Your West Midlands Wedding news and ideas from around the region

The best of English sparkling wine, with Amelia Singer this National Champagne Week (1-7th October)

There's the New World of wine, and then the New New World: English Sparkling Wine is on the rise. This National Champagne Week, wine expert, Amelia Singer selects her favourite bubbles from our own green pastures... Which country comes to mind if you think of "wine"? For most, I imagine France, Italy, or perhaps even the USA these days, probably dominates. We all know, however, that the world is a-changing and so should our concept of wine and where it comes from. English wines are on the rise, and it's my opinion, along with a fair few of the worlds top wine experts, that they are the new frontier of wine making – even beating out top champagne houses in sparkling wine competitions.

Personalised wedding gifts from Pen Heaven

Find beautifully crafted, meaningful, and personalised wedding gifts to cherish forever with Pen Heaven. A master of exquisite stationary design, Pen Heaven was founded in 2008 and offer a comprehensive range of luxury writing instruments, leather journals and gifts. Specialists in classic brands such as Parker, Cross and Lamy, Pen Heaven also boast some more unusual and hard-to-find items such as the Japanese hand painted Platinum range, Italian calligraphy sets and the design focused Worther brand. Offering an in-house, by-hand engraving and embossing service, Pen Heaven are the ultimate destination for meaningful gifts with a personal touch perfect for big-day gifting.

The Black Swan has opened following an extensive refurbishment

The Black Swan, nestled in the heart of Henley- in-Arden, has opened following an extensive refurbishment. Heartwood Inns (formerly The White Brasserie Company) has lovingly restored The Black Swan's charming Tudor- fronted Grade II listed building, ensuring it retains its original features. Its traditional character has been seamlessly blended with a new oak-framed extension, housing a bright, contemporary garden dining area.

The Black Swan hopes to become the go-to place for locals and visitors alike, with an abundance of independent boutiques, bookshops and antique shops nearby,

County Wedding Magazines' readers share their prize win story!

Here at County Wedding Magazines HQ, we love nothing more than to hear from the winners of our competitions. In the crazy world of wedding planning, it's exciting for us to be able to offer our lovely readers some exciting giveaways and competitions which will hopefully give you a much-needed pick-me-up during on the countdown to your wedding day. In March 2023, CWM ran a competition, 'Win a minimoon in Northern Ireland!' and the winners were nearlyweds Jennifer and her partner.

The Grand Station was formerly known as the Lower Level Train Station

The Grand Station originally opened in 1854 as a Grade II listed property formerly known as the Lower Level Train Station. In 2012, after the building was derelict for almost 30 years, it was transformed into a popular venue for weddings, events and conferences.

Situated in the heart of the city, the Grand Station is just a short walk from Wolverhampton's train station. Boasting a large outdoor space, the exterior was designed by engineer Sir John Fowler, with the rack work by Mr Henry Robertson and the roof and layout by Mr Isambard Kingdom Brunel. The space has retained its historical feel, but the former train platforms have been transformed into modern venue spaces.

Halloween hen party ideas for 2023

If you're looking to throw a hen party that's nothing short of magical, mysterious and oh-so-memorable, then you're in for a treat, not a trick, with a Halloween hen party! This bewitching night is filled with laughter, eerie enchantment and spine-tingling surprises. Halloween, with its unique blend of the spooky and the playful, makes for a perfect theme that'll have everyone howling with delight. And just think of the costumes! Leading hen party company, Fizzbox is our guide as we embark on a haunted journey through the land of Halloween hen party ideas that will make your last night of freedom the talk of the town.

Wedding day aesthetic according to your star sign

Jewellery brand Diamonds Factory, has spoken exclusively to celebrity psychic and astrologer Inbaal Honigman, who has shared her top tips on how to plan your wedding according to your zodiac. Vibrant Colours for Aries, known for their fiery and youthful nature, embrace the vibrant energy of red. This intense hue symbolises their passion and dynamism. To capture their directness, a bow and arrow motif, reminiscent of Greek deity Eros, perfectly embodies Aries' spirit on their special day.

The Bridal Outlet is a new bridal boutique in Sutton Coldfield

The Bridal Outlet by Wedding Belles of Four Oaks is a new bridal boutique in Sutton Coldfield. Owners Melanie and Claire have an impressive 35+ years of combined experience in bridal styling, and are owners of the award-winning flagship store, Wedding Belles of Four Oaks, which recently celebrated its sweet 16 milestone.

Melanie and Claire tell us: "At The Bridal Outlet, we firmly believe that every bride deserves to feel like the most beautiful version of herself on her special day without breaking the bank or compromising on style. We are here to redefine the concept of off-the-peg dresses entirely. For too long, off-the-peg dresses have been associated with compromises in quality and luxury. However, we aim to change that perception."

Let's talk about sleep - the importance of rest

A new nationwide study has revealed as many as 86 percent of us now regularly struggle to drift off - not good if you're wanting to look and feel your best physically and mentally in the run up to your wedding day and on-the-day itself! Research has revealed the top 20 natural sleep inducers in the modern age – and counting sheep or mugs of Horlicks did not make the cut. In fact, modern Brits are more likely to get intimate with their other half, listen to a true crime podcast, watch a comedy show, tidy their room from top to bottom, or cuddle up with their pet. But the survey shows, simply reading a book is the number one snooze inducing activity (23 percent), followed by scrolling through social media (22 percent), despite the consensus that looking at phones is bad for our sleep patterns.

Calling all newlyweds and nearlyweds - County Wedding Magazines need you!

Here at County Wedding Magazines HQ, there's nothing we love more than our real wedding features - and we couldn't do them without you! If you would like to see your wedding grace the pages of one of our County Wedding Magazine titles, then please do get in touch! Grand and big-budget extravaganzas, to small and intimate I dos, themed from beginning to end, or personalised with a sentimental touch - we want to hear about them all!

Mallory Court Hotel and Spa is a country house hotel in Leamington Spa

Mallory Court Hotel and Spa in Leamington Spa is a member of Relais & Châteaux. A magnificent country house hotel surrounded by 10 acres of landscaped gardens and set amidst picturesque countryside, with 42 blissful bedrooms and a three AA Rosette restaurant. The house creates a beautiful backdrop for your celebration, be it basking in the summer sunshine or relaxing by a roaring fire.

The events team will guide you through the best possible options to suit the theme of your special day. From the moment you arrive, to your wedding breakfast, to your first dance, Mallory Court can make your wedding dreams a reality.

Luxor Events Venue is a newly-renovated wedding venue in Sandwell

Luxor Events Venue is a newly-renovated wedding venue in Sandwell. Owners Sandip and Dalveer Gillar have spent thousands transforming The Regis on Reddal Hill Road into the new Luxor Events Venue.

"We can accommodate up to 300 guests in our larger room and have a private car park," says Sandip. "This building has been open since the 1950s, and the locals have had some great times in the past, but it was time for a revamp and modernisation of the space. We are mainly booking private and corporate events, including weddings, birthdays and parties. Our versatile venue has everything you need to make your event truly unforgettable."

Hawkstone Hall & Gardens is a Grade I listed mansion that’s a vision of Georgian elegance

Hawkstone Hall & Gardens is a Grade I listed 18th-century mansion that's a vision of Georgian elegance. The venue encompasses 88 acres of countryside, rolling hills and ancient trees. At the front of the property are views of the Shropshire countryside, and to the rear are gardens featuring a lily pond, rose garden, apple orchard, trees and a stew pond with waterfalls.

Inside is a collection of historic features, beautifully complemented by modern touches, such as gilded gold ceilings and original artwork, all with an Art Deco twist.

Chesford Grange Hotel has announced a refurbishment is underway

Chesford Grange Hotel, a Tudor-style manor house in Warwickshire, has announced a refurbishment is underway. Upgrades to the property will include premium event spaces, newly decorated bedrooms and a refreshed hotel entrance, with a modern and stylish look throughout.

The property has also introduced a new sustainability programme demonstrating its commitment to positively impacting the environment. These changes include electric car charging points, reducing the use of paper and single-use plastics and implementing waste reduction and recycling practices. The team has also committed to sewing wild bird seeds and bird boxes and nurturing new beehives on-site.

Set within 60 acres of Worcestershire countryside is the grand Alcott Weddings

Set within 60 acres of stunning Worcestershire countryside is the grand Alcott Weddings. There are plenty of places to take those all-important photographs throughout the venue, including the gardens, the lakes, the Equestrian yard, the stables and with the gorgeous horses.

There is a range of quirky and traditional structures available for weddings that can hold up to 450 loved ones. The most cost-effective option is The Capris Marquee. It has clear panels, so your guests can admire the views, and if more space is needed, another marquee can be added.

Four tips for storing your wedding dress after the big day

With September tipped to be the most popular month for weddings, when the big day is done deciding what to do with a wedding dress can be tricky. Whilst some people sell them or donate them so future brides can use them, others prefer to keep hold of them and preserve the memory of their wedding day. If you're looking to preserve your wedding dress after the big day, or pass it down to future generations, proper storage is essential in maintaining its pristine condition. With this in mind, Vlatka Lake, storage expert at Space Station shares four tips for storing your wedding dress to keep it in pristine condition. Vlatka adds: "Before putting your dress into storage, make sure you have it cleaned to remove any stains or marks that may have appeared from your wedding day. The most important thing to remember when putting your wedding gown into storage is that it shouldn't be stored in a plastic bag or hung on a hanger. "Plastic covers don't allow for humidity changes and can often let light in that will fade the material of your dress. Hanging your dress can also affect its shape by adding unnecessary stress on the seams or the fabric."

Unique gifts couples give each other on their wedding day

The team at hampers.com recently surveyed UK adults who have gotten married or attended a wedding in the past five years, with the goal of determining what the gifting landscape looks like for wedding season. In doing so, they spoke to almost 800 newlyweds from across the UK and a further 1,400 UK adults who have attended a wedding in the same time frame. Firstly, the study found that it's common for brides and grooms to buy each other a gift for the wedding day itself, with 65% stating they did this for their own wedding day. The average spend was found to be £115, with women most likely to purchase a pocket watch (24%) or a vintage bottle of alcohol (22%) and men most likely to purchase jewellery (37%) or personalised 'Mrs' clothing (19%)...

Big-day gifting ideas from Don't Buy Her Flowers

Gift company, Don't Buy Her Flowers, prides itself for having thoughtfulness at its core, with customers able to create a bespoke gift box that perfectly suits the person and occasion. Whether it's to celebrate, commiserate or offer someone some TLC during a tough time, Don't Buy Her Flowers offers a range of luxury British products from delicious treats, cashmere socks and bubble bath to the perfect G&T and a selection of great books. Each gift box is beautifully gift wrapped with the customer's personalised message handwritten on the gift tag, making it the perfect package for everyone from mothers, newlyweds, teachers and employees.

The National Wedding Show returns to Birmingham

Planning a wedding is one of the most exciting times of your life, and what better way to celebrate than a day out with your partner or wedding party? The National Wedding Show returns to Birmingham (NEC) between 22nd and 24th September, and to London (ExCeL) 14th and 15th October, for two weekends of unbridled wedding inspiration.

Chat to hundreds of local and national suppliers, try on dreamy dresses, get the scoop at insider talks and make the most of some unique discounts too. After all, when it comes to planning the biggest day of your lives, every little helps.

Avoncroft Museum of Historic Buildings is a truly romantic setting for weddings

Avoncroft Museum of Historic Buildings, with its character-filled grounds, historic buildings and views over the picturesque Worcestershire countryside, is a truly romantic setting for weddings.

New Guesten Hall, located near the museum's entrance, boasts a 14th-century roof that was originally part of Worcester Cathedral's reception hall. Containing beautifully detailed Medieval carpentry, it's a large and flexible space, which can accommodate up to 120 guests for the civil ceremony and wedding breakfast and can be expanded to cater for an extra 60 loved ones for the evening reception.