OUT NOW
January/February 2012

January/February 2012
 
Spotlight on Liverpool
We unveil some of the city's most exciting destinations in which to tie the knot

Dazzling designs
Shine on your big day with the perfect jewellery selection

Sweet thrills
Be inspired by our pick of the region's most stunning wedding cakes

Future forecasts
The County Wedding Magazines team predicts the must-have trends for 2012

Love your home
Heartfelt inspiration and furnishings

Real weddings
Be inspired by other brides and grooms

Beauty news
Essentials for the bride-to-be

Blushing bride
The County Wedding Magazines team tries out a range of blushers

Grooms news
Check out the latest products on the market

One step ahead
New season styles straight off the catwalk

The ultimate etiquette survival guide
What to do, and when to do it on the big day

Plus...
Regular features, news, events, Q&A special - and much more
 
Next Issue Out
24th February 2012

In bloom...
 
In bloom...
 
Here at Your Merseyside Wedding, we love wintry flora. This beautiful bouquet comprises red, white and cream roses, against a backdrop of dark foliage; perfect for winter nuptials. White roses are traditionally used as a bridal flower, and when coupled together with red roses, they signify unity. When you're choosing your flowers for the big day, think about the season you're getting married in and the meaning behind them for a personalised touch.

Q&A - Fashion & Beauty
 
Q&A - Fashion & Beauty
 
Red-faced at the altar

Q - My face often becomes flushed whenever I get nervous or embarrassed and I'm concerned it will flare up worse than ever on my wedding day. Can you suggest how I might be able to cover it?

A - Catherine Bobby says:
If you plan on doing your own make-up on the big day, you will need to choose the right shade of foundation for your skin - one which has a yellow tone will help to neutralise the redness. For a natural finish and lightweight coverage, I would recommend using Bare Escentuals Mineral Make-up, which is particularly great if you don't like wearing too much foundation. For medium coverage, I would suggest a sheer liquid foundation such as Vincent Longo Liquid Canvas or MAC Studio Sculpt foundation. When applied correctly, skin should look even and smooth. Products to avoid include those with pink undertones or those that are too heavy, as they will make the skin look flat and almost mask-like. Also, don't be afraid to still use blusher. Applying a small amount to the cheeks will draw the eye towards your cheekbones, rather than the rest of your face.

New beginnings
Hello and welcome to the very first issue of Your Merseyside Wedding - a wedding title dedicated to helping you plan your dream day in the Merseyside area. Every other month we will bring you insightful features on topics such as finding your perfect venue, picking your dream dress, news and interviews from local suppliers, expert advice, honeymoons, beauty and last but not least, an entire section dedicated to the grooms.

To celebrate the launch of the magazine we've gone to town for the first issue - get ready for a veritable feast of wonderful wedding information sure to get your creative juices flowing.

This issue we get the low down from some local cake suppliers on the hottest sweet treats around, and we give you some inspiration on how to choose one of the most lasting memories of your nuptials - your wedding jewellery.

Happy planning!


Louise Prance, Editor
 
Make sure you email editor@yourmerseysideweddingmagazine.co.uk to keep us up to date with all your news

Win an engagement photoshoot worth £500
 
Win an engagement photoshoot worth £500
 
Capture your engagement glow with beautifully shot pictures by photographer Mick Cookson

Getting engaged is one of the happiest times of a couple's life. Whether your spouse-to-be spontaneously got down on one knee or surprised you with champagne and a diamond ring at a sumptuous restaurant, the "will you marry me?" moment is one that should be treasured.

There is surely no better way to capture your happiness, not to mention that delectable post-engagement glow, than with a photoshoot dedicated entirely to you. And Mick Cookson is skilled in taking romantic pictures that perfectly display a soon-to-be-wed couples' bond.

Mick Cookson has captured over 150 weddings and carried out numerous engagement shoots with a quiet confidence that results in albums of beautifully natural images.

"I pride myself in being unobtrusive," he says. "After the first 10 minutes, couples tend to forget that I'm there. For engagement shoots, I like to go to a location that means something to the bride- and groom-to-be so the pictures have even more significance to them."

Mick adds: "I make them feel at home in front of the camera because I let them relax and be themselves. I think this creates the best images."

As well as resulting in a beautiful album, an engagement shoot prepares brides- and grooms-to-be for their big day. Regularly capturing engagements and weddings, Mick says: "It gets them used to having a camera snapping away and is a great ice breaker for the photographer and couple before the wedding."

For more information on Mick photography, visit www.mickcookson.com, or call 0161 792 4144.

We've teamed up with photographer Mick Cookson to offer you the chance to win this incredible engagement photography package worth £500.

This includes:

  • A full consultation

  • A Merseyside engagement shoot with Mick

  • A beautifully boxed and bound coffee table book containing 60 images from your e-shoot
 
Enter here

A future focus
 
A future focus
 
As 2011 draws to an end and we reflect on yet another successful 12 months of all things bridal, the County Wedding Magazines team has turned its attentions to the up-coming trends for the year ahead

Catering
Danielle Harvey, features editor Your Surrey Wedding, Your Manchester Wedding


I think one of the best things about weddings is the food - I especially love unusual canapes, and creativity will be a buzzword for catering in 2012.

Traditional with a twist: Everybody loves typical English favourites at nuptials; toad in the hole, bacon butties and roast dinners to name a few. But to make your day stand out, put a modern twist on these classics. Why not serve them in miniature bite-size portions for a quirky edge?

Picnics: A few on-trend brides featured picnic hampers on their tables in 2011 and this will continue to be a big hit next spring and summer. Fill hampers with delicious treats such as fresh bread, meats, cheese, crackers, chocolates and wine, and the baskets can cater for the starter course as well as after the meal itself.

Stations: From coffee areas to sweet buffets, food and beverage stations will be a must next year. It's a great way for guests to mingle and help themselves, and also provides a way of bringing the theme of the day together. Summer weddings can have ice-cream vans, while winter celebrations could try mulled wine and mince pie stations.

To read on see page 43 of the current issue.


Find your local wedding suppliers...
 
Take a look at our regularly updated Find a Supplier feature on our website where you find profiles, photographs and contact information from businesses in your area who will help you with your dream wedding.
 
Find your local wedding suppliers...
 
Find your local wedding suppliers...


Subscribe
 
To buy a copy for just £2.95 post free or to order a subscription of six issues for just £15, please visit our web site...
www.yourmerseysideweddingmagazine.co.uk or call us on 01376 514000

Dazzling designs
 
Dazzling designs
 
Shine on your big day with the perfect choice of jewellery

When it comes to selecting your wedding jewellery, you want to be sure you choose timeless pieces that will make you look your absolute best. But what are the latest trends and what questions should you be asking your jeweller? Nicola Moyne speaks to Claire Mortimer, an expert from Chapelle Jewellery in Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet, South Wirral, to find out.

What should brides and grooms consider before visiting a jeweller?
The first thing to consider is what will work well with the bride's engagement ring, after all your wedding band will sit alongside this ring for ever, so it's important that they complement each other. Ideally, the bride's wedding band will be made of the same metal as the engagement ring and will be of a solid construction, designed to be worn every day. It's worth investing in a quality design that will stand the test of time, so choose the best you can afford, as you'll be wearing your ring for the rest of your life.

How important is it to book an initial appointment with a jeweller?
Its very important. This is when you will discuss designs and be fitted for your ring. My top tip is to always insist that you are carefully measured by your jeweller, as a poorly fitted ring will only hurt or fall off. There are three different types of shapes: the D shape, court shape and flat court shape. Each design will fit the finger differently, so ask to try on all three at your consultation to ensure the ring you choose feels comfortable and fits the contours of your finger snugly.

To read on see page 46 of the current issue.

Spotlight on Liverpool
 
Spotlight on Liverpool
 
Liverpool is one of the UK's most exciting cities, buzzing with beautiful boutiques, chic restaurants and world-class cultural attractions. So it's no surprise that the area is also a Mecca for nearlyweds looking for their ideal wedding venue. Here we unveil a few of our favourite city spots in which to celebrate your nuptials

St George's Hall
This beautiful grade I listed building, set in magnificent gardens, is a treasure that has earned its place in Liverpool's history. The foundation stone was laid in 1838 to commemorate the coronation of Queen Victoria, and the hall subsequently became a multipurpose community building where both murder trials and extravagant balls took place. Now the site is best known for its fine neo-classical architecture and still plays host to community events, including the spectacular Capital of Culture People's Opening ceremony in 2008, and, of course, countless weddings. It's the perfect choice for couples with a love for the city's history, and every bride and groom who say 'I do' here can take advantage of St George's Hall's dedicated wedding manager, who will work closely with you to ensure your day goes as planned, as well as a private chef. The stunning grounds will also make the perfect backdrop to your big-day photographs and, with 22 rooms available at the venue, you won't be short of choice when it comes to selecting the perfect space for your celebration.

Ceremony licence? Yes
Contact details? 0151 225 6911, www.stgeorgesliverpool.co.uk

For more venues in Liverpool turn to page 17 of the current issue.

Giveaways
 
We have some terrific prizes up for grabs
Click here to enter

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