Your Yorkshire Wedding news and ideas from around the county

Leading Celebrant says industry needs infusion of new talent

The UK celebrant industry is seen as boring and is ripe for reinvigoration, according to Richard Lavender, founder of UK Celebrant Academy, a new training company for modern celebrants. There is now much more demand for celebrant-led ceremonies than ever before, as people want weddings that reflect their unique stories and values. "Celebrants, unlike registrars, provide completely unique and personalised ceremonies, with no limitations on location or content. But there are a lot of celebrants who are providing boring cookie cutter ceremonies. The Celebrant industry needs an infusion of new blood that will bring energy, humour and fun to special days whether they are weddings, funerals, baby naming or vow renewals," says Richard.

‘The Speech Surgery’ with Speechy's Heidi Ellert McDermott

'The Speech Surgery' with Heidi Ellert McDermott, founder of Speechy & author of The Modern Couple's Guide to Wedding Speeches' We're planning on having five speakers at our wedding. How do we make sure the speeches don't take over the whole day? Great speeches can add so much fun and meaning to a wedding day – but you can have too much of a good thing. Guests don't want to feel like they're sat at a conference, so firstly, think about how you schedule the speakers. Perhaps have a couple before the meal, two before the dessert and one (funny speech) after everyone's finished eating. You want your guests to interact with each other on a regular basis, rather than listening to a succession of speakers for an hour!

The Office for National Statistics: journeying through modern life

The Office for National Statistics has published an article exploring life's most important milestones and how they have changed over time. Using a range of data sources, the article looks at key life events such when people enter the workforce, get married, and earn the most money. Kerry Gadsdon, from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), said: "Everyone's journey through adulthood is different, but we can use a range of data to explore key events in life. We've examined how these milestones of adulthood have changed over the past decade and can see how society is shifting. "In England and Wales, people are doing many things later in life; like leaving their parent's home, getting married, and retiring. But not everything has changed. Most people still enter the workforce at 23-24 years old and make the most money in their 30s to 50s."

The English Marquee Company shares its wedding trends for 2024/25

According to industry experts and trend forecasters, one of the standout trends for weddings is the return of the pole marquee as a popular choice for couples seeking a unique and memorable venue for their celebration. Renowned for its timeless elegance, versatility and romantic charm, the pole marquee offers a picturesque backdrop for weddings of all styles, from rustic and bohemian to classic and formal. To provide further insight into this trend, co-founder of The English Marquee Company, the leading provider of bespoke pole marquees known for their exquisite craftsmanship and attention to detail, Tor Peters notes "Couples are seeking more unique and memorable ways to celebrate their special day

These are the UK’s most popular manor house wedding venues for Bridgerton-inspired ceremonies!

As we all wait in anticipation for tonight's first episode of season three of Bridgerton to hit our screens, we're ready to immerse ourselves in Regency splendour once again. If you're engaged, in the throws of wedding planning, there's so much to be inspired by when watching this hit series. New data collected by ethical jewellery brand Sacet has revealed the top manor house wedding venues across the UK that would make the perfect location for a Bridgerton-inspired ceremony. By analysing a number of factors, including number of reviews, professionalism, quality of service and value for money, of over 230 wedding venues that offer manor house weddings in the UK, the top 20 were revealed.

Make sure your big day is protected

A wedding is a special day for a couple, but it can also be an expensive one. Between venues, caterers, photographers, dresses, and entertainment, the costs can add up. For those planning a wedding, it's important you insure yourself against anything that could go awry just before, or on the big day. For those aiming to tie the knot this year, Alex Cross, Insurance Director at Tesco Bank shares his top tips on things to consider for your wedding day to make sure you're covered so things can run as smoothly as possible.

Limited dates for Spring Moorlander Pullman dining service at the North Yorkshire Moors Railway

This year, the NYMR is celebrating 45 years of its Pullman services and have recently announced the Spring Moorlander service for visitors to dine in style and enjoy a delicious seasonal three-course meal, cooked and served onboard the Pullman Dining Train. The return services depart from Grosmont Station at 12:30pm and travel along 18 miles of the heritage line to Pickering and back, with the experience lasting approximately 2 hours and 35 minutes. Diners can expect a selection of artisan bread and butter at the table and then three-courses pre-booked from the seasonal menu. Starters include spring vegetable soup, goats cheese, pear & walnut tart, or chef's homemade chicken liver pâté.

WoodWick® reveals its latest collections

WoodWick® reveals its latest collection designed to effortlessly elevate the home with its unique fragrances and contemporary designs - perfect for big-day gifting. What's more, the gorgeous colour palettes would also suit spring and summer wedding themes adding aroma to your ceremony or reception, evoking memories of your wedding day for years to come. Created to make a statement with its one-of-a-kind multi-sensory experience, the WoodWick® Spring/Summer 2024 range re-energises the home and adds an extra layer of sophistication. With the soothing sound of the crackling wicks, and trend forward scents evocative of the brighter days ahead, this collection is sure to add a bold, yet stylish, touch to the home.

Discover Yorkshire's silver screen secrets with Yorkshire Hideaways

New 2024 dramas such as BBC's Hot Flush and The Jetty with Jenna Coleman are hitting screens later this year, joining the likes of Harry Potter and Mission Impossible in choosing Yorkshire as the perfect backdrop. A set-jetting adventure in Yorkshire includes exploring the iconic filming locations of classic films and exciting TV shows, whilst experiencing the incredible scenery that made Yorkshire the perfect choice for these productions. So, if you're looking for a minimoon closer to home, or a silver screen themed hen, stag or sten check out these suggestions.

New cake stands launched in Spring pastel shades

Innovative UK cake stand brand, Prop Options has launched a new, sophisticated range of interchangeable pastel-coloured cake stands, giving couples and cake designers bountiful colourful options when it comes to displaying their wedding cakes. Known as the Reeded Stand, these pastel-toned contemporary cake plinths have removable top plates, allowing designers and couples to mix and match colourways for a truly unique, fun, yet elegant, design. Prop Options is bringing out six colourways in its Pastel Reeded Stand collection, namely pink, lavender, green, yellow, blue and 2024 colour of the year, Pantone Peach Fuzz. The stands are also available in white, black, and gold.

New Smeg products ideal for wedding gifting this season

Whether you're compiling your big-day gift list and looking for inspiration, or you're a guest attending a wedding in the coming months, these new items from Smeg makes wedding gifting easy! Adding to its of portfolio cooking essentials, Smeg has introduced its first countertop scales. The KSC01 Kitchen Scales are a welcome addition for both budding bakers and professionals in the kitchen. Joining the likes of stand mixers and cookware in Smeg's portfolio, the brand's all-new digital scales are both outstanding in design and packed with its advanced technology.

Find a moment of calm at Rituals in Harrogate

Beauty and wellbeing brand Rituals has recently opened an exciting new store on James Street in Harrogate. "It's wonderful to see yet another unique and growing brand choose Harrogate as its home for a new store," says Ed Horner, BID PR and communications officer for Harrogate BID. "We're thrilled to welcome Rituals, which really is dedicated to all things beauty and sustainability, as well as personal wellbeing. The high street continues to have challenges nationally but here in Harrogate we're bucking that trend and we thank Rituals for its support." Annemarie Forsyth, managing director of Rituals Cosmetics (UK & Ireland) says, "We're so excited to be opening this store in Harrogate, expanding the Rituals interactive experience in the UK.

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!

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.