Your Somerset Glos and Wilts Wedding news and ideas from around the county

From smart invites to livestreams: the tech-savvy wedding trends of 2025

Like the tides of fashion, wedding trends come and go; however, the coming online age of nuptials is coming in fast and causing quite the wave. From AI-generated floor layouts and digital invites, modern couples are finding new ways of broadcasting their love. Here are some of the biggest trends in technology that will shape weddings in 2025, and how the industry is adapting to meet couples' expectations.

The Barn at Berkeley releases additional availability for 2026/27

The Barn at Berkeley is a charming family-owned wedding venue, renowned for its restaurant-standard food and stunning rural location. This quintessentially Cotswolds destination is a popular choice for exclusive hire and the team behind this hidden gem have recently released additional availability for 2026 and 2027. Nestled in a beautiful rural haven, neighbouring Cattle Country Farm Park and run by the same third-generation farmers, the talented hospitality team at the barn have more than 20 years' experience expertly hosting celebrations. Their venue is now available for exclusive use for weddings with between 60 and 120 guests during the day and up to 200 in the evening. The venue boasts a selection of versatile spaces for each element of a wedding, including

Jo Malone reopens in Cheltenham

British fragrance house Jo Malone London has opened the doors to its newly refurbished store in Cheltenham. "Renowned for its stunning Regency architecture and rich cultural history, this vibrant town in Gloucestershire continues to provide the perfect setting for Jo Malone London," says Rachel Baker, the brand's vice president general manager. "With its elegant charm and enduring heritage, Cheltenham embodies the timeless sophistication and craftsmanship that are at the heart of our brand."

Say I Do with Chelsea Peers

Chelsea Peers have made the morning of the wedding even more stylish than before. You and your bridal party can now get ready in soft satin and lace trimmed nightwear, bringing together the joys of wedding morning excitement and the wow factor for your photo album. Why not have your bridesmaids in matching pyjamas? The bridal collection caters to the whole wedding party and would make those getting ready photos all that more special.

Discover Lapstone Barn, set on a peaceful Cotswolds hill

Lapstone Barn is set on a peaceful Cotswolds hill just a five-minute drive from Chipping Campden in the North Cotswolds. The Hayloft is a special space for the bridal party to get ready on the morning of your wedding. Available from 10am for the duration of the day, take a seat while your stylists work their magic. What's more, there are endless photo opportunities here. Use the beautiful honey-coloured stone of the courtyard as your backdrop or one of the many outdoor spaces. The south-facing terrace looks out across arable fields, ideal for group shots on a sunny day. For your couple shots, the farmhouse garden is a favourite spot.

Three cheers for mum!

Mother's Day is fast approaching, and with this comes the worry of buying the right present. Mum does so much, how can we possibly repay her? For many mothers, they'll be sat there thinking they don't want the fuss, maybe just a cup of tea and a lay in. However, it's important we show them that they're worth the extra day of love and affection. The mother of the bride is a special role, and I'm sure one all mums look forward to. The extra support we get from our mums on our wedding day is three-fold, so let's unpack them and remind ourselves why we should be treating them on the 30th of Mach 2025.

Everards Farm hosts its first wedding fair

Nestled in the heart of the Somerset countryside, Everards Farm is a sanctuary where the pace of life slows down. Your wedding here is an opportunity to unwind and recharge with your guests, as the onsite accommodation houses 14. On 13th April 2025, the venue will be hosting its first wedding fair to showcase the beauty of the estate and what can be achieved by booking Everard's Farm for your wedding celebration. Pop along between 10am to 4pm to meet the team, discuss your big day and see this stunning country estate venue in all its glory. There'll be a chance to see a full wedding setup including marquees from the venue's partner Abbas Marquees.

The Most popular Wedding Gifts and Their Impact Post-Wedding

You've received your invitation, you've picked out your outfit, now you just need to select your gift! A simple task that can bring reality crashing in "what on earth can I get them?" Here's Not on the Highstreets most popular wedding gifts, along with expert insights from their exclusive interview with multi-award-winning relationship coach Gemma Nice on how these gifts can strengthen relationships and keep the connection alive long after the wedding day.

Stratton House Hotel offers an ideal locale for your romantic Cotswolds wedding

This 17th-century independent, family-owned hotel offers a host of spaces and the flexibility to make your big day come off just as you dreamed it. Close to the town of Cirencester with great transport links and plenty of parking, it offers an ideal locale for your romantic Cotswolds wedding. Your ceremony can take place in the Stratton Suite or outside on the lawn in the private walled garden. Both are licensed for civil ceremonies with up to 80 guests. The versatile and elegant events space here, The Stratton Suite, can be configured to work perfectly for your ceremony, wedding breakfast or evening reception along with a dancefloor.

The Ultimate Mother’s Day Gift Guide!

It's time to get our purses out and to spoil mum. Rituals is a luxurious brand that offers gorgeous gifts for affordable prices, which is one of the many reasons why they are a great place to start for Mother's Day. Rituals recognises that maternal love manifests in various forms and can come from unexpected sources, such as a caring neighbour or a trusted babysitter. Rituals' goal is to honour and celebrate all forms of love.

Fairytale castle vows at Sudeley

Sudeley Castle & Gardens, one of England's most historic and exclusive private estates, proudly overlooking the quintessential Cotswold village of Winchcombe, has released a limited number of wedding dates for 2025. As a popular destination and private home to Lady Ashcombe, the estate only offers a select number of dates for weddings each year, with availability in high demand. Once referred to as 'the most romantic place in the Cotswolds,' Sudeley Castle & Gardens offers a magnificent backdrop for weddings of all sizes, with a range of spectacular indoor and outdoor spaces, all steeped in more than 1,000 years of history.

Quality Over Quantity: The Surge of Micro Weddings

The modern couple are ditching large lavish weddings and choosing a more intimate affair. A micro wedding is a wedding that has less than 50 guests and focuses more on the meaningfulness of the day rather than the spectacle. Diamonds Factory Ireland with expert wedding planner Akilah Atiba-Davies from With Akilah & Co, unpacks the surge of this trend and why more couples are leaning towards smaller events.

The Slaughters Manor House combines contemporary interiors with country charm

The Slaughters Manor House is a beautiful 17th-century four-star property combining contemporary interiors with country charm, one of the most acclaimed restaurants in the Cotswolds and 19 luxurious bedrooms, each distinctive and designed with luxury and comfort in mind. Situated in one of England's prettiest Cotswolds villages, the venue is nestled within five acres of stunning landscaped gardens on what was once proclaimed the Most Romantic Street in the UK – Copse Hill. The House offers an idyllic Cotswold retreat with a quintessentially English croquet lawn and a tennis court. Ceremonies can be held in The Pink Lounge as 22 loved ones look on. This room has dual aspect windows with beautiful views of the manicured lawns.

Find a world of wedspiration at UWE on 23rd March

The Word on Weddings is coming to UWE on 23rd March 2025 with more than 70 top class suppliers exhibiting. Tickets are free at https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-big-uwe-wedding-fair-tickets-1082217685229?aff=oddtdtcreator so don't hesitate to bag yours today. The Word on Weddings will also be launching an exciting getting-to-know you wedding podcast where the team will be talking in depth to venues about their offerings, showcasing venues and discussing food options. It will keep couples up to date on any upcoming deals and offers available as well as meeting wedding suppliers to share who they are and what they do, along with any funny stories or unique weddings they've been involved with, plus expert advice and top tips.

How to avoid overspending on your wedding budget

It is a special time for you and your partner, planning the perfect event to celebrate your love with friends and family. However, it can often become stressful as people try to fit such a big event into their budgets. With the average wedding for 2025 coming to a total of £20,822, getting everything from drinks to décor can be a chore. Lake District Country Hotels, providers of wedding venues in the Lake District, pair with James Beckett, financial coach and founder of MoneyStocker.com, to help you budget your way to your big day.

Experience the timeless Regency grandeur of Pittville Pump Room

The Cheltenham Trust is the guardian of the historical Cheltenham Town Hall and Pittville Pump Room. As the lead provider of culture, heritage, arts and leisure in Cheltenham the Trust ensures that these iconic venues are tended to in every aspect and, most importantly, hosts the most lavish weddings, dances and banquets in Gloucestershire! Steeped in history and tradition, these venues offer a timeless Regency grandeur complete with breathtaking architectural detail. Pittville Pump Room is the jewel in Cheltenham's heritage crown – a Grade I listed Regency gem. Opened in 1830, it was Cheltenham's largest and last spa to be built.

Portuguese Wine Dinner at The Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa

On Friday 14th March, 7pm, The Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa, will host a Portuguese Wine Dinner, during which fine wines and delicious food will be paired on a journey through Portugal. Embark on a culinary adventure guided by Rui Santil from Liberty Wines, a passionate Brand Ambassador for Portuguese wines. Originally from coastal Portugal, Rui's journey began in the vineyards, where his love for winemaking was first sparked. Now a WSET Diploma holder and wine judge, he brings a wealth of expertise, ready to transport you through Portugal's diverse wine regions.

The hidden language of roses, revealed by expert

Chris Waugh, Florist at Bloom & Wild discusses the symbolism of roses and the bridal trends we can expect to see: "Roses are set to remain a popular choice for weddings in 2025, remaining as one of the most traditional parts of a bridal bouquet. While floriography, known as the language of flowers, was popular during the Victorian Era, the hidden language of roses is still more apparent than ever. Whether you want your guests to be enticed by a feeling of love and passion by incorporating dark red roses into your big day, or if you'd prefer a more delicate approach to love and gratitude by using pink roses, it's important to pick each colour wisely to ensure you're getting the most appropriate messaging across to your guests."

Exclusive Collection launches immersive experiences to honour Jane Austen’s 250th Anniversary

Exclusive Collection is delighted to announce exclusive getaway packages, themed afternoon teas and a writer's retreat with Rosie Nixon, perfect for guests celebrating the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen. Guests can step into Jane Austen's world with an unmissable duo-destination package, thoughtfully crafted at two of the collection's country house hotels: The Manor House near Bath, and Lainston House near Winchester. For those wishing to follow in the footsteps of Jane Austen, this two-night stay offers a unique opportunity to visit the places that shaped her life and work. The journey begins at The Manor House in Castle Combe, an idyllic 17th-century manor set in one of most picturesque villages in the Cotswolds.

Cotswold wedding venue opens its doors for annual inspiration day

The Barn at Berkeley, a quintessentially Cotswold wedding and events venue is opening its doors on Sunday 16th March for its annual Spring Inspiration Day. The showcase event gives couples a chance to appreciate the beautiful surroundings while savouring a glass of refreshing fizz and tasty canapes, expertly crafted by the exceptionally skilled in-house chef, providing guests with a glimpse of the offerings available at this stunning venue.Taking place from 12-3pm, a selection of local suppliers will be set up at the venue to showcase their offerings and how they can perfectly compliment couples' special day. From flowers, to cake, to entertainment, local suppliers confirmed include: Fern and Rose, The Gloucester Magician, Alba Tableware and many more.