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

The Speech Surgery: does my wedding speech have to be funny?

'The Speech Surgery' with Heidi Ellert McDermott, founder of Speechy & author of The Modern Couple's Guide to Wedding Speeches: I'm not funny. Does my wedding speech need to be? I've heard some lovely speeches that haven't contained any humour, but here's the thing...they are the exception to the rule. Nearly every speech is better if it contains a little humour. FACT. Generally, folk from the UK and Australia want their speeches to have a lot of humour in them, while clients from other parts of the world, namely the US, lean towards a sweeter speech, with lighter elements, as opposed to all-out funny.

6 bridesmaid proposal ideas from Getting Personal

Once you've said yes to your future spouse, it's time to recruit your future bridal party. To pop the question you can keep it short and sweet or go with something a little more elaborate. A bridesmaid proposal is the perfect way to ensure they know their special role in your life and, more importantly, on your big day itself. There has been an 85% increase in Google searches for 'bridesmaid proposal ideas'¹ over the past year, therefore gifting experts at Getting Personal have shared 6 bridesmaid proposal ideas for those needing a little inspiration for asking their bridesmaids to be part of their bridal party.

Enjoy a Great British summer wedding at Heritage Parks

It's fair to say we are all eager for the pleasures of summer after a slightly underwhelming spring. Nothing is more quintessentially British and charming than celebrating longer days, sunshine, and warmer weather (however long it lasts!). Whether you're tying the knot at the historic Temple of Minerva or amidst the picturesque scenery of Parade Gardens, a British Summer theme really sets the perfect tone for your reception! Our Heritage Parks are a beautiful wedding backdrop in summer, when the plants are in full bloom. At the Temple of Minerva, decorate with classic bunting, which will flutter in the breeze, while your guests dine. Serve up a nostalgic feast with Pimm's and cucumber sandwiches, sausages rolls, and strawberries and cream – all presented on vintage china.

Couples counsellor shares 5 key boundaries to set

As technology brings us closer together than ever, it also has changed how relationships work, from meeting your significant other through an online dating app to having the ability to contact other people instantly at your fingertips. Smartphones have revolutionised communication - but do they strengthen or strain romantic relationships? With this in mind, the smartphone experts at Compare and Recycle have surveyed 2,000 people, delving into the complex world of smartphones. They discovered how many Brits trust their partners with phone passcodes, as well as partnering up with couples counsellor, Susan Leigh, to provide healthy passcode-sharing tips for couples.

Old Bridge provides a glorious backdrop for your special day

This 16th-century manor and mature gardens provide a glorious backdrop to your special day. Built in the local honey-coloured ham stone, the house is close to the venue's marquee and is integral to the whole ambience. The gardens, available for guests to enjoy, are dominated by a massive 400-year-old sweet chestnut tree, from which there hangs a triple seat swing where you can capture some memorable photos with your photographer. The venue is also blessed with formal lawns, rose beds and colourful borders. In addition there's a wooded area with gravel paths and a small stream flowing past weeping willows, and all the mature trees are up-lit at night.

True costs of saying 'I do' revealed by the experts

Recent research by Hodge reveals the dream of getting married can come with a hefty price tag, reaching more than £20,000. Hodge dived into the averages of how much each part of a wedding costs, revealing that food and the honeymoon were the two most expensive parts. When it comes to wedding attire, couples spare no expense to look their best on their special day. According to Hodge's research, the average cost of wedding outfits in the UK is substantial. For instance, the engagement ring alone sets couples back around £1,948 on average, surpassing even the cost of the bride's dress, which averages £1,500. But, the wedding bands cost substantially less, on average couples only spend £1,000 for both rings.

The Speech Surgery: Indian wedding speeches with Heidi Ellert McDermott, founder of Speechy

'The Speech Surgery' with Heidi Ellert McDermott, founder of Speechy & author of The Modern Couple's Guide to Wedding Speeches. I'm giving a Maid of Honour speech at a large Indian wedding. I've never been to one before... any etiquette I need to be aware of? Speeches are finally getting the attention they deserve at Indian weddings. A couple of decades ago they still weren't that common but now they're finally taking centre stage. And quite literally. In terms of etiquette, there's no major difference but the scale of the event will impact your speech. As we know, most Indian weddings are big events. It's not uncommon to have a guestlist anywhere from 400 to 1,000 guests and speakers are often up on a stage with lighting, sound crews and being filmed too! Check with the bride and find out...

Show your bridesmaids some love with the One4all Beauty & Spa Gift Card

Finding a range of gifts all your bridal party will love can be a struggle, especially when you've got a long wedding checklist to tick off. That's why the One4all Beauty & Spa Favourite Gift Card is an ideal addition to any bridal box or thank you card, it gives your hens the choice to pamper themselves with much-loved brands such as Boots, The Perfume Shop, Rituals, SpaSeekers and many more. It can be loaded with any amount from £15 to a generous £100, perfect if you've got a tight budget but still want to treat your bridesmaids.

Say I do at award-winning venue Croftview

Croftview is an award-winning venue located just outside the village of Hinton St George, South Somerset. Set within the magnificent grounds of a 1,200 acre private estate with stunning views across the countryside, it offers a memorable location for a celebration. The 13-bedroom property was built during 2020 and has been individually designed with colour schemes, sumptuous furnishings and a high standard of craftsmanship. It's both light and spacious and the Owl Bedroom on the top floor is particularly suitable as a bridal suite. The large outdoor lawn and licensed Pagoda space are stunning settings for a small, private ceremony, allowing a maximum of 60 guests, including the 30 people that can be accommodated to stay at the property.

Jewellery expert shares how to match your nails to your rings

Whether you're searching for an engagement ring for your partner or treating yourself to some new diamond earrings, there is so much to consider when it comes to finding the ideal jewellery. From complementary colours to chunky or more delicate styles, the experts at Abelini have shared four things to consider when purchasing new jewellery. Nilesh Rakholia, Director at jewellery retailer, Abelini, comments: "There are many factors to think about when it comes to buying new jewellery. Whatever the occasion, and whether it's a purchase for yourself or for a loved one, different styles and colours complement people in different ways - there's a perfect jewellery match for everyone!"

Choose your wedding rings sustainably with Wylde Jewellers

This issue we askedour experts for their top tips on planning a sustainable wedding. When it comes to choosing your wedding rings, Carly Cooke from Wylde Jewellers has the following advice... All of the gold we source to make our bespoke jewellery is recycled. As a precious metal, gold doesn't degrade when it's melted down and reformed; this means it can be recycled over and over again without losing its integrity or its value, making it the ultimate sustainable metal.

The Speech Surgery: funny photo inclusions yay or nay?

'The Speech Surgery' with Heidi Ellert McDermott, founder of Speechy & author of The Modern Couple's Guide to Wedding Speeches: My husband has been asked to be his brother's best man. We have lots of funny photos of his brother through the years. Should we utilise them in the speech? A decade ago, nearly every best man speech involved a PowerPoint presentation of embarrassing photos of the groom. These days are over. Maybe it's because social media now allows people to look back at laugh at their mates 'fedora' or 'drop crotch' years without needing to wait for a wedding. Or, maybe it's just because using PowerPoint is generally awkward and clunky anywhere other than the boardroom.

Don’t let your wedding decor go to waste: five creative ways to repurpose it!

With the time, money and effort you put into creating the perfect wedding setting for your special day, it only makes sense to make the most out of it, don't you think? If you want to give your decor another ounce of life but are not sure how, look no further. Experts at Diamonds Factory have shared five ways you can repurpose your wedding decor beyond the ceremony. 1.Get creative and repurpose your extra wedding invitations into a DIY project.

Don't miss the mega sale coming up at 14 & Sixpence in Ilminster!

Cathy Keen, owner of bridal boutique 14 & Sixpence is celebrating 10 years in business with a mega sale in store. She says, "It's been quite a decade! The honour of many industry awards and five-star reviews, a relocation, navigating Covid and nearly 2,000 beautiful brides and prom girls... I couldn't have done it without them. Thank you so much for helping me reach this amazing milestone." The sale is perfect for those looking for a beautiful dress designer at a fraction of the cost. The sale is on for one day only, so don't miss out! No appointment is required. 100 dresses available only - when they're gone, they're gone! So hurry down to 14 & Sixpence on... Sunday 2nd June 2024 10am-5pm.

Six things you need to insure when tying the knot

As wedding season draws nearer, couples are scrambling to tie up loose ends and ensure their special day goes off without a hitch. Amidst the excitement and anticipation, there have been 11K Google searches for 'wedding insurance' in the past month alone. The insurance experts at Bionic have looked into some of the most useful insurances to have for your big day. As of 2023, the average amount spent on wedding venues in the UK was nearly £8,000, meaning a significant amount of money would be at stake if the day were to be cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances affecting the venue. Similarly, the average spent on wedding videography and photography was nearly £3,000. In the event of any technical faults on the day, you could be at risk of memories of your special day not being captured, and also losing out on thousands if you weren't to take out cover.

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."