JEWEL OF THE AISLE With the Lionesses recently taking to the pitch once again for the World Cup, ethical jewellery brand Lily Arkwright has taken to the drawing board in support and celebration of women’s football. In the spirit of the World Cup, Lily Arkwright has designed a completely bespoke ring. This one-off design has taken inspiration from the women’s away kit, using deep blues of lab-grown sapphires and the lighter blue colours of an aqua spinel. Kate Munns, the operations manager at Lily Arkwright, commented: “As a team predominantly made up of incredible, talented women, we understand the importance of championing women’s achievements. Women’s football is finally beginning to get the recognition it deserves against all the odds stacked against them.” For more information, visit www.lilyarkwright.com NEW VENUE ALERT! Wennington Hall, a luxury hotel, wellbeing retreat, and exclusive wedding and event venue, is set to open near Lancaster in 2024. The historic building in the delightful Lune Valley village of Wennington was acquired by Lancashire County Council after the school closed in the summer of 2022. After a year of consultation, surveys, and planning, the proposed change of use has been given the go-ahead. The chairman of James’ Places, James Warburton, said: “Wennington Hall is going to be a fantastic addition to our family of wonderful buildings and businesses. The building itself, with towers, turrets, spiral staircases, and Gothic arches galore, is simply magnificent. Bringing Wennington Hall back to life is our first big challenge since we completed the redevelopment of Holmes Mill. There’s an awful lot of it, and there is an awful lot to get stuck into, but the opportunities are endless. After nearly 70 years of being closed to the outside world, we are under a bit of pressure to create something special. The re-opening of Wennington Hall will be quite a ta dah moment. We aim to create the most beautiful, romantic, and fun wedding and event venue in North Lancashire and the South Lakes. Fingers crossed, we get it right!” Discover more at www.jamesplaces.com/wennington-hall A DAY TO REMEMBER Afflecks, a shopping emporium in Manchester, has announced that it will start hosting wedding ceremonies in the summer of 2024. Say ‘I do’ amongst your favourite vinyl and vintage finds or in front of some of the emporium’s iconic spots. The wedding licence will allow Afflecks to perform small, intimate, and inclusive ceremonies for any couple who wants to have a wedding in the heart of one of the city’s cultural institutions. Small ceremonies with up to 30 guests will be the order of the day, and all the spaces can be dressed and adapted. Whether you’re a Japanese culture fan set on getting hitched in the Animaid Cafe, music lovers who want to say ‘I do’ in front of the iconic poster wall, or a long-term couple with special memories of hanging in the Afflecks cafe, there’s something to suit everyone. The Afflecks family will be on hand to help couples create the perfect day, and the emporium is the perfect treasure trove to find alternative wedding essentials all under one roof, from pre-loved fashion traders and biodegradable confetti to flowers and alternative jewellery ideas. There’s even an opportunity for wedding tattoos at The Studio and a pizza reception at Crazy Pedro’s. Wedding bookings and enquiries can be made at www.afflecks.com or by arrangement with the Manchester registry office. www.philtragen.com DATES FOR THE DIARY Gretna Green, a family-owned wedding destination located in Dumfries and Galloway, has announced its upcoming Wedding Open Weekend, which will take place on the 11th and 12th November, 2023. The access-all-areas event gives couples the chance to visit Gretna Green and see the stunning marriage rooms at the Famous Blacksmiths Shop and Gretna Hall Hotel. Guests will get the chance to wander around Gretna Green and get a glimpse of the stunning settings, divine décor, and magnificent set-ups to see how their wedding might look and feel on their own special day. They will also have the opportunity to speak to Gretna Green’s award-winning wedding team to ask questions. Isabel Rhodes, the chief executive at Gretna Green, tells us: “We’re delighted to announce our upcoming Wedding Open Weekend this November. We look forward to welcoming couples and their families to visit Gretna Green and explore our enchanting and magnificent wedding venues, reception setups, and hotels for themselves. We’ve been marrying couples over our iconic blacksmith’s anvil since 1754, and we look forward to marrying many more in the years to come.” To pre-register, visit www.gretnagreen.com www.envisionimages.co.uk 10
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