Your Yorkshire Wedding news and ideas from around the county

Ginger Ray - An Introvert's Guide to surviving a hen party

So, you've got a hen party on the horizon, but the thought of navigating through a sea of social interactions is making you break into a cold sweat. Fear not introverts, we've got your back! Follow these top tips to make sure that you don't bring down the mood at the hen party and instead boost the atmosphere of the event. Hen parties are a chance to celebrate the lucky soon-to-be bride so make it a night she'll never forget! Jess Martin, Hen Party expert at Ginger Ray has shared 6 strategies to ensure that you not only survive, but actually enjoy the festivities:

Enjoy some relaxing bubbles at Thorpe Park Hotel & Spa

Thorpe Park Hotel & Spa in Leeds has kickstarted the summer season with a new decadent overnight spa experience in collaboration with renowned English sparkling wine producer, Nyetimber. On arrival, you'll find a 375ml half bottle of Nyetimber's signature sparkling wine – Classic Cuvee Multi-Vintage, chilled to perfection in the mini-fridge. Crowned one of the best English sparkling wines, Nyetimber's Classic Cuvee blends chardonnay, pinot noir, and pinot meunier and is a perfect balance of elegance, complexity and intensity. It has distinctive, toasty and spicy aromas with a palate of honey, almond, and baked apples, providing an intense yet delicate flavour.

Sten dos are on the rise

Stag and hen experts, Adventure Connections, say it is the 'Sten do' that takes traditional trends down! A mash-up of the separate parties, the Sten do provides a popular new way for the future bride and groom to be united before the big day. Rumoured to have been recreated by Harry and Megan, Sten dos prove to be the hottest way to party. Founder of Adventure Connections, Justin Sayers mentions that "things are changing when it comes to pre-wedding parties", so why not give it a try? Sten dos offer a cost-effective and inclusive solution to those separate gatherings, perfect for those with a large number of guests. Those shared memories are sure to be irreplaceable. Reduce your stress and make it a rave to remember!

Dive into the world of muted colour palettes

Rebecca Brennan-Brown, founder of GetWed, a team of wedding experts based in London, helping couples achieve dreamy, fun, and unpretentious weddings, dives into the world of muted colour palettes and shares her top tips and advice for channeling this aesthetic...In a world of Instagram algorithms and Pinterest boards that feed you new inspiration every five minutes, it can be tricky to choose a colour palette for your wedding, let alone stick to one. Do you go for classic, whimsical whites and greens? Or perhaps something bolder and more fun? Or maybe you've always envisioned a summery pastel palette. The options are endless.

Personalisation is IN for 2024

Crafty Brewing and Lola and Luna's collaboration reveals how personalisation is being brought to the forefront of 2024 weddings. The concept of personalisation is holding a key part in redefining 'tradition' and incorporating new captivating trends in every aspect of your magical event. Aimee, a wedding expert from a wedding planning and styling company says that "Over the past few years, weddings have increasingly started steering away from the same old conventions, and opting for bespoke options more frequently." From table plans set on where the couple first met, to embroidered napkins there are so many opportunities to add a personal touch on your big day.

Paperchase unveils wedding and hen party products collection

The beloved brand Paperchase has recently launched an exclusive collection of wedding and hen party products. The new range features a wide selection of unique and sophisticated wedding staples and novelty hen products for great value prices, from stationery to decorative accessories. It is perfect for those tying the knot this year or planning a spectacular hen do. Looking for luxurious wedding invitations? but want to keep costs down? Well, the Ginger Ray Wedding Invitations with Envelopes (10pack with envelopes) with a classic cream finish they combine style with affordability for those looking to advertise their big day with a stunning opening number.

Scentscape your wedding day with Yankee Candle

Scentscaping your wedding day is a trend that's going nowhere! Finding the right fragrance to shape the atmosphere of your wedding is an exciting part of the wedding planning journey you can do together - beats the wedmin too! Yankee Candle, and sister brand WoodWick, boast a wide collection of candles in all shapes, colours and sizes that would work perfectly for your nuptials, reception and big-day gifting. Imagine walking into you ceremony with the scent of pink cherry and vanilla surrounding you, or at your winter reception Pumpkin Cinnamon Swirl from Yankee's new collection will certainly set the tone of the proceedings and reflect the time of year. Once you've found your favourite candle, it's also something you can purchase time and again to evoke memories of the special event, alternatively gifting loved ones who supported you on your wedding day with a candle to the big-day fragrance will be a gift where guests can reminisce too!

Say I do among beautiful gardens and enchanting woodland at The Parsonage Hotel & Spa

Located just six miles from the historic city of York, The Parsonage Hotel and Spa stands in three acres of beautiful gardens and enchanting woodland, creating a romantic backdrop for your wedding day. The venue promises that no more than one wedding is held there per day, so the team's undivided attention will be on yours. The Castania is licensed to hold civil ceremonies and can seat up to 110 guests. Meanwhile, the Albizia and Wenlock Rooms are available for more intimate "I dos" for up to 20 people. Wedding breakfasts are hosted in the elegant Crystal Suite, which boasts panoramic views of the garden. Containing its own private bar, it's the ideal space for your day and evening celebrations.

Planning for the night ahead – wedding nightwear from Chelsea Peers

West London based designer brand Chelsea Peers has an glamorous array of wedding nightwear for any bride on their special day, to complement the bride's style and luxurious taste. When wedding planning, you mainly focus on the particulars of the actual ceremony and the events of the day, however what about your first night as husband and wife? With Chelsea Peers, the elegant draping allows the bride to maintain an effortless silhouette while adding just a touch of splendour. For a spectacular wedding night, consider the chic and comfortable Satin Fringe Trim Long Pyjama Set – Ivory, that features a swishy flared shape that has plenty of movement, combined with smooth, lustrous satin.

Here come the girls

Coming soon to Bijou Bridal Boutique in Honley is the incredibly beautiful new Luxe Satin range from Motee Maids. It features the perfect mix and match selection of bodices and skirts that you have all come to love from the designer in a new colour range. These gorgeous gowns will be arriving at the boutique at the end of July, and if you're a bride on the hunt for modern, luxurious and oh-so pretty dresses for your bride tribe, these could the the choice for you. Follow Bijou on social media to keep up to date with the gowns' arrival: www.instagram.com/bijoubridalboutique or www.facebook.com/bijoubridalboutiqueholmfirth. Also, check out the website at https://bijoubridalboutique.com

The Speech Surgery: modern day etiquette with Heidi Ellert McDermott, founder of Speechy

The Speech Surgery: modern day etiquette with Heidi Ellert McDermott, founder of Speechy, and author of The Modern Couple's Guide to Wedding Speeches: Some say addressing guests as 'ladies and gentlemen' is a mistake these days... what is the Modern newlywed speech etiquette? Let's start by saying (again) there are no wedding speech rules. When it comes to etiquette, it's simply a case of common sense and being polite. Honestly, that's it. When it comes to addressing your audience, 'Ladies and gentlemen' is becoming less common for two reasons.

Hudderfield's Titanic Spa opens its new mud chamber

Google searches for stress relief have surged to unprecedented levels over the past weeks, so it's reassuring to know that something as simple as mud might be the key to feeling a whole lot better. Titanic Spa, the UK's first eco-spa located in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, is proud to unveil the newly renovated mud chamber. This refurbishment marks a significant investment in the spa's ongoing commitment to enhancing its facilities and providing an elevated experience for guests. Originally opened in 2005, Titanic Spa has updated its popular mud chamber with cutting-edge features and a sleek, modern design. The 25-minute Private Mud Chamber experience remains a favourite among guests, accommodating individuals or groups of up to four seeking a self-guided treatment.

Creative ways to preserve and display your wedding bouquet

Your wedding day is one of the most magical days of your life, so you'll no doubt want to hold onto your memories for as long as possible. Here, Clare Price from framing specialists Wall Space shares their tips for preserving your wedding bouquet for years to come. Preserving your wedding bouquet can be a wonderful way to keep the memories of your special day alive. Techniques like drying and pressing are some of the best methods of flower preservation, and there are countless ways to show off your preserved blooms in your home once you're done. With the tips and ideas below, you can create lasting reminders of your cherished moments and remember your special day for years to come.

Find the perfect wedding ring with help from the experts at Jeweller's Loupe

Your wedding ring symbolises the eternal bond you share with your partner, so it's only natural that you want to find the perfect one. With so many options available, the search can sometimes feel overwhelming. But fear not! Ethical jewellery brand, Jeweller's Loupe, have shared their favourite tips to guide you through the process and help you find the ring of your dreams. When choosing the metal for your wedding ring, durability should be a top priority. After all, this ring will be worn daily and subjected to all sorts of activities depending on your lifestyle. Opting for strong metals like platinum ensures that your ring will stand the test of time and require less maintenance.

Experts reveal five wedding trends set to be huge this Summer

With the new season comes new colours and trends, and with that being said, experts at Diamonds Factory have predicted five wedding trends that are set to be big this Summer. Couples will step away from the traditional colour scheme "Stepping away from the traditional black and white formal attire, we expect to see many wedding parties embrace colour this Summer. We saw the mismatched bridesmaid dresses trend resurge in popularity in late 2023, and predict this trend will take off even further this Summer, especially now it's getting warmer and with people experimenting with colour more.

The Speech Surgery: how long is too long?

The Speech Surgery: how long is too long? Heidi Ellert McDermott, founder of Speechy explores this. My groom says he's finished his speech and he's really happy with it but it's almost 2,000 words long. Is that too much? Yes. All speeches should be under ten minutes long. It seems obvious but I've seen several speeches (generally the best men) go well over half an hour, oblivious to the yawns or heckling. That's no more than 1,300 words maximum, allowing for pauses or laughter on the day. Remind your fiancé that his first draft is just the start of the writing process.

Wedding favours for Kids: ToyChoc Box

PLAYin CHOC's ToyChoc boxes are a fantastic choice for entertaining kids at weddings. These eco-friendly, vegan, and allergen-free treats come in 100% recyclable packaging. Each box contains two creamy chocolate bars wrapped in compostable packaging, along with a 3D card puzzle toy featuring animals like endangered species, sea creatures, or dinosaurs - there's also a fun animal fact inside. At just £2.25 each on Amazon, these boxes are a budget-friendly addition to your wedding plans.

Titanic Spa celebrates the longest day with a Twilight Evening Spa Package

Titanic Spa, the UK's first eco-spa, is set to celebrate the summer solstice with its 'Twilight Evening' Spa Package. On June 22nd, the longest day of the year, guests are invited to indulge in a serene and rejuvenating experience as the golden hour bathes the spa's luxurious facilities in a warm, enchanting glow. Guests can immerse themselves in the magic of the summer evening sun, perfectly timed to capture the longest day's fading light. The package includes full access to Titanic Spa's extensive facilities, including the outdoor sunken hot tub, swimming pool, heat & ice experience, and relaxation areas.

Your ultimate guide to wedding gift etiquette

It's that time of year again where our inboxes and mailboxes are full of beautifully designed wedding invitations, we're scouring the web for the perfect outfit and excitedly researching accommodation and travel. Being invited to a wedding is a gift and it is tradition to provide a gift to the happy couple. But, where to begin? Luckily we've sat down with Georgie Mitchell, Wedding Planner, Coordinator and Wedding Expert, at online fashion destination SilkFred, who has shared her ultimate guide to wedding gift giving from how much to spend to how to make your gift stand out on the present table.

New venue alert! The Mile Wedding Barn in Pocklington

The team at Ales & Cocktails has recently launched The Mile Wedding Barn in Pocklington. A characterful, rustic-chic venue, the Barn and its grounds provide a blank canvas for you to create your dream wedding. When you book your big day here, you can expect a charming blend of rustic elegance and natural beauty, creating the perfect setting for your nuptials. You're welcome to decorate the Barn according to your own style and vision, so it's yours to inject your personalities into for such an important occasion. Alongside, the ample outside space available too, you and your guests will have the best of both worlds as you bring the outside in.