Author: Paula Brown

  • LOST Wirral Limits Number Of Weddings…

    LOST Wirral Limits Number Of Weddings…

    A popular Wirral barn venue has taken the bold step of limiting the number of weddings and events it delivers to retain a sense of ‘exclusivity’. Since it first opened its doors two and a half years ago, LOST Wirral, has proved hugely popular with couples looking for an intimate, quirky and rustic setting for their special day, so much so, the owner has decided to cap celebrations to just 40 each year.

    The former farm building, which has been carefully transformed into a stylish and unique venue, first made its mark with a series of exclusive ‘supper-club’ style events. Over the past two years, the venue has played host to some of the regions most celebrated chefs including The Art School’s Paul Askew, Ly-Ly Chef Patron Aiden Byrne and Michelin starred Tim Allen, along with a host of local catering talent.

    Speaking about the move, LOST owner, entrepreneur Dave Loughlin said: ‘We’ve been overwhelmed by the amount of support we have had both in terms of the dining events and weddings. We have already hosted over 80 amazing weddings and the diary for 2026 /27 and beyond is filling up fast.’

    ‘Our vision was always to offer something a little different, with high quality food and drink at the heart of the concept. By capping the number of weddings we have, it enables us to give every couple a truly individual experience and ‘go back to our roots’ in terms of delivering, bespoke, high-quality events with exceptional catering.’

    Working alongside their two partner caterers, the award-winning Cheeky Chilli and highly sought after Hardy’s catering teams, LOST aims to attract foodie couples who want something extra special for their big days.

    The venue, which can seat 50 guests for a traditional wedding breakfast, 60 restaurant style and 120 for an evening reception said it doesn’t want to be ‘a wedding factory’.

    ‘We are not your average wedding venue,’ said Dave. ‘It’s a stunning space, with its own quirks and bags of character. We won’t match everyone’s vision, but we are confident that by keeping incredible food, impeccable service and imaginative drinks at the heart of our offering, couples will choose us for the right reasons.’

    LOST is all about exquisite food in a romantic barn setting

    Currently, couples can choose from a range of carefully curated menu’s including fine dining feasts, which have been inspired by the venue’s supper-clubs, on-trend sharing roasts, luxury canapés, and exciting street food options.

    ‘Its not about one size fits all here,’ commented Dave. ‘We want our couples to go wild with their food choices, make it personal to them and give their guests a real day to remember. We don’t offer packages, it’s all about curating something unique, that reflects the couple, their tastes, their travels and their life together – and so far, our approach seems to be resonating with couples from Wirral and beyond.’

     

    To find out more about weddings & celebrations at LOST please visit: www.lostwirral.co.uk

  • Introducing The Anglesey Barn…

    Introducing The Anglesey Barn…

    The ultimate in coastal chic! Anglesey’s most talked about wedding venue prepares for their first full year of celebrations…

    If a wedding by the sea, or a mini-destination type celebration is high on your wish list, the stunning Anglesey Barn is an absolute must-see.

    A relative newcomer to the Welsh wedding, the stunning purpose-built venue opened quietly late last summer, and so far, the gloriously unique space has hosted just four, unforgettable weddings.

    With space to seat up to 150 guests and stunning on-site accommodations for 26/28 guests, along with nearby lodging for an additional 20, The Anglesey Barn provides the most incredible backdrop for your special day and acts as the perfect ‘blank canvas’ to make your celebrations as intimate or as grand as you desire.

    An unrivalled coastal location…

    Nestled within the serene countryside of Anglesey, the venue offers a unique blend of rustic charm and modern elegance. Surrounded by rolling hills and lush greenery, the beautifully designed Dutch barn provides an enchanting setting for your special day.

    With its spacious interior and soaring ceilings, the light filled space offers endless possibilities for personalised décor and unforgettable celebrations.

    The specially designed roof terrace, complete with retractable roof, delivers jaw-dropping views, providing a unique and picturesque backdrop that will make your wedding truly spectacular.

     

     

    Image: Chris Morse Photpgraphy

    Designed with love by owners George and Nicki Boston who have a long association with the island, every detail has been painstakingly planned, meaning the whole place oozes ‘coastal chic’.

    Nestled in acres of rolling countryside, with spectacular, unbroken views of the Irish Sea, the Dutch Barn style structure, which comes complete with floor to ceiling windows, makes the most of the epic views, providing an unspoilt and picturesque backdrop that will make your wedding truly unforgettable.

    With expansive outdoor terraces, and beautifully converted onsite accommodation, it must be one of the most unique and awe-inspiring locations for a wedding or private event in the region.

    Yor Welsh Destination Wedding Starts Here

    Your wedding day goes so fast, everyone says so and that’s because its true! All the planning and all the thought that goes into your big-day is over in a flash, so extending your celebrations and spending as much time as possible with your nearest and dearest makes perfect sense and creates more moments for your memory bank.

    That’s why the team at The Anglesey Barn decided to only offer two-day weddings from the get-go. No fast turnaround, no conveyer belt of events, just you, your person and your loved ones in a perfect bubble for two whole days…

    Whether you opt for a mid-week, multi-day celebration, or a weekend long wedding, George, Nicki and the team are all about couples and their guests feeling like the Barn and all the luxurious on-site accommodation is theirs for a meaningful amount of time – you can’t hurry love after all…

  • 10 Questions You Need To Ask Your Caterers…

    10 Questions You Need To Ask Your Caterers…

    Choosing the right caterer is a key part of your big day. Alongside ‘the dress’ and is he ‘the one’ it’s right up there as one of the most important decisions you will make.

    From what type of catering you need to numbers, budgets and special dietary requirements – choosing the right caterer can be an absolute minefield. With that in mind we caught up with the multi-award winning and super-lovely events guru herself, Kim Maher, from Cheeky Chilli Catering & Events, to find out the do’s and don’ts when organising a fabulous feast…

    ‘The most important thing is to gather as much information as you can from your caterer,’ said Kim. ‘Ask lots of questions and ask around amongst family and friends as word of mouth recommendation is as good as it gets.’

    ‘I would always recommend asking the following before making any decisions about who to use for your big day.

    Do they do set packages? What are the menu’s like?

    A lot of caterers only offer set packages which can be quite restrictive. At Cheeky Chilli we offer a fully bespoke package which means we can build a menu that totally suits your vision and is within budget.

    If the caterer only does packages, ask if there is any flexibility within this – for example, you may want to drop the dessert and add a cheese course if you prefer savoury.

    Timings & deadlines

    It’s really important to agree a time line with your caterers. You need to pin down the date that they will need final numbers to allow for any last-minute cancellations, additions or menu changes. We like to give our couples as much time as possible to make their final food choices and are as flexible as possible when it comes to final numbers and table plans but its good to know the time lines up front so you can build it into your planning.

    Do they specialise in certain types of food?

    These days the sky is literally the limit for wedding food. Forget dried up chicken breasts in watery gravy – couples today want exciting food that really matches their personal tastes. From relaxed street food style feasts and on-trend grazing platters to beautifully instagrammable afternoon teas and inventive taster menus, you need your caterer to create your perfect menu.

    Special dietary requirements

    Veggie, vegan, gluten-free, no-carbs! Dietary requirements these days can be as varied as your guests. Just because they are having something different doesn’t mean they should miss out on taste. With so many food allergies and nutritional trends out there it’s important that your caterer embraces this and goes all out for guests who require something a little bit different.

    Do they have references?

    There is nothing like a recommendation to give you that extra bit of confidence in your suppliers. As well as checking out their Google and Facebook reviews you should also ask them for testimonials from previous clients. At the end of the day a caterer is only as good as their last job and you need to make sure that they won’t let you down on the big day and that your guests will remember the food (for good reasons) for years to come.

    Do you get a tasting?

    Tasting your menu before the big day is absolutely key. We include a full taster session for 2 people in every event package. Not only does this allow you to tweak and fine tune your choices it also helps take the stress away when you know you are 100% happy with your food. Definitely ask your caterer if they provide this – at no extra charge of course!

    What about the ‘extras’

    Make sure your caterer is clear about any additional costs for ‘extras’. At Cheeky Chilli we provide everything to do with the actual meal and service, such as plates, napkins, silverware, salt & pepper shakers as standard but some caterers do charge extra for this.

    Obviously if you are having an outdoor wedding in a marquee / tent or are getting married in an alternative venue you will have to pay extra for things like a pop-up kitchen and tables and chairs if you need them. Just make sure these types of additional costs are clear from the get-go.

    Does the catering come ‘full service’

    Make sure that all the staff and service costs are included in your quote. Also if you need a full event package make sure your caterers do the full set-up, bar service and clear up too as sometimes this does not come as standard.

    Who will oversee the big-day

    At Cheeky Chilli we allocate all of our couples their very own events manager. That means you have one point of contact throughout your journey from start to finish. 99.9% of the time your event manager will be there to oversee the day itself but in extraordinary circumstances, such as illness one of our senior team will be able to step in as they will be 100% up to speed with the running order and intricacies of the day.

    What if we change our minds

    Most caterers have a cut off of 2-6 weeks before the event for any last-minute changes. If you have to cancel for any reason you will probably lose your deposit which is a good reason to consider purchasing wedding insurance before the event. We always try and be as flexible as possible with our couples but planning super-early is always a good idea.

    To find out more about Cheeky Chilli Catering & Events contact the team today on:

    0151 352 3469

    www.cheekychillievents.co.uk

  • Winter Sparkle With Burgundy Hues At Delamere Manor….

    Winter Sparkle With Burgundy Hues At Delamere Manor….

    As winter weddings go, this is one of our absolute favourites! We take a look back at this dreamy celebration which saw childhood sweethearts Becky and Edi finally say ‘I Do’! Since meeting at school the lovebirds have since gone on to build a wonderful life together with their gorgeous little boy, 5-year-old George.

    After an initial hiccup with the proposal plans (Edi surprised Becky with a Valentine weekend in Paris then proceeded to lose his passport!) Edi finally popped the question underneath the Eiffel Tower a couple of months later than planned!

    “I carried the ring around all day,” said Edi “I had planned to get down on one knee in the Luxembourg Gardens but I lost my nerve! I finally asked her after we had had a dinner cruise on the Seine, walked under the Eiffel Tower and sat on a bench in the Champ de Mars and luckily she said yes!”

    The Dress

    Becky looked stunning on the day in her super-elegant backless gown with beautifully embellished sleeves. The figure hugging design made the most of her slender frame and the highly-detailed sleeves elevated the simple cut into a dazzling look for the early spring celebrations.

    ‘I took quite a long time to decide on ‘the one’, said Becky. ‘ I visited the lovely Maria Modes boutique in Macclesfield three times before I made my mind up. Even then I had a wobble before my final fitting as I kept looking at the pictures of me trying it on where it didn’t fit properly. I needn’t have worried, once the amazing seamstress worked her magic it fit like a glove and I fell in love with it all over again.’

    The Venue

    Becky said that the couple just wanted a ‘Day filled with love’. “It was so important for us to have a lovely intimate day with our closest family and friends and then a big party in the evening. As you know we don’t like to rush things so we spent a few years looking for venue but nothing really hit the mark.”

    “We were getting worried that we wouldn’t find ‘the one’ but then a friend recommended Delamere Manor so we went to an Open Day and fell instantly in love with the place!

    “We were so lucky with the weather on the day, cold crisp and super-sunny. It was the perfect spring day so we could make the most of the stunning terrace and gorgeous grounds.”

    I had my 5 amazing best friends as bridesmaids. We have all been friends since school but four of them live in Australia now so travelled back to join my other bestie Lucinda especially for our big day which was just magical. They all looked gorgeous in their beautiful sequinned gowns and our mazing make-up fairy Rachael Bottomley and her team worked wonders beautifying the whole bridal team, my Mum and my two sisters. My adorable niece Penny completed the line-up and did a wonderful as my flower girl.

    The Boys

    The boys looked dapper in their classic dark navy with brown tweed waistcoats and red accessories. The suits were hired from Cheshire Menswear which is part of Maria Modes in Macclesfield. Edi had two best men for the day, his friend Chris and Adam who had travelled back from New Zealand especially. He also had his two brothers Ian and Josh as ushers but it was their little boy George who stole the show as page boy for the day.

    The Reception

    “We could not have wished for a more perfect reception. It was just what we wanted,” said Becky. “With the sun shining, Delamere opened their outdoor bar and all the guests were able to chill on the magnificent terrace and enjoy the stunning views. Our singer Dougie Francis sang beautifully and the whole thing was just magical.”

    ‘We wanted real comfort food on the day and Cheeky Chilli did not disappoint. We started with delicious smoked haddock fish cakes followed by chicken breast served with Lancashire cheese mash, a chorizo crisp and red wine jus. It was so yummy! The dessert trio was big hit too – 3 all-time favourites, chocolate and salted caramel pot, Eton mess and sticky toffee pudding!’

    The Photos

     

    We knew from the moment we met Sam (Madeline Images / Samantha James Photography) that we would have a great day with her. George absolutely loved her and she was so relaxed. She got the best shots because she really put us at ease and we are so delighted with the end results.

    As day turned into night guests were entertained by a string infusion and danced the night away under the twinkly lights of the courtyard before moving into the secret nightclub on site.

    ‘It was just perfect,’ said Becky. We wanted a simple, elegant day that was full of love and really got that in bucket loads. Can we do it again please?’

  • Charlotte Tilbury Joins The Line Up At The Liverpool Wedding Show!

    Charlotte Tilbury Joins The Line Up At The Liverpool Wedding Show!

    Charlotte Tilbury (Liverpool) Announced As Beauty Provider For The Liverpool Wedding Show

    The flagship Liverpool store is set to headline the line-up at the Exhibition Centre’s much-anticipated wedding showcase on the 19th & 20th October…

    Liverpool’s favourite beauty hot-spot, Charlotte Tilbury, has been announced as the beauty provider for the upcoming Liverpool Wedding Show.

    The highly anticipated event, which takes place at the Exhibition Centre on Kings Dock on later this month, will be showcasing over 80 leading suppliers, venues, and experts from across the North-west wedding world.

    With live catwalk shows, a luxury VIP Club, heaps of on-trend ideas and new for October, the ‘Expert Stage’ the event is set to attract over 2,000 visitors embarking on their wedding planning journey or looking for last minute ideas to give their big-day some extra ‘wow’ factor.

    Show organisers, Lindsey Devlin and Vikki Sweeney said: ‘We are beyond thrilled to have the team from Charlotte Tilbury involved in this, our second major show here in Liverpool. It’s an iconic brand and we know they will add an incredible amount of expertise and glamour to what promises to be an epic weekend filled with inspiration and ideas.’

    The team from Charlotte Tilbury, Liverpool ONE, will be hosting a special beauty pop-up, styling all the models in their signature bridal looks and be on hand to provide expert hints and tips for pre-wedding skincare and that all-important wedding day glow.

    With live demos, samples, and great offers across the weekend, it will be the perfect chance for couples to start their wedding prep in style, whilst soaking up the live entertainment, inspirational catwalks and luxury VIP vibe.

    Speaking about their involvement with the event, charlotte Tilbury’s UK Bridal & Events Manager Jo Burnett-Hitchcock commented: ‘We’re beyond thrilled to be bringing our gorgeous Charlotte Tilbury team to the Exhibition centre for this epic event. We can’t wait to meet all the lovely couples and their wedding crews – from blushing brides and gorgeous grooms to beautiful bridesmaids and glamorous guests, we are so excited to reveal Charlotte’s secrets that will help take you from ‘I Do’, to ‘Disco’ and Happily Ever After.’

    The Liverpool Wedding Show will take place on 19th / 20th October 2024 at the ACC Liverpool. Billed as the largest, most inspirational wedding event in the region, the event will bring together a host of experts, industry leading suppliers, live catwalk shows, beauty pop-up’s, live entertainment, and an exclusive VIP lounge facility, creating a one stop shop for all your wedding planning needs.

     

    To find out more, or claim your complimentary bride or groom ticket, please click HERE