Your Cheshire & Merseyside Wedding - Mar/Apr 2020 (Issue 50)

Catch up on the latest from around the region NEWS Nearlywed IN SAFE HANDS Oddfellows Hotels has appointed Oana Morcan as Events Co-ordinator of their design-led boutique hotel in Chester. Oana has worked in hospitality for over ten years, moving to Oddfellows from her previous role at Peckforton Castle, so your wedding day will be in good hands. She says, “When I saw the position had become available, I jumped at the chance. I’ve always loved the fun personality of the décor, and the team there. There’s a real sense of occasion and the events always have individuality and flair.” Oana has wasted no time in making her mark and is already bringing new ideas to weddings at Oddfellows. She explains, “I have a very personal approach, and believe every wedding day should be a testament to a couple’s personality. I start with getting to know the couple and then together we design the day to suit their dreams.” For more information on hosting your big day at Oddfellows Chester, see oddfellowschester.com BAKE-BUILDER Cakes by Andrew, a local family-run independent cake shop, specialising in creating bespoke bakes, has rebranded with a new-look website, complete with cake builder. This tool allows you to order custom wedding cakes quickly and simply online. Available to use on sponge cakes baked in-store, this handy online gadget allows you to pick from a variety of tier and flavour combinations from a wide range of creative wedding designs. It also gives you further customisable options such as adding personalised cake toppers, and matching cupcakes, as well as being able to select dietary requirements – gluten- and nut-free options, for example. Simply complete your order by selecting a date for collection from the Garston-based shop, and pay in any number of ways including Apple Pay and PayPal Express. Head over to cakesbyandrew.co.uk to check it out. LOCAL LOVELIES Gone are the days of picking up a trusty toaster or microwave for the newlyweds. Nowadays when it comes to gifts for the your big day, people are opting for a more personalised approach. MerseyMade, located on Paradise Street in Liverpool, is a haven for gifts to treasure for a lifetime. It houses 10 open artists’ studios alongside a retail space, selling locally made and sourced goods, all from within a 50- mile radius of the city. With everything from prints to jewellery, bespoke artwork to greetings cards and crafts, you can even see the artists themselves working as you browse. This forward-thinking approach to consumerism supports local designers, makers, artists and business, so you can feel like you’re giving something back to the community as you make your gift list selections, or shop for some extra special big-day touches. Perhaps you have a favourite local landmark you’d like captured on canvas; or if you’re into gin, you might like something special from a local distiller to gift as wedding favours. Whatever takes your fancy MerseyMade has something to suit. For further information, head over to merseymade.uk YOUR ESSENTIALS 9