Editor loves and inspiration

While Pia and Joe were aware of each other at school, nothing happened between them until they were old enough for a bit of Dutch courage, and met up at a pub five year's after leaving. “Although we weren't high school sweethearts, meeting in our early 20s felt like the right time for both of us to have this forever thing going,” Pia explains. “It's funny because even when we started dating, Joe said he didn't want anything too serious. Obviously that didn't quite go to plan!”

While away on holiday in Dominican Republic in 2023, the couple stayed in the adults only Secrets Hotel in Punta Cana. Since they both love the beach they booked a romantic dinner there during golden hour, surrounded by lit candles and hearts drawn in the sand. While there, Pia noticed a bride who'd just been married on the beach. When she turned back to Joe she found him holding out his great grandmother's ring. “That could be you one day,” he said, popping the question. “It was a girl's perfect dream,” Pia remembers. The next day the couple began to celebrate and share the news with their nearest and dearest. “I was so detached from reality that I went to breakfast with my dress on inside out and back to front,” Pia laughs.

Already nearly a decade into their relationship, the couple weren't interested in a long engagement so they started looking for wedding venues as soon as they got home. On the hunt for something as local as possible, Joe found the beautiful Old Oak Farm, which was having its new barn built at the time. Even though it wasn't 100 per cent complete when they viewed it they found themselves squeezing each other's hands with excitement during the visit and immediately cancelled their other venue appointments. “It gave us all the amazing feels and we just knew it was where we'd become husband and wife,” Pia explains.

Discover the story of Pia and Joe's big day in the current issue of Your Bristol & Somerset Wedding, free to download at www.yourbristolsomerset.wedding/free-download

Vicki and Steve met on Tinder in 2017, and got together for a first date at Nettle and Rye in Bristol. At the time, Vicki lived in Clevedon, and made a memorable exit when her Uber driver crashed into a bollard while reversing! The two soon went on a second date and before long they'd bonded over a love of food and enjoyed subsequent dates at foodie hotspots including Bravas and Poco Tapas in Bristol and Scoozi's in Clevedon. As Vicki is a vet Steve also impressed her on an early date with a tour of Bristol Zoo complete with a quiz.

After six years together Steve proposed to Vicki in a beautiful Prague park. He'd managed to surprise her, which we understand is quite an achievement as Steve is generally an open book. What was even more impressive though was that both sets of parents had managed to keep it quiet too! When the couple first visited North Cadbury Court, they'd only seen three other venues. “But we stopped searching there and then, as it really felt perfect,” Vicki explains. They'd been looking for somewhere that would allow them to have a relaxed, weekend away vibe to their wedding and the fact that North Cadbury Court was able to sleep 80 guests on site in its luxurious bedrooms meant it fit the bill. “We knew our guests would enjoy it and we could also mould the wedding our way through a flexible choice of suppliers. There was no corkage and no schedule, which was more than we'd hoped for,” Vicki shares.

Discover the story of Vicki and Steve's big day in the current issue of Your Bristol & Somerset Wedding, free to download at www.yourbristolsomerset.wedding/free-download

When Claire and Jack met through a mutual friend, it wasn't long before he asked for her number. In no time, they were off on their first date to the BFI on London's South Bank. “I loved how many diff erent interests and hobbies Jack has,” Claire tells us. “He'd say he loved my sense of humour!”

Jack's plan was to propose on a boat he'd rent while the couple were on holiday in Sorrento. However, the weather was so unpredictable every time he tried to organise it the conditions were too bad. Instead, he opted to pop the question on the evening of his birthday. The pair went for a walk after dinner to a park in Sorrento, the Villa Communale, blessed with beautiful sea views. Determined and undeterred by the thunder and lightning, Jack got down on one knee and asked Claire to marry him!

The couple had been on holiday to Wells a few years previous and fell in love with the city. They'd visited Bishop's Palace and Gardens whilst there and thought the grounds were so beautiful that it immediately came to mind when they began looking for a wedding venue. “As a former archaeologist I love the history of the Palace, and the gardens are truly special,” Claire explains.

Discover the story of Claire and Jack's big day in the current issue of Your Bristol & Somerset Wedding, free to download at www.yourbristolsomerset.wedding/free-download

Wookey Hole Caves offers you an unforgettable wedding in a historical, magical location in the heart of the Mendip Hills. Take your vows in a spectacular chamber surrounded by clear pools that have been carved out by the River Axe over millions of years. This really is a venue with a difference.

Find out more about Wookey Hole Caves and more Bath & Mendip venues in the current issue of Your Bristol & Somerset Wedding, free to download at www.yourbristolsomerset.wedding/free-download

From veils to hair accessories, sparkling jewellery pieces and the all-important something new. There's so much to consider when it comes to adding those special elements to your wedding look. They're a further way to personalise your attire and oh-so fun to shop for! So, don't miss our jewellery and accessories feature in the Aug/Sept issue of Your Bristol & Somerset. It's free to download at www.yourbristolsomerset.wedding/free-download.

I love Rebecca Anne Design's incredible bespoke embroidered veils from £375, at www.rebeccaannedesigns.co.uk

Danny the Fire Performer offers world class fire show entertainment for your wedding. Over the last decade, Danny has performed across the UK creating unique feature evening entertainment with his solo choreographed fire shows lasting from 12min to 30min. He's skilled in up to 14 different fire and pyrotechnical props/skills from fire breathing to pyrotechnical staff spinning, and everything in between, to bring showstopping entertainment to any wedding crowd size.

One happy bride, Alice, says, “I booked Danny as a surprise for our wedding guests. Everything was taken care of and I didn't need to worry about anything on the day. The show was spectacular, everyone absolutely loved it, especially the kids! Our guests are still talking about it today, three months later.”

Get in touch to find out more via www.dannythefireperformer.com

For more local entertainment ideas, download the Aug/Sept issue of Your Bristol & Somerset Wedding free at www.yourbristolsomerset.wedding/free-download

For this year's local bridal boutiques feature, we decided to chat to the region's boutique owners to find out how to dress according to your big-day's vibe.

I love Chosen by Kyha, Davis, available at Lace & Grace Bridal Boutique - perfect for a timeless, romantic wedding.

For more wedding dress inspiration, turn to page 63 of the Jun/Jul24 issue, free to download at www.yourbristolsomerset.wedding/free-download

“For 2024/25 we're working with lots of power pastels, including Pantone's colour of the year, Peach Fuzz. Strong tones of dusky pink, lilacs, peach and powder blue combined create a feeling of drama, romance and whimsical opulence. Perfect for a soft, elegant, Bridgerton-inspired design or instead combined with contemporary fl oral techniques and edgy black tie for a chic and contemporary spin on this English country garden colour palette.” – Holly Allman-Lopez, Ambience Venue Styling Bath

For more on what's hot in the world of venue styling right now, turn to page 53 of the Jun/Jul24 issue, which is free download at www.yourbristolsomerset.wedding/free-download

This team of local wedding afficionados sought to transform The Grange, a magnificent Georgian rectory, into an idyllic setting for a wedding celebration. Envisioned as a sanctuary where couples could gather their closest family and friends for an intimate and exclusive celebration, The Grange offers an ideal backdrop for a weekend filled with joyous festivities. To bring this vision to life, the venue’s team meticulously curated a selection of the fi nest local wedding suppliers, ensuring every aspect was highlighted to its fullest potential.

The Orangery’s styling was inspired by an English country spring, centred around the fresh Pantone colour of the year, Peach Fuzz, creating an atmosphere of warmth and renewal. Meanwhile, the Dining Room was transformed into a cosy ceremony space, where green and white neutrals harmonised with the room’s inherent charm, providing a serene and elegant setting for exchanging vows. Although The Grange doesn’t hold a ceremony licence currently, this feature offers a personalised celebrant-led experience, free from the usual constraints.

With the venue’s beautiful, manicured gardens too, you’re invited to tailor your special day to your own preferences, making it truly your wedding, your way.

Enjoy the full shoot from page 49 of the Jun/Jul24 issue, free to download at www.yourbristolsomerset.wedding/free-download

Ollie was in Chelsea's sister's class at secondary school, and years later an Instagram message brought them back together. When Ollie decided to propose, he chose a very windy spot in Scotland while the two were away on holiday. Although they didn't realise at the time of booking, their wedding date fell on that same day two years later.

The couple found themselves attracted to the openness and rustic feel of Old Oak Farm, and it was important to them that it was local. They were in fact the fi rst couple to tie the knot in the venue's new barn addition, which was fi nished just a week before the big day. “Rebecca and Andy at Old Oak Farm have such incredible attention to detail from the old oak cider to the fi repits, beautiful fi replace and outdoor skittle alley,” Chelsea remembers. The latter being particularly poignant as the couple are part of a local skittle team.

That all-important date was 27th May 2023, discover the full story of the day in the Jun/Jul24 issue, free to download at www.yourbristolsomerset.wedding/free-download