Your Yorkshire Wedding news and ideas from around the county

Raise a toast with Martin the Toastmaster

We asked Martin Moorhouse, Martin the Toastmaster (www.toastmastermartin.co.uk) to explain the role a toastmaster plays in a wedding day. Read on to find out more... Firstly, a toastmaster brings the style and presence of that famous red tailcoat, which adds colour to your wedding. They also manage all the stress and anxiety of organising your day – no matter how big or small. This is done by meticulously planning for your exact requirements, ensuring what you want happens when, where and with whoever you wish. They also liaise with other professionals involved in your wedding such as photographers, videographers, musicians, DJs or catering staff – meaning you can relax and enjoy your celebration.

Sober hen parties are on the rise

While hen parties are often characterised by celebratory cocktails, drinking games and wild night outs, the hen-do could soon be shrugging off its booze-fueled persona. Global searches for 'sober hen do ideas' have doubled over the past year while 'sober bachelorette party games' has also seen a 50% increase. On TikTok, #soberliving has seen a surge in popularity, with videos including the hashtag boasting over 650 million views. If you're a bride-to-be looking to celebrate your 'last night of freedom' tee-total-style, party planning expert, Amy Greenshields at cardfactory has shared her four top tips.

Tadcaster hat shop shortlisted in the Nation’s Wedding Awards 2023

Simply Devine does it again! The destination hat shop is a finalist in the Nation's Wedding Awards 2023 – formerly the English Wedding Awards and The Great British Wedding Awards - in which the Tadcaster hat shop has previously won awards since 2017 with its collection of hats, fascinators and hatinators for weddings, race days, garden parties and special occasions. This year the shop is a finalist in the Specialist Supplier of the Year category. Liz Devine-Wright, owner of the shop, of York Road, Tadcaster, has run the designer-led hat shop for the past 20 years. Said Liz: "It is always such an honour to be a finalist in professional awards.

Is lasting love magic, logic or luck?

Does it matter how a couple met? Contented Couples, a new guide to long-term relationships, features candid, intimate interviews with eighteen couples, based in the UK and USA. Each pair tell of how they met, how they formed a relationship and how they've thrived to become a truly happy union. One couple met and married within a month, whilst another two were thrown together repeatedly by a matchmaker who refused to give up - and it is not only guy meets girl either. The couples speak from an array of circumstance, culture and sexual orientations, including arranged marriage, friends-to-lovers and dating apps.

The five best weather apps to keep your eye on it leading up to the big day

Wedding jewellery experts Austen & Blake have listed some of the best weather apps to keep an eye on in the lead-up to your big day. The UK weather has been anything but predictable lately, with September set to be a particularly rainy and unsettled month, according to The Met Office. Top-rated apps help to track and plan your wedding day accordingly. Weather apps are invaluable when it comes to planning your nuptials, but sometimes there's no avoiding the inevitable. That's why, along with listing the best apps for tracking grey skies, the jewellery experts have teamed up with a professional wedding photographer to provide tips on how to get the best rainy snaps.

Even when the weather's a washout, it doesn't mean your wedding photos have to be! Here are some of the best weather apps to keep an eye on and how to strike the perfect pose if rain is predicted:

Don’t like your engagement ring? Relationship experts reveal what you need to do!

A marriage proposal is filled with an overwhelming amount of emotion and is a moment both you and your partner will remember forever. But once the initial rush fades, what if you come to terms with the fact that the ring placed on your finger isn't what you envisioned it to look like? Leading diamond jewellers, Diamonds Factory, teamed up with relationship experts Georgia Sturmer and Sharin Shafer, who have shared their top 3 tips on how to handle this delicate situation in the best way possible.

Fraser Hart launches its stunning lab-grown diamond collection

Fraser Hart, one of the UK's leading purveyors of fine jewellery, is redefining affordable luxury with the launch of its Born Lab Grown Diamonds collection in 10 new stores nationwide. Optically, physically and chemically identical to an earth-grown diamond, here cutting-edge technology is used to create timeless diamonds in a laboratory setting. Blending craftsmanship with innovation, Born Lab Grown Diamonds are breathtaking in their clarity, delivering the same sparkling wow-factor as traditionally mined gems, but with a more accessible price tag. The Born collection includes a stunning choice of "buy now, treasure forever" heirloom jewellery pieces. With exquisite diamond rings starting at just £799, diamond and white gold stud earrings from £799, classic diamond encrusted tennis bracelets from £5,250, and diamond pendant necklaces from £850, investing in luxurious, exceptional quality and utterly timeless diamond jewellery pieces has never been more attractive.

The wellness journals from Lovendu you need in your life

With Mental Health Awareness day falling in October, and as we approach the end of the year, take positive steps to improve your wellbeing in 2024 through journaling. The benefits of daily journaling are huge, from reducing stress and improving your mental health to boosting productivity and providing an opportunity to get in sync with your emotions. It's the ultimate act of self-care – and Lovendu makes it easy to take control of your life and truly thrive.

Getting married? Alcohol-free menu is the new must-have

Samantha Gilchrist, CEO of the UK's largest wedding venue collection, The Gilchrist Collection, conducted a survey of 2,000 UK adults to find out their wedding drinking habits. The study comes as the collection launches its new alcohol-free drinks menu, created in partnership with First Dates star bartender, Merlin Griffiths. The survey revealed that almost half (47%) of those who had attended a wedding in the last five years didn't drink alcohol during at least one of the events they had been to. Sober guests said they were often left feeling uncomfortable at weddings sipping an un-festive soft drink, as 35% of respondents said they are questioned on why they aren't having alcohol. Sadly, a quarter admitted to drinking alcohol at a wedding just to avoid awkward questions or having to share personal or medical information as an excuse.

Relaxing festivities at The Coniston

This festive season, holiday-makers escaping frantic city life, or indeed wedding planning, will be welcome to indulge in the ultimate Christmas getaway at The Coniston Hotel. Situated in the heart of the picturesque Yorkshire Dales, The Coniston Hotel is the perfect setting for an unforgettable Christmas celebration. The hotel has announced a new Relax & Retreat Christmas Residential three-night break promising a tranquil and magical experience for guests with their loved ones. It includes cosy accommodation, a sparkling afternoon tea, a three-course gourmet dining experience, festive activities and access to the multi award winning Nàdarra spa (finalist in the 'Best Destination Spa', Good Spa Guide Awards 2023). Relax & Retreat Christmas Residential 3-Night Break starting from £749.00 per person. Find out more at www.theconistonhotel.com

3 things no one tells you when it comes to setting your wedding budget

2024 is set to be a bumper year for weddings. In addition to the usual 275,000 or so which take place in the UK each year, the big day is finally coming around for a lot of couples who had to postpone because of the pandemic. Unfortunately, the cost of living crisis is squeezing all those couple's budgets tighter than ever so we've asked Isabel Smith, wedding industry veteran, to offer her advice on setting (and sticking to!) that spreadsheet. Today, Isabel let's us in on the things no-one ever tells you when you're setting your wedding budget...

The Top 10 Instagrammable Spas in the UK

With National Spa Week taking place between the 4th and 10th of November this year, it is time to book your favourite location to totally relax! Whether with the girls, in a couple, or even on your own, treating yourself to a weekend away at a spa can revive you. Maddie, Senior Marketing Exec at Pink Boutique, says: "Reset the everyday stress with a weekend away at a luxurious spa and hotel. From acres of woodland setting the picture-perfect backdrop to dipping into a pool worthy of Aphrodite, you deserve to look as good as you feel, and with these spas, there's no doubt your followers will be that little bit jealous."

5 engagement ring trends for 2024

With the festive season being the most popular time of year that couples choose to pop the question, it's no surprise that internet searches for 'engagement ring' have been steadily increasing the last six months as we head towards the new year. Luxury diamond jewellers, Diamonds Factory, have used Pinterest Trends data from the last six months (4th April 23' - 26th September 23') to find out which engagement ring styles are set to be big in 2024...

Spellbinding tips for a Halloween wedding

Halloween comes with a spooky aesthetic that captures the attention of many nearlyweds. However, how do you make sure your autumnal big day is more Wednesday Adams than horror show? There's no need to rely on terrorising tacky touches to add ghostly charm to your wedding, there are plenty of ways to ensure a hauntingly beautiful experience no one will forget. In order to avoid a scream-worthy error when decorating your wedding, Samantha Gilchrist, former wedding photographer turned founder and CEO of The Gilchrist Collection, gives her expert advice gathered from more than 15 years in the wedding industry.

The secrets to a happy relationship

Researchers surveyed 2,000 British couples who have been together for ten years or longer, and it revealed a host of secrets to a happy, long-term relationship, according to those who have achieved it - including having no secrets (43 percent), a similar sense of humour (41 percent), never going to sleep on an argument (31 percent) and regular sex (32 percent.) Over a quarter (26 percent) of the long-term couples polled, said a 50/50 division of household labour was essential to keeping things amicable. Being able to laugh at each other (42 percent), not trying to change each other (36 percent) and having an open phone policy (10 percent) all featured in the list. Almost half (44 percent) of the British couples surveyed, claim they are very happy in their relationship, while a further 29 percent said they were generally happy.

The top autumn and winter wedding trends for 2023

An expert has forecast the wedding trends we can expect to see in the remainder of 2023. Wedding-goers in autumn and winter can expect to see a large emphasis on sustainability, DIY and an ode to all things vintage, according to Rachael Kiss from Alliance Online. She commented: "Wedding trends change seasonally, so it's crucial wedding hosts stay ahead of the curve. Efficient spending, sustainability and a vintage feel are key focuses this season, and rightly so. Wedding hosts no longer have to feel obliged to over-indulge in their big day and can instead, save money."

East Yorkshire’s wedding venue unveils new accomodation

East Yorkshire's Oaklands wedding venue has just unveiled its brand new on-site accommodation. From October 2023, Oaklands wedding couples will benefit from 14 new luxury lodges, built within the woodland; exclusively available for you and your guests to book. Each lodge is stylishly furnished to a high standard and comes equipped with flat screen TV and dressing area. Choose from nine double lodges, four family lodges and one incredible honeymoon lodge.

Sentimental wedding bands with Atelier VM

Fine Italian jewellery maker Atelier VM has just launched its beautiful new Impronta wedding bands, whereby brides and grooms can customise their special ring with their loved one's fingerprint. Each 18K ring is a unique piece made using the lost wax casting technique, of multiple finger prints layered, to create a beautifully personalised ring that makes a marriage of everlasting love extra special.

Carlton Towers’ new wedding package

Want to wed within six months? Consider Carlton Towers' new two-night Enchanted Evenings Wedding Package. Aimed at smaller affairs, it includes overnight accommodation for two nights in the stately home's Baroness Tower, plus seven double bedrooms for guests. A home-cooked breakfast is offered on both days, and the night before the wedding 16 guests can enjoy a two-course Champagne supper. But that's not all – on the big day, a three-course wedding breakfast, plus evening buffet reception (both based on 30 guests), with sparkling Prosecco toast, is included. You even have exclusive access to the state rooms in the main house, the sweeping lawns, staircase and gardens for those all-important photos.

The therapeutic power of music on Mental Health Awareness Day

The issue of mental health has never been more important, three in five people in the UK suffer from some form of anxiety, but almost half of those people keep it a secret as they worry about being judged by others. And around one in six of the British population also suffers from moderate to severe depressive symptoms. Those shocking statistics show that the issue is still not spoken about enough, which means that sufferers feel excluded. But music can make a big difference! Making or playing music has been proven to deliver many mental health benefits.