Your Yorkshire Wedding news and ideas from around the county

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.

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!

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.

Sedgewell Barn is set among 60 acres of rolling countryside

Sedgewell Barn is set among 60 acres of rolling countryside in the heart of rural North Yorkshire. This relaxed, family-run wedding venue offers two stunning barns with fabulous views of the surrounding countryside, as well as deluxe glamping pods and a luxury wedding suite on site. A blank canvas venue it gives you the flexibility to theme your wedding as you wish, spending as little or as much on the things that matter most to you. There are two interlinked barns here: the Rustic Barn with its romantic character, and the Celebration Barn, which is more contemporary in style with enviable views over the Yorkshire Dales. You'll also find an outdoor seating area, the Byre welcome area and several stunning backdrops for those all-important photographs.

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.*

Titanic Spa tests the waters with underwater meditation

Titanic Spa, the UK's first eco-spa has elevated the practice of meditation with the introduction of 'Underwater Meditation' sessions. These sessions, which will happen twice daily, immerse guests in a unique experience by playing carefully selected calming tracks through the water of its self-regulated swimming pool. One of the first wellness experiences of its kind, Titanic Spa's clever underwater speakers will play deep, restorative sounds that can only be heard beneath the water's surface. Unlike conventional meditation settings confined to yoga studios or cosy rooms, Titanic Spa's underwater meditation experience takes the art of meditation to new heights.

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.

A world of wellbeing awaits at Thorpe Park Hotel & Spa

Thwaites Spa Group is thrilled to announce that all six of its hotel spas, which in Yorkshire includes Thorpe Park Hotel & Spa, have been recognised with the prestigious AA Recommendation. As a rising star in the wellness industry, the Group is redefining the landscape of wellness experiences across the UK with a collection of spas that seamlessly blend tranquillity and affordability. Each location is carefully designed, featuring saunas, steam rooms, and beautiful pools, allowing you to immerse yourself in a world of relaxation and wellbeing. Each spa boasts an array of services, including indulgent TEMPLESPA massages and rejuvenating Caudalie facials, all delivered by highly trained spa therapists.

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%).

Cinderella's in Skipton celebrates its 25th anniversary

The team at Cinderella's is celebrating the boutique's 25th anniversary with a nomination for a Great Northern Wedding Award 2024! Back in 1999 when the millennium bug was set to cause total chaos with every computer in the land, Mandy started a small business called Stitches. Just over a year later she expanded and Cinderella's was born in the historical market town of Skipton. In the intervening 25 years, the business has witnessed political crises, recessions and a pandemic; during that time the country has also seen seven prime ministers come and go! The boutique has been based in three different locations all within Skipton town, each providing its own unique character.

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.

Bolton Castle wins Best Historical Visitor Attraction

Bolton Castle, one of the country's best preserved medieval castles and spectacular wedding venue, located near Leyburn in North Yorkshire, has won Best Historical Visitor Attraction at the Northern Enterprise Awards 2023. The venue won thanks to its commitment to offering excellence in visitor service, the provision of a compelling events programme throughout its open season, and its success in securing additional opportunities to build an income by offering the castle as a private event and wedding venue. Jacqui Naylor, GM at the castle says, "We're aware that we're a hidden gem in the North Yorkshire countryside and compared to some of Yorkshire's larger visitor attractions, we need to work hard to ensure our visitor offer meets the challenge of the 21st-century market.

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

Bigger and better Beaverbrooks Leeds

Family-owned national diamond, jewellery and watch retailer Beaverbrooks has made a significant investment in the refurbishment of its Leeds store, along with the expansion of its adjoining luxury watch boutique. Following investment of £1.5 million, the retailer recently unveiled its refitted city centre store, located on Commercial Street, in addition to its expanded TAG Heuer boutique, which is now almost double its previous size. This will provide shoppers across Leeds and Yorkshire with access to an impressive selection of TAG Heuer's most anticipated launches and heritage pieces.

Worried about your dad's wedding speech? Here's some top advice from Speechy

'The Speech Surgery' with Heidi Ellert McDermott, founder of Speechy & author of 'The Modern Couple's Guide to Wedding Speeches. At Speechy, we believe that all great speeches have good story-telling at the heart of them. So instead of hunting down one-liners, encourage your dad to simply tell his favourite stories. Remind him that he can call on your mum or siblings for help with content and constructive feedback, and send him links to lots of various speech examples to get his brain thinking.