Mancs who are getting married this year might be staring at quite a long to-do list, with absolutely loads to organise before your big day.
Wedding fairs have become a popular fixture for brides- and grooms-to-be, full of inspiration and suppliers to meet – but the challenge of those is that they don’t come around all that often.
But the Royal Exchange building in Manchester is home to a surprising number of businesses who can help you craft the perfect wedding day, from the proposal all the way through to the day itself.
Inside the historic building you’ll find everything from clothing retailers to jewellers to florists to hair salons.
Brides who’ve found their dream dress can call on Alterations Boutique in the Royal Exchange Arcade to get the perfect fit – the team specialise in working with delicate fabrics and offer complimentary consultations.
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Newcomer to the Grade II-listed building, Royal Exchange Flowers, can help with your bridal bouquets, your button holes, or more large and lavish floral arrangements for your wedding.
Royal Exchange is a one-stop-shop for all things wedding / Credit: The Manc Group | Royal Exchange
Got a mother of the bride or mother of the groom with nothing to wear on the day? Sean Rayment boutique on Old Bank Street has designed brands with must-have styles, including accessories like fascinators and a personal shopping service with Sean himself.
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You can also call on Moss Bros, where there’s the option to rent a suit or buy one.
Need your wedding bands, engagement rings or gifts for the bridal party? Get yourself along to one of the many jewellery shops inside the Royal Exchange.
Jenny Jones Jewellery has beautiful vintage and one-off bespoke pieces, Arthur Kay Jewellers has been selling quality jewellery and watches from esteemed brands for over 125 years, and Diamond Heaven specialises in diamond rings.
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The beautiful Grade II-listed Manchester city centre building has everything under one roof / Credit: Royal Exchange
Then there are high-end watches at Swiss Watch Shop, and pre-loved and brand-new engagement rings at Mays Jewellers.
Getting closer to the day itself? Time to book in at Razors Edge Hair & Beauty in the Arcade to create the perfect up-do, or The Butchers Chop Shop who specialise in grooming for short hair.
Spooktacular Halloween trail to return to National Trust site Quarry Bank
Daisy Jackson
A Halloween trail is set to return to Quarry Bank Mill this autumn for one of the region’s most hauntingly beautiful seasonal events.
The National Trust site is a former working mill and one of the country’s finest industrial buildings – but as night falls and the shadows lengthen, a haunting will begin…
This year’s Halloween at Quarry Bank will again feature spooky light installations, a mesmerising laser garden, and a thrilling fire show, as well as live performances and seasonal food and drink.
Returning for a second year, Halloween at Quarry Bank will be an unforgettable experience for all ages.
Fog will swirl through the paths around the grounds, as glowing demon eyes watch over passers-by and giant skeletons loom over twisted trees.
If you’re brave enough, the trail then heads inside the mill itself, where creaking and clanking sounds of its industrial past hint at something a little more haunted.
Credit: Andrew Ogilvy PhotographyCredit: SuppliedCredit: Supplied
As you wander the trail, you’ll pass installations like glowing fire spheres and catacombs echoing with whispers from the past, plus plenty more surprises waiting in the shadows.
Then you can refuel with ‘bewitched burgers and freaky fries’, plus hot toddys and decadent hot chocolates.
You can even toast a marshmallow over an open fire.
Halloween at Quarry Bank is designed for families, couples, and groups of friends alike, and attracts visitors from all over Greater Manchester, Cheshire, Merseyside and Lancashire.
Entry to the trail is on a timed slot system – tickets are on sale now HERE.
Inside the brand-new rental houses at Bolton’s landmark £35m development, Deansgate Gardens
Daisy Jackson
The first residents are in, and the launch of Deansgate Gardens – a landmark £35m development in Bolton town centre – is live.
This impressive new development has brought 167 high-quality rental homes to Bolton, creating a residential neighbourhood that features rooftop terraces, gardens, and stunning communal spaces.
The homes on Deansgate, Bolton have been built specifically for renters, with spacious layouts in an ideal location just a two-minute walk from Bolton Town Hall and a short commute to Manchester.
And, unusually for new rental developments, it’s not all about apartments here (though there are beautiful one- and two-bedroom apartments with rooftop gardens available).
It’s also somewhere you can rent two-bedroom townhouses, and have your very own yard.
Every home is built with energy efficiency in mind, with heat pumps and enhanced insulation, plus rooftop solar panels on selected homes, keeping those pesky bills down.
This pet-friendly development comes from developer Placefirst, and is a key moment in the wider £1bn regeneration masterplan for Bolton.
Inside Deansgate Gardens in BoltonInside Deansgate Gardens in BoltonA spacious bedroomThe rooftop terraceView from the rooftop terrace
Deansgate Gardens is located just opposite the former Beales department store, connected by the train station, bus interchange, and town centre within walking distance.
These stylish new homes are built around a central square and communal courtyards. The result? Somewhere residents can relax, socialise, and connect.
There’s even a dedicated Resident Service Manager and 24/7 maintenance support for peace of mind.
And just a short walk away you’ll find parks like Queen’s Park, plus beautiful routes along the River Croal.
Ready to make these houses your home? Book in for a tour around Deansgate Gardens today HERE.
Daisy Jackson -
9th March 2023 
