Your West Midlands Wedding news and ideas from around the region

The historic St Mary’s Guildhall is situated in the heart of Coventry

Located next to the world-renowned Cventry Cathedral ruins, St Mary's Guildhall is in the heart of the city and is easily accessible. One of the finest remaining guildhalls in the country, St Mary's Guildhall is home to the famous 500-year-old Coventry tapestry, believed to be the only remaining tapestry situated in the place it was made in the UK.

The spectacular historic rooms at St Mary's Guildhall have hosted royals over the centuries and make a sumptuous backdrop for special occasions. The awe-inspiring Great Hall has a soaring ceiling and stunning stained- glass windows, which can accommodate 110 guests.

Cakes and gifts for summer wedding season

French pâtissier Ladurée, expert in providing luxury macarons and table favours, has a gorgeous selection of sweet gifts, cakes and macaron towers that would make the most gorgeous addition to any wedding celebration this summer. The story of the Ladurée macaron starts in the middle of the 20th century with Pierre Desfontaines , who had the idea of sticking two macaron shells together and filling them with a delicious ganache. Since then, the recipe remains unchanged.

How to plan your finances for marriage

Wedding season is now in full swing as couples prepare for their big day. For those planning to tie the knot, wedding preparations are not the only things that need careful planning. Taking the right steps to prepare financially for marriage can help to prevent unexpected surprises as couples embark on their new life together. Weddings are magical moments but they also require a level of practicality, to ensure that you get your partnership off to the right start. So, what can couples do to make sure they are perfectly aligned before they say their vows?

The 10 most popular first dance songs for 2023

Over the past year, UK searches for 'first dance songs 2023' have increased by +4,700%, whilst searches for 'fun first dance ideas' have increased by +100% showing that more couples are looking for inspiration. The first dance is likely to be one of the most memorable moments of your wedding, so naturally, newlyweds are determined to pick the most suitable song. A decision needs to be made whether to choose an old classic or maybe the new love song that's currently on the charts.

David’s Bridal Birmingham is having a closing down sale

Bridal store chain, David's Bridal has confirmed that its Birmingham store, located on Cannon Street is launching its closing down sale, with dramatic reductions across its wedding dresses, bridesmaid dresses and more. Following its administration announcement last month, David's Bridal is closing all four of its UK stores, with all stock discounted.

David's Bridal's extensive closing down sale will commence with at least 40 per cent off everything in-store. Customers can expect to find a huge range of discounts and bargains as everything has been reduced and must go.

How to make your wedding day dog-friendly

For many, dogs are considered to be a key member of the family, so when it comes to one of the most important days of a couple's lives, their wedding day, it's only natural that they want their four-legged friends to be involved in the celebrations. That being said, lots of strangers, loud noises and the unfamiliar location of a wedding can prove quite overwhelming for our canine companions, so if you want to include your dog in your big day, there are a couple of things you need to be aware of. Below, Carolyn Menteith, Behaviourist at tails.com has offered her top tips and advice on how to throw the 'paw-fect' wedding that will ensure both humans and dogs remain happy at all times.

Moor Hall Hotel & Spa is a family-owned venue in Sutton Coldfield

Moor Hall Hotel & Spa is a family-owned venue surrounded by beautiful grounds in Sutton Coldfield. The four-star hotel has options for smaller or larger nuptials of up to 180 guests as well as evening-only receptions and afternoon tea receptions.

There are 83 bedrooms, including doubles, twins, family rooms and hot tub rooms for your friends and family to choose from and all guests will have access to the pool, spa bath, sauna and steam room and a full English breakfast the following day.

UK wedding guests set to spend £16.6bn in 2023

As summer approaches and wedding season hits full swing, new research from American Express has found that UK wedding guests are set to increase their spend attending weddings by 18% this year, compared to 2022. The average wedding guest is expecting to spend £1,045 on average per wedding this year, equating to £16.6 billion across the UK. In 2022, wedding goers spent an average of £883 to mark the first year of restriction-free ceremonies, totalling £15.6 billion as a population.

On trend flower arrangements for summer 2023

With Summer here at last, it's time to elevate our flower arrangements in align with all the 2023 trends. Much like the fashion designs we follow year upon year, the world of florals is equally monitored for on-trend flowers and colours of the seasons. Bloomsbury Flowers are here with all the top tips on keeping your flower arrangements on trend for 2023. The luxury and longstanding florist (based in Covent Garden) has served some of London & the UK's most stylish venues and beyond with their individual designs and scents. With their reputation for premium and bespoke flower arrangements, they certainly know what they're talking about when it comes to flower trends.

New Etsy Registry launches for weddings

Etsy has launched its Etsy Registry, a new wedding gifting experience that allows couples to register for truly meaningful gifts. In addition to handmade and vintage gifts, couples can register for personalised items and specify the exact customisation for their guests, making Etsy the place people can go for gifts, decor, and even bridal party items – all while supporting UK small businesses.

Tips for making the perfect wedding gift hamper

Struggling to find the perfect gift for the couple who has everything this wedding season? Hampers are one of the best wedding gifts for newlyweds because of their practicality, variety, versatility and thoughtfulness. As well as being the perfect personalised and affordable gift that can be done on any budget. Cartwright & Butler's hamper and recipe developer, Karolina Glowacka, has given 8 tips on building the ultimate wedding gift hamper for the newlywed couple to continue to enjoy even months after their big day.

Moments Frame from Inkifi, the ultimate wedding gift

The Moments Frame from inkifi is a stylish way to display treasured memories at home, suiting both contemporary and traditional interiors schemes. A 52 aperture premium framed print to showcase the most special moments at home. Perfect for savouring a memory for each week of the year or for celebrating landmark moments like a wedding, a child's first year or photos from treasured holidays.

Perfections Bridal Studio is stocking designs from Monreal Bridal

Perfections Bridal Studio in Worcestershire is excited to be stocking designs from Ukraine designer, Monreal Bridal. Having recently launched in the UK, Monreal Bridal has a range of beautiful dresses with something to suit every bride.

"With designs spanning seven collections, they have modern styles that exude glamour, elegance, sexiness and romance," says the team at Perfections Bridal Studio. "We have been serving brides from across the West Midlands and Gloucestershire since 1999 and are truly excited to bring this luxury bridal designer to Worcester."

Demand for dry weddings increases

Whether it's teetotallers, the 'sober curious' or simply those wishing to cut back on the amount of alcohol they consume, dry weddings are an emerging growth market according to one leading events planner who has seen a 28% increase in requests for completely alcohol-free weddings, and a notable focus on alcohol free drinks in weddings that aren't forgoing it altogether. Liz Taylor, CEO of leading wedding and events management company, the Taylor Lynn Corporation (TLC), has been at the forefront of the wedding industry for over thirty-five years and has never seen such demand for no or low alcohol weddings, with requests rising nearly a third in the last two years.

We chat to the team at The Props Store

When it comes to giving an event the wow factor, Drew Nicholls knows a thing or two, especially as he has access to more than 1,000 props.

The Prop Store was established this year as part of The PS Events Group, in Stratford-upon-Avon, which delivers world-class party and events production and creation management for clients across the globe.

Drew's Aladdin's Cave of props helps transform every type of occasion, creating infinite Instagram moments to help capture the magic of the occasion forever.

Castle Bromwich Hall Gardens was once part of the Earl of Bradford’s estate

Once part of the Earl of Bradford's estate, Castle Bromwich Hall Gardens is an early 18th century formal garden design rescued, nurtured and now owned by an independent Charitable Trust. Keeping largely to a period- relevant style with plant species and heritage fruit from 1680-1760, it's like visiting the Baroque countryside in the middle of a 21st century city.

Offering 10 acres of formal walled gardens, encircled by a further 30 acres of local nature reserve, Castle Bromwich Hall Gardens is one of the first licensed outdoor wedding venues in the West Midlands and the perfect space in which to host a wedding.

Top trending wedding readings #WeddingTok #PoetryTok

With wedding season upon us, and many people looking for reading inspiration, the experts at Poem Analysis have found the top trending (and least cheesy) wedding readings on TikTok! There are 140.4 million views for the search 'best wedding readings' so you're not the only one if you're struggling with the right words to say on your big day! What's more, there's been 2.6 billion views and counting on #PoetryTok and #WeddingTok has 7.4 billion views and rising with advice for every element of your big day, and 140.4 million of those views are for the search 'best wedding readings'.

8 actionable tips for a more sustainable wedding

Weddings cause a surprising amount of waste and CO2 emissions. And, as more and more people consider the effect, many couples are starting to plan greener weddings. Lucille, jewellery expert at ethical jewellery brand Sacet shares eight actionable tips for a more sustainable wedding...Use conflict-free rings and jewellery - consider the ethics of your wedding rings and any other jewellery you may wear on the day. Diamond mining has a devastating impact on the environment and communities. So, choosing conflict-free, lab-grown diamonds, particularly diamonds created using Chemical Vapour Deposition or CVD - a method which requires lower temperatures than the first successful High Pressure, High-Temperature process, which requires a great deal of energy, and recycled metals is the way forward, particularly when it comes to the star of the show, your engagement ring.

Love and gin - matchmade in wedding heaven!

Tied the Knot Wedding Gin by Manchester Gin was crafted by founders Seb and Jen to celebrate their own wedding in 2022. Relaunching in time for wedding season as part of the distillery's core range, Tied the Knot contains 11 botanicals in perfect harmony. Juniper-forward, like most of the Manchester Gin range, this very special edition also celebrates the delicate summer flavours of elderflower and hibiscus, which work beautifully with bright lemon and grapefruit.

It's World Gin Day (10th June) celebrate with seven gin cocktails

World Gin Day on the 10th June is a celebration of all things gin. Here's a selection of amazing gin cocktails originating from different countries for you today and for your hen/stag/sten do and wedding day - well why not on the honeymoon too! There's lots you'll be celebrating! Happy World Gin Day! Ryan Reynolds' Aviation Gin Negroni create at home: 30ml Aviation American Gin, Campari and Sweet Vermouth. Stir all ingredients in a glass, add ice and a fresh twist of orange peel