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

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!

How to keep sustainability in mind when planning your wedding flowers

This issue, we asked the region's experts for their advice on planning a sustainable wedding. Imogen Stuckes, founder of sustainable wedding florist Flowers by Imogen (www.flowersbyimogen.com) had some great tips when it comes to your flowers... "Sourcing your wedding flowers locally can be a brilliant way to be more sustainable on your big day. Ask your florist if they could possibly buy blooms from local flower farms, or at least be British grown. Ninety per cent of flowers are imported in the UK, flown over from as far afield as South America, and who knows if they're ethically grown, so it's always best to go local. A Flowers by Imogen, I use all British Flowers, including many we've grown in our very own cutting garden in Somerset...

Most Instagrammable beach wedding venues in the UK

Wedding invitation company, Aura Print, analysed 70 of the most sought-after beach wedding destinations and discovered the UK's most Instagrammable coastal wedding venues. The stunning spot of Tunnels Beaches in Ilfracombe, Devon boasts over 13k hashtags on Instagram, making this the study's number one pick. Located on the beautiful North Devon coast, Tunnels Beaches is situated on a cliff top with hand carved tunnels down to a secluded private beach. The venue provides a thatched roof gazebo which overlooks the breathtaking Devon coastline for a picture-perfect backdrop

Something for everyone at National Trust places in and around Bath this summer

From outdoor theatre to archaeology and days packed full of play, there's something for all the family at National Trust places in and around Bath this summer. Dyrham Park is taking part in the National Trust's Summer of Play programme with a choice of creative, active and imaginative play weaved through the 270-acre site. Running daily from Sat 22 July to Sun 3 September, there's chalk painting on animal-shaped boards and play kitchens in the parkland, 17th-century-style 'olimpicks' with throwing, running, balance beams and skipping down by the house and some giant traditional games in the orchard.

Brits feel judged on wedding gifts

Almost one in five (20%) Brits feel judged by friends and family when they cannot afford wedding gifts and 14% say they feel judged when they can't afford to attend a wedding, stag or hen party. 81% are depending on a form of finance other than their main income to provide for their family New research has revealed that almost one in five Brits (20%) feel judged by friends and family when they cannot afford wedding gifts. A further 14% say they feel judged when they can't afford to attend a wedding, stag or hen party.

Sara Davies, Fred Sirieix and Raj Somaiya revealed as BBC judges

Launching in August, BBC Two's Ultimate Wedding Planner will see eight wedding planners battle it out to prove they are Britain's next best wedding expert as they design spectacular ceremonies for six couples. Dragons' Den star Sara Davies, First Dates favourite Fred Sirieix and wedding industry expert Raj Somaiya will be the judges and mentors - overseeing the planners as they create dream weddings for our couples. Throughout the competition they will send home the weakest planner until just two remain in the final where the planners will face one final challenge to decide who will be crowned the winner.

The Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa announces partnership with British skincare brand TEMPLESPA

The landmark 5* Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa in Bath has announced its partnership with luxurious, holistic skincare brand TEMPLESPA. Therapists will exclusively use TEMPLESPA products across all treatments in The Spa & Bath House. The hotel has also partnered with The Amethyst Trust, creating an adapted menu of wonderful TEMPLESPA treatments that are suitable for guests who are medically frail, recovering from illness or are immunocompromised such as those suffering from cancer. These adaptable and customisable treatments allow therapists to create bespoke treatments to suit the guests needs and are one of the first hotels to do so.

The 'anti-wedding' wedding trends making their mark in 2023

'Anti-wedding' is the hottest new wedding trend this summer, from ditching tradition with bridal pant suits, short wedding dresses and mismatched bridesmaid dresses - get ready to see these trends everywhere this wedding season. Wedding supply experts at Aura Print have scoped out TikTok to serve up the top 10 anti-wedding wedding trends to look out for this summer. More people are ditching traditional for unconventional, allowing for their special day to be even more unique to the couple.

Amathus Drinks introduces new monthly masterclasses

Celebrating its 45th anniversary, family-owned specialist drinks importer, distributor and retailer Amathus Drinks is sharing its knowledge and expertise with its customers through a series of engaging in-store masterclasses. Partnering with the most interesting and innovative wine and spirits producers from all over the globe, Amathus Drinks will be offering tastings for Champagne, Cognac, Calvados, Mezcal, Tequila and more at its Bath store. The masterclasses will give guests the opportunity to learn about selected wines and spirits directly from Amathus Drinks' qualified staff or from expert producers, taste a range of varieties, including rare bottles, and benefit from exclusive offers.

How to throw a Barbie-themed hen party this summer

With the launch of the new Barbie movie, searches for "barbie party" on Pinterest have seen a 121% increase in the last six months as people look for inspiration on how to throw their own, pink-themed parties. As the wedding season is in full swing, thortful.com has teamed up with Pippa Masson, party planning expert at Hen Party Company Fizzbox, to compile top tips on how to throw a Barbie-themed hen party this summer. From Barbie themed cocktails to choosing the perfect venue, this is how to have the ultimate bachelorette Barbie herself would even love.

Fun and luxe wedding gifts

Attending a wedding this summer? Looking for the ultimate addition to your wedding day gift list? Look no further, Who Icons, seamlessly combines refined luxury with a touch of casual elegance, creating the ultimate personalised wedding gift. Who Icons understands that love stories are unique, and so should be the gifts that commemorate them. Its exquisite collection of handcrafted treasures is meticulously designed to captivate the hearts of discerning couples. From The Royals to the Beckhams, Anna Wintour to Karl Largerfield, the debut collection featuring the world's most influential fashion icons - and here at County Wedding Magazines HQ we're finding it hard to pick our favourite, we'll just have to collect them all.

Take a break from the wed-min - 30 things which bring happiness

Although joyous occasions, planning a wedding can be stressful with money worries and family politics all thrown into the mix. If you feel like this is your situation right now, grab yourself a brew and a biscuit and read this heartfelt study by Samsung: a definitive list of 30 things which bring us pure moments of happiness! An optimistic 94 percent of those surveyed, agree that joy is all around us, we just have to choose to see it.