Your Yorkshire Wedding news and ideas from around the county

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.

UK's 15 most Instagrammed venues to get hitched

As UK searches for "wedding venues" skyrocketed by 110%* over the past months, the wedding experts at Aura Print scoured social media for the most popular autumn/winter wedding venues nationwide, and tallied Instagram hashtag numbers to reveal which venue stands out as the most memorable for weddings this season. Top 15 most Instagrammed wedding venues for autumn/winter 2023 to be inspired by...

Save money on wedding party gifts

With more and more couples choosing to thank their bridesmaids and groomsman with presents, Anita Naik, savings expert at the UK's most trusted savings site VoucherCodes.co.uk, has some great tips on how to save money on your wedding party gifts, without sparing the sentiment: Spend within your budget: Set a budget and stick to it. Often people can go down a rabbit hole when browsing for gifts, looking at items that are way over budget. It's important to set yourself a strict budget and spend an amount that you're comfortable with.

Wakefield’s En Route Hair and Beauty award win

Looking for more sustainable wedding options? Don't forget about your hair and beauty, with Wakefield's En Route Hair and Beauty scooping Sustainable Salon of the Year at the British Hairdressing Business Awards 2023. En Route was one of the first salons to join The Green Salon Collective, which reduces the amount of salon waste going to landfill. Recycling as much as possible, it includes chemicals, contaminated foils, colour tubes and all seven types of plastic. The salon's also switched to renewable energy and changed all lighting to LED; features shower heads that reduce water consumption; uses recyclable and biodegradable towels and even works with local allotments to compost hair cuttings.

Wensleydale Creamery's new range

Cheese lovers rejoice – cakes are no longer just for those with a sweet tooth, with the Wensleydale Creamery now offering a range of celebration cheese cakes. Made from a specially-selected range of Wensleydale Creamery's cheeses, the new cakes create a centrepiece as delicious as they are spectacular, making them the perfect addition to your wedding. Created using some of the finest ingredients in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales, the cakes can also be interchanged to suit your specific tastes. Available in two sizes, they cater for between 50-100 guests.

County Wedding Magazines launch new websites!

Here at County Wedding Magazines HQ the office is abuzz with excitement at the launch of our new websites – I'm sure you can hear the *collective oohs and ahhs* from where you are! So yes, it's here, after months of hard work, sweat and tears (maybe less tears but more cheers!), our shiny, new, glorious websites are ready to be viewed by our much-loved readers – we really hope you like them as much as we do! Wedding planning at your fingertips - What's new, we hear you ask? Well, everything! The County names are as important as ever, it's our ethos after all, but we have a lush new font and modern colour scheme that really makes our County Wedding Magazine titles jump off the page.

The best of English sparkling wine, with Amelia Singer this National Champagne Week (1-7th October)

There's the New World of wine, and then the New New World: English Sparkling Wine is on the rise. This National Champagne Week, wine expert, Amelia Singer selects her favourite bubbles from our own green pastures... Which country comes to mind if you think of "wine"? For most, I imagine France, Italy, or perhaps even the USA these days, probably dominates. We all know, however, that the world is a-changing and so should our concept of wine and where it comes from. English wines are on the rise, and it's my opinion, along with a fair few of the worlds top wine experts, that they are the new frontier of wine making – even beating out top champagne houses in sparkling wine competitions.

Personalised wedding gifts from Pen Heaven

Find beautifully crafted, meaningful, and personalised wedding gifts to cherish forever with Pen Heaven. A master of exquisite stationary design, Pen Heaven was founded in 2008 and offer a comprehensive range of luxury writing instruments, leather journals and gifts. Specialists in classic brands such as Parker, Cross and Lamy, Pen Heaven also boast some more unusual and hard-to-find items such as the Japanese hand painted Platinum range, Italian calligraphy sets and the design focused Worther brand. Offering an in-house, by-hand engraving and embossing service, Pen Heaven are the ultimate destination for meaningful gifts with a personal touch perfect for big-day gifting.

Win afternoon tea at Kenwood Hall Hotel & Spa

To celebrate the launch of Kenwood Hall Hotel & Spa's new garden dining domes, they're offering one lucky Your Yorkshire Wedding reader a prize of afternoon tea for six, served by Laura Ashley The Tea Room. This incredible prize includes afternoon tea for six, with a selection of finger sandwiches, buttermilk scones, cakes, tea or coffee. Plus, the hire of the dome for two hours and a glass of chilled fizz per person! One of the most beautiful wedding venues in Sheffield, Kenwood Hall is a luxurious four-star hotel surrounded by vast landscaped gardens, perfect for photography by the lake and the ideal vista against which to enjoy this prize. The hotel blends the atmosphere of a country retreat with a convenient location just one mile from Sheffield's centre, making it a hugely popular wedding, hen party and reception space.

County Wedding Magazines' readers share 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 March 2023, CWM ran a competition, 'Win a minimoon in Northern Ireland!' and the winners were nearlyweds Jennifer and her partner.

Elope from it all North of the border

Fancy escaping from the drama that comes with planning your day? Consider Gretna Green; who've announced a new offer where you can save up to 20% – with packages starting from £1,500. With a rich history of couples choosing love above all since 1754, Gretna Green holds a special place as a destination for those seeking to elope and marry away from the restrictions of traditional ceremonies. It's this fascinating history that adds an extra touch of romance to its enchanting atmosphere. Gretna Green's Luxury Wedding for Less offer means you enjoy up to 20% off your dream celebration when marrying on selected dates across October and November 2023. Including two nights' accommodation and dining when you marry in front of six, 10 or 20

Halloween hen party ideas for 2023

If you're looking to throw a hen party that's nothing short of magical, mysterious and oh-so-memorable, then you're in for a treat, not a trick, with a Halloween hen party! This bewitching night is filled with laughter, eerie enchantment and spine-tingling surprises. Halloween, with its unique blend of the spooky and the playful, makes for a perfect theme that'll have everyone howling with delight. And just think of the costumes! Leading hen party company, Fizzbox is our guide as we embark on a haunted journey through the land of Halloween hen party ideas that will make your last night of freedom the talk of the town.

Wedding day aesthetic according to your star sign

Jewellery brand Diamonds Factory, has spoken exclusively to celebrity psychic and astrologer Inbaal Honigman, who has shared her top tips on how to plan your wedding according to your zodiac. Vibrant Colours for Aries, known for their fiery and youthful nature, embrace the vibrant energy of red. This intense hue symbolises their passion and dynamism. To capture their directness, a bow and arrow motif, reminiscent of Greek deity Eros, perfectly embodies Aries' spirit on their special day.

Leeds hotel perfect for some pre-wedding me-time

Ready for some pre-wedding pampering? Check out Leeds' Thorpe Park Hotel and Spa, who've just announced its appointment of luxury product house, Templespa; along with a new menu of Mediterranean inspired treatments. Thorpe Park's treatment menu comprises of four Templespa Body Rituals, three wellness treatments and two signature experiences, with facials also available from skincare brand, Caudalie. We've got our eye on The Ultimate Glow! Back, Face and Scalp Treatment, which begins with an aromatic exfoliation and bespoke back massage with Mediterranean botanicals and essential oils. The finale is a full advanced skin-transforming facial, to turn up your glow for visible results ahead of your big day.

Let's talk about sleep - the importance of rest

A new nationwide study has revealed as many as 86 percent of us now regularly struggle to drift off - not good if you're wanting to look and feel your best physically and mentally in the run up to your wedding day and on-the-day itself! Research has revealed the top 20 natural sleep inducers in the modern age – and counting sheep or mugs of Horlicks did not make the cut. In fact, modern Brits are more likely to get intimate with their other half, listen to a true crime podcast, watch a comedy show, tidy their room from top to bottom, or cuddle up with their pet. But the survey shows, simply reading a book is the number one snooze inducing activity (23 percent), followed by scrolling through social media (22 percent), despite the consensus that looking at phones is bad for our sleep patterns.