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

Q&A with The Painswick's events manager, Chelsea Tunstall

The Painswick is a charming boutique hotel nestled in the heart of the picturesque Cotswolds, and its bespoke wedding package offers the perfect venue for couples seeking an intimate and unique wedding experience. With its stunning Georgian architecture, breathtaking valley views, and exclusive, home-from-home feel, The Painswick is ideal for smaller, more personal celebrations, allowing couples to make the space their own. Chelsea Tunstall, The Painswick's wedding manager, recently shared her insights into what makes this venue so special...

Couples seek help with their Wedding Checklist

With the average 2025 wedding costing £20,822, it's understandable that couples are feeling the pressure to ensure their special day runs smoothly. Wedding costs have more than doubled since the pandemic and with higher budgets often comes increased planning and the need for checklists. Last year "wedding checklist" received 6,600 average monthly searches online as UK couples turned to Google for guidance, to make sure nothing was missed. As your 2025 wedding day approaches and the big elements are secured, from venue and dress to guest list, there will still be a number of important details to manage in those final weeks.

Lovely locks with Bristol-based Hairy Jayne

Bristol-based Hairy Jayne is a local beauty brand transforming the haircare industry with its innovative, multi-award-winning products that are both ethical and effective, designed to cleanse, condition and care for your hair. Infused with nature's most nutritious ingredients, Hairy Jayne delivers visible results while protecting the planet and supporting meaningful causes. Founded by hairdresser Jayne Rutland in 2019, the brand is driven by her knowledge of natural haircare recipes, dedication to plant-based results and commitment to genuinely sustainable haircare.

Experience the tranquillity of nature at Ellenborugh Park

Beautifully positioned at the foot of Cleeve Hill, located within 90-acres of glorious grounds, just moments away from the famous Cheltenham Racecourse and nearby to many of England's most picturesque villages, Ellenborough Park is one of The Cotswolds' finest estates. The 15th century manor house has been lovingly restored to its original glory, combining history, elegance and nature with contemporary comforts, state-of-the art facilities and world-class service. The in-house spa invites guests to unwind and relax in comfort and tranquillity. As well as offering a variety of relaxing and restorative treatments, the spa at Ellenborough Park has six treatment rooms, a heated outdoor swimming pool, state-of-the-art gym, thermal suites and relaxing karma room.

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.