Sponsored

A huge, free wedding fair is taking place at the beautiful Rochdale Town Hall this spring

Hey baby, I think I wanna marry you!

Thomas Melia Thomas Melia - 29th January 2025

A huge wedding fair is taking place later this year in Rochdale and the best part is, it’s completely free.

Weddings are notoriously tricky to plan and when everyone around you keeps calling it ‘the big day’, it can feel very daunting knowing where to begin.

Rochdale has got you covered as not only are they putting together a huge wedding fair at the beautiful, recently transformed Rochdale Town Hall, you don’t have to spend a single penny to attend.

This show is a returning event for the Greater Manchester borough and it usually attracts hundreds of visitors from across the region and beyond, eager to check out more than 40 different suppliers.

There will be experts on hand to give advice and answer any queries you may be having about making sure your wedding day runs smoothly.

ADVERTISEMENT
Weddings at Rochdale Town Hall. Credit: Natalie Parker Photography
Weddings at Rochdale Town Hall. Credit: Natalie Parker Photography
Weddings at Rochdale Town Hall. Credit: Natalie Parker Photography

A catwalk will also be taking place with presentations at two set times, 12.30pm and 2pm, where models will be wearing different designer dresses and showing off all the latest collections.

Every aspect of the wedding process is covered at this fair from photographers, car rentals, catering, cake designers, entertainment and more – anything you could possibly need to get hitched without a hitch will all be here in one room.

ADVERTISEMENT

As you walk round this special event, guests may even find they’ve found something they didn’t even know they needed yet.

Any visitors will be handed a complimentary glass of bubbly upon arrival and catering will be available from Rochdale Town Hall’s fine dining venture, The Martlet Kitchen.

Weddings at Rochdale Town Hall. Credit: Natalie Parker Photography
Weddings at Rochdale Town Hall. Credit: Natalie Parker Photography

Anyone looking to celebrate the fair in style can taste the various cocktails made available on the first floor venue, The Zodiac Bar, with snacks on hand too.

ADVERTISEMENT

There’s also opportunities for attendees who are considering tying the knot at Rochdale Town Hall itself to preview ‘The Wedding Dressing Room’.

This is a private space that features stylish dressing tables and spotlight mirrors, and also offers the Bride and bridal party an area to ‘freshen up’ and take some time out to relax.

The Rochdale Wedding Show is happening on Sunday 2 March and anyone interested in attending this event can find all the details HERE.

Read more:

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Image: Supplied, Natalie Parker Photography

Sponsored

There’s just one month to go until a blockbuster Manchester derby in the WSL at the Etihad Stadium

Danny Jones Danny Jones Manchester Women's Derby WSL Etihad Stadium tickets

We’re just one month out until one of the best games on the football calendar: the Manchester derby in a Barclays Women’s Super League campaign that is shaping up to be one of the most tightly contested in some time.

Manchester City and Man United are both duking it out at the top of the table already, the high-flying East Manchester club and last season’s Adobe Women’s FA Cup finalists, each of the local teams has plenty of reason to go into the game confident.

With Man City boasting not just the home advantage but the bonus of playing in front of a crowd at the Etihad Stadium, many are already expecting a blue moon to rise once again.

This season may have only just begun, but Man City Women have already shown plenty of promise and signs of early form. Barring an opening day blip against the champions, Andrée Jeglertz’s side have looked pretty prolific; Man United are right up there with them, meaning we’re bound for a good clash.

Netting well over a dozen goals – the most of any team in the league – the Cityzens will understandably feel on the offensive when they host the visitors on Saturday, 15 November.

Man United are right up there with them, though, meaning we’ve got a derby day that shouldn’t disappoint. Let’s be honest, it rarely does.

Don’t you just love it when two rivals go into a clash in strong spirits?

There’s also an added element of feistiness bubbling under the surface, as this is also the first meeting between the two clubs since Grace Clinton swapped the red half of Manchester for a sky blue shirt, with Jess Park going the other way.

You can expect the pair to get a rousing reception when they rock up/return to the Etihad in just a few weeks’ time.

The 22-year-old scored on her debut in City’s 5-1 win over Spurs.

All eyes will be on this WSL fixture, especially with members of the back-to-back Euros-winning Lionesses squad taking to the pitch on both sides.

Clinton, Park; Lauren Hemp, Ella Toone, as well as more international stars such as Viv Miedema and Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw – there’s going to be so much talent on show.

Speaking to The Manc ahead of the match, first-team star and City vice-captain, Kerstin Casparij, gave us their thoughts on the historic and always hard-fought rivalry…

What does the Manchester derby mean to you?

The derby means more to me every year. It’s not just 3 important points, but also pride and bragging/banter rights. This year, I’d say it’s also about redemption for me, considering our home loss last season. 

Are there any standout memories of derby day that come to mind?

I think the away win at Old Trafford two years ago is a nice memory. Being booed for the full 90 minutes and coming away with a win feels extra satisfying.

It really is set up to be an unmissable meeting between the two heavyweights of the female football world, with a 1:30pm kick-off leaving plenty of time for added fanfare before and after either whistle.

Promising plenty of activities in and around the stadium, as well as the dedicated Man City Kids Fan Zone, a completely free event that runs for four hours before kick off on the indoor pitch of the City Football Academy, the ‘Blue Carpet’ experience, where you can see players arrive 90 minutes before the game and plenty more, there’s so much going on.

As well as fun games at half-time, live entertainment, not to mention a wide range of food and drink around the concourse, it’s going to be a great day out.

Read more:

Best of all, tickets are super affordable: general admission for adults starts from only £15 and £5 for under 16s. If you grab two adult passes and one U16 ticket, you can get any additional U16 tickets for just £1 each.

ADVERTISEMENT

If you want to enjoy Hospitality at the Etihad Stadium, packages start from as little as £35. From the Sports Bar experience and the Tunnel Club, where you can see players getting read on the way to the dugout and pitch, or even a bottomless brunch before the game with your friends.

Whatever offer best suits you, fans can grab tickets right HERE.

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — The Manc Group/Manchester City

Sponsored

The North West’s most mesmerising festive light trail will return to Dunham Massey next month

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson The historic house at Dunham Massey will be lit up with projections. Credit: Supplied

A magical illuminated trail will make its return to the historic Dunham Massey this winter, once again filling the grounds with twinkling lights and dazzling installations. 

Christmas at Dunham Massey has become one of the North West’s most popular festive light trails, created by award-winning light trail producers and taking place annually at the National Trust site in Greater Manchester. 

For 2025, there’ll be brand-new installations, like ‘Fish Are Jumping’, where points of light will leap like fish over the lake, in a mesmerising dance. 

Visitors will walk through multicoloured landscapes of laser beams, while a projection on the facade of the historic house at Dunham Massey will narrate festive stories. 

You’ll also be able to marvel at installations like ‘Field of Stars’ where colour-changing stars more than five metres high glow overhead; ‘Crocus Lawn’, filled with larger-than-life glowing flowers; and ‘Pixel Trees’, a cluster of Christmas trees made from thousands of LEDs. 

Credit: Luke Dyson
Christmas at Dunham Massey
Christmas at Dunham Massey
Christmas at Dunham Massey is returning in 2025.
It’s one of the North West’s most dazzling light trails. Credit: Luke Dyson
Christmas at Dunham Massey is returning in 2025.
Christmas at Dunham Massey is returning in 2025.
There's a fairground at Christmas at Dunham Massey
There’ll a fairground

There’ll also be a large triangular geometric light show, enhanced by an atmospheric haze, that will provide a dramatic moment on the trail. 

And beloved elements returning to Christmas at Dunham Massey this year will include the iconic tunnel of lights, huge illuminated flowers, and appearances from Father Christmas himself. 

Beyond the installations, there’s even a festive fairground you can enjoy. 

Festive food on offer at Christmas at Dunham Massey
Festive food on offer at Christmas at Dunham Massey
Festive food on offer at Christmas at Dunham Massey

Once you’ve had your fill of this dazzling light trail, there are seasonal treats available from hand-picked street food vendors, like spiced winter drinks and rich hot chocolates, plus marshmallows you can toast over an open fire. 

This year’s Christmas at Dunham Massey will kick off from Thursday 13 November and will run all the way through Christmas to Sunday 4 January 2026. 

Advance booking is strongly advised as this is one of the region’s most popular festive events, and runs with a limited capacity.

Find out more and book tickets HERE. 

Read more

Featured image: Supplied

More Sponsored

The Night Market UK is coming to Manchester. Credit: @kt_perspecitve

Manchester

More than 100 traders to take over Manchester’s beautiful Victoria Baths for The Night Market UK

Dunham Massey in Autumn. Credit: James Beck

Sponsored

Dunham Massey – The corner of Greater Manchester with unbeatable autumn landscapes and one of nature’s great spectacles

Spooktacular Halloween trail to return to National Trust site Quarry Bank

Sponsored

Spooktacular Halloween trail to return to National Trust site Quarry Bank

Audio

Clint Boon takes us around Manchester's iconic Deaf Institute

Eats

We go meatballs deep with Mira's traditional Neapolitan sandwiches