Your West Midlands Wedding news and ideas from around the region

Thornbridge Hall offers the perfect wedding backdrop

Thornbridge Hall is a Grade II listed stately home nestled amongst the rolling hills of the Peak District. The Hall and its 14 acres of formal gardens are set within 100 acres of stunning parkland. The team has lovingly restored both to create one of the country's most exclusive event venues. The Music Room is an ornate space that has been lovingly restored to its earlier state and now has a feel of the Palace of Versailles. The vows can take place with 40 loved ones and 12 for receptions. Alternatively, The Great Hall can host 100 seated guests and 50 upstairs in the gallery for grand celebrations.

7 top tips for including your pooch in your wedding

Considering including your pooch at your wedding? Here are 7 top tips from Petpals. With 57% of UK households boasting a furry friend, it is no wonder many couples dream of having their beloved dog join them on their special day. In fact, a whopping eight in 10 Brits say they would want their four-legged companion to be part of their wedding festivities. But before you entrust your pooch with the role of ring bearer, it is essential to be well prepared to ensure that your big day is nothing short of paw-some for both you and your pup. Here, Kevin Thackrah, Director of Petpals, the UK's longest-established pet-care franchise, shares some top tips on how to seamlessly incorporate your canine companion into your wedding day.

How to avoid guests over indulging on alcoholic drinks on the big day

One in six (16 per cent) wedding guests admit to driving home the morning after a wedding, when they could still be over the alcohol limit, reveals new research1 from Direct Line Motor Insurance. In a bid to remind drivers about the risks of getting behind the wheel after celebratory drinking, a car was crashed into a three-metre-high wedding cake outside Blenheim Palace2, one of the UK's most instagramable wedding venues.

With one in five (20 per cent) guests saying they have been driven home by someone they thought was over the drink drive limit, the morning after celebrating nuptials, the smashed wedding cake highlights the risks involved with driving the morning after.

6 Star Wars cocktails for the ultimate Star Wars hen do

Calling all brides-to-be and their intergalactic squadrons! Prepare to elevate your hen party to new heights as leading hen party company Fizzbox teams up with magical tavern, The Cauldron, to concoct a range of Star Wars cocktails, perfect for celebrating the bride's journey to the galaxy of marriage! Set your blasters to fun as The Cauldron's mixologists transport you to a galaxy far, far away with their selection of otherworldly drinks inspired by the iconic saga. From Darth Vader-inspired concoctions to drinks that will have you feeling like you're partying on the Millennium Falcon, there's something to delight every Jedi bride and her entourage.

The most popular wedding cars of 2024 and how much they will cost

As we head into the Spring/Summer wedding season, many couples will be tying up the last elements of their weddings before the big day. Often left to the last minute is transport, with many couples wanting to arrive and leave their wedding venues in style. Nationwide Vehicle Contracts decided to investigate which cars are the most popular when it comes to wedding hire, and also how much hiring one will set you back. To work out the most popular wedding car of 2024, Nationwide Vehicle Contracts has analysed Google search volumes, Google search trends and TikTok data including the number of posts per model, monthly searches and the YoY search trend.

Wedding homeware from Addison Ross

The heart and soul of British luxury Addison Ross, is a family owned British brand started in 1978; from a small business, it has now grown into a global sensation with a vast offering including an exquisite range of luxury homeware essentials that create the ideal wedding tablescape or wedding gift. A recent collaboration with India Hicks, saw the launch of a beautiful new photo frame collection, which India (King Charles' Goddaughter) used for her own wedding photos. These wonderful frames can also be used to create special moments at weddings including framing seating charts or cocktail menus!

Discover Peak Patisserie's new wedding additions

Peak Patisserie, known for crafting exquisite wedding cakes, is raising the bar in 2024 with two delightful new additions! Indulge in personalised chocolate bon bons, which offer the perfect touch of luxury and personalisation. Imagine handcrafted, bite-sized chocolates, each a miniature masterpiece customised to wedding colour schemes. From classic salted caramel to playful strawberry shortcake, couples can choose flavours that tantalise their taste buds and reflect their unique style. Whether surprising guests as favours or using them to create a stunning dessert table, these bon bons will surely leave a lasting impression. Elevate guests' anticipation with a stunning, personalised cake menu! This innovative addition showcases the delectable flavours hiding within each tier, beautifully coordinated with wedding colours.

Young Brits looking to get hitched face saving for 30 Months

Young couples are faced with saving for over 30 months to reach their wedding savings goals, according to new research from Nationwide that charts what Brits are saving for in 2024.One in six young people are currently putting money away for their dream wedding. On average, these love birds are aiming to save £17,000 in preparation for their wedding – although the costs will likely be higher as many will also benefit from contributions from family and friends. Based on average monthly individual savings of £282, it would take a typical couple saving a combined £564 around 31 months to reach their target.*

Hampton Manor offers a showstopping backdrop to weddings

Hampton Manor combines the timelessness of a country manor house with interiors that blend contemporary design with historic beauty. The arts and crafts manor is weaved with William Morris' nature-inspired patterns alongside modern craftsmanship to create a luxury sense of home. Forty-five acres of gardens and woodland surround the manor. A clocktower terrace, lawns, woodland, bluebell drifts, a daffodil dell during spring and a walled garden provide beautiful backdrops for your wedding photos. Hampton Manor sits in a sleepy village with a Medieval church and chocolate-box cottages. It is very close to major links such as Birmingham International and M6/M42 for easy access for your guests. There are 15 individually designed bedrooms, and MasterChef: The Professionals champion Stuart Deeley curates the wedding menus.

Spring Bank Holiday weekend is set to host second highest number of weddings for 2024

The team at hampers.com, who strive to bring joy and wholehearted togetherness through gifting, recently undertook a study to determine the most popular dates for weddings in 2024, surveying almost 2,300 UK adults who were set to get married this year. When asked what date they were getting married on, the most popular dates were found to be were these here...

Need a helping hand with your groom's speech? Check out these top tips from Speechy

'The Speech Surgery' with Heidi Ellert McDermott, founder of Speechy & author of The Modern Couple's Guide to Wedding Speeches'. My groom isn't naturally romantic. How can I help him with his speech without actually writing it for him? Well, no one will be expecting him to be reciting sonnets and he doesn't need to have a personality transplant, but it would be nice if he managed to deliver at least a few suitably sweet lines in his speech! Send him a few good blog posts (including this one) and encourage him to get the advice & feedback from his friends (ideally, married ones who have been through the speechwriting process before).

Indulge in Vera Wang x Chopin vodka this wedding season

With the 2024 wedding season fast approaching, brides and grooms-to-be are looking for ways to impart luxury to their special day. From elevating their drink offering with expertly crafted cocktails to creating a sophisticated monochrome look, the Vera Wang x Chopin vodka has all the assets to make one's celebration stylish and memorable. Vera Wang x Chopin vodka comes from a unique partnership blending the refined style of iconic fashion designer Vera Wang with the unparalleled craftsmanship of Chopin.

The UK’s top stately homes for Bridgerton-themed weddings

A recent study has revealed the UK's highest-rated stately homes for Bridgerton-themed weddings, with Pembroke Lodge, Surrey named the best. The research, conducted by photo wall art creator StoryBoards, analysed user-generated review data from a popular wedding planning site to identify the UK regions with the highest quantity of top-rated stately homes by creating an overall rating score. The study has revealed that Pembroke Lodge is the nation's most highly rated stately home. Located in Surrey, the grand wedding venue has over 1,100 five-star ratings and an overall perfect score of 10 out of 10.

Discover Taylormade Wedding Band for the ultimate celebration

From floor-filling classics to the latest chart hits and indie/rock anthems, Taylormade Wedding Band has been magnetising dancefloors since 2008. Bringing amazing vocals, foot-stomping music and energy to over 700 weddings, corporate events and charity balls. "Weddings are our specialty," says the team. "We're professional musicians and experienced party-starters who really know how to take your wedding to another level. There are a lot of bands out there, but none offer our mix of musical talent, wedding experience and professionalism. Our acoustic duo is the perfect daytime wedding entertainment. For a breathtaking bridal entrance and ceremony, followed by a feel-good drinks reception, our cool, stripped-back 'live lounge' style covers are a great choice.

New research reveals biggest wedding trends of 2024, and some will surprise you

The wedding themes of 2024? Expect them to be smaller and more intimate, more informal and just generally more fun! That's according to a new study which was commissioned by high street jewellers, F.Hinds. They asked 2,000 UK couples for their thoughts on which wedding traditions are still important (and which aren't), and what new trends will be incorporated into wedding day plans for 2024. They also spoke to a wedding expert for her views. Their research revealed that the 'big day' traditions that remain in favour include the bride walking walked down the aisle (53%), having wedding rings (52%), cutting the cake (49%), having a best man (44%), and the bride being given away by a family member (43%).

Inkersall Grange Farm is the ideal setting for rustic weddings

Couples will find Inkersall Grange Farm, a relaxed rustic-meets-luxury tipi wedding venue in the Nottinghamshire countryside. The team's mission is to ensure pairs have stunning weddings, providing them with a premium experience. They hope to bring pairs luxurious wedding experiences, with a selection of prestigious suppliers at their fingertips, the bonus of total flexibility and a memorable location. The beautiful setting can host up to 120 people for the vows. This blank canvas space is just asking to be filled with love, laughter, dancing, confetti and all the good vibes. The team is thrilled to announce that pairs can officially get married at Inkersall Grange Farm.

Having a multicultural wedding? Make sure everyone is include with these tips from Speechy

'The Speech Surgery' with Heidi Ellert McDermott, Founder of Speechy & author of The Modern Couple's Guide to Wedding Speeches. My groom's family is Italian and some of them don't speak any English. How do we ensure they feel included during the speeches? This is becoming an issue for more and more couples as relationships become increasingly international. Bringing two cultures together at a wedding can be wonderful but it's not without its challenges, the prime example being the speeches.

Top tips on moving in together for the first time

Making the big decision to move in together can be an exciting, yet daunting time! Whether you've been living apart due to distance, financial constraints or other circumstances, deciding to take the next step in your relationship can help strengthen your bond and progress it further. Whilst being around each other 24/7 has its benefits, it's important not to overlook the potential issues that could arise as a result. Property experts at Essential Living have teamed up with Dr Becky Spelman, Psychologist and Founder at Private Therapy Clinic to reveal some of the issues the couples might experience and her top tips on what to keep in mind before taking the big step.

Brinsop Manor House and Barn has been voted as the UK's favourite wedding venue

Voted as the UK's number one venue by Hitched, Brinsop Manor House and Barn is a historic wedding venue nestled in the heart of Herefordshire in the West Midlands.

This stunning property has 86 five-star reviews from happy couples and encompasses over 800 acres of ancient woodland, a newly built event barn and a 12th-century moated manor house. Here, couples and their guests can enjoy beautiful event spaces, attentive services and delightful accommodation to complete any special day.

Wedding menu guide from Papier

A wedding day is an unparalleled occasion, filled with unforgettable moments and cherished memories. Best-selling British stationery brand Papier understand the importance of every detail on this special day, especially when it comes to creating a memorable dining experience for the happy couple and their guests. Food is a huge part of your wedding day. Whether it's a meal guests have chosen or a set menu, informing your loved ones about what's ahead gets them excited to sit down and tuck in