Your South Wales Wedding news and ideas from around the area

Wild and Fabulous Flowers has won a design competition

Wild and Fabulous Flowers, specialists in weddings, events and bespoke bouquets, has won a design competition. The goal was to create a spring- inspired tablescape, so owner Rhian and her team pulled out all of the stops and created a tablescape of dreams.

Rhian tells us: "We used small footed bowls, ikebana-style arrangements, a floral chandelier and colourful candles. There were entries from all over the world, from Norway to South America. It was so exciting when we discovered that we had won! Our prize will be a four-page editorial in the next edition of Flora Magazine. We loved creating our design so much that we now offer tablescaping for weddings. This means that we can do all of your florals plus provide candles, candlesticks, vases and even scented candles. We have everything available to hire, including larger items such as urns, plinths and lanterns, meaning we can style your wedding for you, and we are fabulous at it!"

Your ultimate guide to wedding gift etiquette

It's that time of year again where our inboxes and mailboxes are full of beautifully designed wedding invitations, we're scouring the web for the perfect outfit and excitedly researching accommodation and travel. Being invited to a wedding is a gift and it is tradition to provide a gift to the happy couple. But, where to begin? Luckily we've sat down with Georgie Mitchell, Wedding Planner, Coordinator and Wedding Expert, at online fashion destination SilkFred, who has shared her ultimate guide to wedding gift giving from how much to spend to how to make your gift stand out on the present table.

Tall John’s House is set in the Brecon Beacons National Park

Set in the Brecon Beacons National Park, in acres of exquisite grounds with mature trees and breathtaking views across to the Black Mountains, Tall John's House is a charming venue that's perfect for couples who want tranquillity, exclusivity, and the freedom to make this venue their own. The gardens at Tall John's House are something special with features for all-year attraction, such as the rill, rose arbour, silver birch circle, a splendid display of flowers, shrubs, fruits, and vegetables, and sweeping lawns perfect for strolling and photos.

Green I dos: How to plan a sustainable wedding

The carbon footprint of a wedding in the UK is equivalent to driving a car around the world twice – both create 14.5 tonnes of carbon dioxide. Ahead of wedding season, sustainability experts from BusinessWaste.co.uk teamed up with leading wedding planner Georgie Mitchel from Georgina Rose Events to share the best ways to make a wedding more sustainable, while also saving some money. Georgie says: "Having been involved in hundreds of weddings, it's hard to see the amount of waste that is produced from that one day. However, it's so good to hear that couples are looking at ways to be more green! Here are my tips for having a sustainable wedding day."

The Speech Surgery: too many thank yous? Heidi Ellert McDermott, founder of Speechy explores this

The Speech Surgery: too many thank yous? Heidi Ellert McDermott, founder of Speechy explores this here, ready now...I've written my bride speech but almost three quarters of it is 'thank yous'. Is that right? The thank yous are obviously very important but you also need to be wary of turning your speech into one long tedious list. For guests, thank yous are really only interesting if 1) they're personally getting thanked or 2) the thank yous are entertaining, from-the-heart and feel more than a cut and paste job...

Five ways to beat a wedding hangover

Weddings are notorious for booze with 50% of people admitting they wouldn't be happy to attend a wedding without alcohol. With an expectation for heavy drinking at most celebrations, lots of dancing and a late night, wedding guests often wake up feeling worse for wear. Those suffering the morning after a wedding can ease the pain with simple hacks, including drinking a pint of water before bed and sleeping on their left side. Nausea, thirst and aches can also be alleviated by having a lie-in, which helps to limit fatigue and irritation the next day.

Penhein Glamping is celebrating its 10th anniversary

Penhein Glamping, set in acres of Monmouthshire farmland, has reopened just in time to celebrate its 10th anniversary. This year sees the introduction of even more ways to spend time with nature while staying in one of its eight high-domed luxury Persian 'Alachigh' tents, including the launch of an adventure club aimed at younger children.

There are over 250 acres for guests to explore and on-site activities include stargazing, meadow yoga, dawn chorus safaris, nature-inspired treasure hunts, bushcraft skills days and botanical gin foraging.

UK vs US Brides: Wedding expert reveals 5 ways we differ

It's time to settle the score: do UK brides really do it better, or are our American cousins stealing the show? Let's dive into the wedding warzone and explore five spicy differences that set us apart! According to a survey conducted by the UK's largest wedding venue collection, the Gilchrist Collection, there are some key differences in the ways Brits plan their big day, compared to that of Americans. Samantha Gilchrist, the owner of the Gilchrist Collection, has had the pleasure of helping thousands of engaged couples with their wedding, across 12 venues, both in the UK and US.

Lanelay Hall Hotel is a luxurious wedding venue in Pontyclun

Starting life as a manor house dating back to 1821, Lanelay Hall Hotel has undergone many different transformations throughout its lifetime. Over the years, the venue has been home to a succession of well-heeled gentry families, often hosting special events and impressive family celebrations. The most notable of these residents are the Bassett, Cole and Talbot families.

Combining centuries of timeless architecture on the outside, finely balanced with contemporary design on the inside, you can choose from a variety of individually named guest rooms and suites linked to past occupiers. The 19 bedrooms are individually designed with bespoke furniture, carpets and bathrooms to offer luxe boutique stays.

Here are 10 must-have items to include in a wedding bathroom basket

Luxury bathroom experts at Posh.co.uk have shared ten must-have items to provide to make sure guests are well taken care of. Wedding bathroom baskets can be a really nice touch for couples to show their guests they care by providing them with everything they need for a comfortable evening. Including items like safety pins, deodorant, body tape and antihistamines will mean that guests won't have to worry about a thing. Andy Ellis from Posh.co.uk said: "Wedding bathroom baskets can be a really lovely touch at a reception by providing guests with all of those small but important items that they may not necessarily be able to bring with them.

The Speech Surgery: timings!

Unsure of when to have the wedding speeches? Heidi Ellert McDermott, founder of Speechy & author of The Modern Couple's Guide to Wedding Speeches has the answer: In the US, speeches are just as common at the rehearsal dinner (the formal dinner prior to the wedding that the 'top table' are invited to) as the wedding day itself. At many British weddings, the speeches are scheduled before the wedding meal; the idea that everyone is officially welcomed to the wedding and the speakers are quickly able to relax (and tuck into the free wine!).

Wedding day wines from leading English wine producer Gusbourne

English wine producer Gusbourne, has a stunning range of the finest vintage sparkling and still wines to elevate any wedding providing guests with an array of exquisite drinks that complement every element, from the welcome drinks to the wedding breakfast and toasts! With Gusbourne wines, every pour becomes a celebration of love and new beginnings, ensuring your wedding day becomes a truly unforgettable affair, brimming with sophistication, charm, and cherished memories. For a spectacular wedding reception, fill your guests' glasses with the exquisite Gusbourne Blanc de Blancs 2018, a sparkling masterpiece that exudes elegance with its delicate bubbles and refreshing, crisp notes. As guests raise their glasses to toast the happy couple, each sip is vibrant and intense, setting the tone for an evening of celebrations.

Dylan Coastal Resort has announced a new brand ambassador

Welsh professional dancer and TV personality Amy Dowden has been appointed as the brand ambassador for Dylan Coastal Resort in Carmarthenshire. Amy's partnership comes at an exciting time for Dylan Coastal Resort as the site undergoes a period of expansion, including the addition of a new health and wellness facility. The Studio will serve as an extension to the existing spa facilities at Milk Wood House and offer treatments including cranial therapy. The team has also introduced a new head chef who will be heading up the restaurant team and has plans to add 120 new lodges slated for completion in 2025.

Biggest wedding faux pas to avoid on your big day

With more than half (53%) of married Brits confessing to having wedding day regrets, wedding expert and CEO of the UK's largest collection of wedding venues, The Gilchrist Collection, Samantha Gilchrist shares her thoughts on the biggest wedding faux pas' couple should steer clear of to guarantee wedding day success. "You've planned everything down to the tiniest detail and finally get to enjoy your day, why risk something spoiling it? While some of these things are a little outside your control, it's important to let your wedding planner and venue know what your boundaries are, and the things you would find unacceptable, were they to happen on your big day. They'll be able to support you in handling issues both ahead of time and on the day itself.

Hensol Castle is perfect for fairytale weddings

Hensol Castle is perfect for couples who are planning a fairytale wedding in a grand setting. This 17th-century property is nestled within 650 acres of Welsh countryside, creating plenty of places to take photographs.

Sympathetically renovated to create a modern décor throughout, the castle has arched windows, oak panelling and sweeping staircases that are ideal for making a grand entrance.

Finish the day by retiring to one of the new luxury bedrooms, each with bespoke features such as roll-top baths and four-poster beds. Re-group the next morning over a delicious breakfast in the orangery and continue the celebrations.

These are the most popular 'first dance' songs of 2024, as online searches soar!

Scraping over 350 'First Dance' playlists on Spotify and analysing the 12,000 tracks that featured on them, Diamonds Factory ranked the songs that featured the most to determine the most popular first dance song of 2024. 60 years on, and Etta James' At Last is the most popular first dance song of 2024. The data revealed that Etta James' 'At Last' is the most popular first dance song for couples to choose for their wedding, with the song featuring in a whopping 46 'first dance' playlists. Regardless of the song being released over 60 years ago, Etta's love song is still proving to be a timeless classic for couples.

The Speech Surgery: does my wedding speech have to be funny?

'The Speech Surgery' with Heidi Ellert McDermott, founder of Speechy & author of The Modern Couple's Guide to Wedding Speeches: I'm not funny. Does my wedding speech need to be? I've heard some lovely speeches that haven't contained any humour, but here's the thing...they are the exception to the rule. Nearly every speech is better if it contains a little humour. FACT. Generally, folk from the UK and Australia want their speeches to have a lot of humour in them, while clients from other parts of the world, namely the US, lean towards a sweeter speech, with lighter elements, as opposed to all-out funny.

6 bridesmaid proposal ideas from Getting Personal

Once you've said yes to your future spouse, it's time to recruit your future bridal party. To pop the question you can keep it short and sweet or go with something a little more elaborate. A bridesmaid proposal is the perfect way to ensure they know their special role in your life and, more importantly, on your big day itself. There has been an 85% increase in Google searches for 'bridesmaid proposal ideas'¹ over the past year, therefore gifting experts at Getting Personal have shared 6 bridesmaid proposal ideas for those needing a little inspiration for asking their bridesmaids to be part of their bridal party.

Bonmarche has launched a new collaboration with David Emanuel

High-street fashion brand Bonmarche has launched a new collaboration with Welsh designer David Emanuel. First debuting at its Cardiff flagship store, the collection is curated for special occasions. Featuring flattering dresses, spotlight-stealing tailoring and delicate prints, each piece has been designed with David's expert eye to ensure that whatever the occasion, your outfit is showstopping.

David comments: "It's such a pleasure to be working with the Bonmarche team again. I have always had a love for creating silhouettes that combine classical elegance with distinctive detailing, and we have designed a great edit that I believe will have lasting appeal."

Couples counsellor shares 5 key boundaries to set

As technology brings us closer together than ever, it also has changed how relationships work, from meeting your significant other through an online dating app to having the ability to contact other people instantly at your fingertips. Smartphones have revolutionised communication - but do they strengthen or strain romantic relationships? With this in mind, the smartphone experts at Compare and Recycle have surveyed 2,000 people, delving into the complex world of smartphones. They discovered how many Brits trust their partners with phone passcodes, as well as partnering up with couples counsellor, Susan Leigh, to provide healthy passcode-sharing tips for couples.