Your Yorkshire Wedding news and ideas from around the county

The Speech Surgery: too many thank yous? Heidi Ellert McDermott, founder of Speechy explores this

The Speech Surgery: too many thank yous? Heidi Ellert McDermott, founder of Speechy explores this here, ready now...I've written my bride speech but almost three quarters of it is 'thank yous'. Is that right? The thank yous are obviously very important but you also need to be wary of turning your speech into one long tedious list. For guests, thank yous are really only interesting if 1) they're personally getting thanked or 2) the thank yous are entertaining, from-the-heart and feel more than a cut and paste job...

Five ways to beat a wedding hangover

Weddings are notorious for booze with 50% of people admitting they wouldn't be happy to attend a wedding without alcohol. With an expectation for heavy drinking at most celebrations, lots of dancing and a late night, wedding guests often wake up feeling worse for wear. Those suffering the morning after a wedding can ease the pain with simple hacks, including drinking a pint of water before bed and sleeping on their left side. Nausea, thirst and aches can also be alleviated by having a lie-in, which helps to limit fatigue and irritation the next day.

Experience a fairytale wedding day at Hellaby Hall

Whether it be a lavish wedding for 200 or an intimate celebration with your nearest and dearest, Hellaby Hall Hotel can offer you a fairytale day. Hosting only one wedding per day, it ensures the team can give it's couples their undivided attention. After all, the Hotel's reputation is founded on providing its guests only the highest possible level of care and service, so you and your loved ones will be in the very best hands here. Each wedding package has been carefully crafted to make your special day unforgettable, ensuring every moment is filled with joy, elegance, and cherished moments.

UK vs US Brides: Wedding expert reveals 5 ways we differ

It's time to settle the score: do UK brides really do it better, or are our American cousins stealing the show? Let's dive into the wedding warzone and explore five spicy differences that set us apart! According to a survey conducted by the UK's largest wedding venue collection, the Gilchrist Collection, there are some key differences in the ways Brits plan their big day, compared to that of Americans. Samantha Gilchrist, the owner of the Gilchrist Collection, has had the pleasure of helping thousands of engaged couples with their wedding, across 12 venues, both in the UK and US.

The Watering Can Florist is dedicated to sourcing British-grown blooms

Based in Hudderfield, The Watering Can Florist, is dedicated to sourcing British grown blooms when it comes to her stunning wedding florals and has recently enlisted the help of several new British growers for a wonderful Mother's Day workshop hosted at local Lu's Place Cafe: Smith and Munson, Highcroft Nurseries, and Highlands Farm Cut Flowers, with foliage from Irish Green Guys. The workshop was a huge hit with the lovely mums, daughters and grandmas present, who created Mother's Day vase arrangements with these beautiful domestic blooms. It didn't end there though as owner Liz was on a roll, sourcing more glorious English flowers from somewhere even closer to home for the Easter weekend

Here are 10 must-have items to include in a wedding bathroom basket

Luxury bathroom experts at Posh.co.uk have shared ten must-have items to provide to make sure guests are well taken care of. Wedding bathroom baskets can be a really nice touch for couples to show their guests they care by providing them with everything they need for a comfortable evening. Including items like safety pins, deodorant, body tape and antihistamines will mean that guests won't have to worry about a thing. Andy Ellis from Posh.co.uk said: "Wedding bathroom baskets can be a really lovely touch at a reception by providing guests with all of those small but important items that they may not necessarily be able to bring with them.

The Speech Surgery: timings!

Unsure of when to have the wedding speeches? Heidi Ellert McDermott, founder of Speechy & author of The Modern Couple's Guide to Wedding Speeches has the answer: In the US, speeches are just as common at the rehearsal dinner (the formal dinner prior to the wedding that the 'top table' are invited to) as the wedding day itself. At many British weddings, the speeches are scheduled before the wedding meal; the idea that everyone is officially welcomed to the wedding and the speakers are quickly able to relax (and tuck into the free wine!).

Wedding day wines from leading English wine producer Gusbourne

English wine producer Gusbourne, has a stunning range of the finest vintage sparkling and still wines to elevate any wedding providing guests with an array of exquisite drinks that complement every element, from the welcome drinks to the wedding breakfast and toasts! With Gusbourne wines, every pour becomes a celebration of love and new beginnings, ensuring your wedding day becomes a truly unforgettable affair, brimming with sophistication, charm, and cherished memories. For a spectacular wedding reception, fill your guests' glasses with the exquisite Gusbourne Blanc de Blancs 2018, a sparkling masterpiece that exudes elegance with its delicate bubbles and refreshing, crisp notes. As guests raise their glasses to toast the happy couple, each sip is vibrant and intense, setting the tone for an evening of celebrations.

Broughton Sanctuary, Yorkshire, the only accredited Healing Hotel in the UK

Broughton Sanctuary in Yorkshire, has met the exacting standards of Healing Hotels of the World, earning recognition as the only accredited Healing Hotel in the UK. This accolade celebrates Broughton Sanctuary's dedication to the healing power of wellbeing through activities and retreats, innovative rewilding initiatives, and sustainability. Why Broughton Sanctuary? Broughton Sanctuary, situated within 3,000 acres of beautiful landscape, provides the perfect setting for transformative experiences that heal body, mind and spirit. Anne Biging, Founder of Healing Hotels of the World, remarked, "The moment I entered the Sanctuary, I felt a peaceful inner contentment – a sense of having arrived in a place that vibrates with goodness, care, and a joyful welcome."

Biggest wedding faux pas to avoid on your big day

With more than half (53%) of married Brits confessing to having wedding day regrets, wedding expert and CEO of the UK's largest collection of wedding venues, The Gilchrist Collection, Samantha Gilchrist shares her thoughts on the biggest wedding faux pas' couple should steer clear of to guarantee wedding day success. "You've planned everything down to the tiniest detail and finally get to enjoy your day, why risk something spoiling it? While some of these things are a little outside your control, it's important to let your wedding planner and venue know what your boundaries are, and the things you would find unacceptable, were they to happen on your big day. They'll be able to support you in handling issues both ahead of time and on the day itself.

Bolton Castle awarded Best UK Wedding Venue 2024

Bolton Castle near Leyburn has been awarded the Best UK Wedding Venue 2024 by luxury magazine LUXElife in its Global Wedding Awards. Following in-depth research and fact checking by the publication's in-house team, Bolton Castle was judged to show commitment, dedication, expertise and high-quality services within their wedding offer. Jacqui Naylor, general manager at Bolton Castle adds, "We work hard to ensure our wedding offering is just as it should be for our couples. Whether you're looking for a full-on five-floor wedding or a bespoke tailored event for close family and friends, Bolton Castle offers several options to suit every wish list and budget.

These are the most popular 'first dance' songs of 2024, as online searches soar!

Scraping over 350 'First Dance' playlists on Spotify and analysing the 12,000 tracks that featured on them, Diamonds Factory ranked the songs that featured the most to determine the most popular first dance song of 2024. 60 years on, and Etta James' At Last is the most popular first dance song of 2024. The data revealed that Etta James' 'At Last' is the most popular first dance song for couples to choose for their wedding, with the song featuring in a whopping 46 'first dance' playlists. Regardless of the song being released over 60 years ago, Etta's love song is still proving to be a timeless classic for couples.

The Speech Surgery: does my wedding speech have to be funny?

'The Speech Surgery' with Heidi Ellert McDermott, founder of Speechy & author of The Modern Couple's Guide to Wedding Speeches: I'm not funny. Does my wedding speech need to be? I've heard some lovely speeches that haven't contained any humour, but here's the thing...they are the exception to the rule. Nearly every speech is better if it contains a little humour. FACT. Generally, folk from the UK and Australia want their speeches to have a lot of humour in them, while clients from other parts of the world, namely the US, lean towards a sweeter speech, with lighter elements, as opposed to all-out funny.

6 bridesmaid proposal ideas from Getting Personal

Once you've said yes to your future spouse, it's time to recruit your future bridal party. To pop the question you can keep it short and sweet or go with something a little more elaborate. A bridesmaid proposal is the perfect way to ensure they know their special role in your life and, more importantly, on your big day itself. There has been an 85% increase in Google searches for 'bridesmaid proposal ideas'¹ over the past year, therefore gifting experts at Getting Personal have shared 6 bridesmaid proposal ideas for those needing a little inspiration for asking their bridesmaids to be part of their bridal party.

A new name for a new era at The Milner York

Ushering in a new era, The Principal York Hotel is set to become The Milner York, signifying a comprehensive reimagination of the Hotel's brand. Built in 1878 as the Royal Station Hotel, inspiration for the new name draws deeply from York's railway history. The Hotel's namesake, William Milner, was the York Station foreman during World War II. As a keen LNER first aider he entered a blazing station building in an attempt to obtain a box of medical supplies to treat air raid casualties, posthumously gaining the King's commendation for gallantry. The Hotel is spending more than £2million on property enhancements as part of the new brand proposition.

Couples counsellor shares 5 key boundaries to set

As technology brings us closer together than ever, it also has changed how relationships work, from meeting your significant other through an online dating app to having the ability to contact other people instantly at your fingertips. Smartphones have revolutionised communication - but do they strengthen or strain romantic relationships? With this in mind, the smartphone experts at Compare and Recycle have surveyed 2,000 people, delving into the complex world of smartphones. They discovered how many Brits trust their partners with phone passcodes, as well as partnering up with couples counsellor, Susan Leigh, to provide healthy passcode-sharing tips for couples.

Yorkshire wedding venue Aston Hall Hotel offers the best of everything

Aston Hall Hotel, built in 1772 and steeped in history, offers the best of everything. It has been lovingly restored and updated with a contemporary design, which is high in style yet retains its neutral backdrop for your wedding, keeping the original features intact. Surrounded by 55 acres of landscaped gardens and woodland, only one minute from junction 31 of the M1 and right on the doorstep of the beautiful Peak District, the venue offers a stunning setting that's ideally located. The Hotel is licensed to hold indoor civil ceremonies and partnerships, and for outdoor "I dos" between April and September in the Pagoda on the front lawn.

True costs of saying 'I do' revealed by the experts

Recent research by Hodge reveals the dream of getting married can come with a hefty price tag, reaching more than £20,000. Hodge dived into the averages of how much each part of a wedding costs, revealing that food and the honeymoon were the two most expensive parts. When it comes to wedding attire, couples spare no expense to look their best on their special day. According to Hodge's research, the average cost of wedding outfits in the UK is substantial. For instance, the engagement ring alone sets couples back around £1,948 on average, surpassing even the cost of the bride's dress, which averages £1,500. But, the wedding bands cost substantially less, on average couples only spend £1,000 for both rings.

The Speech Surgery: Indian wedding speeches with Heidi Ellert McDermott, founder of Speechy

'The Speech Surgery' with Heidi Ellert McDermott, founder of Speechy & author of The Modern Couple's Guide to Wedding Speeches. I'm giving a Maid of Honour speech at a large Indian wedding. I've never been to one before... any etiquette I need to be aware of? Speeches are finally getting the attention they deserve at Indian weddings. A couple of decades ago they still weren't that common but now they're finally taking centre stage. And quite literally. In terms of etiquette, there's no major difference but the scale of the event will impact your speech. As we know, most Indian weddings are big events. It's not uncommon to have a guestlist anywhere from 400 to 1,000 guests and speakers are often up on a stage with lighting, sound crews and being filmed too! Check with the bride and find out...

Show your bridesmaids some love with the One4all Beauty & Spa Gift Card

Finding a range of gifts all your bridal party will love can be a struggle, especially when you've got a long wedding checklist to tick off. That's why the One4all Beauty & Spa Favourite Gift Card is an ideal addition to any bridal box or thank you card, it gives your hens the choice to pamper themselves with much-loved brands such as Boots, The Perfume Shop, Rituals, SpaSeekers and many more. It can be loaded with any amount from £15 to a generous £100, perfect if you've got a tight budget but still want to treat your bridesmaids.