Your Yorkshire Wedding news and ideas from around the county

Making Yorkshire Proud, Hollie Mateer

Hollie Mateer, one half of wedding photography husband-and-wife duo The Mateers, has become the first in the world to win Wedding Photographer of the Year and Family Photographer of the Year in the international This is Reportage Awards. These industry awards celebrate authentic and real moments and Hollie's pictures were chosen from more than 100,000 submitted from around the world throughout 2024. No stranger to making history, this is the second consecutive year Hollie has won the This Is Reportage Wedding Photographer of the Year Award. When she won in 2023, she became the first UK woman to win the award. Now, she has become the first photographer of any gender or nationality to win the award twice.

Couples seek help with their Wedding Checklist

With the average 2025 wedding costing £20,822, it's understandable that couples are feeling the pressure to ensure their special day runs smoothly. Wedding costs have more than doubled since the pandemic and with higher budgets often comes increased planning and the need for checklists. Last year "wedding checklist" received 6,600 average monthly searches online as UK couples turned to Google for guidance, to make sure nothing was missed. As your 2025 wedding day approaches and the big elements are secured, from venue and dress to guest list, there will still be a number of important details to manage in those final weeks.

Wedinsure voted best wedding insurance provider

Wedinsure has been recognised as the Best Wedding Insurance Provider at the prestigious Insurance Choice Awards (ICA), run by Smart Money People. The annual awards, which celebrate excellence in the insurance sector, are based entirely on customer feedback, making this a particularly significant win for the company. Wedinsure stood out for its comprehensive cover options, competitive pricing, and customer-first approach, offering policies that range from £6,000 to £100,000 in coverage. With wedding insurance often overlooked, the company has been praised for raising awareness of its importance and delivering a service that couples can trust.

Local violinist named finalist at The North of England Wedding Awards and TWIAs 2025

Renowned wedding violinist Nadia Violin has been named a finalist in the Live Music – Violin category at both The North of England Wedding Awards 2024 and The Wedding Industry Awards 2025. These prestigious awards recognise excellence in the wedding industry, celebrating outstanding service and dedication to creating unforgettable moments. As a recommended supplier at nearly 30 venues and a partner for five stunning locations, Nadia is known for her ability to tailor each performance to suit a couple's unique style. From romantic aisle walks to lively drinks receptions and magical first dances, her music adds elegance and emotion to every wedding.

From smart invites to livestreams: the tech-savvy wedding trends of 2025

Like the tides of fashion, wedding trends come and go; however, the coming online age of nuptials is coming in fast and causing quite the wave. From AI-generated floor layouts and digital invites, modern couples are finding new ways of broadcasting their love. Here are some of the biggest trends in technology that will shape weddings in 2025, and how the industry is adapting to meet couples' expectations.

Victoria Sheffield, brought back to life

Standing proud in Sheffield's industrial quarter of Neepsend, Victoria is enjoying a new lease of life that's been four years in the making. An ancient site for flower gardens and fruit orchards, a world war survivor, a home for a circus, a derelict redbrick and an 1884 chapel, the venue, known as the ultimate reuse project, continues the founders' love affair with restoration, saving it from dereliction. Here to inspire, Victoria's premium 500 capacity over multiple rooms offers infinite possibilities. Upstairs in The Chapel is the main event – an exquisite redbrick feasting hall complete with the original altar clad in reclaimed mirror for dreamy ceremonies together with a stunning Juliette balcony opposite.

Clayton Hotel Leeds offers an abundance of stylish function rooms fit for your nearest and dearest

While the Hotel has definitely changed over the years, the ethos of warm hospitality and dedicated service remains the same, with an amazing team who will create your special day. The venue in West Yorkshire is flexible and can be tailored to suit your needs, with stylish function rooms fit for your nearest and dearest if a small intimate wedding is what you're looking for. With a 'one wedding per day' guarantee, you're assured of the team's undivided attention. They have the experience and the knowledge to deliver your perfect day in a beautiful, contemporary venue, with fantastic food and amazing staff.

Say I Do with Chelsea Peers

Chelsea Peers have made the morning of the wedding even more stylish than before. You and your bridal party can now get ready in soft satin and lace trimmed nightwear, bringing together the joys of wedding morning excitement and the wow factor for your photo album. Why not have your bridesmaids in matching pyjamas? The bridal collection caters to the whole wedding party and would make those getting ready photos all that more special.

Oulton Hall is the picture-perfect countryside mansion for your nuptials

At Oulton Hall the expert and passionate team will make sure your day is full of unforgettable magic and romance. This picture-perfect countryside mansion, with manicured grounds, elegant rooms and spectacular views is made for weddings! A grand and impressive venue, also refreshingly down-to-earth, it combines history and hertitage with modern facilities and friendly hospitality. Located in the heart of the Yorkshire countryside, it's within easy reach of York and Leeds and just 10 minutes from the M62 and M1. It's a convenient spot to share your special day with friends and family whether they number 20 or 220.

Three cheers for mum!

Mother's Day is fast approaching, and with this comes the worry of buying the right present. Mum does so much, how can we possibly repay her? For many mothers, they'll be sat there thinking they don't want the fuss, maybe just a cup of tea and a lay in. However, it's important we show them that they're worth the extra day of love and affection. The mother of the bride is a special role, and I'm sure one all mums look forward to. The extra support we get from our mums on our wedding day is three-fold, so let's unpack them and remind ourselves why we should be treating them on the 30th of Mach 2025.

Deals not to be missed at Dine venues

For 25 years, family-run business Dine (www.dine.co.uk) has been delivering memorable events with expertly planned hospitality. Indeed, the team are renowned for their outstanding service, delicious food and attention to the little details that make every wedding special, alongside a number of stunning local venues to choose from. Dine's venues currently have some some terrific offers available on wedding packages for 2025, so if you're still looking for your dream venue, this will be music to your ears! Rise Hall (www.dine.co.uk/venues/ rise-hall) and The Mansion (www.dine.co.uk/venues/the-mansion) are currently offering 25 per cent off weekend venue hire for the last remaining summer 2025 dates.

The Most popular Wedding Gifts and Their Impact Post-Wedding

You've received your invitation, you've picked out your outfit, now you just need to select your gift! A simple task that can bring reality crashing in "what on earth can I get them?" Here's Not on the Highstreets most popular wedding gifts, along with expert insights from their exclusive interview with multi-award-winning relationship coach Gemma Nice on how these gifts can strengthen relationships and keep the connection alive long after the wedding day.

Timeless Elegance: The Art of Bride Prep with Carmen Falkenburg Photography

Step into the world of refined luxury with Carmen Falkenburg Photography, where every moment of your bridal preparation is transformed into a masterpiece. The exclusive bride prep photography and film packages are crafted for the modern bride who craves sophistication, emotion, and timeless beauty. From the delicate rustle of your gown to the sparkle of your heirloom jewellery, Carmen captures the essence of your journey to "I do" with unmatched artistry.

The Ultimate Mother’s Day Gift Guide!

It's time to get our purses out and to spoil mum. Rituals is a luxurious brand that offers gorgeous gifts for affordable prices, which is one of the many reasons why they are a great place to start for Mother's Day. Rituals recognises that maternal love manifests in various forms and can come from unexpected sources, such as a caring neighbour or a trusted babysitter. Rituals' goal is to honour and celebrate all forms of love.

New Himalayan Salt Sauna at Titanic Spa, Huddersfield

Titanic Spa, the UK's first eco spa based in Huddersfield in West Yorkshire, reveals the launch of its new Himalayan Salt Sauna, as a therapeutic new addition to the popular Titanic Heat and Ice Experience. The upgrade coincides with the spa's 20th anniversary celebrations in 2025, marking two decades of innovation in wellness and sustainability. Developed in collaboration with local Yorkshire business, Dale Sauna, the UK's leading manufacturer and supplier of saunas and steam rooms, the new Himalayan Salt Sauna brings the natural benefits of pink salt caves to Huddersfield. The space combines traditional sauna warmth with the therapeutic properties of Himalayan salt, known to promote detoxification, relaxation, and improved skin health.

Quality Over Quantity: The Surge of Micro Weddings

The modern couple are ditching large lavish weddings and choosing a more intimate affair. A micro wedding is a wedding that has less than 50 guests and focuses more on the meaningfulness of the day rather than the spectacle. Diamonds Factory Ireland with expert wedding planner Akilah Atiba-Davies from With Akilah & Co, unpacks the surge of this trend and why more couples are leaning towards smaller events.

The Met Hotel Leeds offers a dazzling venue for your wedding celebrations

The Met Hotel, Leeds, is a historical wedding venue located in the heart of the city. Originally constructed in the late 1800s, this breathtaking Hotel is renowned for its striking Victorian terracotta façade and stone cupola, designed by the esteemed architects Chorley & Connon. The impressive exterior provides the perfect introduction to a luxurious interior, offering couples a truly dazzling venue for their wedding celebrations. The Hotel's experienced wedding team is committed to ensuring every special day is flawless. Whether you envision a grand, traditional celebration or an intimate, romantic soiree, the team works to bring their unique vision to life. From meticulous planning to seamless execution, the team provides all the necessary support to create unforgettable memories.

Bolton Castle awarded Best Family Visitor Attraction

Bolton Castle is one of the country's best preserved Medieval castles located near Leyburn in North Yorkshire. Recently, it won Best Family Visitor Attraction 2024 in Yorkshire at one of the premier northern business events, the Northern Enterprise Awards 2024 organised by SME News. The castle won thanks to its commitment to offering excellence in customer service, the provision of an engaging visitor schedule of activities and events, and its success in offering a range of business opportunities such as offering the castle as a private event and wedding venue.

How to avoid overspending on your wedding budget

It is a special time for you and your partner, planning the perfect event to celebrate your love with friends and family. However, it can often become stressful as people try to fit such a big event into their budgets. With the average wedding for 2025 coming to a total of £20,822, getting everything from drinks to décor can be a chore. Lake District Country Hotels, providers of wedding venues in the Lake District, pair with James Beckett, financial coach and founder of MoneyStocker.com, to help you budget your way to your big day.

Tie the knot at charming and beautiful country estate Bowcliffe Hall

Located just off of the A1(M) near Wetherby in West Yorkshire, Bowcliffe Hall is a stately country estate that is both charming and beautiful. Available for exclusive hire for any occasion, Bowcliffe Hall boasts eight different venues across the magnificent estate that will take your breath away. From the awe-inspiring grande Ballroom to the modern, contemporary Blackburn Wing, there is an abundance of choice of rooms and spaces to be exclusively hired. The venue is situated on 28 acres of award-winning gardens, perfectly manicured lawns and ancient woodland, which creates the perfect backdrop for any wedding at the estate. Its impeccable grounds can also accommodate marquees and tipis on either the south or east lawns for those hoping for a large wedding reception.