Your South Wales Wedding - Issue 85 May/June 2022

A DREAM COME TRUE

Storybook settings

Local wonders

Venues in Neath and Barry

www.yoursouthwales.wedding

WIN!

A two-night stay in the Lake District

Fun in the sun Honeymoon special

It ’s all about the journey

MAY/JUN 2022

£3.55

Fun transport ideas

HONEYMOONS, BEAUTY, FASHION, GROOMS, EXPERT ADVICE, FREEBIES AND MORE

Simply the Best

Ededa J Exclusive LadiesWear

Appointments can be made if desired

Free Personal Dressing Service Sizes 8 to 26 Open Monday - Saturday Tel. 01239 710513 | Email. enquiries@ededa-j.co.uk

www.ededa-j.co.uk

Sycamore Street, Newcastle Emlyn, Carmarthenshire Ededa.J ededaj.nce ededajNCE

https://nadinneewills.wixsite.com/mysite-1

REGULARS 6 EDITOR’S LETTER

What to look out for in this issue

10 NEARLYWED NEWS Catch up on the latest from around South Wales

13 FREEBIES & OFFERS Great giveaways and discounts up for grabs

55 HOT TOPIC Our experts answer your questions

88 COMPETITION Win a two-night stay in the Lake District, worth £1,500

On the cover...

This issue’s cover was organised by Bars of Distinction (www.barsofdistinction.com) and photographed by Michelle Huggleston Photography (www.michellehuggleston.com) at the charming Llandough Castle Garden Weddings (www.llandoughcastle.co.uk). To see the full shoot and list of suppliers, turn to page 69.

FEATURES

47 DELECTABLE DELIGHTS The latest cake trends

52 WHERE DOES THE TIME GO? County Wedding Magazines’ senior editor, Melissa Barker, shares her wedding planning journey

61 GIRLS JUST WANT TO HAVE FUN This styled shoot at Manor Park Country House is all about spending time with your best friends

VENUES

65 YOUR CARRIAGE AWAITS

Discover some of the best venues in the area

69 CLASSIC ELEGANCE

23 FAIRYTALE ROMANCE

Full of inspiration, this summery styled shoot at Llandough Castle Garden Weddings was put together by a team of talented suppliers

15 SPOTLIGHT ON NEATH TO BARRY

Tie the knot in a storybook setting

Fun transport options

23

www.pembrokeshireweddingphotographer.co.uk

MAY/JUNE 2022

CONTENTS

61

3

29

www.ligastevensonphotography.com

www.phiniximages.com

41

FASHION & BEAUTY

REAL WEDDINGS

Fashion editor Claire Ridley reveals her latest bridal fashion news, buys and launches

Liz and Aled had a whimsical-themed day at Oldwalls Gower

73 THE FINER DETAILS

34 FLY AWAY WITH ME

This season’s wedding dresses are boasting statement straps that will never go out of fashion

Amrit and Ash celebrated their love with a travel-themed wedding at St Tewdrics House

78 HONEYMOON LUST-HAVES

41 GOTHIC ROMANCE

These bright and bold pieces are suitcase essentials

Opting for a black and white travel theme, Craig and Jess tied the knot at the beautiful Craig Y Nos Castle

72 FASHION FOCUS

79 CITY GIRL New wedding start-up business P.S. Bridal has collaborated with a team of talented suppliers to create this fashionable shoot

82 BEAUTY BUZZ Beauty editor Kelly Andrews reveals all the latest must-haves for the bride-to-be

84 TRESSES TO IMPRESS Whatever challenges your hair throws at you, there's a product to help you conquer all and we've put some of them to the test

86 BEAUTY Q&A Local professionals solve your problems

GROOMS

89 GROOMS’ NEWS Grooms editor Melissa Barker reveals the latest best buys and product launches

90 HUE COMPLETE ME Pastel hues are a popular trend for spring and summer nuptials 4

29 MAKING WAVES

94

HONEYMOONS 92 HONEYMOON NEWS

Travel editor Melissa Barker reveals new openings and honeymoon essentials

94 A ROMANTIC ESCAPE Melissa Barker reveals why Mauritius is the perfect honeymoon destination

96 ESCAPE TO THE FOREST Sarah Gallivan discovers the great outdoors at Nottinghamshire's Sherwood Hideaway

Opening Hours Monday: Closed Tuesday-Saturday: 10am-4pm Sunday: Closed Out of hour appointments available.

www.bridalboutiquenarberth.co.uk 01834 862 780 deniseclewes@gmail.com 60 St James Street, Narberth, Pembrokeshire SA67 7DA

DESIGN 01376 535 616 artwork@county.wedding Graphic Designers | Sarah Hill Stephanie Hodder | Vicky O’Connor Production Assistant | Lorna Butcher Digital Marketing Coordinator Katie Laley Web Development Manager Stuart Weatherley

www.chrisblackledgephotography.co.uk

EDITORIAL 01376 535 611 Melissa Barker | Senior Editor, Grooms and Travel Editor melissab@county.wedding Danielle Harvey | Managing Editor Kelly Andrews | Deputy Managing Editor and Beauty Editor Claire Ridley | Fashion Editor

ADVERTISING Sales & Events Director Sarah Ellis | 01376 538 490 sarahm@county.wedding Account Manager Karen Cox | 01376 538 495 karenc@county.wedding Subscriptions 01376 514 000 subscriptions@county.wedding ACCOUNTS 01376 535 616 accounts@county.wedding Accounting Manager | Derrick James

Where does the time go?

I

t recently dawned on me that this is my penultimate issue before I become a married woman – it still feels weird saying that! Our July 2022 wedding is just around the corner, and I don’t know where the time has gone. I’m getting ready to have my final dress fitting, my hair and make-up trial and confirm all the lastminute details. I feel a bit lost when it comes to my hair as I can’t decide on a style, and as someone who never wears make-up, I feel a bit overwhelmed by the whole process. I’m hoping the professionals will have some ideas and come up with a look that ties in with our rustic-theme.

I’m also excited to finally give notice this month. Our local registry office is still overwhelmed by the backlog caused by the pandemic and is only taking bookings for weddings three months in advance, so we’ve had to wait until now to book our appointment, but fingers crossed it all goes well!

This issue, to help you on your planning journey, we’ve put together showstopping features focusing on cakes and transport. We’re also looking at venues in Neath and Barry, the latest fashion trends and must-see honeymoon destinations.

You can submit your wedding or styled shoot at www.yoursouthwales.wedding/get-involved-real-wedding

Melissa x

Melissa Barker, Senior Editor

WIN

a two-night stay in the Lake District worth £1,500!

88

@CountyWeddingMagazines @CountyWeddings @cwm_wedding Visit us online at www.county.wedding and www.countyweddingevents.com

ISSN 1756-6428

cwe C O U N T Y WEDDING E V E N T S

6

Read all about my wedding planning journey. www.chrisblackledgephotography.co.uk

Your South Wales Wedding is solely owned, published and designed by KD Media Publishing. Whilst every effort was made to ensure the information in this magazine was correct at the time of going to press, the publishers cannot accept legal responsibility for any errors or omissions, nor can they accept responsibility for advert content, or of the standing of advertisers or by the editorial contributions. The views expressed do not necessarily reflect those of the publisher. Your South Wales Wedding is published six times a year. Subscription rates are £18.20 per annum (incl. p+p). Cheques should be made out to KD Media Publishing and sent to Your South Wales Wedding, c/o KD Media Publishing, Pantile House, Newlands Drive, Witham, Essex CM8 2AP.

52

73 Whether it’s one-shoulder, illusion styles, off-the-shoulder or barely there, this season’s dresses are boasting statement straps that will never go out of fashion.

90

Pastel hues are a popular trend for the groom-to-be this summer.

29 94

EDITOR’S LETTER

Melissa Barker reveals why Mauritius is the perfect honeymoon destination.

The latest resort openings and travel essentials.

www.ligastevensonphotography.com

92

Liz and Aled had a whimsical-themed day at Oldwalls Gower.

61

Amrit and Ash celebrated their love with a travel-themed wedding at St Tewdrics House.

34 www.nadinneewills.wixsite.com/mysite-1

This styled shoot at Manor Park Country House is all about spending time with your best friends.

41

www.kateadamsphotography.com

P.S. Bridal has collaborated with a team of talented suppliers to create this fashionable shoot.

www.phiniximages.com

79

Opting for a black and white colour scheme, Craig and Jess tied the knot at the beautiful Craig Y Nos Castle.

7

all about eve occasionwear

01633 243943 | newport@allaboutevebridalwear.com

7 Clytha Park Road, Newport, Gwent, South Wales NP20 4NZ

all about eve bridal

www.allaboutevebridalwear.com

CONGRATULATIONS! Voco St. David’s, Cardiff, has scooped two awards at The Welsh Wedding Awards 2022. The hotel picked up ‘Wedding Venue of the Year Cardiff’ before being named ‘Wedding Venue of the Year Overall Winner’.

The general manager, Mark Gallagher, tells us: “We are truly delighted to have won at the fourth Welsh Wedding Awards. Just to be finalists alongside such esteemed venues was a fantastic achievement, but to have won both the regional and national award is a testament to the continued hard work and dedication of every single member of the team at voco St. David’s, Cardiff. Working closely with perspective couples, our experienced wedding team is on hand to make sure every detail of their special day is taken care of. This allows the happy couple to celebrate and enjoy their wedding, surrounded by their closest friends and family in a truly idyllic, romantic setting.”

To find out more about the venue, visit https://stdavids.vocohotels.com

d e w y l r a e N

NEWS

All the latest from around South Wales

RING-A-DING-DING Anne Morgan Jewellery has successfully established itself as a destination for jewellery lovers everywhere, building on its reputation for curating, exhibiting, and championing handmade works by designers with exceptional artistry. Since the gallery opened in 2015, some of the most celebrated names in design have taken part in the annual Sp-Ring Exhibition, contributing their most innovative pieces to a collection that draws attention throughout South Wales and beyond. This year the exhibition delivers a riot of colour and texture from talented designers such as Alma Sophia, Barbora Rybarova, Carin Lindberg and Goodman Morris. The exhibition will run until 31st May, 2022. Pieces will be on show and available for purchase at the gallery at 10 Glebe Street, Penarth, Vale of Glamorgan, every Tuesday – Saturday, 10am – 5pm.

Check out www.annemorgan.co.uk for more information.

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REST AND RELAXATION Situated on the banks of the River Teifi with a front-row seat overlooking the Teifi Marshes Nature Reserve, The Glasshouse is a new property near Cardigan and the Welsh coast. Composed by a duo of classical musicians, The Glasshouse is a soothing waterside retreat that’s ideal for hen or stag dos. Evolving from a humble cottage to a contemporary sanctuary, this luxury home was designed with nature and deep relaxation in mind. Surrounded by two-and-a-half acres of woodlands, lakes and marshlands, The Glasshouse’s gardens are a true celebration of Afon Teifi.

For the wild swimmers in the group, enjoy a bracing dip in the river followed by a visit to the bubbling hot tub, before settling around the fire pit as the sun sets. Visit www.uniquehomestays.com for more information.

JUST ONE SLICE

JEWEL OF THE AISLE Ernest Jones has launched a new Swansea boutique. The new space come as part of a significant evolution of the Ernest Jones brand. The boutique has a light and contemporary design, softly lit, with a warm and timeless palette of materials, where customers can browse best-inclass collections of prestige watch brands and discover diamond, gold, and silver jewellery from its own luxury assortments and sought-after brands such as Le Vian and Vera Wang. The team of specialist jewellery experts will provide advice and inspiration to help customers find that perfect piece to celebrate their stories and special milestones.

Signet UK and Ireland managing director, Neil Old, said: “I’m very proud to be opening this new boutique that brings those brand values to life. Every attention to detail has been made to ensure each customer fulfills the desire for knowledge and inspiration, echoing who we are and what we stand for in the hearts and minds of our discerning customers.”

For more information, visit www.ernestjones.co.uk

YOUR ESSENTIALS

The Naked Vegan in Cardiff has updated its website. The owner, Sarah Powney, tells us: “A few years ago, I decided to take the plunge and started baking for a living.

I set up The Naked Vegan and wanted to create fabulous products using only the finest pure naked ingredients, hence the name. I’m always coming up with new ideas and spend months perfecting recipes and designs, because of this, everyone can enjoy my wonderful bakes. My passion is to make the best-tasting products that everyone, not just vegans, can enjoy. All our designs are handcrafted in a vegan-only kitchen, and we will work with you to ensure you have the perfect centrepiece for your special day. We have been inundated with weddings for upcoming spring and summer nuptials. We’re having our website re-designed and are looking for a new premises as we need more space to showcase our wonderful cakes.”

Discover more at www.thenakedvegan.co.uk

AWARD-WINNING ENTERTAINMENT SGDJ and SG Discos were named ‘Wedding Entertainment of the Year’ at The Welsh Wedding Awards. The awards are based on businesses’ online presence and reviews.

The company is a collective of professional DJs based in Cardiff. Established in 1999, SGDJ and SG Discos offer a range of services and customisable packages, including a master of ceremonies, customisable background music for the meal, PA hire for the speeches, a recording of the speeches and vows, uplighting, dancefloors and a selfie wizard. The team will move seamlessly through each part of the day to ensure you have the perfect wedding.

Owner June Gould said: “Thank you to all our clients and team members for helping us achieve this prestigious award in the Entertainment category.”

Find out more at www.sgdjweddings.com

DRINK IT ALL IN Four Welsh Rugby icons, Shane Williams, James Hook, Lee Byrne, and Mike Phillips, have united to launch Perthyn Low Alcohol Spirit. Ideal for weddings, the drink is pronounced “Pear-thin” and takes its name from the Welsh meaning of belonging. Perthyn is inspired by the memory of the grass beneath your feet, the sound of the crowd, the thrill of the game, but most importantly, the friendships formed along the journey.

Perthyn Low Alcohol Spirit uses locally and responsibly sourced botanicals to ensure a true taste of belonging, as interpreted by knowledgeable and passionate distillers. It’s distilled in Cardiff Distillery, which offers an ideal climate, along with quality local botanicals, in the shadows of the world-famous Principality Stadium. These botanicals make for a zesty spirit with notes of citrus, cardamon and thyme.

Shane Williams, the co-founder of Perthyn Low Alcohol Spirit, says: “We created Perthyn Low Alcohol Spirit to find a sense of belonging and share that with other individuals who value authenticity, reciprocity and quality.

Perthyn is perfect for health focussed individuals who want to feel included without having to compromise on taste or well-being. Perthyn is a constant reminder of how you want to live, so you can try to embody that happiness and bring it with you every day.”

Head over to www.perthynspirits.com for more information.

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Professional Affordable Hair & Beauty T: 07598 178 177 E: nevaehs@hotmail.co.uk www.facebook.com/nevaehshairandbeauty

EVERYTHING YOU NEED FOR YOUR DIY WEDDING We stock and sell a large variety artificial flowers and floral supplies.

Our stock range is the most up to date current available on the market and are always looking to expand our range with fresh ideas.

02920 814088 artificialfloralsupplies.co.uk afscustomersrv@gmail.com

• • • • • • •

Wedding Stationary Table Decoration Venue Decoration Wedding Flowers Wedding Craft Bride Accessories Dried Flowers Artificial Floral Supplies Ltd Warehouse 2 | Moy Road Taffs Well | Cardiff CF15 7QR

Y lleoliad perffaith

ar gyfer seremoni a gwledd eich priodas neu bartneriaeth sifil

The perfect setting

for your wedding and civil partnership ceremonies and receptions 01443 412248 • llancaiachfawr@caerffili.gov.uk www.llancaiachfawr.co.uk • Llancaiach Fawr CF46 6ER

FREEBIES & OFFERS

ARRIVE IN STYLE

Freebies & OFFERS

Chepstow Classic Buses is a small transport business based in Chepstow. The company specialises in the restoration, preservation and hire of classic and vintage buses. Especially for Your South Wales Wedding readers, Chepstow Classic Buses are offering the first three couples to get in touch a sign with their names on and coloured ribbons to decorate the inside of the bus, worth £80.

“The objective of our business is to provide a reliable service for our customers,” says Louise Wyatt. “On your special day, everything is planned down to the finest detail, so why not let us take one thing off your mind and organise how your guests will arrive in style? Our fleet of wedding buses look amazing in wedding photos and your guests are guaranteed to love them. We pride ourselves on providing outstanding end-to-end service to all our customers and take extra care to ensure we meet all your expectations. Rest assured, our buses are all fully licensed and our drivers are well qualified. We offer a 1951 Bristol L Coach, 1953 Leyland PD2 Double Decker, 1967 Leyland PD3 Double Decker, 1950’s Bristol Double Decker, 1964 Bristol Open Top Double Decker and 1977 Bristol Open Top Double Decker.”

Terms and conditions apply. The offer is valid for couples getting married in May, June or July 2023.

To claim this amazing discount, email Chepstow Classic Buses at chepstowclassic@btconnect.com and mention the magazine.

Visit www.chepstow-classic-buses.co.uk for more information.

Take advantage of these gorgeous giveaways and fab offers

THE GIFT OF GIVING Helping children around the world escape poverty and find education, Vurchoo has launched Studs of Hope: an evergreen collection of unique and affordable earrings that represent and donate to the country they are inspired by.

Beautifully and individually designed, the pieces are first and foremost an accessible way to help those in need but are also made to be delicately desirable and effortlessly fashionable.

Comprised of gold, silver and mixed metals as well as ethically sourced gemstones, Studs of Hope brings ethical jewellery to the masses for only £40 per pair – proving it doesn’t need to cost the earth to make a difference.

Vurchoo are giving one lucky bride the chance to win three pairs of the Gold Feather Studs for each of the bridesmaids.

Check out www.vurchoo.co.uk

ENTER ONLINE AT WWW.YOURSOUTHWALES.WEDDING Closing date is 5th August, 2022, unless otherwise stated.

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With over 40 years experience celebrating weddings, Manor Parc remains an independent family run venue with an excellent reputation for its customer service, dining & weddings Private Dining, Weddings, Functions & Celebrations

2023/2024 PACKAGE PRICES ORANGERIE WEDDING PACKAGE (Monday to Friday Only)

45 day guests & 80 evening guests – Orangerie only

2023 £5,900 2024 £6,400

SATURDAY WEDDING PACKAGE

(Choice of Orangerie or Cedar Room)

60 day guests & 100 evening guests

ULTIMATE WEDDING PACKAGE

Orangerie wedding ceremony, Cedar room wedding breakfast & evening party

75 day guests & 120 evening guests

2023 £8,000 2024 £8,500

2023 £9,500 2024 £10,000

P R I VAT E D I N I N G R O O M S | 2 1 E N S U I T E B E D R O O M S | PAT I O S & T E R R A C E S 2 0 0 + S PA C E C A R PA R K C O N TA C T U S F O R A B R O C H U R E O N 0 2 9 2 0 6 9 3 7 2 3 O R E M A I L E N Q U I R Y @ M A N O R P A R C . C O M THORNHILL ROAD

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THORNHILL

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CARDIFF (Sat Nav CF14 9UE)

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CF14 9UA

|

manorparc.com

REGIONAL VENUES

www.dunford-rees.com

Spotlight on...

NEATH TO BARRY GILESTON MANOR, CF62 4HX 07794 611 105 | www.gilestonmanor.co.uk Tucked away off the beaten track and set in nine acres of lovingly kept gardens and grounds is the five-star Gileston Manor Estate. The Grade II* listed manor house is situated in the award-winning village of Gileston in the Vale of Glamorgan and boasts sweeping front lawns and impressive sea views. The Georgian property has recently been renovated and includes an elegant wedding room on the first floor, complete with original panelling, mirrors and crystal chandeliers.

Celebrate in style

We love...

The house has eight exquisite guest suites, all individually themed and styled, including the bridal suite which was designed by David Emanuel.

Additional accommodation can be found in the recently renovated courtyard, eight luxury cottages and suites, sleeping a further 24 guests, providing accommodation for 42 people in total.

www.sophiecollinsphotography.co.uk

The estate houses the pretty church of St Giles, which is perfect for couples planning a religious ceremony.

Civil ceremonies can be hosted in a variety of settings, including

the manor house, Secret Garden, and numerous other spaces within the gardens. The neutrally decorated Lotus Marquee has sparkling chandeliers, views of the Jurassic Coast and can comfortably seat 140 dinner guests for the wedding breakfast with room for more in the evening.

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www.philip-warren.com

BRYNGARW HOUSE, CF32 8UU 01656 729 009 | www.bryngarwhouse.com Just a few minutes from the M4, Bryngarw House is a charming wedding venue that is easily accessible yet feels like a million miles away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Situated within 113 acres of parkland, the property combines country house charm with modern elegance to create a picture-perfect place to say ‘I do’.

Boasting 18 en-suite bedrooms, a sweeping staircase, dressing rooms, an ornamental bridge in the grounds, an oriental-style tea house and an exquisite display of trees and flowers.

Celebrate in style The Treharne Suite is a French antique-styled ceremony room that’s

flooded with natural light from the floor-to-ceiling windows and chandeliers. It’s capable of holding up to 120 friends and family for the service.

After the vows, guests can enjoy a drinks reception in the Conservatory, which is decorated with glistening chandeliers and Chesterfield chairs.

Receptions are held in the permanent Marquee, a solid structure with a twinkling dancefloor, a large bar, elegant drapes and space for 250 loved ones.

We love...

The happy couple will receive a menu tasting evening and use of the honeymoon suite.

GRAND PAVILION, CF36 3YW 01656 815 995 | www.grandpavilion.co.uk The Grand Pavilion looks out onto Porthcawl’s seafront and has convenient access to the promenade and beach. Boasting views of Exmoor and the North Devon coastline, there are plenty of places to explore, including the Porthcawl Esplanade.

Celebrate in style The Stage Door is ideal for intimate nuptials and is decorated in a 1930s 16

Art Deco style. It’s capable of holding 100 loved ones throughout the day.

Large celebrations are held in the Main Auditorium. Featuring a distinctive domed roof that is illuminated by more than 300 lights, it can accommodate 220 friends and family for the ceremony and reception.

We love...

When requested, the venue can set up theatrical staging and lighting for the evening entertainment.

Mae priodas eich breuddwydion yn cychwyn yma Your dream wedding starts here

Wedi’i leoli mewn 113 erw o dir parc gwledig, sy’n edrych yn ysblennydd trwy gydol y flwyddyn, mae Ty Bryngarw, sydd mor berffaith â darlun, yn un o leoliadau priodas mwyaf atyniadol De Cymru.

events@bryngarwweddings.com

Set in 113 acres of country parkland, which looks spectacular all-year-round, picture-perfect Bryngarw House is one of South Wales’ most sought-after wedding venues.

| 01656 729009

| www.bryngarwhouse.com

Award winning venue b a s e d o n t h e G o w e r P e n i n s u l a , S o u t h Wa l e s “ Yo u r h o t e l i s a l i t t l e m a g i c a l p l a c e that makes wishes come true” - Judith & Roger

Arrange a private viewing with the wedding team www.kingarthurhotel.co.uk 01792 390775 | weddings@kingarthurhotel.co.uk

www.philip-warren.com

REGIONAL VENUES

HENSOL CASTLE, CF72 8JX

Celebrate in style

01443 665 803 | www.hensolcastle.com/weddings

The resplendent Oak Room is available for ceremonies and boasts impressive views of the nearby lake.

Receptions are held in the purpose-built Courtyard Hall, which has a luxurious décor throughout and space for 150 loved ones for the meal and 200 for the evening celebration.

THE BEAR HOTEL, CF71 7AF

We love...

The castle has a new outdoor ceremony area where couples can get married surrounded by countryside.

https://alsphotography.co.uk

https://alsphotography.co.uk

Nestled within 650 acres of beautiful Welsh countryside is the 17th-century Hensol Castle. The grand wedding venue has been sympathetically renovated and boasts a modern décor with arched windows, oak panelling and sweeping staircases. Outside is a 15-acre lake which makes a stunning backdrop for those all-important photographs.

The Bear Hotel is situated on the cobbled high street of Cowbridge in the heart of the historic market town. The property is a charming stonefaced 12th-century coaching inn, with an acclaimed Physic Garden a mere stroll away, which offers plenty of photograph opportunities.

intimate receptions.

Alternatively, the St Quentin’s Suite combines contemporary style with classic design to create a space that’s perfect for adding a personal touch. Adorned with chandeliers, the room has bi-folding glass doors that run the width of the suite, enabling the flourishing courtyard to become part of the wedding reception, with space for up to 200 nearest and dearest.

Celebrate in style

We love...

The Georgian Ballroom is a glamorous area with high ceilings, chandeliers and room for 100 guests for the ceremony or 50 for more

Couples will receive a complimentary menu tasting and bridal suite when booking set packages.

01446 774 814 | www.townandcountrycollective.co.uk

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Your Winter Fairytale Awaits

Photo: www.danmorrisphotography.co.uk

A Grade I listed 17th Century Castle There are many wedding venues in South Wales - but only one in a Grade 1 listed castle.

Think majestic turrets, sweeping staircases and gothic towers (perfect for photo opportunities!).

Our gorgeous Grade I listed building is nestled in luscious, landscaped grounds with it’s own Serpentine Lake and Jetty.



Set in 650 acres of countryside



Licensed for civil ceremonies (in and outdoors)



From 60 to 200 guests



Idyllic photographic setting



Selection of menus and drinks packages



Just 3 minutes from J34 of the M4

exclusively yours

†

for the day.

UP TO

5O% OFF*

VENUE HIRE FOR 2022/23 WINTER WEDDINGS

Our dedicated wedding co-ordinator, along with our professional team, will grant your every wish on your special day from the moment you step onto the red carpet. It’s your day and we want you to remember it forever!

Included for you...

•

FREE bedroom for the wedding couple

•

FREE first anniversary dinner at the Vale Resort Grill restaurant for the wedding couple

•

FREE Vale Health & Racquets Club Membership for the happy couple+

•

Choose either a FREE round of golf with three friends^ or 20% OFF in the Vale Resort Spa+ for the happy couple

Photo: www.justinharrisphotography.co.uk

Hensol Castle Park, Hensol, Vale of Glamorgan, CF72 8JX † Excludes Hensol Castle Distillery and Atrium. *Terms & conditions apply, new bookings only, valid on winter 2022/23 weddings, minimum guests 60 day & 100 evening, Monday-Thursday. ^Handicap certificate required. +One month prior to wedding.

YSWW.04.22

01443 665803 | www.hensolcastle.com

WEDDINGS AT MORGANS Morgans is a luxurious boutique hotel located in the centre of Swansea, just minutes from the beautiful Maritime Quarter and a short drive from the Mumbles and Gower coastline.

Morgans is the ultimate boutique wedding venue in the heart of Swansea. Our friendly and professional staff, exquisite rooms and Grade II* listed location will contribute to making your day a very special and memorable one for your guests, and more important for yourselves.

01792 484848 events@morganshotel.co.uk morganshotel.co.uk

T R AV E L H O U S E

S AY Y E S TO N E W A D V E N T U R E S Love is someone to share paradise with, make your honeymoon as memorable as your big day with Travel House.

Book your tailored honeymoon with one of our experts today.

01792 293743 Or email: sales@travelhouse.co.uk Find your nearest branch: www.travelhouse.co.uk

Follow us on

www.facebook.com/uavaspects

THEMED VENUES

Fairytale ROMANCE Tie the knot in a storybook setting

THE WEST USK LIGHTHOUSE, NP10 8SF

01633 810 126 | www.westusklighthouse.co.uk

The West Usk Lighthouse is a quirky wedding venue steeped in history.

The Grade II listed lighthouse is more than 200 years old and offers fantastic views over the estuary and surrounding countryside. The familyrun property has won several awards and has a dedicated team who will ensure every detail is planned to perfection.

Celebrate in style

We love...

There is a lodge available as a honeymoon suite and couples can go inside the lighthouse to take photographs. The property has even appeared on Doctor Who and has a Tardis as a toilet and a Dalek statue.

www.jenkins-photography.co.uk

Weddings take place in the on-site marquee. Licensed to seat up to 80

guests throughout the day, it’s heated, has a bar inside and a audio system perfect for dancing the night away.

Outdoor ceremonies are also available on the sea wall (weather dependent).

CRAIG Y NOS CASTLE, SA9 1GL 01639 731 167 | www.craigynoscastleweddings.com Craig Y Nos Castle is a history lover’s dream. Located on the edge of the Brecon Beacons, it’s surrounded by beautiful grounds and views.

Once home to Adelina Patti, the world-famous opera singer, the castle is a grand space with a long and interesting history that dates back to 1840. Inside are 36 en suite bedrooms, a state-of-the-art gym with high-quality apparatus, a private lounge and a luxurious hot tub.

Celebrate in style The Theatre is one of only eight Grade I listed opera houses in the UK. The space can accommodate 120 guests throughout the day and is

decorated with a 125-year-old curtain depicting Madame Patti on a chariot in Rossini’s last Italian opera and the names of Patti’s favourite composers.

The Conservatory can hold 130 loved ones, and the Music and Billard Room has room for 120 people.

Located in the centre of the castle is The Patti Bar and Nicolini Lounge, both are available for loved ones to use throughout the night.

We love...

Lovebirds can organise a tour of the castle.

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www.pembrokeshireweddingphotographer.co.uk

WOLFSCASTLE COUNTRY HOTEL & SPA, SA62 5LZ 01437 741 225 | www.wolfscastle.com

Celebrate in style

www.mybigdayphotos.co.uk

Ceremonies take place in the Garden Room, which has a capacity of

up to 130 guests. This modern space is bright and airy with high ceilings and large bifolding doors that open up to the rear garden and provide a stunning setting for nuptials.

Intimate receptions of 30 and under can take place in the Garden Room. Larger celebrations of up to 180 for the wedding breakfast and 300 for the evening celebrations are held in the Sealyham Suite. This spacious suite can be dressed to any specification with lighting that can be adjusted to any colour scheme.

We love...

When three or more people book a spa package, the bride-to-be goes free. www.mybigdayphotos.co.uk

The award-winning Wolfscastle Country Hotel & Spa is nestled in the village of Wolfscastle. The family-run property has 20 en-suite bedrooms for guests to choose from, a two AA rosette stylish restaurant, a contemporary brasserie and a relaxing boutique spa. This glorious Victorian vicarage boasts views of the woodland landscape and the awe-inspiring Treffgarne rocks. The well-established borders change with the seasons and provide a burst of colour throughout the year and the nearby Sealyham woods offer ample photo opportunities for couples.

KING ARTHUR HOTEL, SA3 1AD 01792 390 775 | www.kingarthurhotel.co.uk Nestled under Cefn Bryn, The King Arthur is a delightful wedding venue situated on the highest point on Gower Peninsula. The family-run property offers impressive views over the Bristol Channel, North towards the Brecon Beacons and West to Carmarthenshire. Inside are two bars, a restaurant, 18 en suite hotel rooms, a small barn conversion cottage, four self-catering cottages, five-star cottage apartments and a banqueting hall.

Celebrate in style The award-winning wedding venue and function room, Avalon, has 24

been hosting weddings since 2003. Avalon has a high pitched ceiling supported by an exposed French oak frame, and the polished oak floor at the centre of the room is bordered by Welsh slate. The beautiful arched windows overlook the surrounding landscaped gardens and the room can accommodate 140 seated guests throughout the day.

We love...

The fairylights nestled in the huge willow tree in the gardens is a new stand out photo opportunity. Weddings include a wedding coordinator, exclusive use of the hotel rooms, white table linen, a microphone, screen and projector, a cake stand and much more.

THE WEST USK LIGHTHOUSE IS AN INTIMATE WEDDING VENUE AND HISTORIC HOME The building itself is over 200 years old and overlooks the junction of the Severn and the Usk estuaries, which lead to the Bristol Channel.

Truly Scrumptious WEDDING SHOP

1 A C U RW E N T E R R A C E , N O R T H C O R N E L LY, S O U T H WA L E S , C F 3 3 4 AW 01656740190 ISSTONE@OUTLOOK.COM

A MARQUEE WEDDING VENUE WITH A HONEYMOON SUITE OVERLOOKING THE SEA

Late availability, please contact us.

WWW.WESTUSKLIGHTHOUSE.CO.UK

info@westusklighthouse.co.uk | 01633 810126 The West Usk Lighthouse, Lighthouse Road, St. Brides, NP10 8SF

GILESTON MANOR ESTATE

destination Wedding Venue

Create the Wedding of your Dreams...

Our elegant Manor House, exquisite gardens, bespoke lotus Marquee plus our luxury boutique accommodation suites, combined with our location in the Vale of Glamorgan with breathtaking sea views, makes Gileston Manor Estate the perfect venue for your Destination Wedding. visit our website

www.gilestonmanor.co.uk

email: enquiries@gilestonmanor.co.uk

photo by Philip Warren Photography

WINNER OF ‘WELSH ROMANTIC HOTEL OF THE YEAR’ 2019

The romantic charm of the family-run Wolfscastle Country Hotel is just one of the many factors that have made us a leading Pembrokeshire wedding venue. You can be assured that your experience will be intimate and completely bespoke. Our venue is set in modern surroundings with breath-taking views across to Treffgarne Rocks as well as impeccable food and service throughout.

From the moment you arrive for your first visit, your team of dedicated wedding coordinators will be with you to ensure your day is both enchanting and unforgettable.

We hold a civil ceremony licence in our Garden Room and can cater for both intimate and larger gatherings of up to 130 guests attending the ceremony and 180 for your wedding breakfast. The spacious suite can be dressed to any specification with lighting that can be adjusted to any colour scheme.

Our Exclusively Yours package allows you to hire the whole hotel for your special day or even the entire weekend. You and your guests can enjoy private use of all of the rooms, facilities and grounds ensuring that your day is full of unique touches.

For information including pricing, menus and availability or to book an appointment with our wedding coordinators for a personal tour and informal discussion, please contact us 01437 741225

Images courtesy of The Wedding Guys & Pure Creations Photography

Wolfscastle Country Hotel & Spa, SA62 5LZ | www.wolfscastle.com

Manor Park Country House is set in 12 acres of landscaped gardens, with picturesque blooming florals and greenery all year round. The house displays a modern twist on the original architecture from the 1700s. Dressed with beautiful chandeliers and a breathtaking, hand-carved wooden staircase finished with golden steel accents. Manor Park has in house specialist co-ordinators who help plan your dream wedding day from décor down to the delicious three course dinner.

WE OFFER BESPOKE WEDDING PACKAGES BUILT AROUND THE INDIVIDUAL NEEDS AND DESIRES OF EACH COUPLE, DOWN TO EVERY LAST DETAIL. Call us on 01792 846999 or email enquiries@manorparkcountryhouse.co.uk

MANOR PARK COUNTRY HOUSE YNYSPENLLWCH ROAD, CLYDACH, SWANSEA, SA6 5NR

www.manorparkcountryhouse.co.uk

ROYAL WELSH COLLEGE OF MUSIC AND DRAMA, CF10 3ER www.instagram.com/rwcmdweddings | www.rwcmd.ac.uk

Celebrate in style The Anthony Hopkins Centre has two elegant rooms that are available for ceremonies, one can seat 80 loved ones, and the other can hold 50.

Whereas, The World-Class Concert Hall can accommodate up to 200 loved ones, and the Richard Burton Theatre has room for 180. Intimate receptions take place in the Stables with 50 nearest and dearest, and large celebrations are held in the glass-walled entrance hall and open-air terrace with 200 guests.

Up to 300 friends and family can dance the night away in the Atrium, which has a fully-stocked and licensed bar as well as a dancing area, cloakroom and bridge decorated with fairylights.

We love...

The Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama offers a Hire a Performer Scheme where the staff will help couples find the perfect musicians for their evening entertainment. www.ramphoto.co.uk

Situated in the heart of Cardiff is The Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama. Surrounded by white Portland-stone 19th-century civic buildings on one side and the grounds of the magnificent Cardiff Castle on the other, it’s positioned at the end of an impressive tree-lined avenue.

The college is made up of two buildings encompassing both historic and contemporary styles. The Anthony Hopkins centre is the original Cardiff Castle Stables and boasts a historic open-air courtyard. In addition, the contemporary glass-walled entrance hall and open-air terrace overlooking the Grade I listed Bute Park, creates a stunning backdrop for photographs.

www.sachamiller.co.uk

www.joeclarkphotography.co.uk

THEMED VENUES

VALE RESORT, CF72 8JY 01443 665 803 | www.valeresort.com Home to 143 on-site bedrooms, two championship golf courses, an award-winning restaurant, sports facilities and Wales’ largest spa is The Vale Resort. The hotel is located within 650 acres of countryside and boasts landscaped gardens, sweeping staircases, classic terraces and a light and contemporary interior with large windows that offer stunning views of the grounds.

and dearest for the wedding breakfast and 200 for the reception. This popular space is located on the first floor and has a bar, impressive views of the golf course and a spiral staircase.

The Conservatory is full of natural light with doors that open out onto a terrace and room for 120 friends and family for the vows, 60 for the meal and 80 for the evening celebration.

Small nuptials are held in the Cowbridge Lounge, which can accommodate 50 people.

Celebrate in style

We love...

There are nine deluxe suites to choose from: The Castle Suite is ideal for large celebrations, with high ceilings, grand windows, a private bar, terrace balcony and space for 400 loved ones throughout the day.

Alternatively, the Morgannwg Suite is available for up to 130 nearest

The Vale Resort offers a free bedroom on the night of the wedding, an anniversary dinner, a month’s membership to the health club, a round of golf for the groom and three friends and a 20 per cent discount at the Vale Spa. 27

BRIDE MOTHER OF THE BRIDE / GROOM BRIDAL ACCESSORIES STOCKISTS OF ROSA CL ARA COCKTAIL ROSA CLARA COUTURE

APPOINTMENTS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

www.pleser.co.uk Tel: +44 (0) 1792 885 208 Email: pleser.bridal@xlninternet.co.uk

26 St Teilo St, Pontarddulais, Swansea, SA4 8SZ

(Opposite to the War Memorial on St Teilo Street)

waves

MAKING

REAL WEDDINGS

Liz and Aled had a beautiful wedding at Oldwalls Gower Images courtesy of Liga Stevenson Photography

L

iz and Aled met through a mutual school friend.

“We have a similar sense of humour and the same values,” says Liz. “Aled took me away for my birthday in 2019 and proposed at Lake Garda in Italy. It was a complete surprise and a lovely holiday.”

Here she shares some of her favourite moments from their big day...

29

d our ceremony and reception Oldwalls Gower is a beautiful venue that hoste modate overnight guests, and the all under one roof. The property could accom alpacas were also a plus!

We added extra touches where possible, including a ‘snap it, shake it and sign it’ guest book where our friends and family had access to an instant camera and could take a photo and include it as part of their message.

Our golden retriever, Boomer, was there for the day, so we included a basket of lint rollers with a message that said ‘with love from Boomer’.

biscuits dipped in guests shortbread heart-shaped For our favours, we gave our er’s Society. Our es and badges from the Alzheim chocolate from Centre Stage Cak g! I sent Alison a copy ge Cakes, which was amazin cake was also from Centre Sta flowers climbing up aged to recreate the buttercream of our invitations, and she man the three tiers. We loved it!

She managed to incorporate sketches My very talented cousin made our table plan. n. of Boomer and our two rabbits into the desig 30

The centrepieces were silver urns and lante rns supplied by The Dancing Daffodil. They decorated them with lilac, purpl e and pink flowers, including my favourites, lavender and peonies.

REAL WEDDING

Aled and the groomsmen chose black tie suits

from Moss Bros.

I wore a gown called Larissa

by Enzoani from Laura Ma y Bridal. I tried it on and had a feeling it was the one. I tried on a few others but always came back to that one. I loved the train and accessorised with a plain cath edral-length veil and diamond earrings.

The bridesmaids opted for lilac floor-length gowns from TFNC London.

We felt very relaxed, but Ale

d was happy to get his speech

over with.

To keep our guests entertained, we had a live band in the evening called Coverland, who were fantastic and kept everyone dancing. We also had a quiz hosted by one of the groomsmen, who is the quizmaster at one of the local pubs. Guests were even given a personalised pencil to go home with as a keepsake.

We took a trip down to Rhossili Bay with Liga Stevenson Photography and got some amazing photos. We didn’t realise how busy it would be on a Tuesday afternoon, so it was quite surreal walking along the coastal path in a wedding dress with members of the public congratulating us.

31

My dad’s speech stood out the

most for me. Having him ther e that day is extra special to us as we sadly lost him two months later.

to COVID-19 restrictions. We managed We still haven’t booked our honeymoon due days after the wedding and stayed in a to get away to the Cotswolds for a couple of lovely place near Blenheim Palace.

LIZ AND ALED’S CONTACTS Venue, transport and catering, Oldwalls Gower, www.oldwallsgower.com | Photographer, Liga Stevenson Photography, www.ligastevensonphotography.com | Bride’s dress, Laura May Bridal, www.lauramaybridal.co.uk | Groom’s suit, Moss Bros | Bridesmaids’ dresses, TFNC London | Hair stylist, House Of Hair by Alys Williams, www.facebook.com/house-of-hair-by-alys-williams-438631623258105 Make-up artist, Makeup by HW, www.facebook.com/makeupbyhwx | Favours and cake, Centre Stage Cakes, www.centrestagecakes.co.uk Flowers, The Dancing Daffodil, www.thedancingdaffodil.com | Stationery, Julia Eastwood, www.julia-eastwood.com | Entertainment, Coverland, www.coverlandband.co.uk booked through Music HQ, www.musichq.co.uk 32

CLEARWELL CASTLE

FOREST OF DEAN

info@clearwell-castle.co.uk

01594 832320

GLOUCESTERSHIRE clearwell-castle.co.uk

with me Fly away

Amrit and Ash celebrated their love with a travel-themed wedding at St Tewdrics House Images courtesy of Kate Adams Photography

34

REAL WEDDING

A

mrit and Ash met during their second year of university. “We were put into a group together in one of our seminars and slowly got to know each other,” says Amrit. “We eventually started dating the following summer. We have the same sense of humour and connected through music. We would often give each other recommendations, and when I had a radio show at university, Ash would send requests in. Once we graduated, we saved up and went travelling around the world for four months. We knew we wanted to be with each other forever, so we decided to move in together. Ash is from North Wales and I’m from the Midlands, so we agreed that wherever one of us got a job, we would move there. Ash got a job in Cardiff, and the rest is history.”

Ash proposed in 2019. “We had not long bought our own house, and everything felt settled,” shares the bride. “He took me back to our university, where there is a beautiful manor house in the grounds. We walked for about an hour in the freezing February wind. I love trees, and Ash kept stopping to admire them. I was on tenterhooks thinking, ‘is this it?’ but he didn’t ask! We walked back to the manor, and I was admiring the view of the fields when I felt a tap on my shoulder.

I turned around and there he was on one knee with the most beautiful ring! He quickly asked me to marry him, and I laughed and said ‘yes’. It wasn’t exactly a surprise as we’d been together for seven years and I was highly suspicious when we arrived for the walk, but it was wonderful. I couldn’t stop staring at the ring and didn’t stop smiling for weeks!”

The happy couple booked their wedding for July 2020. “Due to the pandemic, our big day was postponed, and we were in limbo,” explains Amrit. “The whole country went into another full lockdown in January 2021, and when wedding venues opened with a limited capacity, we both decided we’d had enough of waiting. We booked to get married at Castell Coch in April 2021 with just two of my bridesmaids as witnesses. We surprised everyone by telling them we had gotten married! It was a magical, romantic way to do it, but we were really excited to have a big party with our friends and family in the summer.”

SETTING THE SCENE “St Tewdrics House is absolutely stunning, and we loved that it could be decorated to suit any theme,” recalls the bride. “As we drew closer to the big day, it became clear that it was going to be one of the hottest days of the year! Last-minute, I ordered a large number of white fans from eBay to help keep everyone cool.”

Amrit and Ash gave their guests wildflower seeds as favours. “It was really important to us that our wedding was as environmentally friendly as possible,” adds Amrit. “I know from talking to friends that many people leave bulky wedding favours, so I wanted something that would be useful. Many of our guests have planted their seeds and have already told us the joy they feel at seeing their flowers grow. These also doubled up as our place names which saved us from having to order more items or waste card.”

“Our table plan was a custom-made map of the world with a quote from Lord of the Rings on,” says the bride. “This allowed us to make the most of the travel theme in a meaningful way. Our tables were named after some of our favourite places we have visited. I purchased some kraft card tags and asked one of my bridesmaids to use her calligraphy skills to write the guests’ names. These were then pinned to each country on the map. As we wanted our items to be multipurpose, this doubled up as our guest book. I used chalk pens to write guidance onto a pretty mirror we had lying around, asking for guests to write bucket list ideas for us to complete throughout our lives. It worked well, and we’ve kept the tags safe in our wedding scrapbook.”

For their centrepieces, Amrit and Ash used souvenirs. “We wanted to avoid buying things that would end up in the bin, so we used items we had bought from different countries and asked our guests to supply some,” shares Amrit. “We also left guide books on most of the tables for guests to peruse as we wanted them to leave with a new interest in a place they may have never thought about visiting.”

“Instead of flowers, we asked our florist, Catherine Gray Flowers, to source plants from each of the countries that our tables were named after,” explains the bride. “Each was placed in a pretty pot and were used as gifts for the wedding party. I was keen to inject as much colour into the wedding as

35

Marc Smith Photography

Nick Murray Photography Nick Murray photography

Rachel Lambert Photography

Studio Cwtch

Lloyd Williams Photography

Owen Mathias

Joe Lewis Photography Joe Lewis Photography Nick Murray Photography

Winner of ‘Best Venue’ at the Welsh National Wedding Awards Complete exclusivity of the whole Manor for your special day Stylish decor with a selection of unique spaces to suit every guest; including our gin lounge, Atrium and children’s room With a talented team of in house chefs, you will have the opportunity to discuss and plan your perfect menu. TripAdvisor certificate of excellence for 9 consecutive years and voted the ‘foodie venue’ by WalesOnline. *NEW ACCOMMODATION* Our fabulous Pamper and Prep Suite compliments our existing boutique bedrooms and allow you to stay in pure luxury the night before your special day!

02920 892 232 | enquiries@decourceys.co.uk | www.decourceys.co.uk

possible, as traditional Indian weddings are such colourful affairs, so we went for bouquets that had lots of variety. We wanted them to be as environmentally friendly as possible, so we opted for locallysourced, seasonal blooms. I had a gorgeous trailing bouquet, and the bridesmaids had smaller matching versions. In addition, we had a moonring covered in matching flowers which was the backdrop for our sweetheart table during the wedding breakfast. For the confetti, I went with traditionally Indian colours of yellow and pink from Shropshire Petals.”

Their two-tiered cake was provided by Llwy Pren. “We love sweet treats, so we wanted lots of different flavours,” recalls Amrit. “We opted for individual cupcakes in four different flavours, and the main cake was made up of rose and vanilla and chocolate. The decorations were really beautiful, and one of my bridesmaids had made tiny figures of us and our dog, Gelert, as a surprise gift.”

“It was really important to us to remember all of the people who couldn’t be at our wedding for various reasons,” adds the bride. “I asked both of our families to supply framed photographs of family members who had passed away or couldn’t be there. We wanted to do this for our parents too as we knew that they would be missing these key figures on our special day. I used some white candles and some of the confetti to give the memory table a special celebratory and memorial look.”

Rather than giving their guests food options, the lovebirds wanted to provide their friends and family with an exciting food experience. “We worked closely with our caterers, Cleverchefs, to create an East meets West family-style feast,” says Amrit. “Our guests shared their food and got to know one another, and it was phenomenal.”

REAL WEDDINGS

DRESSED TO IMPRESS “I wore a lehenga, which I purchased in Birmingham,” shares the bride. “I knew I didn’t want a traditional white dress as that’s not what weddings looked like for me growing up. However, I also didn’t want to wear the traditional red. I wanted something fairly simple that would complement my figure and skin tone. I ended up going for the third outfit that I tried on, which was perfect for me. It had beautiful intricate details and was relatively light. I wore it for our wedding in April and during the day in July. However, for the evening I splashed out on a stunning gold-studded outfit, which was much more glamorous – I felt like a Bollywood star in it!”

Amrit invested in some beautiful jewellery for the big day. “I found a necklace, earrings and tikka set with peach and green stones which matched the bridesmaids’ outfits,” Amrit explains. “I teamed it with traditional bridal choora, red and white wedding bangles, which are the mark of a new bride. When our wedding got postponed in 2020, I already had my outfit ready and had splashed out on my dream shoes from Harriet Wilde, which I had my eye on from the moment Ash proposed. I wore those for our secret wedding and again for the party in July before changing into more comfortable gold heels for the evening.

I also had a custom-made clutch bag from Atiya Choudhury, which matched my shoes. I plan to use the shoes and bag on our wedding anniversaries for the rest of our lives. I finished my look with hair and make-up styled by the talented Janet White-Ashby & Co.” “Ash chose a navy tuxedo with a black lapel, and his groomsmen opted for black tuxedos,” recalls the bride. “He wanted a different kind of suit to his everyday work attire, so a tuxedo felt really special.”

The bridesmaids wore lehengas. “Three had green tops with gold embroidery and peach skirts while my maid-of-honour wore a different style,” adds Amrit. “It was lovely to have some variety and to have her stand out, especially as it was her birthday on our July wedding day!”

TIME TO CELEBRATE “Music is really important to us, so we curated a playlist of songs that have been central to our time together, which played from after the ceremony until the speeches,” says the bride. “We hired Silver Trailer 37

Photo Booth, which was an incredible addition. Our guests loved going into the retro trailer and having their photos taken with the props.”

Amrit and Ash had Elite Drummers perform their first dance.

“A dhol is a drum that you wear across your body, and it’s played with metal sticks,” shares Amrit. “They feature at every Indian wedding, often being used to announce the bridal or groom party and to announce the newlywed couple into the evening reception. This was the highlight of the day for both of us. It was such an amazing feeling to have them play us into the venue and to perform their incredible talent for our guests.

This was even more important as it was mostly Ash’s family and our friends; only three members of my own family were able to attend due to travel restrictions and the pandemic. This gave our wedding guests a real taste of a Punjabi wedding, and they loved it. I also chose my favourite song from the famous Bollywood film, Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham, to be played while we cut the cake. It was something I had visualised for years and just made the moment feel more dramatic and special.”

MEMORABLE MOMENTS

Scan to view video

“Even though we were legally married, it was such an exciting day that felt very important and emotional,” explains the bride.

“Having a ceremony in front of our friends and family was the most incredible experience. As we were already legally married, we asked our close friend Liam to lead our ceremony. He did such a fantastic job and even managed to work some Lord of the Rings quotes into it. He wrote the ceremony himself, which meant that it was really personal and unique to us. There were some nerves, mostly from me worrying about tripping down the very long aisle, but it was so lovely as the legal aspect of things had been done. We could just sit back and enjoy the day.”

The couple hired Katie Bayliss Harpist. “She also played at our secret wedding at Castell Coch, which was a lovely touch,” recalls Amrit. “Having everyone sit outside in the shade of the gorgeous trees, in the summer heat, so relaxed while our favourite songs played, was just perfect.”

“Ash thought he had lost his shoes,” laughs the bride. “When we arrived at the venue the previous day, I handed him a bag with his shoes in and said: ‘Take these to your room.’ On the morning of the wedding, he was getting dressed and realised he couldn’t find them; he looked around the entire venue, the grounds, the cars and was about to drive back to our home in Cardiff (40 minutes away) when my maid-of-honour came to gently ask me if I might have seen them. I told her that I’d given them to him in the kitchen, and lo and behold, there they were.”

Amrit and Ash’s friends and family made the day perfect. “My dad’s speech was phenomenal, and all of the guests commented on how wonderful it was,” adds Amrit. “He used a really unique concept, and it was so lovely to hear him talk about us from his own perspective. There wasn’t a dry eye in the room!”

www.cmweddingfilms.co.uk

AMRIT AND ASH’S CONTACTS Venue, St Tewdrics House, www.sttewdricshouse.co.uk | Photographer, Kate Adams Photography, www.kateadamsphotography.com Videographer, Cherished Memories Wedding Films, www.cmweddingfilms.co.uk | Bride’s and bridesmaids’ dresses, Diya’s, www.diyasdirect.co.uk | Bride’s necklace, earring and tikka set, Anayah Jewellery, www.anayahjewellery.co.uk | Bride’s choora, Bling For You, www.blingforyou.co.uk | Bride’s shoes, Harriet Wilde, www.harrietwilde.com | Bride’s clutch bag, Atiya Choudhury, www.atiyachoudhury.com Groom’s suit, Moss Bros | Hair and make-up artist, Janet White-Ashby & Co, www.janetwhiteashby.co.uk | Cake, Llwy Pren, www.facebook.com/llwypren | Flowers, Catherine Gray Flowers, www.catherinegrayflowers.co.uk | Confetti, Shropshire Petals, www.shropshirepetals.com | Stationery, Papier | Catering, Cleverchefs, www.cleverchefs.co.uk | Ceremony music, Katie Bayliss Harpist, www.katiebaylissharpist.com | Photo booth, Silver Trailer Photo Booth, www.bellestudio.co.uk | Entertainment, Elite Drummers, www.elitedrummers.com | DJ, Boutique Disco, www.boutiquedisco.com 38

A multi-award winning Hair & Makeup Team working with you to create your wedding day image.

No party too large or small.

Go to our website to see a gallery of our real brides. www.janetwhiteashby.co.uk | 07960 123584

Cardiff Wedding Disco

Web: jonathancundy photography.co.uk

Supplying beautiful music for your wedding day and night DJ Alan Matthews 07800 845 014

www.cardiffweddingdisco.co.uk www.facebook.com/DJ.Alan.Matthews

Tel: 07847 533 769

Email: jon_cundy@hotmail.com

romance

REAL WEDDINGS

GOTHIC

Opting for a black and white travel theme, Craig and Jess tied the knot at the beautiful Craig y Nos Castle Images courtesy of Phinix Images

41

J

ess and Craig met on a night out. “We shared common interests and quickly became inseparable,” says Jess. “I felt comfortable with Craig straight away. Our relationship has always been based on laughter, and we encourage each other to be the best version of ourselves.”

Craig popped the question in 2019. “He proposed overlooking Machu Picchu in Peru,” shares the bride. “I had no idea that he was planning to ask me. We had just arrived at the top of the mountain, and as we posed for a picture, I turned around to see him down on one knee. It was the most overwhelming moment, and I couldn’t help but cry tears of joy. I was so impressed that he managed to carry an engagement ring in his luggage for 10 days, through three airports and multiple cities and hotels, and I had absolutely no idea. He created the ring box by hand, with the letters J and C engraved on the top. I had previously mentioned that I wanted our engagement to be a complete surprise rather than on a predictable date, and Craig definitely took that on board. It was truly magical.”

Here the bride shares some of her favourite moments from their big day...

We’d never been to Craig y Nos Castle before, but as soon as we mentioned we were wedding planning, many of our friends and family suggested it. When we walked into the theatre, we looked at each other and knew it was the perfect venue. We recently returned to participate in a ghost tour, which was fantastic. There really is nowhere like it, and all our guests agreed that it suited us so well. We are both obsessed with the derelict parts of the castle, so the opportunity to have some photos there made us very happy.

The centrepieces were beautiful candelabras provided by Craig y Nos Castle. Craig made the wooden base to support each of these to give it a more rustic feel. Craig was a bit of a groomzilla with the tablecloths and insisted that they were black, so we hired these from Emma Hall Designs, and they looked fabulous!

We kept our favours simple and chose a miniature bottle of Jägermeister with an engraved wooden heart wrapped around it. We also placed some personalised sweets on the tables as a little treat.

Our cake was fairly traditional-looking, with a travel twist. It was a four-tier white iced design, with one tier containing a world map. Our cake maker, Bella Cakes, decorated it using ivy which tied it in with the centrepieces and flowers.

For our card box, we sourced vintage suitcases, and Craig created a letter-box in one of them so that our guests could post their cards. This design worked well and tied in very nicely with the overall travel theme of the wedding.

42

Karen from Poppies Florist worked closely with us to make our vision come to life. I requested an enormous, dramatic shower bouquet with Gothic dark roses, and she really did deliver.

Craig’s buttonhole used the same dark rose with a thistle and fern. The bridesmaids’ versions contained a large single white rose, as did the ushers’ buttonholes.

REAL WEDDINGS

Craig arrived in a traditional white Volkswagen Campervan because one of our favourite things to do together is travel in our own campervan. I chose to arrive in a party bus, so I could travel with my parents and the bridal party in the same vehicle. We had such a laugh, and it removed any pre-wedding nerves.

I went dress shopping with an idea in my mind and left with the complete opposite! Initially, I wanted to get married in black, but when I tried on my dress, I knew it was the one when I didn’t want to take it off and my mother cried.

The wedding breakfast provided by Craig y Nos Castle was delicious, we chose a three-course menu with a range of dishes, and every single one of our guests praised the food. We chose to have an ice-cream tricycle from Tricycle Treats after our ceremony. Our evening buffet, also provided by Craig y Nos Castle, was an absolute hit with our friends and family. We have never heard people discuss potato wedges so much, but according to a number of our loved ones, they were sensational!

Craig wanted to wear a completely black suit for our wedding. This look was actually inspired by Voldemort in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, where there is a brief scene of him in a suit. The ushers wore black suits with white shirts from Dyfed Menswear. We chose a very classic style to match the traditional vibe of our venue.

In the evening, Los Devitos provided the entertainment. They were fantastic and even learned a few new songs for us! Our guests loved them, the dancefloor was never empty, and we all had so much fun.

The bridesmaids wore lace tea-length black dresses from Dresstell. They accessorised with black shoes and silver jewellery. The dresses suited everyone, and I chose the most comfortable shoes possible as I wanted the girls to wear them all day and night.

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It was, and will always be, the best day of my life. There is absolutely nothing that I would change about our wedding day.

I wanted to make my entrance the most iconic version people had ever seen! I walked down the aisle to the Apocalyptica version of Nothing Else Matters by Metallica, a song special to us in many ways. I prepped my bridal party to walk down at particular moments, leaving a long gap to build up some tension before my arrival. The staff then closed the curtain at the back of the theatre, and when my moment arrived, the whole room gasped. It was unforgettable. I looked up to see Craig standing on the stage, full of tears, as I walked down the aisle, beaming, with both of my parents by my side.

Craig y Nos Castle really did go above and beyond for us. From start to finish, the staff made the place so special. Our family, bridal party and friends also went all out to make it a day to remember, and for that, we are eternally grateful.

Scan to view video

Straight after the wedding, we went on our minimoon to Romania, visiting Bucharest and Transylvania, which was perfect in the spooky season. It had been on our lists for a while, and as we only had a few days, it was an ideal minimoon location. We are currently planning many more trips (any excuse) as travel is our main passion, so we plan to honeymoon forever! www.phiniximages.com

JESS AND CRAIG’S CONTACTS Venue, Craig y Nos Castle, www.craigynoscastleweddings.com | Photographer and videographer, Phinix Images, www.phiniximages.com Bride’s dress and accessories, Chapel Bridal, www.chapelbridal.co.uk | Alterations, Stitch In Time, www.facebook.com/delythstitchintime Groom’s suit, Dyfed Menswear, www.dyfedmenswear.co.uk | Bridesmaids’ dresses, Dresstell, www.dresstells.com | Hair stylist, Wedding & Occasion Hair by Claire Louise, www.facebook.com/weddinghairbyclairelouise | Make-up artist, Farhana Ali, www.farhana.co.uk | Cake, Bella Cakes, www.facebook.com/bespokebellacakes | Flowers, Poppies Florist, www.poppiesflorist-ammanford.co.uk | Transport, All Stretched Out, www.allstretchedout.co.uk and Champagne Wedding Cars, www.champagneweddingcars.co.uk | Entertainment, Los Devitos, www.losdevitos.com Treats, Tricycle Treats, www.facebook.com/tricycletreats2016 | Black tablecloths, Emma Hall Designs, www.emmahalldesigns.com | Confetti, Blodau’r Cwm, www.facebook.com/blodaurcwm

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Joe Clark Photography

The Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama is set in the grounds of Cardiff Castle and bordering one of the largest and most beautiful parks in the UK, Bute Park.

Our two unique venues form one of Cardiff’s most sought-after locations for your very special day. Our first is the stunning former Cardiff Castle stables with its historic courtyard and beautiful tree-lined entrance with the castle in view.

The second is our magnificent contemporary glass atrium with floor-to-ceiling windows and open-air terrace overlooking the park – a fabulous back-drop for your photographs and champagne reception – it is also a stunning location for your wedding breakfast and evening celebrations. This leads to an outstanding concert hall and theatre – perfect for a ceremony with a dramatic difference!

Sacha Miller Photography

As a creative venue, we offer lots of flexibility so that your ceremony, drinks reception, wedding breakfast and evening celebrations suit your style and personalities – from traditional to theatrical, elegant to quirky. We can assist you in arranging a theatrical ceremony on a stage, a summer’s day wedding walk with your guests through the park, a reception with choirs, harpists, jazz trios and string quartets and special lighting and scenery for your evening party.

Whether your dream venue is historic or contemporary, the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama is a unique venue at the heart of Cardiff that is bespoke to you.

For enquiries, please contact our weddings officer via the email below or visit our Instagram: weddings@rwcmd.ac.uk - @RWCMDweddings

As M ka in bo ut ut eW o ed ur L di as ng t s

Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama Castle Grounds Cathays Park Cardiff CF10 3ER View one of Cardiff’s most sought- after locations at: www.rwcmd.ac.uk/who-we-are/hire-us/weddings

Wedding Package Packagesfor for 2021 2023 Wedding Midweek 50 Guests £5175 60 Guests Friday £6360 70 Guests Saturday for £7545

Includes: Three course Wedding Breakfast *Includes Exclusive of Castle Functions rooms with Exclusive useuse of Castle Function rooms Opera for Wedding WeddingCeremonies Ceremonies Opera house licensed licensed for Conservatory with Candelabra Candelabrafor fortable tabledecorations decorations Conservatoryfor for your your Wedding Wedding Banquet Banquet with

Three Course Wedding Breakfast, Welcome Drinks, 2 glasses wine on table, sparkling wine for toasts, Evening Finger Buffet, White chair covers & bows in either ceremony room or banqueting room, Cake stand, napkins, table cloths, Gold or silver candelabra, marquee style banqueting room with ceiling fairy lights, all above

Requires: Minimum 50 guests stayingstaying overnight, only 25 midweek, a B&B @ £75 per head.

Requires: Minimum 50 guests overnight on a B&Bonbasis @ basis £75 per head.

www.craigynoscastleweddings.com

Member’s Wedding Package - 125 Guests @ £50 pp Includes: Two courseweddinginformation@craigynoscastle.com Wedding Breakfast and Welcome Drinks (Add £20pp LAsfor third course and evening buffet)

The Ultimate Bridal Experience “We’re not just another bridal shop, we’re the bridal shop you will remember forever”

www.highsocietybridalboutique.com

01446793517

info@highsocietybridalboutique.com

delights CAKES

DELECTABLE The latest wedding cake trends

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“Floral prints are an all-time favourite that add a touch of elegance. Some couples prefer to use seasonal blooms, while others have specific versions in mind. A new trend is to dry these flowers and roll them into the icing to create an illusion of a painting or print.” – Malwina from Cakes and Bakes.

www.thevalecakeboutique.com

“Wafer paper details are great for those who like the modern/minimalist style. Alternatively, a simple hand-tied silk bow can look very effective.”

– Zoe from Ginger Bear Bakery. www.instagram.com/malbakescakes

“Your cake should be a focal point at your wedding, so how you display it is really important. Using the right stand can make a real impact.” – Zoe from Ginger Bear Bakery.

www.thevalecakeboutique.com

www.facebook.com/thegingerbearbakery

www.facebook.com/thegingerbearbakery

owadays, a cake is more than just something sweet to eat, it’s a work of art that can tie the whole day together. To help narrow down your choice, we chatted to some of the region’s finest suppliers and asked for their trend predictions.

“Spacers are becoming increasingly popular this year. These can be left empty or filled with foliage or flowers.” – Zoe from The Vale Cake Boutique.

“Many of this year’s trends will carry on from 2021. These include design choices like wafer paper sails, origami and leaves.”

– Zoe from The Vale Cake Boutique.

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www.instagram.com/malbakescakes

www.facebook.com/thegingerbearbakery

“For spring/summer nuptials, I get requests for organic edible flowers, whether they be fresh in their natural form or pressed.” – Zoe from Ginger Bear Bakery.

“Many couples are opting for spacer tiers, which can create a floating illusion or add height to a smaller cake.”

– Zoe from Ginger Bear Bakery.

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www.thevalecakeboutique.com

www.michellehuggleston.com and www.facebook.com/thegingerbearbakery

www.thevalecakeboutique.com

“Colours are also making more of an appearance with buttercream cakes. The addition of a coloured base tier to an otherwise natural coloured buttercream design is very popular, especially in sage green.” – Zoe from The Vale Cake Boutique.

“Different buttercream textures is a trend that isn’t going anywhere fast.” – Zoe from The Vale Cake Boutique.

“As we know the cake is the centrepiece of any wedding (besides the happy couple), and many clients have started to opt for bold colours and gold leaves as decorations to make it look like a piece of art.” – Malwina from Cakes and Bakes.

We undertake orders for Birthdays, Anniversaries, Weddings and Special Occasions 42, HEOL WILLIAMS , OLD ST. MELLONS, CARDIFF. CF3 6AQ Contact Mal on 0 7 3 9 4 1 0 8 1 5 6 MALBAKESCAKES@GMAIL.COM @MALBAKESCAKES

WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/CRAIG.MARC.9 @Chapter22patisserie E: chapter22patisserie@hotmail.com

Share the Joy Making your weddings memorable... for all the right reasons 100% reliable www.sgdjweddings.com | www.facebook.com/SGDJHire www.instagram.com/sgdiscossgdj | 07779657983

DJ Sound and Lighting

Baking your dreams come true Winners of BEST VEGAN WEDDING CAKE COMPANY & BEST VEGAN BAKERY OF THE YEAR We are a vegan only company specialising in making Vegan Wedding Cakes. We create beautiful bespoke wedding cakes designed to be the centrepiece of your celebration. All our beautiful Wedding cakes are handcrafted in a vegan only kitchen, every one of our wedding cakes is unique and personal to you. Whether you’re looking for a naked or elegant cake not only will it look stunning but taste amazing. We provide a professional service from the consultation to the collection or delivery and set up of your cake.

www.thenakedvegan.co.uk

E: sarah@thenakedvegan.co.uk T: 02921 321 040

READY TO WEAR OFF THE PEG BRIDAL GOWN SALE, BIG DISCOUNTS ON MORI LEE ROMANTICA CHARLOTTE BALBIER NICOLA ANN VENUS HOUSE OF NICHOLAS

www.castlebrides.co.uk 01588 638 332 or 07814 022 358 castlebrides@btinternet.com The Stables, Lower Aston Farm, Montgomery, Powys, SY15 6SY

www.leeshawilliamsphoto.com and www.facebook.com/thegingerbearbakery

“I love working with buttercream as you can create some beautiful details with it and it also tastes delicious.” – Zoe from Ginger Bear Bakery.

“Replicating patterns is a lovely trend that is present this year and we are finding requests for designs based on the dress and invitations are increasing.”

– Zoe from The Vale Cake Boutique.

www.instagram.com/malbakescakes

www.thevalecakeboutique.com

“Metallics are still going strong and the addition of silver or gold leaf is a welcome design aspect that can add the perfect finishing touch to a cake.” – Zoe from The Vale Cake Boutique.

“Treat towers can range from cupcakes, brownies, chocolate strawberries, doughnuts, cheesecakes, or whatever the couple fancies.

These usually go down well with the guests as they are bite-sized portions meaning they can try a variety of treats available. The couple also usually orders a small cutting cake for the ceremony.” – Malwina from Cakes and Bakes. www.thevalecakeboutique.com

“Within the last 12 months, I have found that cake trends have become very exciting. Buttercream textures are very popular, mixed with fresh or dried florals in oversized arrangements.” – Zoe from Ginger Bear Bakery.

www.instagram.com/malbakescakes

https://alsphotography.co.uk and www.facebook.com/thegingerbearbakery

CAKES

“Individual cakes can range from mini-cutting versions or cupcakes which are cut or put on the buffet for people to help themselves. This is getting more popular as couples can select a few different flavours.” – Malwina from Cakes and Bakes.

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www.chrisblackledgephotography.co.uk

Where does the time go?

County Wedding Magazines’ senior editor Melissa Barker shares her wedding planning journey

SUITED AND BOOTED

www.chrisblackledg

ephotography.co.uk

I feel selfish admitting that I didn’t realise how stressful suit shopping would be for Dave. You

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always hear about the bride struggling to find the perfect dress, and there’s so much pressure to get it right, but you never really hear the same for the groom-to-be. When we popped into our local suit store a few weeks ago, it surprised me when Dave said he felt stressed trying to make the right decision as he is usually very calm and collected. He tried on a few different styles and colours, but none left him feeling wowed or in his words: ‘like a suit I’m going to get married in’. He came away from that first appointment feeling confused about what to wear and, if anything, a bit deflated.

We decided to leave it for a few weeks and then try again. This time we went to a different store that Dave’s brother had used for his wedding. We visited on a weekday, so it was very quiet, and the team gave Dave their undivided attention. Nothing was too much trouble and, within 30 minutes, Dave had found the perfect suit and was grinning from ear to ear. The team helped reassure him about what style suits his shape and what would look good with our sage green colour scheme. He opted for a three-piece blue suit with a grey waistcoat, brown shoes and a sage green tie and pocket square. As Dave wanted to stand out on the day, we hired the same suit but with a blue waistcoat for the groomsmen and our dads to wear. We’re going back soon to get everyone else fitted, and I’m excited to see them all together on the day.

READY, SET, FILM! We were unsure throughout the planning process if we were going to book a

videographer mainly due to our budget. Dave wasn’t keen on the idea after seeing a few highlight films and with a lot of expense at the time, we decided to leave it. So it surprised me when a few weeks ago Dave said he wanted to book one. He’d seen a friend’s recent wedding video and liked the idea of being able to watch the day back. I’m pleased we decided to go for it, and luckily the supplier that we wanted still had availability. We’ve opted for a half-day package, which includes the ceremony, drinks reception and speeches. Although I would have loved to have had everyone getting ready and our first dance on film, it just made more sense for us financially to go for the smaller package.

I’m really excited to see how it will turn out and be able to get all our friends and family around to watch it after the wedding.

Check out the next issue where I’ll be discussing my dress alternations, hair and make-up trial and last-minute planning.

Melissa x

.co.uk dgephotography

can’t believe that this is the penultimate bride’s diary before I walk down the aisle. It’s so strange knowing that in just a few months I will become Mrs Cullen. I know a few of my married friends have chosen to keep their maiden name or hyphenate but for me, taking Dave’s last name was really important. My parents have been together for more than 30 years, but never married. I always hated having a different last name to my mum; so it might sound silly, but I like the idea of our family having one name and I’m really looking forward to sharing that with him (also Twilight is secretly one of my guility pleasures – so the 15-year-old in me is excited to be taking on the Cullen name). In this issue, read all about Dave trying to find the perfect suit and our search for a last-minute videographer.

www.chrisblackle

I

BRIDE’S DIARY Here are our top tips that we’ve learned during wedding planning:

VENUE

CATERING

❤ Check if you’re allowed confetti. We’re only allowed real petals, and bio-degradable versions aren’t an option. ❤ Find out if you can have sparklers as some venues don’t allow them. ❤ Check whether there are any local taxi companies in the area. If so, pass along the details to your guests.

❤ Ask your supplier if cutlery and linen are included in your quote. ❤ Make sure your supplier caters for all dietary requirements. ❤ Before booking, find out how many options you get to pick for each course.

PHOTOGRAPHER

JEWELLERY

❤ Talk to your photographer about visiting the property before the wedding. We’re planning to meet ours at the venue so he can see where the best photograph opportunities are. ❤ Find out how long your online gallery will be active for. ❤ If you’re feeling anxious near the wedding, get in touch with your photographer. They’ll be able to talk through the day with you to help calm your nerves.

❤ Think about the details on your dress before buying your jewellery.

If your gown is heavily beaded, it might be worth choosing simple, understated options. ❤ It can be overwhelming trying to decide what to wear. Talk through options with your wedding party to see what other people suggest. ❤ Pick out key elements of your dress and see if you can complement them with your jewellery.

ALTERNATIONS

CAKE

❤ Before booking your alternations, it’s worth shopping around. I sent ❤ Work out how many guests you’re going to be having and tell your a picture of my dress to five different companies and explained what I cake maker. They will be able to advise how many tiers you need to wanted done, and made my decision based on their quotes. accommodate everyone. ❤ Depending on how intricate your dress is, alterations can take ❤ A lot of cake will be leftover at the end of the night, so purchase cake anywhere from two to eight weeks, so make sure you book your boxes so your guests can take a slice home. appointment early. ❤ Order a sample box so you can try different flavours before making ❤ If you’re nervous about your first fitting, ask one of your bridal party to your final decision. go with you.

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PL ANNI NG YOUR SPECIAL DAY? L E T U S E AS E TH E STRA I N A N D TA KE CARE OF THE ALL IM PORTAN T DETAILS, LEAV IN G YOU TO CO M P L E T ELY RE L A X A N D E N J OY YO UR SPEC IAL DAY W ITH THE PEOPLE YOU LOV E, SAFE IN THE KN OW L E D G E TH AT E V E RYTHIN G IS UN DER CON TROL AN D RUN N IN G SM OOTHLY. W H E T H E R I T’ S CAS UA L , A N U N U S UAL STY LE W ITH STREET FOOD STATION S, EX TEN DING YOU R CO LO UR T HE M E TO I N G RE D I E N T S E L ECTION S, OR A F IN E DIN IN G 5 COURSE SIT DOW N ( TO ENSU R E YO U R G U ESTS D O N ’ T G O HUN GRY ) - FOR US THERE REALLY IS N O LIM IT!

GUARANT EED TO WOW YOU R G U EST S

L I K E W HAT YO U SEE?

AN D MAK E I T A DAY TO RE M E M B E R

F EEDUS@PIC K LEDPUM PK IN CAT ER ING .CO.U K

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EXPERT ADVICE

HOT TOPIC Wedding worries Our experts solve your problems

DANCEFLOOR FILLERS We’re putting together a list of songs to give our DJ, but we’re feeling overwhelmed by the amount of choice. What songs will get everyone up on the dancefloor?

If you have booked an experienced DJ, they will be able to read the room and find songs that best suit the people who show they enjoy dancing. If your supplier has been playing background music before the dancefloor fills, they will be able to see what gets people jigging in their seats.

At a wedding party, it’s rare to have 100 per cent of guests on the dancefloor at the same time, but it’s highly possible to have 20-80 per cent of them on their feet. We have an online tool called DJ Event Planner and in it is a song request option. The great thing about this is that the data can be shared. DJs who use this worldwide have clients who enter their requests and DJ Event Planners create a table of the most requested songs. The top 10 worldwide choices are: ❤ Whitney Houston – I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me) ❤ Earth, Wind and Fire – September ❤ Neil Diamond – Sweet Caroline ❤ Mark Ronson feat. Bruno Mars – Uptown Funk ❤ Usher – Yeah! ❤ Walk The Moon – Shut Up and Dance ❤ Journey – Don’t Stop Believin’ ❤ Killers – Mr. Brightside ❤ ABBA – Dancing Queen ❤ Cupid – Cupid Shuffle Now you may ask what is the Cupid Shuffle? As this software is from the USA, there are songs requested that we don’t play in the UK too often.

I like to know what songs have special meaning to you as a couple

and any banned music. Think along this line as you present your DJ with any requests. You shouldn’t need to worry about providing the general floor fillers. Some people say ‘We don’t want a cheesy wedding, but we want good music people will dance to’. If this is your sentiment, let your DJ know what you don’t want to hear.

A good DJ won’t need (or want) a whole playlist for the night. They will be able to use their experience to judge what is working and what is not and respond accordingly. If your DJ has just said ‘send me some songs you like’, literally do that or rather, what you like to dance to. Remember, it’s your party, and people have come to celebrate with you. In most instances, if you’re on the dancefloor, likely, more people will be too!

June Gould (DJ June Cecilia) www.sgdjweddings.com DJ Event Planner: www.djeventplanner.com/mostrequested.htm

READY, SET, POSE

www.megan-sianphotography.com

Is it worth having a pre-wedding photo shoot?

A pre-wedding shoot is a perfect opportunity for you to meet your photographer while they’re working their camera. See how you interact with each other and ask yourself, are they someone you feel comfortable around? Could you spend all day with them?

Having your photo taken is not something people do every day, and you might feel uncomfortable just at the thought.

That being the case, a pre-wedding shoot offers you the perfect opportunity to feel at ease in front of the camera so that when the big day arrives, you’ll look and, most importantly, feel comfortable. If you have any questions or worries, a pre-wedding shoot can help ease your mind.

Megan-Sian Vickery www.megan-sianphotography.com 55

A SPECIAL TOUCH How can we personalise our wedding?

It’s tradition to marry the person you love; to walk down the aisle in a long, white dress; to celebrate the ‘formal’ beginning of a new family with friends and relatives. However, it’s important to recognise that weddings should reflect your style, your story, and your sentiments. After all, it’s you and your partner’s big day! While you may want to keep some of the classic rituals, you should not be afraid to give the ceremony your own spin. Here, we explore some quirky and innovative ideas that will allow you to personalise your wedding and make it a celebration to remember.

Modernise the wedding march: As mentioned, walking down the aisle is one of the most pivotal and emblematic moments of a wedding.

The bride walks towards the altar and their groom as guests watch in awe and dab a few tears. Whether through a church organ or a string quartet by the sea, it is likely that Wagner or Mendelssohn’s renowned wedding marches will accompany the emotional entrance. If you feel that the German composers’ music does not represent your personality, don’t be shy to pick a different tune.

Reinvent the exit: If you’re changing venue after the ceremony, you’ll have to find a way to make your way to your reception. Rather than sticking to the nearest taxi service, why not find an alternative means of transport to reach your destination? Depending on how far the place is, you can select the perfect solution out of a variety of options. Is the reception venue not too far? Hop on a tandem bike with your spouse and get pedalling towards your new location. Or would you rather have a classy ride to the banquet and wedding cake? Jump in a fancy, vintage car and temporarily wave off your guests in style.

No phones allowed: Another way to personalise your wedding day is to ‘ban’ phones. It’s easy for guests to get distracted by their devices and fiddle on them all afternoon, rather than leave them in their pockets

HERE COME THE GIRLS My mum and step-mum are going to be walking me down the aisle and want to wear dresses that will fit our theme without being too similar. Do you have any suggestions?

and properly enjoy the big day. You may want to put up a sign in the entranceway that encourages attendees to go unplugged – especially during the ceremony. With no trilling phones around, you will be able to create a more intimate atmosphere. What is more, they’ll not be in the way to ruin your photographer’s professional pictures.

Personalised card boxes: A creative, innovative touch you can add to your wedding is to put a personalised card box on the gift table.

Signature cocktails: Do you and your spouse like to sip cocktails from time to time? Do you enjoy experimenting with drinks and flavours? You may want to consider treating your guests with some of your signature beverages, whether on arrival at the reception venue or at the end of the meal.

The team at The Angel Hotel www.angelhotelcardiffcity.co.uk

SHOWSTOPPING FASHION What dress styles/designers would you suggest for a summer-themed wedding?

We advise them to go shopping together but try on dressses one at a time. It’s essential that each mum is focused on themselves when looking for such a special outfit.

Focus on colours that work together. Soft shades of pink work well with subtle silver/ greys, and jewel tones also work well with one another.

Take into account your wedding dress; the shape and fabric. Plain gowns will work well with lace or busier prints, textures and vice versa.

It would look much cleaner if, regardless of the shape, they 27028 by John Charles wore a similar length.

Don’t forget that they both need to feel comfortable and stay true to themselves. Naturally, this usually means they will be drawn to different things that highlight their individuality, this is where colour and detail are important to ensure you all look in harmony on your special day.

We love Madi Lane and Abella’s new collections which are absolutely perfect for a summer wedding. The new Bloom Collection from Madi Lane features signature lace detailing and fabrics.

Duet has the most beautiful lasercut lace that sculpts the waist and adds stunning detail throughout the Demi by Madi Lane A-line skirt and train.

Demi is a feminine, fitted dress that has the same lace detailing as Duet, with gorgeous off-the-shoulder straps.

Renata from Abella Bridal features the new, on-trend neckline, which we absolutely adore, a delicate mandarin collar with demure and elegant lace sleeves, and a dramatic full ball gown skirt that has secret sparkle and adds subtle drama.

Gita-Marie is a dream, showcasing delicate glitter, dotted tulle, sculpted exposed cups in the corseted bodice create a stunning modern silhouette, which is completed with soft off-the-shoulder straps.

Every one of our designers offers beautiful gowns to walk down the aisle, so always keep an open mind and let your bridal stylist assist you with dresses that you may not have initially chosen. You would be surprised how many times our stylists pull a wild card and the bride says yes to the dress. With over 250 sample gowns in our store, you will be spoilt for choice.

Coryn Emma www.baroqueboutique.co.uk

Vicki Anthony www.allaboutevebridalwear.com

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2019 AWARD WINNERS BEST OCCASION WEAR IN WALES FOR 5TH YEAR

Baroque Boutique specialise in beautiful designer wear, accessories, hats and shoes for Mother of the Bride, Mother of the Groom, Wedding Guests and Special Occasions.

Bonkers OCCASION & CASUAL WEAR | SIZES 8-22 FROM LEADING DESIGNERS Joseph Ribkoff | Frank Lyman | Gina Bacconi Lotus shoes | Ispirato | Michaela Louisa | Hats/Shoes & Handbags to compliment Lizabella Personal Choice | Ella Boo 27 High Street, Haverfordwest | 01437 767326 WWW.BONKERSFASHIONS.CO.UK Pembrokeshire’s leading stockist of Joseph Ribkoff

Mother of the Bride / Groom Event Thursday 26 May 2022 Friday 27 May 2022 Saturday 28 May 2022 Sunday 29 May 2022 Monday 30 May 2022 Includes drink on arrival & goodie bag!

ABERGAVENNY (01873) 858 030 / 859 774 WWW.BAROQUEBOUTIQUE.CO.UK SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER

Your day, your way Plan your perfect day at a romantic wedding venue positioned on the beautiful Cardiff Bay waterfront, water laps up the edge of this stylish building.

Complete with an entrance hall that soars so high, our modern five-star hotel will leave your guests stunned from the moment they first arrive.

Our experienced team will make your day just as you’ve imagined.

C O N TA C T O U R T E A M stdavidsevents@ihg.com | +44 (0) 2920 454 045 | stdavids.vocohotels.com/weddings | Havannah Street, Cardiff CF10 5SD

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09/12/2021 16:22:43

Woodbank House WEDDINGS, EVENTS & GROUP ACCOMMODATION

Woodbank House is the ideal boutique venue for your special wedding day in the heart of the Usk Valley, South Wales, with spectacular panoramic views overlooking the River Usk. Exclusive use means you will have 20 acres of beautiful Welsh countryside and sprawling terraces to host your special event. It is our goal to help you create a personal and unique day and enjoy our facilities, in a house built for entertaining.

Woodbank House provides the perfect inclusive setting for your wedding, we can accommodate up to 70 guests for your civil ceremony and wedding breakfast and 100 guests for your evening party.

+44 (0)7899 751204 | info@woodbankwales.com | www.woodbankwales.com WOODBANK HOUSE

LLANHENNOCK

MONMOUTHSHIRE

NP18 1LU

Photo by www.liz-and-stuart.co.uk Photo by www.liz-and-stuart.co.uk

www.caerllan.co.uk www.caerllan.co.uk

01600 860359 | info@caerllan.co.uk 01600 860359 | info@caerllan.co.uk

Capturing the essence of the day

anthonycrothers.com

acrothersphoto@gmail.com crothersphotography

MELANIE GRIFFITHS

Beyond Expectations tel

07587 185936

facebook

tr ans cend ingex p ectatio ns

instagram

transcend ing.ex p ectation s

fun GIRLS JUST WANT TO HAVE

REGIONAL SHOOT

This styled shoot at Manor Park Country House is all about spending time with your best friends Images courtesy of Nadine Williams Photography

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tacey Williams from Bridal Braids tells us her inspiration for this styled shoot: “I’m a huge fan of the TV show Friends and one of my favourite moments is when Rachel, Monica and Phoebe are sat together in their wedding dresses. I love how it embodies the special bond that you have with your friends, and it was my main inspiration for the shoot. I have a few friends in the industry that are just starting up, so I got in touch with them to see if they wanted to be involved. From there, we contacted a few family members who we knew would be comfortable to model for us and agreed on a date. The day was full of fun and laughter, and we were really happy with the outcome.”

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REGIONAL SHOOT

CONTRIBUTORS TO THE SHOOT Venue, Manor Park Country House, www.manorparkcountryhouse.co.uk | Photographer, Nadine Williams Photography, www.nadinneewills.wixsite.com/mysite-1 | Dresses, Samantha K’s, www.samanthaks.co.uk | Hair stylist, Bridal Braids, www.facebook.com/bridal_braids-102187871850140 | Make-up artist, JH Beauty, https://jh-beauty-makeup-artist.ueniweb.com | Flowers, Blwm Flowers, www.blwm.co.uk 63

Chepstow based bus operator with a beautiful fleet of classic buses available for hire. All our vehicles are lovingly restored to ensure they are in the best condition. With us, you are guaranteed a journey filled with fun, excitement and nostalgia.

WWW.BRECONBRIDAL .COM www.chepstow-classic-buses.co.uk t: 01291 625 449 e: chepstowclassic@btconnect.com

E: breconbridalboutique@gmail.com T: 01874 622525 breconbridalboutique

breconbridal

Ceir y Cardi offer modern and vintage Wedding transport across West Wales.

We have a selection of beautiful cars ranging from 2 Vintage Wedding Cars, VW Split Screen Camper, Ford Escort MK1 RS 2000, Lamborghini Huracán, 8 Seat Mini Bus, Shire horses and carriage, Bridesmaid’s bus seating up to 7 Bridesmaids with leather captains seating, and many more!

NEW for 2021 - We have 2 brand new Range Rover Sports (His & Hers) in white. These can be booked individually or as a package!

We are based just outside Aberaeron, and you are more than welcome to come and view the cars in our new purpose-built heated garage.

Visit our website to see all the cars we have to offer - you will certainly arrive in style on your Wedding Day.

www.ceirycardi.co.uk 07967 570246 contact@ceirycardi.co.uk

TRANSPORT

Your carriage awaits Fun transport options

O

n your big day, all eyes will be on you, so why not impress your guests with wow-factor transport? Whether you’re looking for something traditional, fun or quirky, our wonderful region has something to suit!

Chepstow Classic Buses is a small transport business based in Chepstow. The company specialises in the restoration, preservation and hire of classic and vintage buses.

“The objective of our business is to provide a reliable service for our customers,” says Louise Wyatt. “On your special day, everything is planned down to the finest detail, so why not let us take one thing off your mind and organise how your guests will arrive in style? Our fleet of wedding buses look amazing in wedding photos and your guests are guaranteed to love them.

We pride ourselves on providing outstanding end-to-end service to all our customers and take extra care to ensure we meet all your expectations. Rest assured, our buses are all fully licensed and our drivers are well qualified.”

Couples can book the following: ❤ 1951 Bristol L Coach ❤ 1953 Leyland PD2 Double Decker ❤ 1967 Leyland PD3 Double Decker ❤ 1950’s Bristol Double Decker ❤ 1964 Bristol Open Top Double Decker ❤ 1977 Bristol Open Top Double Decker Website: www.chepstow-classic-buses.co.uk Phone: 01291 625 449 Email: chepstowclassic@btconnect.com

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www.clicproductions.co.uk

Ceir y Cardi offers deluxe wedding cars across West Wales. Based just outside of Aberaeron, the company has a range of vehicles that are available to view in their new purpose-built heated garage.

The team have added two white His & Hers Range Rover Sports to their impressive wedding collection. These stunning cars have a white leather interior and adjustable air suspension for easy exit and entry. Both are available to hire individually or as part of a package.

The owner, Euryd Jones, tells us more about the company: “We pride ourselves on the cars we offer and that all our packages come with personalised ribbons, champagne and the couple’s favourite music. As a family-run business, the cars are looked after by myself and my son, Dylan, who is the owner of an award-winning video production company, Cynhyrchiad CLIC Productions, and my daughter, Lia, who owns Pinco Beauty Salon. We offer transport, videography and makeup and if all three are booked, then we also apply a discount.”

Couples can book the following: ❤ 1977 Beauford ❤ Lamborghini Huracán ❤ Ford Model 8 ❤ A luxury minibus ❤ Ford Escort MK1 RS2000 ❤ Lancia Stratos Rally Car ❤ Volkswagen Golf GTI Convertible ❤ Volkswagen Beetle Convertible ❤ Karmann Ghia Convertible ❤ Rolls Royce Bambino ❤ Range Rover Sports

www.clicproductions.co.uk

Website: www.ceirycardi.co.uk Phone: 07967 570 246 Email: contact@ceirycardi.co.uk

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TRANSPORT

OUR TOP TIPS ❤ Your wedding will pass by in a flash by which point you could well finish the day realising you’ve barely seen each other! A little alone time as you journey from ceremony to celebrations will be something you’ll cherish.

Even if your big day is happening all in one location, ask your transport provider if they can factor in a short excursion for the both of you, postceremony. Take your photographer and you can also capture some great couple shots. ❤ Most transport suppliers have a few vehicles and make it their policy to book only one wedding per day, so that they’re all yours and you’re not clock watching. This does mean that they’ll get booked up well in advance, so start looking early to avoid disappointment. ❤ Be prepared! Make sure umbrellas are on board if it rains. We love those shots of brides exiting elegant cars under cover or a brolly held by a sharply dressed chauffeur. It’s so Downton Abbey! ❤ Look for transport suppliers that offer chauffeurs dressed in full super-smart attire – an extra way to bring an element of elegance and grandeur to your big day. ❤ Carefully consider how long it will take to get from A to B. Just because your own car can make the trip in 10 minutes, doesn’t mean a horse and carriage or vintage car will. These modes of transport will be restricted on speed and may need to take an alternative, longer route. Also, check on the radius your supplier covers. ❤ One thing to bear in mind when opting for vintage vehicles is the reliability.

The last thing you want on your wedding day is to break down on your way to the ceremony. Find a reputable supplier, and don’t be afraid to ask questions about how they look after their vehicles. ❤ Check with your supplier what’s included in the price quoted, as some will charge extra to wait for photos, whereas others will offer this as part of the service. You don’t want any nasty surprises to mess with your W-day schedule, so it’s always best to make sure. ❤ Is your vehicle kitted out for its VIP passengers? A bottle of bubbly and some glasses to toast your commitment is definitely in order.

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BLACK

MOUNTAIN

Wild and Fabulous Flowers

,{I, BR,ITISH

it CANOEING

STAG & HEN PARTIES THE ULTl MATE ADVENTURE IN WALES!

Gorge Adventure - High Level Ropes & Zip Wire Clay Pigeon Shooting - Canoeing - Archery Rock Climbing - Caving - Paddle Boarding & Many More!

SPECIALISTS IN WEDDINGS, EVENTS & BESPOKE BOUQUETS. We create natural florals with an emphasis on using local flowers in a sustainable way. We also host floral workshops and flower crown parties.

www.wildandfabulousflowers.com wildandfabulousflowers@gmail.com

FULL DAYS COVERAGE £595 CEREMONY COVERAGE JUST £295 No catch just beautiful honest photography REQUEST A QUOTE AND BE IN WITH A CHANCE TO WIN YOUR WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY FREE OF CHARGE WWW.EMOTIONPICTURE.CO.UK 07928409030 OR FIND US ON FACEBOOK CONTACT US FOR AVAILABILITY AND A FREE QUOTE

WWW.BLACKMOUNTAIN.CO.UK

REGIONAL SHOOT

Classic

ELEGANCE

Full of inspiration, this summery styled shoot at Llandough Castle Garden Weddings was put together by a team of talented suppliers Images courtesy of Michelle Huggleston Photography

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REGIONAL SHOOT

THE DREAM TEAM Venue, Llandough Castle Garden Weddings, www.llandoughcastle.co.uk | Photographer, Michelle Huggleston Photography, www.michellehuggleston.com | Organiser and bar, Bars of Distinction, www.barsofdistinction.com | Hair and make-up artist, Janet White-Ashby & Co., www.janetwhiteashby.co.uk | Dresses, Laura May Bridal, www.lauramaybridal.co.uk | Suits, Nathan Palmer, www.nathanpalmer.co.uk | Flowers, Wild and Fabulous Flowers, www.instagram.com/wild.and.fabulous.flowers | Cake, Isabel Bakes, www.instagram.com/isabel__bakes | Models, Emma and Nathan 71

With this ring

With more couples choosing their engagement ring together after the proposal, new unisex fine jewellery brand SAM HAM has launched, offering pieces that intertwine traditional notions of masculinity and femininity including this platinum engagement ring, £2,820.

To shop, visit www.samhamdesign.com

focus

FASHION Fashion editor Claire Ridley reveals the latest bridal news, buys and launches

Editor loves

Editor’s favourite

Gift your bridal party these on-trend rainbow earrings, £35, and necklace, £59, from www.beaverbrooks.co.uk

Lilac is trending this season and this jewelled headpiece, £115, combines this fashionable shade, that’s ideal for weddings, with pretty-in-pink tones.

To shop, visit www.pretty-magpie.com

WHAT LIES BENEATH

Check out sustainable brand Nood for adhesive bras that are designed to suit every skin tone and support all breast shapes and sizes, perfect for occasion dresses at summer weddings, https://lovenood.co.uk

Scan to view video

SHOE CANDY

The new bridal collection of hand-crafted shoes from Charlotte Mills features flats and mid-heel heights, as well as high block heels and includes this Kim Pearl style (left) and Henrietta Pearl design, both £295. Each pair of shoes has an original silver sixpence inside and inscribed on the bottom of each sole is ‘something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue and a silver sixpence in her shoe.’

To shop, visit https://charlottemills.com 72

Editor’s favourite

Orelia London has launched the Pearlitude, Rose Gold and Personalised jewellery collections this season with statement styles embellished with crystals and ornate pearls. Inspired by nostalgia, the Pearlitude collection, pictured, modernises traditional vintage dressing by encrusting delicate pearls within chunky chains and braided gold metal tones with prices starting from just £12.

To shop, visit www.orelia.co.uk

The finer details FASHION

Whether one-shoulder, illusion styles, off-the-shoulder or barely there, this season’s wedding dresses are boasting statement straps that will never go out of fashion

www.mirkabridal.com 73

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https://loveandlibertybridal.com

www.whistles.com

www.quizclothing.co.uk/quiz-bridal

www.bowendryden.co.uk

https://jennypackham.com

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FASHION Scan to view video

www.rosaclara.es/en-gb

www.truebride.co.uk

www.lolatara.com

www.thereformation.com 75

www.sabinamotasem.com

www.sanyuktashrestha.com

www.temperleylondon.com

www.verawangbride.com

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FASHION

www.watters.com

Willowby by www.watters.com

w.too by www.watters.com

https://rowleyhesselballe.com 77

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Ombre court shoes, £80, Aldo at www.shoeaholics.com

Statement necklace, £265, www.tattydevine.com Orange straw hat, £18, www.isawitfirst.com

HONEYMOON

lust-haves

Scan to view video

These bright and bold pieces are suitcase essentials Givenchy GV pink sunglasses, £205, www.watchpilot.co.uk

Bikinis and swimsuit, from a selection, www.roxy-uk.co.uk

Rainbow halterneck silk dress, £299, www.whistles.com

Pastel padded headbands, £50 each, www.pretty-magpie.com Raffia heart earrings, £12.50, raffia fan earrings, £10, www.next.co.uk

Palm-print flip flops, £30, www.havaianas-store.com Blue and white printed bikini top, £130, bottoms, £110, www.heidiklein.com

White trainers, £65, www.vionicshoes.co.uk Slogan straw bag, £35, www.next.co.uk

Sterling silver bracelet, £55, pink metallic heart charm, £30, https://uk.pandora.net/en

Colour-block control swimsuit, £39, www.pourmoi.co.uk 78

FASHION

CITY girl

New wedding start-up business P.S. Bridal, a styling platform by celebrity stylists has collaborated with a team of talented suppliers to create this fashionable shoot Images courtesy of Divine Day Photography

Dress, & For Love at www.thefallbride.com; earrings, Anamone at https://morgandaviesbridal.co.uk 79

https://zachandgrace.co.uk

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Dress, www.theownstudio.com; earrings, https://parisienne.nl; shoes, www.malonesouliers.com Dress, www.theownstudio.com; earrings, https://parisienne.nl

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Dress, Kamperett at www.thefallbride.com; earrings, https://parisienne.nl

Dress, Kamperett at www.thefallbride.com; earrings, https://parisienne.nl; shoes, www.emmylondon.com

FASHION

Dress, www.theownstudio.com; earrings, https://parisienne.nl

Dress, www.theownstudio.com; earrings, https://parisienne.nl; shoes, www.malonesouliers.com

Dress, Alon Livne at https://morgandaviesbridal.co.uk; earrings, www.phoebewalshjewellery.com

THE DREAM TEAM

Dress, https://bonbride.com, earrings, www.phoebewalshjewellery.com; shoes, www.emmylondon.com

Dress, Alon Livne at https://morgandaviesbridal.co.uk; earrings, www.phoebewalshjewellery.com

Photography, @divinedayphotography Styling, P.S Bridal, @psbridalstyling Videography, @zachandgrace.co Venue, @wildbytart Model, @graobe_noelle at https://lindenstaub.com Wedding Planner, @by.emilyalice Tableware, @maisonmargauxltd Stationery, @daisydamaris.designs Flowers, @nudo.blooms Hair and make-up artist, @ausra.ruk 81

RECHARGE YOUR SKIN

001 Skincare’s Active Marine Collagen Serum is designed to answer all your dull skin prayers, treating your complexion from the inside out. Infused with marine algae to boost collagen and plump from within, a healthy helping of antioxidants brightens and refines while promoting collagen production and strengthening the skin’s hydro-lipidic barrier. It’s also enriched with raspberry, green tea and citrus actives to reduce dullness. £85, available at www.001skincare.com

Beauty

Beauty editor Kelly Andrews rounds up the latest must-haves

BUZZ

BAD-ASS BEAUTY

Born in the U.S. In 2017, Deck of Scarlet’s mission is to push boundaries with vegan formulas, vivid colours, innovative textures and unprecedented finishes. The brand likes to think of itself as a rebel with a cause.

Now, Deck of Scarlet is launching in the UK with its signature range including the Threeway Solid Lip Oil (£25), Metal Leaf Shadow Pot (£22) and Dual Drama Liquid Liner (£25).

Available at www.deckofscarlet.com

BLUSHING BRIDE

Cream blush has seen a surge in popularity of late, probably because of its subtle glow and ability to brighten up the complexion. ICONIC London’s Sheer Blush melts into the skin, giving cheeks a beautiful veil of soft-focus colour. The gel-to-watercolour formula puts you in full control, and it’s a dream to build and blend leaving cheeks sculpted and lifted.

Big-day beauty at its best! £21, www.iconiclondoninc.com 82

BUILDING BLOCKS

Introducing The Elements, a new beauty brand on the block that combines science with nature to create specialist skincare formulations. Based on the periodic table of elements, the range has been formulated with a combination of results-driven active ingredients and trend-led extracts. Each element is portrayed clearly on the front of the pack, allowing for straight forward, fuss-free regime building.

The start of the brand’s skincare story, born during the pandemic when skin was at its most stressed, is the Clear Skin collection, made up of seven products including Deep Pore Cleanser (£8), Purifying Detox Mask (£8) and Pore Refining Serum (£10).

Available at www.the-elements.co.uk

LASH LOVE

Helping lashes to stand out from the crowd is Mavala’s best-selling Double Lash treatment.

This award-winning overnight serum uses a new and improved clinically proven formula to increase eyelash retention and growth for fuller, longer and healthier lashes in around 30 days.

Designed to use much like a hair conditioner, the treatment revitalises and repairs lashes, preventing breakage and nourishing from root to tip. It even extends the lashes’ natural 28-day cycle to 36 days. Who needs falsies? £17.50, www.boots.com

BEAUTY NEWS

FULL BLAST

There are plenty of hair products out there offering volume and texture, but the problem with these is that they’re formulated with typical texturising ingredients that weigh strands down. What’s more, fine hair in particular comes with its own challenges as it can’t hang on to the added body boost. So, Living Proof decided to step up to the plate and create its new Full Dry Volume & Texture Spay that not only does what it says on the can but also provides flexible hold for even more style-staying power. Perfect for the ultimate bridal updo – use it as your braid aid, messy bun hero or bouncy blowout finisher. £28, available at www.lookfantastic.com

POST-VACAY COMPLEXION

Nail the latest must-have complexion trend, faux freckles with Lottie London Freckle Tint. This favourite hack is now available in a new shade: Deep. This easy-to-apply temporary skin tint adds instant radiance to any look, just dot onto the face and blend in before setting with your favourite powder. £6.95, https://lottie.london

HERE COMES THE SUN

We all know that too much sun is damaging to the skin, so to ensure yours is on point for W-day it’s important to protect it. Dr. Hauschka’s new Tinted Face Sun Cream SPF 30 gives the face a radiantly fresh, sun-kissed glow and supports the skin’s natural defences. Using mineral UV filters that act like a mirror, it protects against the force of UV radiation and prevents light-induced skin ageing. This daytime companion is water resistant too and boasts a rich texture to gently pamper. £34, available at www.drhauschka.co.uk

LOVE IS IN THE AIR

Furla continues its fragrance journey with Autentica Eau De Parfum, a beautifully romantic scent. The vibrancy of Italian mandarin together with raspberry and pear create an irresistible opening, while the softness of cherry blossom mingles with the slight spiciness of peony and freshness of lily of the valley. Then comes the secret of Autentica’s character in its base notes of patchouli, musk and cashmere wood creating a comforting sensation. £35 for 30ml, £49 for 50ml, £72 for 100ml, available at www.fenwick.co.uk

HABIT FORMING

Scan to view video

EYES ON THE PRIZE

Let your eyes do the talking on your big day with Lash Star’s Full Control Lash Sculpting Mascara (£30) and the portable 3-in-1 Heated Lash Curler (£32).

Designed for pretty, perfectly sculpted lashes, the double-ended mascara boosts volume by up to 4,100% using its two formulas and brushes. Meanwhile, the innovative heated curler lifts and styles your lashes into place with gentle heat, helping to lock in that lift for longer-lasting results. Since I’ve added it to my routine, I haven’t looked back.

Available at www.lashstarbeauty.com

Revolutionary U.S. skincare brand goodhabit has recently launched in the UK with a range of products that have effective, naturederived ingredients at their core.

Each is created with the same goal of achieving radiant, glowing, healthy skin every day. The best news is you’ll never find microbeads, nonoparticles, parabens or phthalates in goodhabit’s formulas or any harmful ingredients at all for that matter.

I love Clean Scene Micellar Gel. A rinse-free gel it whisks away both waterproof and long-wearing formulas as well as dirt, excess oil and impurities without stripping your skin of essential moisture. Gentle enough to use on your entire face, even eyes and lips, it’s also powerful enough to deliver a clean finish in a single swipe. £24, www.goodhabitskin.com 83

Haircare challenge

COLOURED AND FRIZZY Michael Van Clarke LifeSaver UV Leave-in Styling Treatment (£24.50), www.vanclarke.com “My hair was is much need of attention so, with a summer holiday around the corner I jumped at the chance to review this leave-in styling treatment with UV colour protection. It really does do what it says on the bottle, rebuilding the strands for healthier-looking, glossy hair. I've used it every day for four days and can already see such a difference, the frizz is smoother, and my hair looks more wavy than unruly!

It's become my new haircare essential.”

– Claire Ridley

impress

TRESSES TO Whatever challenges your hair throws at you, there’s a product to help you conquer all and we’ve put some of them to the test

Haircare challenge

THICK AND UNRULY Viva La Moisture Shampoo (£19.99), www.salon64products.co.uk “This shampoo uses only natural, cruelty-free ingredients to help hydrate tired locks. Finding a product that works for me is quite a challenge, but after a few uses, I noticed that my stubborn mane didn’t feel as knotted and looked healthier. I’ve even received a few compliments since using it.”

– Melissa Barker

Haircare challenge

DULL AND FINE OGX Frizz Free + Keratin Smoothing Oil Shampoo (£5.32) and Conditioner (£5.32), www.superdrug.com “The smell of this shampoo is what does it for me, the scent lasts for days and the products leave a fantastic shine. Enriched with keratin oil, the strengthening formulas tend to brittle hair damaged by excessive heat, chemical processes or general wear and tear, so it’s perfect for the summer months ahead. A lovely product to use.” – Rachel Westall

Haircare challenge

DRY WITH SPLIT ENDS Christophe Robin Regenerating Mask with Prickly Pear Oil (£50), and Christophe Robin Regenerating Shampoo with Prickly Pear Oil (£31), www.christopherobin.co.uk “This regenerating duo, infused with prickly pear oil, smells fantastic. After just one use, the nourishing formulas have transformed my hair, leaving behind a shiny finish with less frizz – hallelujah! The mask worked wonders for me, and I love how you only need to wait five minutes for it to work its magic – I can be very impatient sometimes. All in all, I would highly recommend it!” – Olivia Gibson

Haircare challenge

FINE HAIR LACKING VOLUME Grow Gorgeous Volume Duo (£27), www.growgorgeous.co.uk “After rinsing the products out, my hair was left intensely soft and smooth, and instantly felt like it had more body, even when soaking wet – the Grow Gorgeous Volume Conditioner is the detangler my dreams are made of! I was careful to take my time blow drying, section by section with a barrel brush and was amazed to see that my lifeless, flat hair looked double the thickness and had a bounce to it. I genuinely cannot wait to continue using.” – Beth Morton 84

Haircare challenge

DRY AND DAMAGED Naturecan CBD Infused Coconut Shampoo (£16.99) and Conditioner (£16.99), https://uk.naturecan.com “I won’t lie, I’m a bit dubious about products containing CBD as I’ve tried moisturisers with it and honestly can’t tell the difference. However, this shampoo and conditioner surpassed my expectations tenfold.

It left my dry and damaged hair looking healthy and glossy after just one wash. I actually said ‘oh my gosh look at my hair!’ as I swished it like I was in a TV advert, and the coconut scent is divine! Tip: you really do have to ‘thoroughly’ massage it into your hair and scalp as directed to get it to lather up.”

– Danielle Harvey

Hair & Make-up

by Maya Jasinska HMUA

I love everything about doing a wedding from the first conversation with the bride to the morning of the wedding, even after the wedding.

I try my best to make sure my bride is relaxed and stress-free about her hair all the way up to the wedding and especially the wedding day. Nothing makes me happier than knowing I have a happy, relaxed and comfortable bride I love being a part of their special morning and making them feel special.

facebook.com/ staceyatnewimage

stacey.jaynewilliams@hotmail.com 01639844503

British Hair & Beauty Awards 2021 Bridal Hair Specialist

www.loxushairandmakeup.com tel. 07886970296 www.instagram.com/LOXUSHairandMakeup

G O L D A WA R D W I N N E R

At Jarvis & Co. we make nature inspired wedding jewellery for the alternative bride, we cast twigs and leaves collected from memorable locations and turn them into Sterling Silver and gold jewellery encrusted with beautiful Sapphires and Diamonds.

Stand out with one of our White gold Oak twigs with Australian Sapphire engagement ring.

Handcrafted wedding decor & accessories for free spirited, modern brides

Click on the link and get in touch for further information regarding our Wedding Jewellery.

Modular hire-to-keep macramé backdrop packages mean you get to keep a little of your day in your home to cherish forever!

w w w. b ethanj a r vi sj ewe l l e r y.com

Call today - 07872 970968 @hookedincotton www.hookedincotton.co.uk

admin@bethanjarvisjewellery.com

07581 202 910

Beauty

www.nadinneewills.wixsite.com/mysite-1

Q&A Local experts offer advice on how to look your big-day best

HAIR CARE HERO I have short, curly hair and am not sure how to style it for the big day. Do you have any suggestions?

You could embrace your natural curls by scrunching the hair with good products and doing a half up and half down style. Pin some loose tousled pieces off your face while leaving the remaining pieces curly.

Alternatively, you could smooth some of your locks out to create a more relaxed style. This can be done by straightening certain areas.

Depending on the length of your hair you could create a loose up do.

This can be high or low depending on the length you have to work with.

The key to controlling curly tresses is quality products. Some of my favourites are: Goldwell Curl Cream – This is great for enhancing natural curls and

bringing them to life.

Affinage Kitoko Oil – An intense nourishing oil for all hair types, leaving your locks soft and silky but not greasy.

Bed Head Let’s Party Serum – One of my favourite serums for up dos, it smooths cuticles to tame flyaway hair.

Milkshake 12 Effects Serum – An intensive treatment, with an amazing 12 effects, including heat defence and UV protection.

Osis Hairspray – A great product that’s fast-drying and non-sticky, so it’s easy to brush out.

Stacey Williams Hair stylist www.facebook.com/bridal_braids-102187871850140

SUMMER LOVING

Deciding whether your hair should be up or down comes down to the neckline of your wedding dress. If you’re wearing a strapless gown, have your locks down or half up in beach waves or curls. This will look pretty and feminine while showing off the gown’s neckline.

An up do is ideal if you’re worried about being hot throughout the day. Tendrils will make the style soft and romantic and cooler on the nape of the neck.

Popular styles this summer include both high and sleek low ponytails.

These enhance dresses that are off-the-shoulder.

Your make-up should enhance your features, adding a natural glow that will last all day long. A bright sunny day brings out the colour on make-up applications and should be applied accordingly, as you do not want to look overly done.

Preparation of the skin before the make-up is applied is very important to make it last, look for moisturiser (hydration) and a lasting foundation, set with a light powder, especially over the T zone areas.

Primers are applied to the eyes, so your eyeshadow does not crease, and smudge-proof or waterproof eyeliners and mascaras should be used, as they do not melt in the heat.

Add a light flush of blusher, highlighter to the cheeks and a natural lip 86

www.michellehuggleston.com

What hair and make-up styles should I consider for my summer wedding?

colour that goes well in the summer months, again nothing too bright.

Finally, your look should be finished with a setting spray.

Janet E White-Ashby Hair and make-up artist www.janetwhiteashby.co.uk

07881456815 / Katielou.davo@hotmail.com @katetlanceygowerglow

07876104065 / Sarahmariehair@hotmail.co.uk @sarah_marie_hair

Kathryn Kift Makeup Artist

k.kift@hotmail.com | 07983978161 |

@kathrynkiftmakeupartist |

Kathryn Kift Makeup Artist

WIN

T

A TWO-NIGHT STAY IN THE LAKE DISTRICT WORTH £1,500!

he Belsfield Hotel is a four-star luxury boutique hotel located on the shores of Lake Windermere in the resort town of Bowness-onWindermere in the Lake District. The hotel sits amongst six acres of landscaped gardens with unrivalled views over England’s largest lake.

The Grade II listed hotel boasts 62 bedrooms, including 25 lake view rooms overlooking the breathtaking scenery, featuring designer fabrics and elegant furnishings and accessories including four-poster beds with luxury Egyptian cotton sheets and bathrooms with roll-top baths and underfloor heating.

The hotel is also home to the fine dining Belsfield Restaurant, the Brasserie, Lounge Bar, Garden Terrace, Drawing Room and Library, where guests can enjoy cocktails and afternoon tea.

With panoramic views over an area of outstanding natural beauty, The Belsfield is an idyllic wedding venue. Inside, each room offers classic British glamour with beautiful designer fabrics and elegant furnishings and accessories.

From the moment guests enter the hotel’s striking all-glass reception,

with a spectacular view of Lake Windermere, to enjoying a Champagne reception on the terrace and a sumptuous wedding breakfast, all meticulously planned by The Belsfield’s dedicated team, they will be swept away by the attention to detail of an unforgettable day. The Belsfield Hotel offers a number of flexible wedding packages including the ‘Completely Perfect’ and ‘Exclusively Yours’ packages priced from £12,995.

For more information visit https://thebelsfieldhotel.com

THE PRIZE: County Wedding Magazines has teamed up with The Belsfield Hotel, to give readers the chance to win a two-night stay in a Lake View with breakfast both mornings, dinner for two on the first night of the stay and afternoon tea for two on the second day of the stay.

TO ENTER:Answer the following question via our website.

Q: Which famous lake does the hotel overlook?

Closing date 4th August, 2022. Terms and conditions apply. Please see our website for details.

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GROOMS’ NEWS

W7’s new range of skincare and grooming products is made for the modern man at an affordable price. The W7 Mister Beard Oil is a light and fresh formula that acts as a leave-in conditioner for your beard, and the Mister Post Shave Lotion soothes and refreshes the skin after a daily shave.

There’s also the Hair & Body Wash, a quick and easy 2-in-1 for the hair and body, the Mister Deodorant Spray which will keep you smelling fresh throughout the day, the Mister Antiperspirant Deodorant Stick and a Shaving Gel which is a soft and smooth gel formula containing antibacterial properties to support the combat of acne and spots.

The full W7 Mister Range can be found at www.w7makeup.co.uk

Grooms’ NEWS Grooms editor Melissa Barker reveals the latest best buys and product launches

Favourbrook has announced its spring/ summer 2022 menswear collection titled Incomparable Classics. This season Favourbrook have incorporated vibrant new patterns to elevate the classic, timeless silhouettes of men’s formalwear.

The morning coats are available in a variety of luxury fabrics, from recycled cashmere to fine merino wool. Designed and constructed in London, these designs are the ultimate expression of sartorial formality, available in black, charcoal and now navy blue.

Evening-wear features an abundance of sumptuous fabrics from rich velvet to luxurious silks and linens, cut in a variety of elegant silhouettes, including dinner jackets, smoking jackets and Nehru jackets.

To see the full collection, visit www.favourbrook.com The new Lovers Collection from Fragrance Du Bois is made up of sophisticated yet seductive scents designed for both him and her. Cavort is an alluring and intriguing blend of saffron, cinnamon, geranium and davana, whilst Secret Tryst is a scent composed of citrus, cedarwood, jasmine, frankincense and rose.

Fragrance Du Bois perfumes are designed to take you on a voyage of sensory delight and transport you to another realm. New launches are delivered in bespoke crystal glass bottles, which feature a sculpted shape, embossed logo on the rear and a 3D logo effect behind the label.

Both scents are available to buy at www.fragrancedubois.com

The winter 2021 collection from menswear label Brown Bear is now available. Starting almost three decades ago in Germany, the brand is committed to creating high-quality products from leather, with the finest craftsmanship and classic designs. Brown Bear presents a wide selection of premium leather wallets, bags, and other small accessories that would make excellent gifts for the groom-to-be.

To see more, visit www.brownbear.in

Timex Watches have released the new Q Timex 1972 Reissue. This archival quartz watch delivers boldness from every angle, boasting a goldtone tonneau case profile with an all-around polished finish.

There are dimensional floating hour markers that hover above the striking-red dial, a period-perfect domed acrylic crystal on top and a coin-slot battery hatch underneath.

The Q Timex 1972 Reissue is available at www.timex.co.uk 89

e t e l p com ME

HUE

Pastel hues are a popular trend for spring and summer nuptials

Sky Evering Linen Newport Jacket £620, Windsor Trousers £240, Double Breasted Waistcoat £280, Gatsby Shirt £120, Silk Tie £75. Visit www.favourbrook.com 90

GROOMS’ FASHION Dune London Silas Beige Shoes, £100, www.dunelondon.com

Fox & Chave Kandinsky Grey Squares Tie, £35, www.foxandchave.com Ted Baker Lilac Sateen Slim Fit Shirt, £35, www.suitdirect.co.uk

TK Maxx Men’s Pink Suit Trousers, £9.99, www.tkmaxx.com

Moss 1851 Tailored Fit Green Linen Suit Jacket, £159, www.moss.co.uk Slim Fit Moss London Sky Blue Suit Trousers, £50, www.moss.co.uk

Slim Fit Moss London Mink Suit Jacket, £99, www.moss.co.uk

Heating & Plumbing London Luxury Lounge Socks In Alpaca – Light Blue, £25.75, www.heating-and-plumbing.com

Flamingo Dried Flower Buttonhole by Mary Elizabeth Flowers, £16, www.maryelizabethflowers.co.uk 91

s w e N

HONEYMOON Travel editor Melissa Barker reveals new openings and honeymoon essentials

FRENCH ALPS

Val d’Isère, known for its high-altitude and impressive snowfall, has introduced a plethora of exclusive wellness activities this upcoming season, as well as the return of some old favourites.

From ice floating on Ouillette Lake, snowga in the fresh mountain air, fitness walks in the protected Manchet Valley, to the opening of the new Sisley spa in the Barmes de l’Ours Relais & Châteaux, there’s plenty of activities on offer for those looking to take their wellbeing to the next level. After a full day on the slopes, nothing beats a long soak in the swimming pool under a starlit sky or a relaxation session in the Jacuzzi, sauna, or steam room.

Discover more at www.valdisere.com/en

ANTARCTICA AND RWANDA

Wilderness Safaris and White Desert have come together to design an adventure-packed itinerary featuring the best of Africa and Antarctica.

Set to take place in January 2023, the companies’ shared guests will enjoy the most awe-inspiring experiences, hand-crafted to highlight the best of Wilderness Safaris and White Desert’s offerings.

Ice & Fire is a 20-day journey where couples will discover the highlights of Cape Town, Antarctica, and Rwanda. During their stay, tourists will have exclusive access to observe over 14 000 breeding pairs of penguins and their weeks-old chicks. Additionally, guests will embark on an overnight excursion by plane to the South Pole, which is visited by fewer than 800 people each year. Other activities include trekking through ice waves, exploring crystal caves, biking, and cross country skiing, while accompanied by highly qualified and knowledgeable White Desert guides. Couples will then head to Cape Town for three nights to regroup and relax. Observe the highly entertaining golden monkey population in the park, plant trees to help reforestation and connect with the local community. Couples will be guided through Rwanda by a private Wilderness specialist photographic guide.

For more information, visit www.wilderness-safaris.com and www.white-desert.com 92

SOUTH AFRICA

Mantis, a conservation-focused hospitality group with luxury properties located across the globe, has announced the opening of the Founders Railway Carriage at Mantis Founders Lodge in South Africa. Originally built in the 1970s, the carriage is permanently stationed at the top of a hill within Mantis’ private concession. Ideal for honeymoons, the railway carriage features indoor and outdoor dining, lounge areas, and an expansive deck with a private swimming pool. The newly-built Honeymoon Pod was designed to be an escape for couples. Perched above the central lodge, the suite offers unobstructed views of the valley.

Romantic services can be arranged including intimate dinners for two and picnics overlooking the waterhole with amazing game drives to view the big five.

The railway carriage belongs to conservation pioneer and Mantis founder and chairman, Adrian Gardiner, who tells us: “In 1990 I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to buy a train carriage which I converted into a first-class coach, and I managed to come to an agreement with the railways which enabled me to attach the carriage to the regular passenger services. It has long been my dream to bring the carriage to its very own station. Now others can enjoy it and create their very own personalised holiday adventures for generations to come while experiencing the excitement of sleeping on board a railway carriage.”

To find out more, visit www.mantiscollection.com

HONEYMOON NEWS

SANTORINI

Nobu Hotel and Restaurant is a new property in Santorini that will open its doors in spring 2022. The restaurant houses a gastronomic experience, serving signature Japanese-Peruvian fusion cuisine, and the signature twolevel infinity pool offers unobstructed views of the island’s famed sunset.

The luxurious rooms and villas with private pools become a haven, offering panoramic views of the impressive Caldera and the Aegean Sea. The gym, along with the fully-equipped spa room, encapsulates an oasis of wellness.

Dimos Stasinopoulos, the CEO and founder of Epoque Collection, tells us: “We’re beyond excited to have an active role in the creation of the first Nobu Hotel and Restaurant in Greece, on the island of Santorini. Our cooperation with MonteRock International, a group with an international presence in the business and hospitality sector, guarantees that this project carves a new path in the way boutique hotels are perceived domestically.

Hotels will not only be singled out due to brand’s name but also for its design, location, landscape, and service.”

Check out www.nobuhotels.com for more information.

SICILY

ATHENS

Xenodocheio Milos, located in downtown Athens opposite Old Parliament, an area bursting with history, art and cuisine, opened in January 2022.

Elegant and refined, this authentic culinary hotel experience is the very first luxury boutique hotel of the world-renowned Greek restaurant Estiatorio Milos.

Offering some of the world’s finest Mediterranean dishes from acclaimed founder and chef executive Costas Spiliadis, the hotel brings a symbol of iconic simplicity to life through divine gastronomy. With 43 beautiful rooms and suites, guests will experience an Athenian home away from home.

Choose between charming classic rooms to luxuriously designed onebedroom suites with large outdoor sunny terraces and Jacuzzis overlooking Old Parliament Square and Lycabettus Hill. Unwind in the heart of the city, and enjoy a selection of blissful and rejuvenating wellness experiences from rooftop yoga to pilates in the boutique gym.

Visit www.xenodocheiomilos.com for more information.

Launching in April 2022 for its first full season, Il San Corrado di Noto is a boutique resort in Val di Noto, Sicily. Once an ancient Masseria owned by Prince Nicolaci, the property has been thoughtfully converted into an idyllic, all-suite retreat, following a meticulous three-year transformation. Located just outside Noto, featuring 26 suites and eight pool villas, the hotel offers an abundance of space and privacy, paired with exceptional service and destination expertise, promising an authentic and personalised experience.

Surrounded by ancient citrus and olive groves that were carefully protected during the property’s restoration, Il San Corrado di Noto is defined by its serene location, discreet service, and focus on heritage and wellbeing. The resort is home to two swimming pools, including an expansive 100m long heated pool, one of Sicily’s largest, as well as spa, a fitness suite and a tennis court. The resort also operates a private beach club in the summer months, which is located a short drive from the property, accessible via a complimentary shuttle service.

Find out more at www.ilsancorradodinoto.com

THE COTSWOLDS

Stay One Degree has announced a collaborative experience with Mandarin Oriental. Guests can retreat to a beautiful Georgian-inspired 600 acre estate in the Cotswolds countryside with award-winning spa services. There are two and threenight itineraries available with a range of tailored wellness programmes focusing on mindfulness, relaxation, professional performance optimisation or spiritual healing, all using wellness experts from Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, London. A private chef will provide nutritious and bespoke menus depending on guest preferences.

Additional local activities can be arranged, including wild swimming, private cooking, local market tours and clay pigeon shooting.

Thomas Bennett, the CEO and co-founder of Stay One Degree, said: “We’re very excited to be collaborating once again with Mandarin Oriental to create this wellness retreat. Perfect for couples and families alike, it combines the charm and tranquility of the English countryside with a five-star, hotel-inspired wellness experience.”

Head over to www.stayonedegree.com to find out more.

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Dinarobin Beachcomber Golf Resort & Spa

A romantic escape Travel editor Melissa Barker reveals why Mauritius is the perfect honeymoon destination

A

fter being stuck in the UK for what feels like a lifetime, I’m sure that I’m not alone in saying that I’d forgotten how exciting travelling could be. I was apprehensive about flying again, but the moment I stepped off the plane in tropical Mauritius and the heat hit me, I felt at ease.

Whether you’re after rest and relaxation to recover from the stress of wedding planning or an action-packed adventure, Beachcomber has a resort to suit. With eight properties in Mauritius, each offering something different, the team can tailor-make your holiday across a range of price points. I was lucky enough to visit four of the luxurious hotels during my stay and it was certainly a trip to remember!

For those of you who don’t know much about Mauritius, it’s located in the Indian Ocean and is brimming with culture and Instagram-worthy snaps at every turn. Roughly an 11-hour flight from the UK with Air Mauritius, it’s famous for its picturesque beaches, breathtaking lagoons and crystal-clear reefs. The spoken language is English and Mauritian Creole, so you won’t need to worry about translations, and it’s the only known habitat for the now-extinct dodo bird.

VICTORIA BEACHCOMBER RESORT & SPA The four-star Victoria Beachcomber Resort & Spa is situated on the North West coast and is conveniently located between the tourist hub of Grand Baie and the capital city of Port Louis.

The sea-facing rooms offer the perfect space to begin your stay in style, with king-sized beds, balconies, walk-in showers, fluffy towels, complimentary toiletries and luxurious baths.

Those who want to celebrate married life in privacy can book into the adult-only ‘Victoria for 2’ section. Tranquil and romantic, this area is ideal for those who want to relax in each other’s company while enjoying the on-site amenities.

Dinarobin Beachcomber Golf Resort & Spa

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With access to Mont Choisy Le Golf, an 18-hole golf course located 10 minutes away from the resort, a host of water sports, pools and five restaurants, there’s plenty to see and do during your time here.

TROU AUX BICHES BEACHCOMBER The five-star Trou aux Biches Beachcomber is situated on the coast with nearly two kilometres of white sandy beaches and a turquoise lagoon.

The villas and beachfront suites have private pools that are built in crescents to create a village-like feel. The villas open out onto large pools, which look glorious first thing in the morning, and the outdoor showers are pure bliss! The resort has large pools in each of the main areas, and with the sea only ever a few minutes away, it’s easy to feel relaxed and stressfree here.

With an emphasis on environmental preservation, all the Beachcomber properties are eco-friendly and use environmentally-friendly bottles, reuse water and some have on-site beehives to produce honey.

DINAROBIN BEACHCOMBER GOLF RESORT & SPA AND PARADIS BEACHCOMBER GOLF RESORT & SPA Dinarobin Beachcomber Golf Resort & Spa is a gem for those wanting to get away from it all. This five-star hotel is in the South-West part of the island and shares facilities with Paradis Beachcomber Golf Resort & Spa. Offering access to the 18-hole par 72 golf course, water sports and eight inviting restaurants (four at each hotel), there is a wide range of accommodation to choose from, and some even come with a private chef and a golf buggy so you can travel around in style.

The spectacular views of Le Morne mountain are Insta-worthy, and the luscious greenery will make you feel a world away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life – perfect for your post-wedding bubble! There is

Dinarobin Beachcomber Golf Resort & Spa

Victoria Beachcomber Resort & Spa

HONEYMOONS

Paradis Beachcomber Golf Resort & Spa

Paradis Beachcomber Golf Resort & Spa Trou aux Biches Beachcomber Golf Resort & Spa

a shuttle service that runs between the two resorts, which is great fun and gives you the freedom to explore without worrying.

WINE AND DINE When I think of the food and drink in Mauritius, I immediately think of rum.

This tipple is used in several drinks and traditional dishes on the island.

One of the most popular is Ti Punch, a rum cocktail that has a real kick to it, especially if you’re a lightweight like me!

The Beachcomber properties have a range of restaurants, each serving different cuisines. Nautil Café at Victoria Beachcomber Resort & Spa has a large lunch menu accomodating even the fussiest of eaters, while Trou aux Biches Beachcomber has six restaurants offering different cuisines from Asia to Mediterranean. At the Mahiya restaurant, you’ll have the opportunity to wear traditional Indian clothes and watch the chef work through the glass window before tasting the delicious Indian cuisine.

Finally, Paradis Beachcomber has an incredible seafood restaurant called Marlin. With options to suit all dietary requirements, the staff will go above and beyond to ensure you have everything you need, and the food is amazing – I’m still thinking about the iced nougat weeks later, delish!

EXPLORING THE ISLAND There are lots of fun and interesting places to visit while on your honeymoon with Mautourco. The local market at Port Louis is a great way of seeing how the locals live and what produce is on offer. You can grab some souvenirs for the family and help support the community in the process.

The Rhumerie de Chamarel is a rum distillery surrounded by tropical gardens that look gorgeous even in the rain. The restaurant is a must-try, especially the rum baba – a soft dessert, almost like a doughnut, that’s been soaked in rum. Take part in a fascinating tour followed by a tasting with all the drinks available to purchase in the gift shop.

If you’re heading down South, take the time to visit Chamarel Falls. It’s the highest waterfall in Mauritius, and there are tortoises, monkeys and more natural wonders nearby.

Trou aux Biches Beachcomber Golf Resort & Spa

REST AND RELAXATION The spas at the Beachcomber properties are superb and offer treatments ideal for post-vows R&R. The signature massage includes a sugarcane scrub, which helps remove any dead cells and leaves your skin feeling soft and like new. You can do this together before enjoying a back, leg and neck massage.

One of the stand out things that Beachcomber offer is yoga by the beach. A great way to relax and rejuvenate, the teachers are very knowledgeable and will show you breathing techniques and stretches to help with your day-to-day lives when you finally return home.

FUN IN THE SUN The activities available across the Beachcomber properties are ideal for those who want to learn a skill or try something new. The expert team will be able to accommodate all abilities and help you try water skiing, windsurfing, sailing, snorkelling, pedal boats, tennis or wakeboarding.

As part of the honeymoon package, you’ll receive champagne or sparkling wine in your room and a choice of one Beachcomber experience, such as a massage, a boat cruise, wine tasting, a cooking class, horseback riding or an introduction to scuba diving. I’d recommend the sunset boat cruise, where you enjoy a glass of bubbly while taking in the coastal sights at the most beautiful and romantic time of day.

HONEYMOON BLISS If you’re looking for an adventure, a relaxing beach stay or a familymoon, Mauritius is the perfect destination. There’s plenty to see and do around the island, and the Beachcomber resorts will leave you feeling like royalty.

I truly loved my time in Mauritius, so much so I don’t think my hubby-to-be will need much convincing to consider our own honeymoon there!

BOOK IT: Beachcomber Hotels, www.beachcomber-hotels.com Air Mauritius, www.airmauritius.com Mautourco, www.mautourco.com Rhumerie de Chamarel, www.rhumeriedechamarel.com Chamarel Falls, www.chamarel7colouredearth.com

Trou aux Biches Beachcomber Golf Resort & Spa

Victoria for 2 at Victoria Beachcomber Resort & Spa

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Escape to

the forest

Sarah Gallivan discovers the great outdoors at Nottinghamshire’s Sherwood Hideaway

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xperience a luxury escape in the heart of Sherwood Forest at The Sherwood Hideaway at Thorseby. Surrounded by woodland, this selection of luxury lodges and log cabins is an oasis of calm. I stayed with my husband, our two children and dog and it was the perfect opportunity to reconnect after leaving the hustle and bustle of daily life behind us – upon arrival I felt instantly relaxed.

Choose to explore and enjoy the range of activities on offer or simply kick back and relax, the choice is yours.

CHOOSE YOUR HIDEAWAY With a choice of traditional, rustic and woodland lodges, one, two or three bedrooms and the option of taking your furry friend along to a pet-friendly lodge, there’s something for everyone.

We stayed in a Rustic Pet-Friendly lodge and it was gorgeous.

Indoors it boasted stylish interiors, modern fixtures and fittings and a cosy log-burner effect fire. We were greeted with a much-welcomed bottle of wine, locally produced fine chocolates and a selection of treats for the pooch – even he didn’t miss out! Outdoors, there’s the added bonus of a private hot tub, barbeque area and decking area looking out into the forest and the lodges are well laid out allowing for ample external space and privacy.

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HONEYMOONS

DISCOVER AND EXPLORE Cycling – Take your bikes to explore more of the Thorseby Estate, Sherwood Forest and surrounding areas. Trails are well marked out along road and dirt tracks and they suit all abilities. What’s more, each lodge has its own cycle rack so your bikes can be easily stored.

Walking – We took a walk through the estate to Thorseby Hall, the Grade I listed 19th-century country house. The tree-lined paths were easy to follow, and my son and daughter loved delving deep into the woods.

The walk took 45 minutes at a steady pace and the coffee and cake in the Thorseby Courtyard, children’s woodland play area and military museum was well worth the stroll.

TIE THE KNOT You can reserve these luxury lodges as accommodation for nuptials at nearby venues or if you’d love a woodland wedding, The Sherwood Hideaway can provide a marquee in which to host your day.

Fishing – If fishing’s your thing, Sherwood Hideaway guests have access to a private members-only fly-fishing lake, approximately 1 mile from the retreat.

Falconry – Walk through the woods with the birds of prey or have them visiting the lodge on your own decking area, book a birthday package or take part in a Falconry Day where you’ll learn how to fly and handle hawks, falcons, owls and eagles, as they glide through the treetops.

Relaxing – Thorsby Hall Spa is on your doorstep. With its fully equipped gym, indoor pool with jacuzzi, sauna, steam room and range of innovative treatments, why not go and indulge?

BOOK IT Visit www.sherwoodhideaway.com or call 01623 824 594 for latest availability and pricing.

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Visit us online at www.yoursouthwales.wedding, www.county.wedding and www.countyweddingevents.com

LAURA MAY BRIDAL Laura May Bridal opened in 2011, and has quickly risen to become one of Wales's leading bridal boutiques, committed to providing a personal and unforgettable shopping experience for every bride who walks through our doors.

THE MORGAN ARCADE, CARDIFF, CF10 1AF 02920344700 info@lauramaybridal.co.uk www.lauramaybridal.co.uk

Everyone has been to a wedding; but not everyone has been to a tailor made Pencoed House Estate wedding.

Every couple wishes for a unique and memorable experience that they and their families treasure forever. Yours exclusively for the day, the Estate and its 36 acres of captivating grounds afford wonderful photographic opportunities to capture every memorable moment.

Give family and friends something to look forward to and start planning an amazing wedding celebration at Cardiffs best wedding venue!

Now is the perfect time to set a date!

www.pencoedhouseestate.co.uk Pencoed House Estate, Llantrisant Road, Capel Llanilltern, Cardiff, CF5 6JR

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coed

house estate

cardiff

15/12/2021 11:08:51