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

Georgia at Berwick Lodge shares her tips for planning a sustainable wedding

This issue we asked our experts for their top tips on planning a sustainable wedding. Georgia, wedding coordinator at Berwick Lodge says: Our favourite wedding trend is conscious decision making and there are so many ways to be ethically and environmentally friendly. Check out online resale sites for items used at other weddings and repurpose them for your own. You'll save them from being single-use and help your budget in the process! Check out websites such as Facebook Marketplace and Freecycle.

Leading Celebrant says industry needs infusion of new talent

The UK celebrant industry is seen as boring and is ripe for reinvigoration, according to Richard Lavender, founder of UK Celebrant Academy, a new training company for modern celebrants. There is now much more demand for celebrant-led ceremonies than ever before, as people want weddings that reflect their unique stories and values. "Celebrants, unlike registrars, provide completely unique and personalised ceremonies, with no limitations on location or content. But there are a lot of celebrants who are providing boring cookie cutter ceremonies. The Celebrant industry needs an infusion of new blood that will bring energy, humour and fun to special days whether they are weddings, funerals, baby naming or vow renewals," says Richard.

‘The Speech Surgery’ with Speechy's Heidi Ellert McDermott

'The Speech Surgery' with Heidi Ellert McDermott, founder of Speechy & author of The Modern Couple's Guide to Wedding Speeches' We're planning on having five speakers at our wedding. How do we make sure the speeches don't take over the whole day? Great speeches can add so much fun and meaning to a wedding day – but you can have too much of a good thing. Guests don't want to feel like they're sat at a conference, so firstly, think about how you schedule the speakers. Perhaps have a couple before the meal, two before the dessert and one (funny speech) after everyone's finished eating. You want your guests to interact with each other on a regular basis, rather than listening to a succession of speakers for an hour!

The Office for National Statistics: journeying through modern life

The Office for National Statistics has published an article exploring life's most important milestones and how they have changed over time. Using a range of data sources, the article looks at key life events such when people enter the workforce, get married, and earn the most money. Kerry Gadsdon, from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), said: "Everyone's journey through adulthood is different, but we can use a range of data to explore key events in life. We've examined how these milestones of adulthood have changed over the past decade and can see how society is shifting. "In England and Wales, people are doing many things later in life; like leaving their parent's home, getting married, and retiring. But not everything has changed. Most people still enter the workforce at 23-24 years old and make the most money in their 30s to 50s."

Tie the knot steeped in history at Hornsbury Mill

Set in the heart of Somerset, Hornsbury Mill is steeped in history and is a wonderful example of a converted 19th-century corn mill. Boasting 10 beautifully-presented en suite rooms, including the spectacular bridal suite, where you can even see the mechanics of the working water wheel. The beautiful grounds are a real highlight here. Set around the lake the Mill is blessed with an abundance of wildlife as well as resident ducks and peacocks. The gardens offer some spectacular spots for those all-important photographs and feature a bridge over the lake and a sculptural fountain. You have the choice of three ceremony areas here offering the flexibility of indoor or outdoor "I dos."

These are the UK’s most popular manor house wedding venues for Bridgerton-inspired ceremonies!

As we all wait in anticipation for tonight's first episode of season three of Bridgerton to hit our screens, we're ready to immerse ourselves in Regency splendour once again. If you're engaged, in the throws of wedding planning, there's so much to be inspired by when watching this hit series. New data collected by ethical jewellery brand Sacet has revealed the top manor house wedding venues across the UK that would make the perfect location for a Bridgerton-inspired ceremony. By analysing a number of factors, including number of reviews, professionalism, quality of service and value for money, of over 230 wedding venues that offer manor house weddings in the UK, the top 20 were revealed.

Make sure your big day is protected

A wedding is a special day for a couple, but it can also be an expensive one. Between venues, caterers, photographers, dresses, and entertainment, the costs can add up. For those planning a wedding, it's important you insure yourself against anything that could go awry just before, or on the big day. For those aiming to tie the knot this year, Alex Cross, Insurance Director at Tesco Bank shares his top tips on things to consider for your wedding day to make sure you're covered so things can run as smoothly as possible.

The Newt in Somerset brings history to life

This Spring 2024, The Newt in Somerset will bring a glimpse of the Roman Empire to the RHS Chelsea Flower Show. In its third year as official headline sponsor, The Newt in Somerset's team of architects and horticulturists have recreated a colonnaded courtyard garden inspired by the remains of those found in ancient Pompeii and the wider Naples region circa 78 CE. This peristyle colonnaded garden will be one of the most authentic reconstructions of a Roman garden ever created and the first of its type to appear at Chelsea in the show's 111-year history.

New vases from BHS to elevate big-day styling

BHS is delighted to present its newest offering for 2024, a collection of glass vases in an array of beautiful styles, shades and sizes. The extensive and diverse range caters to all interior schemes, revitalising the home with a fusion of modern sophistication and timeless charm that redefines home decor - making them perfect for big-day gift lists or thank you gifts. Alternatively, the range would also make gorgeous vessels for table centrepieces for your wedding blooms, which you can the recycle after the day and use for years to come.

WoodWick® reveals its latest collections

WoodWick® reveals its latest collection designed to effortlessly elevate the home with its unique fragrances and contemporary designs - perfect for big-day gifting. What's more, the gorgeous colour palettes would also suit spring and summer wedding themes adding aroma to your ceremony or reception, evoking memories of your wedding day for years to come. Created to make a statement with its one-of-a-kind multi-sensory experience, the WoodWick® Spring/Summer 2024 range re-energises the home and adds an extra layer of sophistication. With the soothing sound of the crackling wicks, and trend forward scents evocative of the brighter days ahead, this collection is sure to add a bold, yet stylish, touch to the home.

Banana Tree Restaurant in Bath is showing the love to its loyal customers

Award-winning Pan-Asian restaurant Banana Tree in Bath is giving away 1,000 free katsu curries to celebrate six months since opening and say thank you to Bath! The restaurant, famous for its delicious Pad Thai, Ramen and Katsu dishes opened its doors in Milsom Street at the end of last year and has proved extremely popular in the area. Since opening nearly six months ago the team at Bath Banana Tree have received lots of local support and they wanted to say a big thank you by giving away the 1,000 FREE katsu curries. Banana Tree is known for its mouthwatering Katsu curry with both Chicken and Vegan options available.

New cake stands launched in Spring pastel shades

Innovative UK cake stand brand, Prop Options has launched a new, sophisticated range of interchangeable pastel-coloured cake stands, giving couples and cake designers bountiful colourful options when it comes to displaying their wedding cakes. Known as the Reeded Stand, these pastel-toned contemporary cake plinths have removable top plates, allowing designers and couples to mix and match colourways for a truly unique, fun, yet elegant, design. Prop Options is bringing out six colourways in its Pastel Reeded Stand collection, namely pink, lavender, green, yellow, blue and 2024 colour of the year, Pantone Peach Fuzz. The stands are also available in white, black, and gold.

New Smeg products ideal for wedding gifting this season

Whether you're compiling your big-day gift list and looking for inspiration, or you're a guest attending a wedding in the coming months, these new items from Smeg makes wedding gifting easy! Adding to its of portfolio cooking essentials, Smeg has introduced its first countertop scales. The KSC01 Kitchen Scales are a welcome addition for both budding bakers and professionals in the kitchen. Joining the likes of stand mixers and cookware in Smeg's portfolio, the brand's all-new digital scales are both outstanding in design and packed with its advanced technology.

Get your £12 tickets for SS Great Britain this summer complete with live music

After-hours gigs at Bristol's iconic dockyard return for the third year on 27 June 2024, so don't miss your chance to bag discount early bird tickets. Locals will know that Brunel's SS Great Britain is one of Bristol's best family days out and a treasure trove for history fanatics. But this summer, after the gates are closed to the public, it will also become one of the city's most exciting gig locations. Brunel's SS Great Britain has teamed up with Coffee Club Bristol – hosts of Bristol's best alternative gigs since 2013 – to showcase up-and-coming acts and fan favourites from previous years. Tickets include after-hours access to the whole ship, the Dry Dock, and the Dockyard Museum.

7 top tips for including your pooch in your wedding

Considering including your pooch at your wedding? Here are 7 top tips from Petpals. With 57% of UK households boasting a furry friend, it is no wonder many couples dream of having their beloved dog join them on their special day. In fact, a whopping eight in 10 Brits say they would want their four-legged companion to be part of their wedding festivities. But before you entrust your pooch with the role of ring bearer, it is essential to be well prepared to ensure that your big day is nothing short of paw-some for both you and your pup. Here, Kevin Thackrah, Director of Petpals, the UK's longest-established pet-care franchise, shares some top tips on how to seamlessly incorporate your canine companion into your wedding day.

How to avoid guests over indulging on alcoholic drinks on the big day

One in six (16 per cent) wedding guests admit to driving home the morning after a wedding, when they could still be over the alcohol limit, reveals new research1 from Direct Line Motor Insurance. In a bid to remind drivers about the risks of getting behind the wheel after celebratory drinking, a car was crashed into a three-metre-high wedding cake outside Blenheim Palace2, one of the UK's most instagramable wedding venues.

With one in five (20 per cent) guests saying they have been driven home by someone they thought was over the drink drive limit, the morning after celebrating nuptials, the smashed wedding cake highlights the risks involved with driving the morning after.

6 Star Wars cocktails for the ultimate Star Wars hen do

Calling all brides-to-be and their intergalactic squadrons! Prepare to elevate your hen party to new heights as leading hen party company Fizzbox teams up with magical tavern, The Cauldron, to concoct a range of Star Wars cocktails, perfect for celebrating the bride's journey to the galaxy of marriage! Set your blasters to fun as The Cauldron's mixologists transport you to a galaxy far, far away with their selection of otherworldly drinks inspired by the iconic saga. From Darth Vader-inspired concoctions to drinks that will have you feeling like you're partying on the Millennium Falcon, there's something to delight every Jedi bride and her entourage.

The most popular wedding cars of 2024 and how much they will cost

As we head into the Spring/Summer wedding season, many couples will be tying up the last elements of their weddings before the big day. Often left to the last minute is transport, with many couples wanting to arrive and leave their wedding venues in style. Nationwide Vehicle Contracts decided to investigate which cars are the most popular when it comes to wedding hire, and also how much hiring one will set you back. To work out the most popular wedding car of 2024, Nationwide Vehicle Contracts has analysed Google search volumes, Google search trends and TikTok data including the number of posts per model, monthly searches and the YoY search trend.

Wedding homeware from Addison Ross

The heart and soul of British luxury Addison Ross, is a family owned British brand started in 1978; from a small business, it has now grown into a global sensation with a vast offering including an exquisite range of luxury homeware essentials that create the ideal wedding tablescape or wedding gift. A recent collaboration with India Hicks, saw the launch of a beautiful new photo frame collection, which India (King Charles' Goddaughter) used for her own wedding photos. These wonderful frames can also be used to create special moments at weddings including framing seating charts or cocktail menus!

Radhika & You wins National Wedding Planner of the Year 2024

The couple behind the luxury Bristol-based wedding planning business Radhika & You has won the title of National Wedding Planner of the Year 2024. Radhika and Shindy had already secured the South West regional title for Best Wedding Planner, and accepted the honour in tribute to Radhika's late mum, Versha. The business launched in 2015 after staging an event in Bristol to help young Asians celebrate Diwali in the city. What began with them providing a community-focused event has led them to global expansion, catering for couples getting married in high-end ceremonies not only in the UK, but as far afield as Greece, Italy, France and Canary Islands.