Your Yorkshire Wedding news and ideas from around the county

#ThisBarbie is getting married! New cards from Thortful

thortful has launched a Barbie card range to send to your bestie on her big day! The internet has been coloured pink with over 107,000 views on Tiktok for #ThisBarbie following the release of a new Barbie trailer. Greetings card marketplace, thortful, has created Barbie cards to send to your nearest and dearest, including 'This Barbie has passed her driving test', and 'This Barbie is getting married'

Avoid a pet custody dispute - get a petnup

Ella Welsby, a senior associate at law firm DMH Stallard and specialist divorce lawyer, explains below how a petnup can help avoid a costly custody battle. Ella Welsby, a senior associate at law firm DMH Stallard and specialist divorce lawyer, said: "We are a nation of animal lovers, but consideration of how pet ownership would be dealt with in the event of a relationship breakdown often comes too late. Given the continued trend for couples to embark on pet ownership as a first foray into family life, it is important to appreciate how to best protect respective interests.

5 ways to plan a sentimental bridesmaid proposal

Planning your wedding is such a personalised experience, and getting to do it your own way is part of what makes it so special. With this in mind, have you thought about how you'll ask your bridesmaids to be part of your wedding party? Add a sentimental touch to this moment with these tips from Kirsty Prankherd, Managing Director of Write From The Heart. Getting everything planned for your wedding is such a personal process, and asking your bridesmaid to be in your wedding party is one of those special moments you'll remember long after the event. So naturally, you'll want to add some individual touches to this proposal to make it an even more special moment between you and your friends.

Launched of British-led bridal collection, Nori Ivy

Former candidate on this year's The Apprentice, Shannon Martin has launched her British-led bridal collection, Nori Ivy, which she originally pitched to Lord Sugar. "While I was grateful for the opportunity to be on the show, I left in week two when I discovered the process wasn't for me," she says. "I realised I didn't need a business partner to make Nori Ivy a success, as I could do it on my own, alongside my amazing team!"

Noble Macmillan is celebrating this year's wedding season

Luxury leather goods brand Noble Macmillan is celebrating this year's wedding season with a stunning collection of exceptional quality, personalised leather gifts. This thoughtfully curated edit includes a variety of exquisite items from their ever popular classic travel games and bound photo albums, to their brand new glassware range, specifically their stunning hand-blown decanters - all would make wonderful additions to any wedding list.

Beauty in Bloom, just opened in April in Ilkley

Having just opened in April, Beauty in Bloom is an ecohair and beauty salon based in Ilkley. Owned by Charlotte Hawkins, her specialist team of hair stylists and make-up artists continue to make a name for themselves as the bridal hair and make-up people in and around Yorkshire. Aside from over 20 years of experience, their passion for perfection is unrivalled – put simply, they're the team you want on the morning of your wedding!

How to throw a Hen Do on a budget

A typical spend for a Hen Do weekend can cost over £250 per person, taking a big chunk out of the wedding budget. Not only is this a massive cost for the bride, but it could also lead to members of the bridal party worrying about how they can afford such lavish expenses, which may result in them bailing out on the plans. Making arrangements in advance and planning activities ahead of time means both the bride and the party enjoy the celebrations without any falling outs. Sticking to local destinations or opting for activities like bottomless pottery painting over brunch are some of the simple solutions to saving money but still allow everyone to revel in the fun.

Hot new venue - EK at The Mill in Skipton

We love nothing more than reading about a new wedding venue, so are delighted to announce that EK at The Mill in Skipton is now open. Steeped in character and overlooking the canal and countryside, it offers a beautiful space for licensed civil ceremonies, wedding receptions and vow renewals. With its high beamed ceilings, Yorkshire stone walls and stunning woodland views, the venue adds an extra special quality to the most important day in your life.

County Wedding Magazine reader shares their prize win story!

Here at County Wedding Magazines HQ, we love nothing more than to hear from the winners of our competitions. In the crazy world of wedding planning, it's exciting for us to be able to offer our lovely readers some exciting giveaways and competitions which will hopefully give you a much-needed pick-me-up during on the countdown to your wedding day. In December 2022, CWM ran a competition, 'Win a relaxing spa day for two!' and the winners were nearlyweds Laura and Antoni. The lucky pair enjoyed a day at The Spa at Ardencote, a luxury four-star wedding venue in Warwickshire, including a 55-minute Elemis treatment, light lunch and full access to the award-winning spa facilities worth £130!

Wedding flowers for a lifetime

If you fell in love with your wedding flowers, or perhaps your chosen blooms on the big day had a sentimental meaning, the experts from Gardening Express have named the best flowers to grow in your garden so you can have memories forever of your wedding day. Dahlias come in a variety of colours and sizes, they have a long vase life, which means they will look fresh and beautiful. Dahlias are also associated with love and commitment, making them a meaningful choice.

UK wedding catering trends 2023

Restaurant Associates reveals new data shows a definitive shift in style and substance at UK weddings post-Covid. Now that the dust has settled, and government mandated guest list limits are all but a thing of the past, the UK wedding scene has seen a definitive shift. New data from Restaurant Associates shows a preference to an informal style, plant-forward menus and reception only guests - so what does a 'normal' wedding look like, post-covid?

Wedding favours that make a difference

Parkinson's UK has launched a new collection of wedding and celebration favours and place cards, meaning couples can rest assured with their ethical wedding choices. From old favourites to stunning new designs, there's something for everyone, and even better, with every purchase they're helping someone living with Parkinson's and their family, friends and carers. Parkinson's is the fastest-growing neurological condition in the world, and currently there is no cure. It affects around 145,000 people in the UK and every hour two more people are diagnosed with more than 40 symptoms, from tremor and pain to anxiety.

Pre-wedding pampering with Margaret Dabbs Harrogate

Margaret Dabbs London is renowned for luxury foot-care products to give you that 'walking on air' feeling; perfect for anyone getting themselves in top condition for their big day. Head to Harrogate's Montpellier Parade for your nearest Margaret Dabbs London clinic, where you'll see the brand's range of expertly-crafted treatments and products, all of which give them the benchmark in the luxury foot and hand-care market. Here you can also experience their world-famous Medical Pedicure: performed by a HCPC-registered Podiatrist, think of it as a complete foot health overhaul, including a comprehensive consultation, diagnosis and treatment. Margaret Dabbs London is offering Your Yorkshire Wedding readers 20% off all products in their Harrogate clinic as well as online.

How to announce your wedding and involve your WIPs (Wedding Important People)

There are various levels of Wedding Important People (WIPs), which Rachel from The Wedding Party (TWP) says should govern how you tell them. "Significant WIPs, such as parents or guardians, should be face-to-face wherever possible. Getting families together to announce can kill two birds with one stone, but if your families have not met yet this can produce more nerves. If there are likely to be any reservations, then perhaps speak to your WIPs separately to allow for this. In the same breath, if parents are separated (yours or your partners), arrange to visit them separately but on the same day if possible. Finally, remember that using the video software available to you can ensure that you do this face-to-face no matter the circumstances.

How to manage financial anxiety when planning a wedding

Anita Naik, Savings Expert at VoucherCodes.co.uk, provides her top tips on how to manage financial anxiety when planning a wedding: "Understanding and managing your finances is never an easy task at the best of the times, however, throwing in a big goal, such as saving for a wedding, can lead to feelings of stress and anxiety. Wedding planning should be fun, not daunting, therefore this Stress Awareness Month, I've pulled together my top tips to help reduce financial anxiety and make the process as enjoyable as possible.

The number one cause of wedding planning stress and how to reduce it!

What causes stress in wedding planning is something that is individual to each couple, but where does it mainly come from? Friends? Family? Finances? "A staggering 92% of our couples planning a wedding are feeling the pressure financially and it is causing overwhelm", says Rachel Allen, the CEO of The Wedding Party (TWP)." This was the reason that Rachel formulated The Overwhelm Button® to help couples to get good support. Rachel continues, "Being stressed over finances can take several different forms, the main three being as follows...

Sustainable wedding table ideas from LIGA

Known for their love of nature's wonder material - cork, LIGA's sustainable tableware collections are a stylish and unique wedding dining-setting choice. With their extensive collection of placemats, coasters, trays and candle holders, all made from eco-frendly and recycled materials, LIGA create clean and contemporary pieces, bringing a naturally beautiful element to the tablescape. Each with a unique grain and pattern, the organic cork selected by LIGA is lightweight and soft to touch, a wonderful raw material which is naturally water resistant and easy to clean. Sourced from the Montado Forests in Portugal, LIGA's cork is hand harvested using age-old skills without damaging the trees or the delicate eco-systems which thrive in the forests. Once cork has been made into a LIGA product it continues to absorb CO2, so a living and breathing piece of homeware.

Leeds' couple's Disney proposal

A Disney-obsessed duo had the trip of a lifetime, on their fourth visit to Walt Disney World, as Adam Smith, got down on one knee to propose at the most magical place on earth. Adam and Chloe both living in Leeds have been together for 10 years and both share an incredible passion for holidays to Disney. Except this time, Adam was planning a very special trip, as he set the wheels in motion to ask for Chloe's hand in marriage at their favourite Disney Florida holiday destination.

Team Hen's new Jelly Bag has landed

Meet the jelly bag that every bride tribe wants their hen party favours to arrive in 2023. Landing in three gram-worthy hues (off-white for the bride, dusky pink for the bridesmaids and maid-of-honour and pink for the hens). These reusable beauties are perfect for filling with Team Hen's latest array of coveted hen party favours and gifts whilst flaunting a cool, retro vibe. Plus, each comes tied with a matching ribbon, professionally printed in a luxe puffed design to create a slightly raised font effect. Not only are they the gift that keeps on giving (post-hen recipients can use them from beach to bar) but at £3.99 they're a steal!

Leon Marshall, musician, available for wedding bookings!

Great music is high on the hit list for any engaged couple when planning their wedding, so make sure your guests are well entertained by considering Leon Marshall to sing and play. "As a singing guitarist I provide live music from the intimacy of the ceremony, during reception drinks and your wedding breakfast, before getting the party started for the evening reception. I have a repertoire of around 300 songs ranging from rock 'n' roll through to popular songs today. I give my couples the option of choosing songs that I'll play from my list if they'd like, and if there's something that's not on the list I'll certainly have a go at learning it! My packages start from £250 for the ceremony on its own, to £1,450 for the whole day – but for the full day you'll get ceremony music, two 45 minutes sets during the drinks reception, two 45 minute sets during the wedding breakfast, four 45 minute sets during the evening, and a playlist of background music for between the sets."