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

Wedding fragrance suggestions

Floral, citrus, or woody - and everything in between - wedding scents are becoming more popular as couples incorporate them into their day. They can provide an ideal way to remember the occasion, the trigger of a special memory when you come across that fragrance connected to it. What's more, key scents can also help control emotions according to psychologists. Yasmin Sharp, essential oils expert at Nikura, says, "With more than 12 million hashtag views on TikTok, wedding scents (#weddingscent) are becoming more and more popular

Abbott Lyon have the answer to your wedding party gifting worries

With wedding season in full swing Abbott Lyon have the answer to all you wedding party gift woes. The locally-based brand has curated a superb selection of personalised and pearl pieces, perfect for bridesmaids. Whether you're searching for a sentimental gift for your best gals, or for the perfect accessory to add to your own bridal look, Abbott Lyon on hand to help. Boasting elegant pearls and thoughtful personalisation options, Abbott Lyon' hero pieces include Stacey Solomon Charm Builder Necklace (from £69), Custom Name Bracelet (£85), Pearl Mini Initial Bracelet (£49), Pearl Signature Name Necklace (£85), and Mini Raffia Pearl Resort Bag (£105). There's even an option to add luxury personalised gift packaging, which adds and extra special and thoughtful element to your pressie.

Wedding ring mistakes to avoid!

Aimee Howlett, jewellery expert at Diamonds Factory, has shared how to choose and clean your wedding band. 'When choosing your wedding band, it's important to consider your lifestyle and daily activities. If you're someone with an active lifestyle you might want to go for a more durable material like platinum or tungsten that can withstand potential scratches and avoid a ring that has diamonds. With this in mind, it's worth visiting a jewellery store and trying on different styles of wedding bands, which can be really fun! Pay attention to comfort, fit, and how well it pairs with your engagement ring (if you have one).

Wedding gift inspiration from L'OR

Coffee brand L'OR provides the perfect machine which will ensure you capture the heart of any coffee-loving couple, whilst also providing a useful gift that lasts! With a unique double-spouted design that offers flexibility to adapt to different coffee preferences, the L'OR BARISTA is powered by Phillips technology and has become a much-loved coffee machine since its launch. What's more, the machine is not only compatible with L'OR pods, but also a wide range of alternative branded coffee capsules on the market*, providing maximum flexibility and choice.

L'OR BARISTA Sublime Coffee Machine (£104.99*) is available in Piano Noir, Satin Blanc and Sunset Rubis, while the L'OR BARISTA Original Latte Machines (£164.99*) is available in Piano Noir and includes built-in milk frother.

7 topics all couples should cover in a prenup

While a prenuptial agreement is unlikely to be on many people's wedding checklist, a family lawyer has urged couples who will be tying the knot in the coming months to consider making it a key priority. With research by the law firm revealing that Google searches for terms related to prenups including 'what is a prenup?', 'meaning of prenups' and 'prenups in the UK' have increased by 21% in the last three months compared to the three months previous, it is clear they are growing in popularity.

Charlton House gets a new lease of life courtesy of Montigo Resorts

Montigo Resorts, Somerset, at Charlton House has opened in the idyllic market town of Shepton Mallet, in the Mendip District of Somerset. Mere moments away from the rolling hills of Frome, Wells and Glastonbury, the hotel is a discreet country retreat with a relaxed, informal vibe. The opening ceremony was graced by the likes of the Mayor of Glastonbury, Cllr Indra Donfrancesco, Chairman of The Street Parish Council, Cllr Bryan Knickerbocker, and team Your Bristol & Somerset Wedding! We were super-excited to roll into town to check out this stunning Regency-period estate, featuring the historical 28-room country house hotel and spa, three restaurants, and stunning gardens.

Garden wedding ideas for the big day

Co-founder of Togather.com, Hugo Campbell, unveils garden wedding ideas for the big day. As wedding trends evolve, couples may be seeking unique ways to celebrate their special day. For those looking to embrace a laid-back atmosphere and the shabby chic aesthetic, from Ottolenghi-style dining and Aperol carts, to enchanting fairylights and the perfect venue. A festival theme: Many couples are looking for maximum flexibility and the ability to perfectly match their food to the vibe of the day. This summer Togather.com is seeing many couples opting for a festival feel for their food, hiring multiple different street food trucks and allowing their guests a choice of handheld food rather than a sit-down meal. This means they can cater to all sorts of dietary requirements and preferences as well as give their guests a more relaxed feel.

False lashes leaving you flustered? Local MUA Gillian Rachel Elizabeth has the answers

I love the look of false lashes, but I've never worn them myself. Should I try them for my wedding day? What advice do you have for me? Gillian says: Aside from flawless skin, the priority of most brides is their eye make-up. The majority of brides want their eyes to pop and stand out without looking overly glam. For someone who's not wanting a heavy make-up look, often they'll believe a false lash will be too much for them, especially when they're not use to wearing them. If this sounds like you, my go-to lash is either a three-quarter-length lash or a cluster of individual lashes at the outer corner. With the latter, no strip is being placed across the length of the lash line, so they're much more comfortable to wear. I can guarantee that when wearing these, you'll hardly feel that they're there an no one will ever guess they are either. Whether you'd prefer a natural barely-there look or long and fluffy lashes on your wedding day, these beauties will do the job.

How Brits are spending and saving on weddings in 2023

New data from Barclays reveals how macro trends such as the cost-of-living crisis, inflation, and social media pressures are impacting weddings in 2023. The report combines proprietary spending data with a survey of 1,000 newlyweds and people engaged to be married to determine this year's top wedding trends and cost-saving behaviours. Two fifths (38 per cent) of newlyweds, and brides- and grooms-to-be are going over budget on their special day, with most of these couples citing the rising cost-of-living (51 per cent) and suppliers being more expensive than they anticipated (44 per cent) as the reasons for this increased spend.

Tie the knot at The Bristol

The Bristol is simultaneously a wonderful destination for visitors and a popular social hug among Bristolians. The property boasts an iconic location on the city's harboursie and effortlessly blends a modernist exterior together with an interior where contemporary design and style is paramount. The hotel's unbeatable waterfront address in the heart of the city affords it a lively ambience, couples with an exceptionally warm welcome and naturally intuitive service, ensuring a special and memorable wedding day. Ceremonies take place in either the William Jessop Suite or the George White Suite. The former exudes elegance through its timeless decor, and enjoys plenty of natural light, plus seatin for up to 100 loved ones. The latter is the perfect spot for intimate "I dos," witnessed by 40 nearest and dearest.

Truffle Tablescapes Launches Luxury Tableware Rental Range

Truffle Tablescapes, a leading UK-based online tablescaping boutique, has launched its first range of rental tableware and accessories that is aimed at those wanting to decorate their lunch and supper parties, events or small weddings. Truffle has been helping at-home entertainers elevate their dinner party looks since it launched during the first lockdown in 2020. Founded by tablescaping expert and interiors lover Kate Fairlie, the brand has expanded again by launching an extensive, yet carefully curated, rental collection of luxury table linens and accessories.

Bristol-based VegfestUK celebrates 20 years of festivals with huge free party!

Celebrating a whopping 20 years of ground-breaking vegan festivals in the UK, Bristol-based VegfestUK is delighted to be celebrating in their home town with a huge free party, and everyone is welcome! Bristol Vegan Fayre returns in the early autumn to Bristol for a two day free event at Document on the Pennywell Lane, and features a super indoor space with around 80 stallholders, including 10 caterers, and a host of talks and entertainment plus a sweet little outside area for DJ's and a dance zone - going back to the roots of this original iconic event held annually in Bristol during the noughties. A chill-out room at the back ensures some space for workshops, kids area, licensed bar and plenty of seating and space, whilst the main talks room seats around 150 and plays host to a programme of inspirational speakers, some uplifting performers, some intriguing panels with activism and movement unity the theme alongside some keynote speakers and a comedy hour each day.

Sentimental gift ideas from Heads & Tails Jewellery

Heads & Tails Jewellery has been making personalised, beautifully designed jewellery for more than 10 years. The brand's innovative products can be treasured by your loved ones for years to come, making them ideal for wedding day gifting. Every handcrafted gift uses high-quality materials and is presented in a luxury gift bag or luxury gift box and comes with a 12 month warranty. Emma Pearson, owner of Heads & Tails Jewellery, shares her top advice for wedding day gifting.

Weatherproofing your UK Wedding

Outdoor weddings can create truly magical experiences, from fairytale forests to Bridgerton-style countryside escapes, being surrounded by the natural world, the sound of birdsong and a gentle breeze is a perfect day for some. We wish that were always the case, but no matter how meticulously you plan your wedding, the one thing that will always be beyond your control is the notoriously unpredictable Great British weather. Fulton Umbrellas have come up with a handy guide on how you can weatherproof your wedding.

Attending a wedding this summer - save on travel costs

Now that wedding season is upon us, a recent survey by Railcard has revealed that wedding guests spend on average a whopping £402.90 on each wedding they attend. With 31% of Brits having attended between one and three weddings in the past two years, these sometimes-overlooked expenses can quickly rack up. In fact, 59% of those surveyed admit that they would decline a wedding invitation if the costs of attending were too high, showing that cost-savings to any wedding expense can really make the difference for those who RSVP 'Yes' or a regretful 'No'.

Going local is the way to a sustainable wedding says Queen & Whippet's Jo

This issue we asked the region's experts for their top tips on planning a sustainable wedding. Jo Cranston from Bristol-based caterers, Queen & Whippet (https://queenandwhippet.com), says: My advice is to make sustainability a part of your conversation with potential caterers from your first contact and don't be shy to ask specific questions. Those, like us, with a strong sustainability policy will be able to tell you how they'll reduce the environmental impact of your wedding food. Make sure that they'll be using local produce and that their menus take seasonality into account. Consider a higher proportion of plant-based dishes and ask how any meat or fish is sourced. Salmon is a traditional wedding menu ingredient, but you won't find it on any of our menus due to sustainability issues.

Wedding speech pressure: top tips to nail it!

Whether the best man, the bride or a family member, giving a speech at a wedding naturally comes with pressure to perform. In fact Dr Chris Hartley, a sport and performance psychologist working with Insure4Sport, has likened it to the pressure faced by professional sportspeople in a major event like a penalty kick or break point. Here, he shares top tips on how to cope with the weight of expectation, fear of failure when giving a wedding speech, using sport psychology techniques he employs when working with top athletes.

Should more women taking the wedding speech spotlight

More women should be taking the spotlight at big events, according to new research from learning and development company Good Shout. However, according to a new poll, conducted in partnership with YouGov, the very prospect fills two thirds of women (67%) with dread. Of those women in the UK who would refuse to give speeches at a wedding, 50% said that it was the "cringe factor" that held them back, i.e. being too self-conscious or feeling too awkward or uncomfortable in the situation.

Treat yourselves to a champagne and music dinner at The Pump Room, Bath

Enjoy a symphony of flavours as The Pump Room introduces an exclusive Champagne and Music Dinner on Thursday 17th August with an array of food, drinks and music fit for royalty. Taking place in the Georgian social heart of Bath, which boasts amongst its previous patrons the likes of Jane Austen and Charles Dickens, expect a delightful selection of canapés and a three-course menu to complement each cuvée. Run by in-house caterer and fizz experts since 1847, each course is perfectly paired with exceptional champagnes expertly presented by Searcys Head of Champagne, Martin Dibben, including Laurent-Perrier, Bollinger and Searcys' own Blanc de Blancs.

Hen parties in UK more popular now

Hen parties on UK soil are the number one choice for Brits, according to new research from Butlin's Big Weekenders. According to a study commissioned to mark the reopening of Butlin's Big Weekenders breaks in September, over half of Brits (53%) say a hen do in the UK is more appealing than one abroad and almost the same (54%) say a hen do is better on one resort where all the facilities are in one place. On a Butlin's Big Weekender guests can enjoy accommodation, food, drink entertainment, and activities all in one place. The adult-only weekends are available at all three resorts - Bognor Regis, Minehead and Skegness. What's more, organisation is key for British hens, as data reveals the most common time to plan a hen do is 3-4 months in advance, in stark comparison to men, who are most likely to plan a stag do just 2-3 days in advance!