Editor loves and inspiration

The Bridal Boutique Crickhowell is a luxurious bridal boutique in Crickhowell. “I have always had a passion for beautifully designed dresses and a secret obsession with the bridal industry,” says owner Yasmine John. “Close to turning 50, with children at home becoming emotionally needy teenagers, I felt it was the right time for a career change. So with the support of my partner, family and friends who said, ‘Why not?’ I launched The Bridal Boutique Crickhowell. Before opening The Bridal Boutique Crickhowell, I devoted almost 28 years to the field of health and social care, following my passion for caring for our older generation. With a wealth of experience in start-ups, business development and customer service, I felt I had the right skills to venture into the world of bridal. What could be better than seeing happy faces and helping dress them for their exceptional first day of marriage and the start of the rest of their new life? And so The Bridal Boutique was born! Within an airy, modern and private space, we specialise in bringing your bridal dream to life. You’ll find our full range of styles at your fingertips, including designers such as Pronovias, Nicole Milano, Stella York and more, as well as a comfortable viewing area for your friends and family. Refreshments are included with your visit and booking is required. With the rolling hills, tempting horizons and attractions that people travel from miles around to explore, you’re sure to make a day out of a visit to the boutique.”

Exclusively for Your South Wales Wedding, The Bridal Boutique Crickhowell is offering our readers £150 off a wedding dress and a free Saturday appointment with prosecco when you mention the magazine. To book your appointment, head over to www.bridalboutiquecrickhowell.com/book. Offer ends 31st October 2024.

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

One Vision Photography and Videography is passionate about capturing the moments and emotions that make life so special. “Our mission is to provide our clients with the highest quality photographic services and to create lasting memories of their special day,” says owner Michael Lundbeck. “We understand the importance of making each client’s experience special. Our talented team of photographers is dedicated to creating a one-of-a-kind experience for each of our clients, capturing the beautiful emotions and moments that so often get overlooked. We believe every wedding, engagement, family portrait, and event should be captured with the utmost care, detail and respect. We strive to tell the story of our client’s special day in a way that will remain with them forever. Our goal is to create memories that will last a lifetime, and we take great pride in providing our clients with a personalised experience.”

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

Having opened its doors in 1999, the Vale Resort is celebrating its 25th anniversary with a year’s worth of promotions that are taking place on the venue’s social media channels. Couples can get their hands on golf and spa breaks, afternoon tea, gin-making experiences, golf lessons and more.

The independent four-star Vale Resort was built by the Leeke family and is made up of the 143-bedroom Vale Hotel, two championship golf courses, extensive leisure and sports facilities, Wales’s largest spa, extensive conference and events facilities, restaurants, bars and Hensol Castle, an exclusive wedding and events venue that also incorporates a distillery.

Stephen Leeke, the managing director, commented: “When I started at the Vale Resort in 1994, we had a portacabin, driving range and nine-hole golf course. My father, Gerald, had a love for sports and a vision for a sporting hotel. It’s been the proverbial extension on the extension since then, which has culminated in the world- class facilities that you see today. Not only do we house the training bases for both Wales’s national rugby and football teams, but we can compete with the very best with our golf, leisure and business offerings. The ground-breaking opening of the Grade-I listed Hensol Castle as a venue tailored for exclusive weddings and events, incorporating a craft distillery in the cellars, is, in the words of my father, “the icing on the cake” and the feedback from guests has been outstanding. It’s been very much a team effort along the way, and I’d like to thank our staff, members, guests, colleagues and partners in the Welsh Rugby Union and Football Association of Wales for all they have done to contribute to our success.”

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

Rob caught Saz’s eye while she was out at a bar with her friends. “We exchanged a few words and ended up matching on Tinder a couple of months later,” says Saz. “We bonded over our love of festivals, music and rugby. We are both very outdoorsy people. We go hiking and camping quite a lot and have attended lots of festivals and concerts together.

“We were quite unconventional and there was no actual proposal,” adds the bride. “We had been together for a few years and one day we decided to get married. We went to see the Ceridwen Centre and we fell in love with it and booked it straight away. We gave ourselves some time to save and picked September because it’s my favourite time of the year.”

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

We love flowers here at Your South Wales Wedding, but with so many gorgeous blooms to choose from, it can be a bit overwhelming. To give you some inspiration, we’ve asked Petal Power to send in their one of their favourite creations.

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

Yasmine John from The Bridal Boutique Crickhowell gives her advice for finding the perfect dress while feeling concious about weight.

"First of all, congratulations on your upcoming wedding! It's completely normal to want to look and feel your best on your wedding day. If you find the right dress, you will look and feel incredible, whatever your shape or size. Keep in mind that designers now produce dresses for everyone; the same wedding dress in a size 8 and a size 18 will look equally beautiful and flattering. So consider trying on some dresses first rather than focusing on your weight or body shape. But if this is something you feel strongly about, then here are a few tips to help you as you embark on your weight loss journey while also searching for your dream wedding dress:

"Set goals: It's important to set realistic and achievable weight loss goals.

"Start early: Give yourself plenty of time to reach your weight-loss goals before your wedding day. This will help alleviate any stress or pressure and give you enough time to find the perfect dress.

"Focus on overall health: Instead of solely focusing on the number on the scale, prioritise your overall health and well-being. Incorporate a balanced diet, regular exercise and plenty of rest into your routine."

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

Holly and Cory met while working at a nightclub when they were 18 and 19. “We were completely lost in the world, not knowing what we wanted to do in life,” says Holly. “We’d have never thought that 12 years later we’d have a house, be married and have two children!”

Cory proposed during a break away. “I had planned a trip to New York as a surprise for his 30th birthday,” shares the bride. “We went to Central Park at Thanksgiving, which was full of people and there wasn’t an inch of it without a tourist with a camera. We walked for hours while Cory tried to find the right place for us. Finally, we found a place called the Cop Cot. Sitting there, we decided to say what we were thankful for, in true American tradition. We discussed the journey we’d been on as a couple, our two beautiful children and just as we were about to leave, Cory explained he had one more question before we left. New York will forever be our special place.”

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

The team at Hensol Castle share what wedding insurance and corkage fees are.

"Before booking your wedding venue, we advise making sure they have up-to-date insurance, but it is also a wise decision to invest in your own wedding insurance once the contracts are signed. It offers peace of mind against unforeseen circumstances like vendor cancellations or extreme weather, allowing you to focus on celebrating without financial setbacks.

"A corkage fee is when a couple pays the venue so that they can bring their own drinks on-site. We don’t offer a corkage fee at Hensol Castle; however, we do provide a comprehensive selection of drinks to accommodate your guests and your fairytale wedding celebrations."

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

Rachael and Sam met through social media. “Sam had not been in New Zealand long and we instantly struck up a friendship,” says Rachael. “We chatted for a few months before we finally organised a date. It was truly love at first sight. All though our connection was instant, our relationship was a slow burn, as I have two daughters who were six and ten at the time. I had to make sure Sam was a keeper before he met Ava and Amelia, but he had me at hello, and his morals, ethics and loyalty would last me a lifetime.”

Sam proposed in a seaside village called Akaroa in New Zealand. “It was my birthday, so Sam had booked an apartment for the weekend right on the waterfront,” shares the bride. “On the Saturday morning, he was bouncing around wanting to go watch the sun rise at the lighthouse, while I wanted coffee in bed! Finally, I gave in, and I must admit, looking out across the water was a beautiful start to the day. I turned around and there he was down on one knee, pale as a ghost. While I contemplated in shock that he was proposing, I noticed his face. Apparently, I was taking too long and the poor guy actually thought I was going to turn him down, which of course I did not. That night friends and family turned up and my birthday dinner turned into an impromptu engagement party.”

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

The expert team at Diamond Centre Wales share the latest wedding jewellery trends.

"The allure of oval diamond engagement rings is trending upward, with modern couples seeking a blend of timeless elegance and contemporary flair. At Diamond Centre Wales, we’ve witnessed this trend first-hand, with an increasing number of clients drawn to the distinctive appeal of oval diamonds for their bespoke engagement ring designs. Here we explain why oval diamonds have captured the spotlight:

"Brilliant sparkle: Oval diamonds are cut similarly to round diamonds, which means they share the latter’s ability to catch and reflect light spectacularly. This brilliance is a key factor in their popularity, as the cut maximises the stone’s fire and sparkle, making it an eye-catching centrepiece of any engagement ring.

"Versatile design: The versatility of oval diamonds is unparalleled. Its unique shape complements a wide array of ring settings and styles, from classic solitaires to more intricate vintage designs and modern minimalist pieces.

"Illusion of size: Compared to round diamonds of the same carat weight, oval diamonds often appear larger due to their elongated shape. This feature offers the allure of a more substantial diamond, providing excellent value and aesthetic appeal."

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