Your South Wales Wedding news and ideas from around the area

How to avoid overspending on your wedding budget

It is a special time for you and your partner, planning the perfect event to celebrate your love with friends and family. However, it can often become stressful as people try to fit such a big event into their budgets. With the average wedding for 2025 coming to a total of £20,822, getting everything from drinks to décor can be a chore. Lake District Country Hotels, providers of wedding venues in the Lake District, pair with James Beckett, financial coach and founder of MoneyStocker.com, to help you budget your way to your big day.

The hidden language of roses, revealed by expert

Chris Waugh, Florist at Bloom & Wild discusses the symbolism of roses and the bridal trends we can expect to see: "Roses are set to remain a popular choice for weddings in 2025, remaining as one of the most traditional parts of a bridal bouquet. While floriography, known as the language of flowers, was popular during the Victorian Era, the hidden language of roses is still more apparent than ever. Whether you want your guests to be enticed by a feeling of love and passion by incorporating dark red roses into your big day, or if you'd prefer a more delicate approach to love and gratitude by using pink roses, it's important to pick each colour wisely to ensure you're getting the most appropriate messaging across to your guests."

Ty Nant has acquired Fonthill Water and Decantae Mineral

Ty Nant, a symbol of Welsh luxury, has acquired Fonthill Water and Decantae Mineral. The perfect way to add a local touch to your wedding drinks or as favours, the acquisition brings new packaging innovations to Ty Nant's line-up, including cuplets for travel, complementing its existing glass and pet bottles.

In the small hamlet of Bethania, West Wales, on the edge of the Cambrian Mountains, lies the celebrated spring of Ty Nant natural mineral water. The Ty Nant water source was discovered in 1976 by an eminent water diviner, Tom Astley, who was invited to locate water for domestic use on farmland in Bethania. Acting on the diviners' instruction, a borehole was sunk through one hundred feet of rock and clay to the underground aquifer and on first taste, Mr. Ashley declared it to be the purest water he had ever tasted.

Penarth Pier Pavilion is a romantic wedding venue boasting spectacular sea views

Located on the beautiful esplanade in Penarth and looking out over the Bristol Channel is the iconic Penarth Pier Pavilion, a romantic venue with spectacular sea views for you and your guests to enjoy.

First opening in 1929, Penarth Pier Pavilion is an impressive example of Art Deco architecture, with a vaulted main gallery and several wedding spaces to choose from. Hosting a range of events throughout the year, the venue offers live music, art exhibitions and workshops.

The Perfect Pairing: Champagne styles for every wedding

The Champagne Bureau UK* wanted to share some tips for couples who are planning to celebrate their big day with a sparkling touch; pairing the perfect Champagne styles with different wedding themes. Champagne has long been synonymous with celebration, and the versatility of its styles means there is a perfect style for every couple, no matter the wedding theme. If your wedding theme is classic and traditional Brut Champagne offers versatility, it is an excellent choice for celebrations where guests will feel part of the couple's love story. Brut Champagne makes up around 80% of Champagne shipments to the UK, beloved for its balanced structure and refreshing finish.

The Whitebrook in Monmouth has received a new award

Sustainability has been at the core of chef Chris Harrod's ethos since he launched his award-winning restaurant, The Whitebrook, in 2013, securing a Michelin star within 11 months. This is just one of six restaurants to be awarded a Green Michelin Star for 2024, becoming the only restaurant in Wales to hold both a Michelin and Green Michelin star.

Working closely with artisan growers and producers, foraging local hedgerows, estuaries and woodlands; cultivating his much-loved kitchen garden and orchard; and careful consideration for the environment at every step of the way have always been a top priority for Chris, who runs The Whitebrook with his wife, Kirsty, with the help of Kirsty's mother. This commitment is made possible by the property's surroundings in the Wye Valley, a blissfully peaceful location that also allows the family to offer an unrivalled gastronomic break to switch off and recharge.

Couples are making sustainable wedding choices from the beginning - engagement ring trend

When it comes to choosing an engagement ring, many couples are looking to take inspiration from the likes of royalty and celebrities who decided to remodel or repurpose their symbol of enduring love from a vintage or pre-loved item or family heirloom. Not only does it give your engagement ring a deeper meaning or story, it's also a more sustainable way to shop, for one of the most important pieces of jewellery you'll ever own – you'll end up saving potentially thousands of pounds, plus you could end up with something completely unique to you. One such jeweller who is helping couples with this big decision is Rachel Fox, Jewellery expert TV presenter from Channel 4's Millionaire Hoarders, and Store Manager from pre-owned luxury jewellery seller, S&R Jewellers. As one of London's top specialists in this area, S&R Jewellers reports a huge uptick in the number of couples choosing the pre-loved route for their engagement ring.

Crug Glâs is a country house restaurant with rooms in St. David's, Pembrokeshire

Crug Glâs is a country house restaurant with rooms in Pembrokeshire. Set in 600 acres of land in St. David's, it offers breathtaking views of unspoilt countryside and easy access to the area's famous coast. The property can be traced back to the 12th century, when it was mentioned in the Black Book of St. David's, the chronicle of local farms, manors and estates. Crug Glâs is now owned and run by husband-and-wife team Janet and Perkin Evans. The couple began modernising the house in keeping with its Georgian style. They added en-suite bathrooms and moved the kitchen and scullery to the ground floor. The top floor was converted from servants' quarters to a spacious and contemporary suite with panoramic views over the countryside. Bit-by-bit and with careful attention, Crug Glâs has become more than a home and a farm for the Evans family.

Minimalist or maximalist? The décor styles couples are choosing in 2025

As we step into 2025, it's crunch time for soon-to-be-weds to lock in those wedding details. Whether you've just popped the question or are counting down to the big day, knowing the latest wedding décor trends can spark some serious inspiration for your celebration. The décor at your wedding isn't just about aesthetics; it's the mood setter, the vibe creator, the silent DJ of your day. From colour schemes to special touches, the décor styles set the tone and the atmosphere. So, let's dive into the styles that will be painting the town (and your wedding) this year.

Couples share the key ingredient to a long-lasting relationship

In the spirit of Valentine's Day, greeting card marketplace, thortful, has spoken to five couples who are still going strong after many years about the key ingredient to a long-lasting relationship – and one is quite taboo. Speaking to the five couples, who have all been together longer than 10 years, communication, small gestures, and alone time were among the most common ingredients for a long-lasting relationship. All couples even unanimously agreed that farting in front of each other strengthens their relationships. Lack of communication is among the top reasons for break ups, according to experts, which is why Tom Lanaway, who has been with his partner for 11 years, claims strong communication to be the key to his strong connection.

The Good Hotel Guide has revealed its list of Welsh winners

The Good Hotel Guide has revealed its annual list of César winners. The 20 Césars are given to the hotels, inns and B&Bs considered outstanding in their particular category. The latest version of The Good Hotel Guide: Great Britain & Ireland is now live online, featuring more than 700 hotels, including 76 new entries.

Ty Mawr Country Hotel has been named Best Country House Hotel. Located in the charming village of Brechfa, just outside Carmarthenshire, Ty Mawr Country Hotel's fast-growing reputation for fabulous food stretches far and wide. Voted for the second year running for the Editor's Choice Award for the Best Country House Hotel, it's not hard to work out why.

Bryngarw House in Bridgend is a wedding venue that dates back to the 15th century

Dating back to the 15th century, Bryngarw House is believed to have been presented by a gentleman named John Popkin to his sister Frances as a wedding present in 1775. A symbol of love from the very start, the owners are proud to have transformed Bryngarw House into a stunning wedding venue almost 250 years later.

Located in the heart of Bryngarw Country Park, there are an array of photo opportunities available, including the golden meadows, the woodland and the iconic ornamental bridge in the oriental garden.

Money and Matrimony: Mastering finances together

Managing money as a married couple can greatly differ from managing your own money as a single person. Where you previously only had to budget and save for one, and think about your own needs and wants, there is another person to think about, including their life goals and financial habits. For National Marriage Week, Olly Cheng, Financial Planning Director at Rathbones, shared his top tips on how to manage finances as a married couple.

Moonpig reveal the most trending hen party and wedding themes of 2024

New data from Moonpig has revealed the top wedding and hen party trends over the last 12 months based on Google search volumes and social media data. Last Rodeo-themed hen parties were the most popular with a 69% increase in Google search volume. The way we celebrate is constantly evolving. A recent Pinterest report found a shift in consumer behaviour with more people opting for intimate gatherings and celebrating old traditions with a modern twist. .

Known for helping people celebrate the moments that matter, leading online greeting card and gift experts, Moonpig, has revealed the top hen party and wedding trends of 2024. By analysing Google searches and data from TikTok, Pinterest and YouTube, Moonpig shares expert commentary on why these trends are so popular...

National Marriage Week 2025

Wedding celebrations take place year-round. And with all the costs associated, it's little surprise that so many couples prioritise all the required bills and outgoings for their big day, rather than their combined financial future. With National Marriage Week upon us (7th to 14th February), it's a good reminder to add a fundamental money conversation to your to-do list before getting married. Whether it's buying your marital home, getting ready for your newlywed trip of a lifetime, or starting to combine your finances and savings goals - there are some important steps to take before your nuptials to ensure money doesn't become a source of stress for you both.

Mamta Shanbhag, Borrow Director at Tesco Bank, offers five money tips for anyone set to marry this year:

Craig Y Nos Castle has won an award

Craig Y Nos Castle has won the National Wedding Award for Wedding Venue of the Year.

Michael Ludwig, the business systems and procedures manager at Craig Y Nos Castle, tells us: "I am like a proud father and would like to congratulate the whole team at Craig Y Nos Castle, the wedding team, kitchen, front of house, reception, housekeeping, maintenance and builders for the great job you are doing and have done over the past 12 months. If you want to get married, why not contact us and see how we can make your day magical?"

The Celtic Lodge is a stunning Victorian house in Neath

The Celtic Lodge is a stunning Victorian house in Neath just off the M4. Licensed to hold indoor and outdoor civil ceremonies, the property offers a range of wedding packages, which include welcome drinks, Chiavari chairs, drapes, table linen, centrepieces, a three-course wedding breakfast and an evening buffet.

The team has a wide range of menus and prices available to suit every budget with a choice of a traditional wedding breakfast, sizzling barbecue, traditional fish 'n' chips, or pie and chips. They will work with you to meet your every need, and you can even go exclusive and hire the whole venue for the day.

New vases from BHS to elevate big-day styling

BHS is delighted to present its newest offering, a collection of glass vases in an array of beautiful styles, shades and sizes. The extensive and diverse range caters to all interior schemes, revitalising the home with a fusion of modern sophistication and timeless charm that redefines home decor - making them perfect for big-day gift lists or thank you gifts. Alternatively, the range would also make gorgeous vessels for table centrepieces for your wedding blooms, which you can the recycle after the day and use for years to come.

WoodWick® new Vapour Trails collection for the big day and beyond

Introducing the Vapour Trails Collection from Woodwick which celebrates the subtle beauty in everyday movement. There are fewer greater life moments than your wedding day, and whether it's to scent the big day itself or to give a gorgeous gift to loved ones, the new Woodwick Vapour Trails Collection would be ideal. Terra Haze: Petrichor, the refreshingly vivid scent of rain on soil, evokes the sense of nature being stripped down to its molecules. Notes of aldehydes, cedarwood, and mossy earth climb toward the sky, dancing back into the atmosphere like mist.

Newlyweds' home inspiration 2025 trends

With modern day wedding gift lists evolving, the time of asking for a toaster is gone, Jon Flannigan, Head of Product at Crucial Trading shares his insight into the flooring trends set to define 2025 which people tying the knot this year can be inspired by for the guests' contributions. "In 2025, we expect to see a shift towards greater personalisation in home design Naturally, homeowners want their spaces to reflect their individuality and tastes, which can involve moving beyond pre-manufactured products in favour of bespoke options