The Best Wedding Fair in The Northwest
After the whirlwind excitement of the proposal, the congratulations from family and friends and possibly an engagement party, comes the thrill of the wedding planning, but with so much to think about, where do you begin? Well in our experience and trust us we have a lot of experience when it comes to weddings, top of your to do list should be to visit a wedding fair or several! Below we’ve given you a few tips when it comes to UK wedding fairs and listed some of the best in the northwest for you to visit.
Sometimes referred to as a wedding show, showcase, event, or exhibition, a wedding fayre will bring together local and sometimes national wedding exhibits so you can chat to businesses, see their products, and potentially find that perfect match for your special day. In short, all key wedding services for you to consider when planning your big day will attend wedding fair along with some you may not have considered. This makes them a great opportunity to gather inspiration and contacts for you to begin planning and curating your dream list of suppliers. And what’s more, tickets for UK wedding fairs are usually free and you may even get extra discounts from suppliers!
Although each wedding fair in the UK will differ when it comes to the businesses showcasing at the event, we’ve created a list of the types of businesses you’ll be able to chat with at wedding fairs in the UK so that all that’s left for you to do is talk to as many lovely suppliers as possible, begin to create a list of those you love and above all else have fun!
Wedding Dress Boutiques
It’s always worth visiting several different wedding dress boutiques and attending wedding fayre will allow you to come across boutiques you possibly aren’t aware of. Each boutique will stock a different range of wedding dress designers and visiting a few boutiques will allow you to start to narrow down the designers you are drawn towards. Remember to have an open mind as ‘the dress’ might not be the style you first envisaged. And don’t forget to look at bridesmaid dress options and suits for the groom and best men while in the boutique.
Wedding Photographers and Videographers
All wedding photographers and videographers will have their own shooting and editing style, visiting wedding fayre will allow you to see their work first hand and chat about the style you prefer. If you have the wedding venue picked already it’s worth asking if they are familiar with the venue and whether they have shot any weddings their previously. Being able to see shoots from your venue, gain inspiration and discuss what you like is invaluable. Wedding fayres are also a great opportunity to see how comfortable you are with the photographer / videographer, don’t forget you’ll be spending most of your special day with them so having someone who makes you feel relaxed is incredibly important.
Wedding Florists
Whether your dream day is classically elegant or a relaxed boho vibe, finding the right wedding florist to bring your wedding theme to life is key. You’ll be able to discuss the vision for your wedding day with florists at the wedding fair and also view their previous work which will help in selecting a florist to then visit at their premises to talk in more detail about your requirements. Don’t forget florists can create wedding bouquets, flower crowns, buttonholes, flower arches and table centre pieces etc. embodying the look and feel of your wedding and discussing your vision, budget and also the venue if you have it booked, will allow your florist to make recommendations.
Wedding Cake Makers
Like wedding photographers and florists etc. a wedding fair is an excellent opportunity to meet with several wedding cake makers. They will have images of their past creations, flavours options for their cakes and possibly even some small samples of cake (usually a vanilla sponge) for you to taste! After speaking with several wedding cake artists, you’ll be able to narrow it down to the one you would like to book an appointment with where you’ll be able to talk more in depth about flavours and taste the different options that are available. You’ll also be able to start discussing the size (diameter and number of tiers) and design of the cake, remember if you would like to match elements of the cake to a certain colour then taking a colour sample with you would be beneficial.
At wedding fayres, you will also be able to speak to wedding hair and makeup artists, wedding caterers if this is something your venue doesn’t offer, wedding car hire as well as wedding entertainment such as photobooths and wedding bands, singers, and DJ’s. For those who are time poor or would like someone to take the stress out of organising so you can focus on enjoying your big day, there is the option of hiring a wedding planner. And don’t forget wedding venue open days are a great way for you to visit a location while it is set up for a wedding which will allow you to really get a feel for the venue and how it could work for you on your special day.
Where are Wedding Fayres Held?
In the northwest, wedding fairs are held frequently however they do vary in size and therefore so does the number of exhibitors present. To get you started we’ve listed 5 of the best wedding fairs that you could visit.
The Lawrence Boutique Hotel – 28th January 2024 12-3pm
The stunningly beautiful Grade II listed boutique hotel truly is a breath-taking venue to book for your special day, but don’t just take our word for it. Why not come and say hi at our next wedding open day where you’ll be able to walk the property to see and feel how it would be to celebrate your happily ever after, surrounded by your loved ones at our spectacular Lancashire wedding venue. On the day you’ll also be able to speak to an amazing array of wedding specialists, many of whom we’ve worked with previously creating unforgettable days for wonderful couples that we’ve had the privilege to host weddings for. If you’re not able to attend the wedding open day don’t worry, here at The Lawrence we run regular events, and the team are always available for a personal show around.
Rowton Hall Country House Hotel & Spa – 7th January 2024 12-3pm
Nestled in the heart of the Cheshire countryside with 8 acres of gardens and grounds, Rowton Hall, not only offers a little haven of tranquillity but with an elegant ballroom, immaculate gardens, and smaller inglenook room, whether your dream wedding is a larger affair or a little more intimate this Georgian manor can accommodate. Why not pop into the wedding fair where you’ll be able to talk with local wedding suppliers and walk the beautiful property and grounds.
Ruthin Castle Hotel – 3rd March 2024 12-3pm
Steeped in history, Ruthin Castle Hotel in North Wales is set within stunning gardens and mature woodland. With heritage at its heart the castle boasts traditional interiors coupled with top class facilities including the spa nestled in the former castle moat! This could be the perfect spot for a fairytale happily ever after, but don’t take our word for it. At the wedding fair you’ll be able to take a look around this historic hotel and chat with wedding suppliers, potentially finding the perfect partners to create your dream wedding.
Aintree Racecourse – 19th May 2024
Creating dream wedding days for both intimate weddings and those with a larger guest list, Aintree Racecourse really is a thoroughbred when it comes to hosting weddings. You’ll have a dedicated wedding planner and experienced team to oversee all the arrangements so all you’ll need to focus on is enjoying your special day. With a plethora of luxury wedding suppliers exhibiting, the Aintree Racecourse wedding fair is sure to be a great event for finding those wedding businesses to help create the perfect wedding day for you.
Trentham Garden – 27th May 2024 12-3pm
The natural beauty of Trentham Gardens is something to behold. With 725 acres of picturesque gardens, glorious woodland and a stunning lakeside, the natural beauty of these award-winning grounds make an idyllic backdrop for a truly romantic wedding. With bespoke wedding packages tailored to create your dream day, it’s definitely worth a visit to the wedding fayre to see the location and facilities first hand and speak to wedding suppliers so you can begin planning.
Theres nothing really left for us to say other than our advice would be to get out there, visit wedding shows, speak to suppliers, be inspired and above all else have fun and enjoy every minute of it.
