romance

Imagine travelling up the long enchanting driveway on your special day and arriving to celebrate at the breathe-taking manor house, Hoghton Tower. Visited by the likes of King James I, William Shakespeare and Charles Dickens, it offers a perfect balance between Romance and Lancastrian Heritage. Making the picturesque elegance of 16th century Hoghton Tower, the ideal venue for you to take your first steps into marriage as well as history.

Being the ancestral home of the de Hoghton family, it allows you exclusive hire of the impressive manor house and remarkable grounds and a chance to experience your big day in a relaxed, romantic atmosphere.

With so many beautiful spots at Blenheim Palace, from Formal Gardens to secret nooks, England’s finest view and fabulous heritage there are lots of places to pop the question. We have put together our top 10 proposal spots to give you inspiration!

1.The Temple of Diana

A spot with a romance of its own, the Temple of Diana is where Sir Winston Churchill proposed to Clementine Hozier in 1908. The Temple of Diana overlooks the Great Lake, is a sheltered nook and just next to the new Churchill Memorial Garden which is blooming with poppies in the summer.

2.The Finest View in England

Deciding to propose and therefore looking to buy an engagement ring is an exciting prospect but can also be daunting. Before you head out to buy the first ring that you see, you need to do your research; gain an insight by window shopping, learn what style your partner prefers and set a budget that works for you.

Fine jewellery, and in particular diamonds, have a close association with timeless love and romance. We know how overwhelming and frustrating it can be to source a piece that perfectly meets your requirements, so we have put together an easy to follow plan for purchasing an engagement ring.

Michelle Clarke is a senior event manager and wedding co-ordinator at one of the Midlands’ most iconic wedding venues, the 13th Century Marriott Breadsall Priory in Derbyshire. With 14 years’ experience in the industry, Michelle and her team have helped hundreds of couples say their ‘I Dos’ in style. Michelle writes exclusively for Vows and Venues and shares her expert hints and tips for the next generation of brides-to-be.

Bringing the inside out A key trend for 2016 is romance. This means delicate bridal make-up, favouring light matt pink lips and gently blushed cheeks to whimsical floral arrangements and simple, elegant pastel colour schemes.

DIY weddings have increased in popularity over recent years, with growing numbers of brides and grooms opting to turn their backs on traditional wedding venues in a bid to create a unique, truly memorable setting for their perfect day. Marquees provide a flexible, affordable alternative to a traditional wedding setting which can be fully customised to suit your unique needs and tastes.

Whether you are planning a large celebration or an intimate affair, a wedding marquee offers a perfect blank canvas to enjoy your special day. Launched in 1999 Yorkshire-based Gala Tent has revolutionised the marquee industry, helping to make purchasing marquee equipment a more affordable alternative to hiring.

Hazlitt Hotel Group, Georgian boltholes in London’s fashionable and lively neighbourhoods, is re-writing the rules of engagement for the 29th February.

2016’s Leap Year will revive traditional Valentine’s Day customs, when men take control of courting, and instead encourage women to grasp the reins of romance and be forthright with their proposals. Comprising The Rookery, Batty Langley’s and Hazlitt’s, the privately owned hideaways are reminiscent of aristocratic household and marries period charm with the needs of today’s sophisticated traveller.

Love Boxed Up: Newby Teas offers the perfect scented and delicious Valentine’s gifts online From the much-loved luxury tea brand that retails in Harrods, comes an exclusive online offering for love-rich and time-poor suitors

 Newby Teas presents two luxury options for adding romance and a touch of health to your Valentine’s Day this year, both available in Harrods and online at Newby’s e-boutique for busy lovers.