tel: 01706 822476 

www.red-hall.co.uk 

ROOKERY HALL 

Main Road 

Worleston, Nantwich 

Cheshire CW5 6DQ 

Tel: 01270 610016 

www.handpickedhotels.co.uk/ 

rookeryhall 

ST. GEORGE’S HALL 

St. George’s Place 

Liverpool L1 1JJ 

Tel: 0151 2333004 

www.liverpool.gov.uk 

STIRK HOUSE HOTEL 

Gisburn Road 

Clitheroe 

Lancashire BB7 4LJ 

Tel: 01200 445581 

www.stirkhouse.co.uk 

THE STOCK EXCHANGE 

HOTEL 

4 Norfolk Street 

Manchester M2 1DW 

Tel: 0161 470 3901 

www.stockexchangehotel.co.uk 

WORSLEY PARK 

A MARRIOT HOTEL 

& COUNTRY CLUB 

Worsley Park 

Manchester M28 2QT 

Tel: 0161 975 2000 

www.marriot.co.uk 

WRENBURY HALL 

Wrenbury Hall Drive 

Wrenbury 

Nantwich 

Cheshire CW5 8EJ 

Tel: 01270 781198 

www.wrenburyhall.co.uk 

County Brides 2024/25 125

Mr. & Mrs. 

Martin 

Married 6th May 2024 

c 

As the morning progressed, I started to relax and enjoy the moment, we were 

all having a great time having our hair and makeup done, drinking champagne, 

and having fun. Luckily for us, Jon was there to capture the moment in both photos 

and video. I honestly can’t believe how fast the day went, before I knew it, 

I was all glammed up and ready to go. 


" It was better than words 

could ever describe" 

All the guests were waiting for our ceremony to start. I’ll 

never forget walking up the aisle with my dad by my side and 

seeing my future husband stood there looking slightly nervous 

but very happy. It was the moment we had both been waiting 

for and it was better than words could ever describe. The 

ceremony went so fast and the next thing we knew, we were 

walking back down the aisle as the new Mr & Mrs Martin. 

Glorious Sunshine 

The next part of the day was filled with drinks and canapés 

on the terrace overlooking the beautiful grounds and river. 

Then onto our formal photos with family and friends. Thank 

God for Jon, prior to the wedding we gave him a list of what 

photos we wanted with which guests, and he was so 

professional and knew exactly how to stage the photos and 

arrange everyone whilst also getting some amazing candid 

shots throughout the day. 

Thankfully, we were blessed with the weather as it had been 

predicted thunderstorms. However the weather held out for 

us. I think it’s every bride and grooms biggest fear that it’ll 

rain on the day especially in the UK, but luckily, the Great 

British weather held out and we had glorious sunshine. 

"Family’s to meet each other 

for the first time" 

After the formal photos, we all sat down to have our 

3 course wedding breakfast and it was the first chance of the 

day to actually be able to chat to each other as husband and 

wife. The meal was gorgeous and it gave a chance for all 

the guests and respective family’s to meet each other for the 

first time, as me and my husband are from different parts 

of the country and many of our families had never had the 

chance to meet before. 

After the meal, while the staff set up for the evening 

entertainment, it gave us an amazing opportunity to get some 

beautiful sunset shots of just us two with some gorgeous 


luebells setting the scene down by the river, then we 

headed up for our cake cutting and first dances followed 

by some fantastic, if not slightly embarrassing, dancing 

from family, again all luckily captured on video by Jon. 

Above and Beyond 

Before we knew it the day was over and trust me when I 

say it was the fastest day of our lives. However, I wouldn’t 

change a single minute of it. I am so thankful to the staff 

at Mitton Hall and the amazing suppliers fitting us in at 

the last minute and going above and beyond to make it a 

special day for us. All we had to do now was wait for our 

photos to come through. I can’t recommend Jon Harrison, 

our photographer enough, from asking if he could come early 

to the venue to set up and capture informal photos of us all 

getting ready and guests arriving, to leaving later than he 

was booked to make sure we got the perfect sunset photos. 

It must have been about 11p.m before Jon left and we said our 

goodbyes. Both me and my husband were speechless when 

we received the final photos, and it brought a tear to our 

eyes to see the quality of how our day had been captured. 

These are photos and memories we will both treasure 

forever. My husband is due to go away on deployment 

soon and he has already made up a photo album of the 

amazing shots Jon has captured of our special day. 


CAKE: Cake Celebrations 

www.cakecelebrations.co.uk 

FLOWERS: Flower Girls of Whalley 

www.facebook.com/flowergirlswhalley 

PHOTOGRAPHER: Jon Harrison Photography 

www.jonharrisonimage.co.uk 

VENUE: Mitton Hall 

www.jamesplaces.com/mitton-hall 

c 


Mr. & Mrs. 

Evans 

Married 13th July 2023 

Z 

After 2.5 years of dating, James took me on a weekend away, back to the place we went on 

our first proper date, Howgills Hideaway, a boutique glamping venue in the Howgill Fells, 

Cumbria. The weather was glorious, and on the final night, James led me into the room to find 

a spa package for us to use in the outdoor bath along with roses, champagne, 

and a gorgeous bunch of flowers. 


A Beautiful Diamond Ring 

Once I’d finished fawning over these, he led me outside 

and asked me to close my eyes. When I opened them, as 

the sun was setting, there he was, down on one knee with 

our favourite Shania Twain song playing in the background, 

holding the most beautiful diamond ring. While holding 

back tears, he asked me to marry him. It was the most 

confident I had ever been about a decision in my whole life. 

We always knew we wanted to get married quite quickly 

after being engaged, so we went to view venues straight 

away. We both agreed to view the venues and not give any 

clues away about whether we liked it or not until we left 

and were on our way home. Then we saw Sandhole Oak 

Barn. We couldn’t contain our happiness. We knew instantly 

that this was the venue for us, and we booked it that day. 

" My bridesmaids had buried 

a sausage the night before" 

We were engaged on 7th June 2022 and booked our wedding 

for 13th July 2023. Unlucky for some, not for us. We called 

it the Evans Luck. The week of our wedding it rained, 

constantly. It was the wettest July on record, apparently. 

On the morning of our wedding, I was panicking about the 

rain, but I was told that my Bridesmaids had buried a sausage 

the night before, so we were guaranteed good weather - IT 

WORKED! The day of our wedding, the weather was perfect! 

The morning of our wedding was so calm, I was enjoying 

good music, good Prosecco, and good company with my 

bridal squad, including our amazing photographer, Charlotte 

White (and second shooter Lottie Bone). They were like the 

extra bridesmaids on the day, constantly bigging me up and 

getting everyone excited. Next came our gorgeous hair and 

makeup artists, Vicky & Anna from Bridal Hair & Make Up 

of Cheshire. I found these two ladies last minute after being 

let down by my previous booking a few months before the 

wedding. Vicky couldn’t have been more helpful, and now 

I couldn’t have imagined having anyone else do my dream 

look on the big day. I wasn’t feeling nervous at all until my 

bridesmaids told me that Jay had arrived. It made it all 

seem so real. 

Putting the perfect touches to our décor while I was getting 

ready, were the wonderful Jay and Lindsey from Thornton 

Events. During the whole process, and even on the day, 

they were both brilliant. Nothing was too much trouble, 

and the whole barn looked better than I could’ve thought. 

Our photographer even said it was the most beautifully 

decorated barn that she’d ever seen at Sandhole! 

The Dress 

Hair and makeup done for everyone, it was time to get into 

my dress. Finding the dress was a difficult one for me as 

I’m such an indecisive person. I didn’t get the “one” feeling 

with tears of joy, but the minute I put on my dress, I knew 

it was what I should be married in and so did my Nan 

who said it was the most beautiful dress she’d ever seen. 

It was chic, classy and typically bridal. The lovely ladies 

at Liverpool Bridal Boutique helped me find my dress. 

"The best feeling in the world 

seeing everything come together" 

Walking up the aisle to my husband to be, was the most 

memorable part of our day for me. We had the wonderful 

Simon Brown playing the piano for us and our guests. 

I walked up the aisle to Maestro (which is the soundtrack 

to the film The Holiday) and it was the best feeling in the 

world seeing everything come together. All those long 

days of planning and stress were finally over, and we 

could enjoy it. Katherine conducted our ceremony, and 

she was the most joyous person who made us feel like 

the only two people in the room. My Nan was our ring 


taking in the sights of the beautiful lake at sunset, being 

serenaded by Simon, and waiting for the party to get started. 

We had Lee Mills as our DJ and Ben Watt as our Saxophonist. 

All of the guests loved it, it really got the party atmosphere 

going! We had our sweet table set up which was absolutely 

ravaged by our family children. It kept them going until 11pm 

though, so it was great to have them with us all night. 

Flip Flops 

bearer, which brought a tear to everyone’s eyes. It was 

so lovely to have her play such a big part in our day. 

From start to finish, the staff at Sandhole Oak Barn made 

us feel like ours was the only wedding that existed. They 

couldn’t do enough for us. Everything ran smoothly on time 

and with ease. No one was stressed, everyone was having a 

great time. Our caterers were Top Table Wedding & Events 

and O.M.G. the food was incredible! It’s hard to believe it 

wasn’t a top tier restaurant. While everyone was tucking into 

their fillet of beef, I took a minute to just look around the 

room and try to soak it all up. Watching everyone you love 

most in the world, altogether in a room to celebrate you and 

your love for each other, was the most magical experience. 

The Toastmaster 

Last minute, our brother-in-law offered to be our toastmaster, 

and by last minute, I mean 5 minutes before the speeches 

were due! We only had the groom do a speech as my dad 

and the best men were too nervous, but our brother-in-law 

did one in addition to being the toastmaster, and it went 

down an absolute storm, he had us all crying with laughter. 

My husband Jay doesn’t like sponge cake, so we had a more 

traditional 4-tiered fruit cake which my auntie made. So 

many people commented on how good it was, and what a 

perfect wedding present for us. We cut this and gave it to 

people throughout the night as a little sugar rush. 

While we went off into the golden hour to get some more 

photos, our guests took the time to mingle with each other, 

Our first dance was You’re Still the One by Shania Twain, 

which was the song that Jay played in the background as he 

proposed. It really was a full-circle moment for us. Once the 

party was underway, our dancefloor was jam-packed the 

whole night. Thankfully, we had flip flops for the guests in high 

heels! For our evening food, Top Table outdid themselves again 

with a BBQ which was perfect for the glorious July weather. 

The end of the night came. We ended with a tunnel of 

sparklers as our guests clapped us off to our room for the 

night. It really was the most perfect day, but the quickest 

day of my life! 


BRIDESMAIDS DRESSES: Bridesmaid by JB 

www.bridesmaidbyjb.com 

CATERERS: Top Table Wedding & Events 

www.top-table.co.uk 

DRESS: Liverpool Bridal Boutique 

www.liverpoolbridalboutique.co.uk 

HAIR & MAKEUP: Bridal Hair & Make Up of Cheshire 

www.themakeupcheshire.com 

PHOTOGRAPHER: Charlotte White Weddings 

www.charlottewhiteweddings.co.uk 

PIANIST: The Singing Piano Man 

www.singingpianoman.com 

Z 

VENUE: Sandhole Oak Barn 

www.sandholeoakbarn-weddings.co.uk 

VENUE STYLING: Thornton Events 

www.thorntonevents.com 


Your Vision – Our Mission – Your Dream Day 

Sandhole Oak Barn provides you with 

the perfect blank canvas to create the day of your dreams. 

Our stunning oak barn, set in a tranquil, lakeside location, surrounded by acres of Cheshire 

countryside, offers an idyllic setting for you and your loved ones on your big day. 

With the option of indoor and outdoor ceremonies, whichever you choose, 

you will say your vows overlooking our stunning lake. 

Sandhole is yours exclusively throughout the entire day, enabling you to have the 

intimacy you would want for your celebration with those closest to you. 

With Sandhole farm B&B onsite offering accommodation to 40+ of your guests in the 

beautifully converted stable block, the celebration doesn’t have to end when the music stops. 

Sandhole is the place where dreams really do come true! 

Manchester Road, Hulme Walfield, Congleton, Cheshire, CW12 2JH 

01260 224215 | mywedding@sandholeoakbarn.co.uk | www.sandholeoakbarn.co.uk 


Carpe Diem Photography & Top Table

County Brides Magazine 2024/25

Transform your PDFs into Flipbooks and boost your revenue!

Delete template?

Save as template ?