Editor loves and inspiration

I love this touch! Real bride and Disney fan Rachel labelled the bottom of her flats with her groom's name to mirror the sole of Woody's boots in Toy Story – so cute!

Discover the story of the couple's big day in the May/Jun25 issue, free to download at www.youryorkshire.wedding/free-download

Carlton Towers (www.carltontowers.co.uk) is a privately owned Victorian Gothic-style country house in the beautiful Yorkshire countryside. Set amongst 250 acres of parkland, which looks simply stunning during the spring, you can enjoy a celebration with your loved ones immersed in a historical setting. Whether it's an intimate ceremony you craze or an elaborate reception, the house and grounds are exclusively yours.

In early spring the grounds sparkle with snowdrops, complemented by magnificent ancient trees. When you tie the knot here, you can experience life on the estate, creating special memories in a stunning space that guests will remember forever.

You can also escape to the pretty walled garden vineyard, which provides a lovely backdrop for private, intimate photographs. Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes are grown here, which produce Carlton Towers Brut Rosé Sparkling Wine 2022. This has become a popular toast drink for newlywed couples, a delight for a springtime drinks reception, or the perfect gift, a souvenir to remember your special day.

READER OFFER
Carlton Towers is offering readers of Your Yorkshire Wedding a complimentary bottle of Carlton Towers Brut Rose Sparkling Wine 2022 when you book you wedding at the venue. Simply quote 'Your Yorkshire Wedding' at time of booking. Offer ends 30th June 2025.

For more springtime wedding inspiration, download the May/Jun25 issue free at www.youryorkshire.wedding/free-download 

Lauren and Brendan met during lockdown when Brendan was a trainer at Lauren's new job. The first time she saw him over Zoom, when he asked everyone to turn their cameras on, she immediately felt the attraction! “We both thought the other had the most beautiful, excited, deep eyes and instantly fell for each other,” Lauren says. Two weeks later, they managed to meet in person in Sheffield and have been inseparable ever since.

Brendan proposed on his birthday. They had discussed their future, but the timing was a surprise for Lauren nevertheless.

The two share a passion for history, so when they were invited to view the rarely seen Mayor's office for some professional portraits, they were bowled over. “It was really important to us that our venue be in Sheffield as this is Brendan's hometown,” Lauren explains. “We also wanted somewhere we could visit again and hopefully show our future children.”

Discover the story of the couple's big day in the May/Jun25 issue, free to download at www.youryorkshire.wedding-free-download

“I love a statement installation and regularly see these at weddings that I work on,” says Lindsey Chadburn from Erin & Peony (https://erinandpeony.comshares. “I've freelanced on a blue moon pampas before, large broken arches, church and cathedral entrance arches, arches with mirrored flooring leading up to them to give the illusion of water, and installations that hang from the ceiling on a ladder, recreating The Ivy in someone's marquee! I've worked on some impressive and interesting floral design projects that I was lucky enough to be involved in.”

For more floral inspiration download the May/Jun25 issue free at www.youryorkshire.wedding/free-download

Image credit: Flower arch by Mollie & Mauve (www.mollieandmauve.co.uk)

In much the same way you determine the vibe of your wedding, you can ensure that your first meal together as marrieds reflects the two of you. “A bespoke menu is a great way to personalise your wedding breakfast,” Rebecca Barker from Dine (www.dine.co.uk) says. “Adding your favourite dish or including a menu chosen by each of you, is a lovely way to bring a bit of personality to your day.”

Steve Mayo from Good Food Story (www.goodfoodstory.co.uk) says, “We love nothing more than to create bespoke and personal menus for our couples, be it using grandma's recipe for your favourite dessert, taking inspiration from your honeymoon destination for a canapé service, or replicating your all-time favourite restaurant dish. It can be very magical and personal and can make a wedding menu incredibly memorable for guests. Guests will often recognise this – 'This menu is so you guys, we love it!' Make it your own!”

For more top catering tips, download the May/Jun25 issue free at www.youryorkshire.wedding/free-download

Rachel and Andy met at university in Lincoln. “Andy was a lovely, attractive guy who was completely different to anyone I'd ever met,” Rachel shares. “He made me so happy, and I enjoyed spending time with him. I felt lucky when he asked me out.” Meanwhile, Andy found himself attracted to Rachel's personality and sense of humour. “As we got to know each other, I realised just how much fun she was, and it didn't take long for me to know she was someone truly special,” he says.

Andy proposed at Disneyworld Florida beneath the Tree of Life in Animal Kingdom. “It was a complete surprise, and I was in utter shock because after nine years I thought it'd never happen!” Rachel tells us. “She didn't expect me to propose in public as I'm quite a reserved person,” Andy says. “The nerves showed as I opened the ring box upside down at first!”

Rise Hall was the first venue the couple visited but that was enough for them! They fell instantly in love with the secluded countryside setting. “No other venue could compare,” Rachel remembers. The beautiful historic charm provided the perfect backdrop for their special day, while the gorgeous grounds offered an array of stunning photo opportunities. “It was the perfect setting, making it everything we'd dreamed of for our wedding,” Rachel explains.

So, they didn't hesitate, the date was set for 22nd June 2024. Here, Rachel shares her memories of the big day and gives us a peek behind the scenes of their planning.

Find out more about Rachel and Andy's big day in the May/Jun25 issue of Your Yorkshire Wedding, free to download at www.youryorkshire.wedding/free-download

Pagie and Jordan met at the Reading Festival when they were teenagers, after chatting online for two years. The two knew they were soul mates the day they met and didn't leave each other's sides for the entire festival. However, they also knew that aged 16 and 17 they were too young to make a long-distance relationship work (Paige lived in Manchester and Jordan in Durham) so, they decided to remain best friends. Sadly, they lost contact for a few years, but reconnected when Paige moved to Paris to work and the two flew bi-weekly to each other in Paris and Durham, which is when love blossomed between them. Now adults, they managed to maintain their long-distance love for around six months before deciding to settle together in Manchester and have never looked back. “The universe finally brought us together just when the time was right,” Paige says.

Jordan proposed six years into their relationship. The couple went engagement ring shopping together in the summer of 2023, before Jordan put it away for a rainy day! It turned out to be a very sunny day though when he proposed in their swim-up suite in their favourite hotel in Majorca a month later.

The duo love the historical Gothic style and Paige is a huge Disney fan, so they wanted their wedding to look like a real-life fairytale. They knew Allerton Castle was the place for them right away, especially with it being the halfway point between their families in Manchester and Durham. “It's like it was made for us,” Paige shares. They were also completely sold by the grand staircase, perfect for the bride's royal princess entrance, allowing her to reenact the Cinderella ballroom scene of her dreams for the first dance.

So, with the date set for 29th August 2024, the couple set about planning their own fairytale. Join us as we hear more about the magical big day from the bride herself...

Find out more about the couple's big day in the May/Jun25 issue of Your Yorkshire Wedding, free to download at www.youryorkshire.wedding/free-download

Jess and Adam met the oh-so modern way, on Tinder. After many unsuccessful swipes between the two, they eventually matched in early May of 2021. Their first date followed a couple of weeks later. At the time, Jess was living in York, while Adam was in Sheffield. So, he came to see her in York to meet her and they spent the whole day walking, talking and getting to know each other. “I was attracted to Adam's calm nature and everything we had in common, including our enjoyment of being outside and travelling,” Jess remembers. “I also liked that he was funny, kind, interested in what I was saying and easy to talk to.” When she got home at the end of the day, Jess texted Adam to tell him how much she'd enjoyed herself before his train had even pulled out of the station! “Talking about our first date now, he says I wasn't playing it cool at all!” she laughs.

Adam proposed in December 2022 on the Phi Phi Islands in Thailand. “It was a complete surprise,” Jess says. “We'd spoken about our future, and Adam told me he did want to get married, but not anytime soon, which had completely thrown me off the scent!” That day, Adam had booked a private speedboat for an island-hopping trip followed by a surprise romantic dinner on the beach at sunset. Between the main course and dessert, he got down on one knee and popped the question. He'd set up his Go-Pro to capture the sunset and while Jess was up from the table had turned it around to capture this memorable moment.

Thicket Priory was the first wedding venue the couple viewed and completely fell in love with it. The couple's friends and family mean a lot to them and are spread out across the country and indeed the world, so it was important that the venue was able to offer them exclusivity for the whole weekend with everyone staying under one roof. The Friday night was a casual affair, allowing guests to get to know each other, reconnect after the stag and hen weekends, play some games and get more excited about the following day. “Our hearts were set on Thicket Priory from the moment we first saw it, with its beautiful grounds, stunning staircase, relaxing bedrooms, beautiful ballroom, many hidden gems and attentive, knowledgeable staff who made us feel welcome from the start,” Jess explains.

To find out more about the big day, head over to the Mar/Apr25 issue of Your Yorkshire Wedding. It's free to download at www.youryorkshire.wedding/free-download

Newly single and having sworn off men, Millie attended a party thrown by a friend and met Todd. Despite staying strong for a few months, turning down repeated invitations for a date, she finally gave in over the phone one night when drunk! And the rest, as they say, is history. The couple shared a long-distance relationship for a while, which included Millie moving to Sweden for a time. Eventually though, she persuaded Todd to move to Yorkshire and they bought their first home together. Eight years on, the couple are married, renovating their family home and are expecting a little girl in the spring. “We're both so grateful and happier than ever,” Millie says.

Todd proposed while away in Turkey on a family holiday back in 2022. He got down on one knee at sunset at the top of Babadag Mountain surrounded by nearest and dearest. “We have a tradition when we go on holiday where Todd buys me a ring I like. This time he said he'd already chosen one for me! It was one of my favourite memories ever,” Millie says.

Bunny Hill ended up being the only venue the couple looked at. “We just knew it was perfect and cancelled all of our other viewings,” Millie says. “The venue itself is so beautiful, but what makes it so special is the attention to detail that's gone into everything and the amazing team they have there. Our coordinator James and the team made the whole process from booking to the big day smooth and stress free. Nothing was too much to ask, they went above and beyond to make our day special.” So, location decided upon, the date was set for 4th July 2024.

To find out more, head to the Mar/Apr25 issue of Your Yorkshire Wedding. It's free to download at www.youryorkshire.wedding/free-download

Morgan and Jacob met at college and started out as friends. “We always liked each other, but graduating and taking jobs took us away from one another,” Morgan explains. “But one day, the universe brought us back together and we've been inseparable ever since.”

Jacob proposed in July 2023. The couple hiked up to Lawn Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park and on reaching the top Jacob popped the question. They had a trip planned for the following month too, so Morgan suspected the proposal would come then, so to have it happen earlier made it a complete surprise for her.

The U.S. based pair visited Bolton Castle back in 2022 as tourists before they were engaged and fell in love with the setting of the Yorkshire Dales. Jacob was born in Yorkshire and was so excited to show Morgan around. So, when she said “yes” they remembered how beautiful the Castle was and were excited for their friends and family to see it. They decided on a glorious UK wedding in Jacob's home county and set the date for July 2024.

To find out more, download the Mar/Apr25 issue of Your Yorkshire Wedding, free at www.youryorkshire.wedding/free-download