Editor loves and inspiration

Photographs are more than just keepsakes. It’s a way of reliving those happy memories over and over again and reminding yourself of just how magical your special day was. The run-up to the wedding can be quite stressful and some things, like the weather, may feel out of your control, but try not to worry; you can still have a picture-perfect album come rain or shine, as Francesca Hill Photography shows with one of her favourite big-day shots.

See more in the current issue. Download your free copy at www.yoursouthwales.wedding/free-download

The Bridal Boutique Crickhowell is set in a beautiful barn conversion and boasts an airy, modern and exclusive space that specialises in bringing your bridal dream to life. Just one hour from Cardiff, you'll find a full range of luxury and designer wedding dresses at your fingertips in a relaxed setting perfect for any bride to be and their bridal squad.

Owner Yasmine John tells us more: “Choosing your wedding dress is a significant decision, and we are here to support you every step of the way. Whether you're dreaming of a classic ballgown, a romantic lace dress, or a chic modern silhouette, our collection is designed to cater to every bride's aesthetic, ensuring you feel your most beautiful and confident self on the day.”

Exclusively for Your South Wales Wedding, The Bridal Boutique Crickhowell is offering readers who purchase any Pronovias wedding dress a complimentary veil. Pronovias create timeless designs that flatter every silhouette, from luxurious fabrics that will feel and look amazing. To claim this fabulous offer, mention the magazine when enquiring or visiting the store. Offer ends 31st December 2024.

See more offers in our Freebies and Offers feature in the current issue. Download your free copy at www.yoursouthwales.wedding/free-download

Natalie and Keelan met at school. “I always fancied him as he was your typical rugby boy,” says Natalie. “He never really took any notice of me, as I was younger than him and an annoying friend of his sisters, until we bumped into each other on a night out. We went on several dates and dog walks as we both had young Labrador retrievers, and 10 years later, we are married!”

Keelan proposed in December 2023. “It was a complete surprise, as he has always made it clear that he wasn’t interested in getting married,” shares the bride. “He knows how much I would have hated a big fuss in public, so one afternoon, I was in the kitchen making a cup of tea, and I turned around, and he was on one knee with our two labradors holding out the ring box. I thought it was a joke and started laughing! Never did I think we would be married.”

See more from their wedding in the current issue. Download your free copy at www.yoursouthwales.wedding/free-download

Michael Lundbeck from One Vision Photography explains the benefits of booking a photographer who also offers videography services.

"When planning a wedding, capturing the magic of your special day is paramount. One effective way to achieve this is by booking a supplier who offers both photography and videography services. This decision not only streamlines the process but also provides several benefits.

"Having a single team handle both photography and videography ensures seamless coordination on your wedding day. The team shares a unified vision, allowing them to work together smoothly. This collaboration ensures that every critical moment, from the exchange of vows to the first dance, is captured from multiple perspectives without missing a beat.

"A combined photography and videography package ensures a consistent style and aesthetic across your wedding memories. With the same creative team handling both mediums, your photos and videos will have a harmonious look and feel. This consistency enhances the overall narrative of your wedding day, creating a cohesive visual story.

"Opting for a combined service can also be more cost-effective. Many suppliers offer discounts when both services are booked together, providing excellent value for your investment. This option reduces the need to manage multiple vendors, saving time and effort."

See more top tips in the current issue. Download your free copy at www.yoursouthwales.wedding/free-download

Lauren and Rob met through work in 2015. “I thought he was really charming and we got on really well,” says Lauren. “Our relationship grew and in 2023, Rob proposed while we were in Cardiff. We went back to the first hotel that we stayed in together and I had no idea that he was going to pop the question. It caught me by complete surprise.”

See more from their wedding in the current issue. Download your free copy at www.yoursouthwales.wedding/free-download

Sarah Scorey from Withmylittlecamera Weddings put together this styled shoot with the help of talented local suppliers. “Elyn Boutique approached me on Instagram to ask if I would be interested in organising a styled wedding shoot at a venue they were styling, and I just had to say yes,” says Sarah. “Once they showed me the colour scheme they were thinking of and the flowers and décor that would go with it, I was extremely excited to begin planning the shoot. I wanted to create something elegant and romantic to highlight all of the amazing suppliers’ hard work and showcase our talents in the best light, and I definitely believe we achieved that. It was a fantastic day (even if the weather didn’t always cooperate) filled with lots of laughter and creativity.”

See more from the shoot in the current issue. Download your free copy at www.yoursouthwales.wedding/free-download

Ryan and Gareth from LetThemSeeCake reveal the things you should take into consideration before booking a cake maker for your wedding.

"With a long list of tasks to sort through before your big day, choosing a wedding cake should be one of the more enjoyable (and tasty) experiences of the whole process! You need a supplier with the experience to be professional and straightforward, and they need to give you confidence that they’re able to deliver a fabulous cake that will have your guests talking about it all day. How can you be sure that the cake maker you’re hiring is a true professional who will fulfil all their promises on the big day? Here are our top tips and essential questions to help you find a reliable and skilled wedding cake maker:

"Food hygiene rating and insurance: All top cake makers should have these as standard; the higher the rating, the better. Many wedding cake makers display their ratings on their websites or studio windows. However, if you’re unsure and want to confirm it yourself, you can always visit the Food Standards Agency’s website. While these hygiene ratings won’t reveal how tasty or visually stunning the cake will be, they are the best way to ensure your wedding cake is safe to eat. You can also ask if the cake maker has both product and public liability insurance; most will have one, but the top ones will have both!"

See more tips on planning your dream wedding in the current issue. Download your free copy at www.yoursouthwales.wedding/free-download

Bridal Reloved Cardiff is Wales’ first eco-conscious bilingual bridal boutique, selling pre-owned and ex-sample designer wedding dresses.

Bronwen Barclay, from Bridal Reloved Cardiff, tells us: “I decided to start the business after recently getting married and seeing that no local bridal shops offered pre-loved or sustainable dresses alongside a personalised experience. So, I took a leap, leaving my job after nearly a decade of primary school teaching, to give brides-to-be in my hometown unforgettable ‘say yes to the dress’ experiences.”

See more news in the current issue. Download your free copy at www.yoursouthwales.wedding/free-download

Megan and Simon met in their third year of university. “I was running a social for some of the students and a mutual friend introduced us,” says Megan. “Simon immediately caught my eye, and the three of us ended up getting dinner before the social started. We started out as just friends, but there was a clear connection there from the beginning; we had the same sense of humour, enjoyed the same movies, were both close with our families and loved dogs. A few months later, we had our first official date on Valentine’s Day and the rest is history.”

Simon proposed in February 2022, around six years after they first started dating. “My mom had flown over from the USA, where I’m from, a few months prior and had given Simon my grandmother’s engagement ring, so I knew it was going to happen but wasn’t sure where or when,” shares the bride. “Simon initially intended to propose on a sunset walk in Llanelli while we were visiting his parents, but at the last moment his sister tagged along for the walk, so he wasn’t able to. About a month later, he brought the ring along on another walk with the intention of proposing, but when we got there, it was so muddy that we could hardly walk and were falling over, so he chose to wait again. Finally, it ended up happening at home in our living room, following a conversation about our future that was totally spontaneous. Not the most romantic location, but it didn’t matter to me; I was just happy to finally be engaged and to get to marry my best friend.”

See more from their wedding in the current issue. Download your free copy at www.yoursouthwales.wedding/free-download

Sarah Louise from Sarah Louise Wedding Planner tells us her top tips for planning a small wedding.

"Some people dream of a grand, fairytale wedding while others dream of a smaller, intimate affair, with the latter gaining more popularity moving into 2025. In our Instagram-driven world, it’s easy to get carried away during the planning process. Regardless of the size of your guest list, a wedding planner can be instrumental in keeping you on track, ensuring your vision aligns with your budget and holding you accountable to plan the day you both want.

"Planning a wedding typically takes around 400 hours, ideally starting 18 to 12 months out, as suppliers tend to book up quickly. I sit with my couples and create a comprehensive list of everything they might want at their wedding; we then categorise each item as either essential or desirable. I source the essentials first and revisit the desirable later. My advice is to prioritise securing your venue, registrar/celebrant, photographer, videographer and florist. Once these are confirmed, you can move on to the design elements, always keeping your budget in mind. It’s important not to get too attached to a particular trend when looking at the ‘vision’ for your day. For example, bows and pastels are in for 2024. When considering a trend, I recommend evaluating whether you genuinely love it or if you’re drawn to it simply because it’s all over your Instagram and Pinterest feeds. Ask yourself how you’ll feel when you look back on your wedding day in 10 years, and if you still love it, go for it, but ideally, be original and authentically you!"

See more tips for planning an intimate wedding in the current issue. Download your free copy at www.yoursouthwales.wedding/free-download