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The beautiful Manchester building that’s like a year-round wedding fair

From flowers to fabrics to hen dos.

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson - 9th March 2023

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.

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Royal Exchange even has a few venues for pre-wedding parties, like cocktail masterclasses at Fridays or afternoon tea at Annies. 

Find out more here.

Featured Image – Royal Exchange

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Students can join a Wagamama ramen-building workshop for just £5 this week

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Students can join a Wagamama ramen-building workshop for just £5 this week

Students will be able to take part in a build-your-own ramen workshop this week, led by everyone’s favourite pan-Asian restaurant group, Wagamama. 

The workshops will cost just £5 (all of which will go to a brilliant cause), and will include the time spent creating your perfect meal, the actual food, plus drinks and sides.

Wagamama has teamed up with mental health charity SHOUT to host this cosy ramen-making workshop. 

Students will be invited to join Wagamama chefs in the kitchen, selecting their own broth, protein and veggies, with perfectly-cooked noodles, before sitting down at the restaurant’s benches to slurp up their creations with fellow students. 

There’ll also be toppings and garnishes including kimchi, tea-stained eggs, chilli oil, spring onions and more.

With merch to take home too, and steaming bowls of the best-ever autumn dish, this is a one-off event you won’t want to miss. 

Students can join a Wagamama ramen-building workshop for just £5 this week
Students can join a Wagamama ramen-building workshop for just £5 this week. Credit: Supplied

Each £5 ticket includes your food and two drinks, plus a variety of the new Wagamama winter sides and sharers. 

All money raised will be donated to SHOUT to support the vital services they provide. 

A representative from SHOUT will also be in attendance to talk about student wellbeing and the services available from the charity. 

Wagamama says: “At Wagamama, we believe having a conversation is one of the most powerful ways you can support someone struggling with their mental health. Whether it’s a quick check-in via text or an open conversation over a bowl of steaming ramen. no chat is too big or too small to make an impact.

Students can join a Wagamama ramen-building workshop for just £5 this week. Credit: Supplied
Students can join a Wagamama ramen-building workshop with SHOUT this week. Credit: Supplied

“This ethos is one we share with SHOUT, a free, confidential, 24/7 text messaging service for anyone in the UK who needs someone to talk to. After huge demand during Covid, SHOUT’s service has become increasingly essential + today SHOUT is more highly in demand than ever before.”

The Japanese and pan-Asian restaurant is donating £40,000 to SHOUT this year, plus providing perks and rewards for their team of volunteers, and hosting events in their spaces. 

The Wagamama ramen-building workshop will take place at the St Peter’s Square restaurant on Thursday 7 November between 2pm and 4pm. You can get your tickets HERE.

Read more: ‘Glittering winter adventure’ set to take over Tatton Park this Christmas

Featured image: Supplied

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‘Glittering winter adventure’ set to take over Tatton Park this Christmas

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

The magnificent grounds of Tatton Park will be transformed into a ‘glittering winter adventure’ this festive season.

With spooky season now a thing of the past, and Christmas merely a few weeks away, families will soon be whisked away into a world of folklore, enchantment, and enthralling performances as they enter the gardens of the stunning Tatton Park in Cheshire for an immersive, festival-like experience known as Yuletide.

Organisers say the captivating event promises to be a “truly magical experience” where folklore stories come to life through storytelling and live music.

A ‘glittering winter adventure’ is set to take over Tatton Park this Christmas / Credit: Supplied

All set to transport visitors right into the heart of Yuletide tales, the exciting new event – which opens next weekend, and runs through until late December – is produced by Wild Rumpus, who you may know for other magical local events such as ‘The Lanterns’ at Chester Zoo (2018-2022) and Just So Festival.

The highlight of this new event has to be The Glittering Trail, where beautifully-illuminated puppets and performers bring legendary stories of Yuletide to life as visitors wander through the park’s popular Japanese Gardens and make the most of the stunning winter landscape.

Families can gather around an open fire to toast marshmallows, all while they watch live performances that add even more magic to the evening.

Yuletide will be running at Tatton Park on selected dates from Saturday 16 November through to Monday 23 December, and tickets are on sale now – with adult tickets costing £20, children paying just £12 each, and free personal assistant passes are also available.

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Find out more and book your tickets here.

Featured Image – Supplied

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