Editor loves and inspiration

Claire from Claire Louise Cake Studio shares one of her favourite cake designs.

"I have been a cake designer for a few years now. Designing wedding and celebration cakes is my passion and I love being a part of someone’s special day. The first cake is from a recent shoot for Le Wedding Fayre in Le Pub, Newport. The theme was Vegas meets retro! I was so excited about this theme that I went with a two-tiered lambeth style in a very pale peach and topped it with Maraschino cocktail cherries. I love the look with its delicate swirls and I think it fits well with the theme."

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

Wedding planning can be stressful and even lead to sleepless nights. To help, Hotpod Yoga Cardiff has launched a new sleep-focused class. The class will offer a calming and restorative flow that is suitable for all and draws from different yoga styles to deliver ultimate relaxation, all set within the nurturing environment of a patented pod: a peaceful cocoon helping you to relax deeply and find calm.

Dr. Sophie Bostock, who has partnered with Hotpod Yoga to support the launch of Sleep Sessions, says: “Many people struggle to switch off at night or wake up in the early hours with a racing mind. Yoga combines physical movement, breathwork and meditation techniques, which develop the skill of deep relaxation. Research shows that yoga helps people gain awareness and a sense of control over their minds and bodies, and there is evidence that regular yoga practice can help to improve not just strength and flexibility but also immune function, mental health, sleep quality and overall wellbeing. Sleep sessions will help people practice yoga in an environment curated for recovery with dim lights, relaxing music and pleasant aromas.”

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

Beth and Alex met on a dating website. “We have both been married before and gone through difficult separations and divorces,” says Beth. “Alex was incredibly charming and to this day, I still call him my Charming Mr Alex. We had a lot in common, as we both love the outdoors and enjoy walking, paddleboarding, the beach and coastal areas. Our love for life was what really shone through. We had an immediate connection and I know it may sound cheesy, but I know that we were meant to meet. He is what I had been waiting for my entire life! He treated me like an absolute lady from the start and spoilt me rotten in every way and still does. He completely swept me off my feet and the first year was a total dream come true. It is incredible to meet someone who respects you so much for who you are and who will love you unconditionally. I feel so lucky to have met Alex and to now have the family that I do with him.”

Alex took Beth to Iceland for her birthday in January 2022 and proposed at a Michelin-starred restaurant called Dill. “We had seen the restaurant on our favourite programme called Down to Earth,” shares the bride. “I had dreamed of going to Iceland for so long and we had so much fun exploring it together. It was one of the most amazing holidays and one I will never forget.”

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

Huw and Dale Photography are a husband-and-husband team based in the captivating landscapes of South Wales. “Our journey together not only thrives in our personal lives but also fuels our creative path behind the camera,” say Huw and Dale. “With years of experience, we have become familiar faces at the enchanting venues of South Wales, trusted by many to capture their most cherished moments. Our photography style is all about capturing genuine, unscripted moments. We believe in the power of natural and documentary-style photography, where every click tells a unique story. Our approach is to embrace the authenticity of the day, but we’re also more than happy to compose elegantly posed shots when the moment calls for it. For us, it’s not just about taking pictures; it’s about making your wedding day as smooth and enjoyable as possible. We always go the extra mile to help create an atmosphere where everyone feels at ease, allowing us to capture genuine, heartwarming moments. We pride ourselves on being open, friendly, and approachable, as we believe that building a connection with our clients is essential to capturing their most authentic and beautiful moments.”

Exclusively for Your South Wales Wedding, Huw and Dale Photography are offering a 10 per cent discount on wedding bookings. To claim this offer, email Huw and Dale at info@huwdale.co.uk and mention the magazine. Offer ends on 30th June 2024.

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

Rachel Parry from Brecon Bridal Boutique shares her top tips for planning your first wedding dress appointment.

"First of all, don’t be nervous; it’s not as daunting as you might think. Finding the right boutique can really help with any nerves you may have. Consider heading to a wedding fair to meet the boutique’s owners in person before booking an appointment. That way, you can get to know the team before you visit.

"Each boutique may run their appointments slightly differently, but here at Brecon Bridal Boutique, you are welcomed into the boutique with a pot of tea waiting for you and your guests. We’ll tell you a little bit about the dresses and ask you a few questions about anything you might like or dislike in a wedding dress. We’ll also ask if you’ve been anywhere else before and if there is a dress to beat. We’ll also ask you about your wedding; all this is so we can get a feel for what it is you’d like in a wedding dress.

"After this, we let you go through the dresses and pick out five to six dresses to get your appointment started. You’re not limited to just trying on these gowns; it’s just to get you started. If we can see you favouring a certain style, we’ll pull more similar dresses for you to try throughout the appointment."

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

Bethan and Sam met through mutual friends. “We messaged each other for a few months and eventually went on a date,” says Bethan. “We went to Winter Wonderland in Cardiff and instantly clicked with each other. After we met, Sam went back to his local pub and met up with his friends, and when they asked how it went, his response was, ‘I’m going to marry her.’ We went on several dates after this; however, lockdown then happened in March and we made the decision to move in together rather than not see each other.”

Sam proposed at Edinburgh Castle in September 2021. “Edinburgh Castle is my favourite place and we were having a weekend away there for my dad’s 60th birthday,” shares the bride. “My mum, dad, sister and her partner were there, which was important because I’m so close to my family.”

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

Local photographers Huw and Dale explain the benefits of having two photographers on your wedding day.

"Weddings are busy days with lots going on, usually in multiple places at once. While a good photographer knows where they need to be to get the shots that you want, they still can’t split themselves in two. When your photographer is shooting the formals, they could be missing important moments or funny candid shots with the rest of the guests. This is where a second photographer becomes invaluable, as they can capture moments otherwise missed.

"A second photographer also gives a second view of the day; your main may be at the front of the church while the second is at the back, and your main may be capturing close-ups of the speeches while the second is capturing the audience’s reactions.

"Ask your photographer if they offer a second shooter, and if they do, ask questions such as: How long have they been shooting weddings? Have you worked with them before? Can I see some work they have shot for you?"

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

Sarah and James met at a bar in 2015. “I’d decided to have a spontaneous drink with one of my good friends, Jess, after work,” says Sarah. “It’s fair to say that Jess had a few too many to drink by the time we met James. I was ordering drinks and when I turned around, I saw an overly sociable Jess had started chatting with James’ friends. One of his friends pointed James out to me and asked if I was single. I’d sworn off men at that point and Jess was engaged, but we continued to chat and eventually I got talking to James. I could tell he was a very kind, interesting and intelligent soul and we got on well immediately.”

James proposed in 2019 in their kitchen. “We’d discussed getting married previously, but as we’d bought a house and had our son Oscar, things took a bit longer than usual,” shares the bride. “We’d actually chosen the ring together beforehand, but it had been locked away until James had asked for my dad’s permission. It’s safe to say we’ve done things pretty backwards, but it’s worked out perfectly.”

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

Located in the upper Swansea Valley on the edge of the Brecon Beacons, Craig Y Nos Castle is a romantic wedding venue that’s offering two new packages. The Tea and Evening Buffet Wedding Package includes welcome drinks and canapés, followed by a delicious afternoon tea and a hot evening buffet.

The Twilight Wedding Package includes an evening buffet for your guests, a professional DJ and equipment, the use of a dry-ice machine, mood uplighting, a selfie pod and accessories, a dancefloor and a dancing on the clouds moment. The Twilight Wedding Package fulfils your evening entertainment needs for a fraction of the cost if purchased separately, providing a standard evening buffet and extras for a small portion of the individual price.

Those of you looking to stay the night will love the 36 en suite bedrooms; there’s also an on-site gym with high-quality apparatus.

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

Revelry Disco is a DJ based in Swansea that serves the whole of Wales. “We can offer music for your ceremony, wedding breakfast, or just your evening disco,” says the team at Revelry Disco. “Leading up to your wedding day, we will work with you to understand what vibe you want to create, whether it’s a calming, laid-back affair or glow stick waving, festival-high energy! Armed with this information, our DJs grace the decks to curate playlists that can span genres and eras, from classic disco to contemporary electronic dance music.

“Over the years, to meet the demand of our clients, we have diversified to offer extra services such as silent discos, magic mirror photo booths, roaming photo pods and light-up letters. This keeps your guests involved and enables us to provide cost-effective packages from one supplier. We pride ourselves on providing high-quality services with prompt communication, so you can rest assured that your evening is in safe hands. It’s your day, so let us take the pressure off so you and your guests can relax and enjoy yourselves.”

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