Your South Wales Wedding news and ideas from around the area

Craig Y Nos Castle is offering two new wedding packages

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.

These are the UK’s most popular manor house wedding venues for Bridgerton-inspired ceremonies!

As we all wait in anticipation for tonight's first episode of season three of Bridgerton to hit our screens, we're ready to immerse ourselves in Regency splendour once again. If you're engaged, in the throws of wedding planning, there's so much to be inspired by when watching this hit series. New data collected by ethical jewellery brand Sacet has revealed the top manor house wedding venues across the UK that would make the perfect location for a Bridgerton-inspired ceremony. By analysing a number of factors, including number of reviews, professionalism, quality of service and value for money, of over 230 wedding venues that offer manor house weddings in the UK, the top 20 were revealed.

Make sure your big day is protected

A wedding is a special day for a couple, but it can also be an expensive one. Between venues, caterers, photographers, dresses, and entertainment, the costs can add up. For those planning a wedding, it's important you insure yourself against anything that could go awry just before, or on the big day. For those aiming to tie the knot this year, Alex Cross, Insurance Director at Tesco Bank shares his top tips on things to consider for your wedding day to make sure you're covered so things can run as smoothly as possible.

Newbridge on Usk is an idyllic five-star boutique hotel

Newbridge on Usk is an idyllic five-star boutique hotel featuring six stylish en-suite bedrooms, each individually designed with comfort and elegance in mind. Bursting hedgerows, a bubbling river and laid-back luxury in the heart of the countryside, your guests will fall in love with the property from the moment they arrive.

The newly refurbished superior and deluxe bedrooms offer everything you need for the perfect escape to the country. Each room is complete with a stylish en-suite and upgraded luxury amenities.

Indulge in delicious dining with family and friends, enjoying lovingly cooked modern British cuisine featuring seasonal ingredients. All this in the loveliest setting on the banks of the River Usk. With passionate chefs at the helm of this fabulous two-AA Rosette award-winning restaurant, offering delicious modern dishes, it really is a dining delight.

WoodWick® reveals its latest collections

WoodWick® reveals its latest collection designed to effortlessly elevate the home with its unique fragrances and contemporary designs - perfect for big-day gifting. What's more, the gorgeous colour palettes would also suit spring and summer wedding themes adding aroma to your ceremony or reception, evoking memories of your wedding day for years to come. Created to make a statement with its one-of-a-kind multi-sensory experience, the WoodWick® Spring/Summer 2024 range re-energises the home and adds an extra layer of sophistication. With the soothing sound of the crackling wicks, and trend forward scents evocative of the brighter days ahead, this collection is sure to add a bold, yet stylish, touch to the home.

Tall John’s House was shortlisted for an award

Tall John's House, a romantic wedding venue in the Brecon Beacons National Park, has been shortlisted for the 'Customer Service Award' by Guides for Brides! What's more, the venue has also increased its accommodation capacity to 27 people in the Manor House, Stables and Saddlers, meaning the entire venue can accommodate up to 37 adults.

On-site is a restored Welsh barn that's ideal for weddings. Its enchanting courtyard, with a wooden gazebo decorated with flowers and covered in Perspex if the weather is unkind, is a generous space both inside and out. There's also a split-level granary with its canopied beams and light-stone floor and there is space in the gallery above for extra friends and family if needed.

New cake stands launched in Spring pastel shades

Innovative UK cake stand brand, Prop Options has launched a new, sophisticated range of interchangeable pastel-coloured cake stands, giving couples and cake designers bountiful colourful options when it comes to displaying their wedding cakes. Known as the Reeded Stand, these pastel-toned contemporary cake plinths have removable top plates, allowing designers and couples to mix and match colourways for a truly unique, fun, yet elegant, design. Prop Options is bringing out six colourways in its Pastel Reeded Stand collection, namely pink, lavender, green, yellow, blue and 2024 colour of the year, Pantone Peach Fuzz. The stands are also available in white, black, and gold.

New Smeg products ideal for wedding gifting this season

Whether you're compiling your big-day gift list and looking for inspiration, or you're a guest attending a wedding in the coming months, these new items from Smeg makes wedding gifting easy! Adding to its of portfolio cooking essentials, Smeg has introduced its first countertop scales. The KSC01 Kitchen Scales are a welcome addition for both budding bakers and professionals in the kitchen. Joining the likes of stand mixers and cookware in Smeg's portfolio, the brand's all-new digital scales are both outstanding in design and packed with its advanced technology.

Mount Rooms Hotel has opened after a refurbishment

Having been an established hotel for many years and being located within the heart of Barry, surrounded by lots of history, it was realised that the landmark Mount Rooms Hotel was something much desired, and the facilities of the hotel were being missed. After being empty for nearly two years and with much love and attention required, investment has been put back into the iconic hotel to create the Mount Rooms Hotel.

Strategically located just seven minutes from Cardiff Airport and a five- minute walk from Barry train station, the ethos of Mount Rooms Hotel is to offer exceptional quality throughout your stay without a hefty price tag.

7 top tips for including your pooch in your wedding

Considering including your pooch at your wedding? Here are 7 top tips from Petpals. With 57% of UK households boasting a furry friend, it is no wonder many couples dream of having their beloved dog join them on their special day. In fact, a whopping eight in 10 Brits say they would want their four-legged companion to be part of their wedding festivities. But before you entrust your pooch with the role of ring bearer, it is essential to be well prepared to ensure that your big day is nothing short of paw-some for both you and your pup. Here, Kevin Thackrah, Director of Petpals, the UK's longest-established pet-care franchise, shares some top tips on how to seamlessly incorporate your canine companion into your wedding day.

How to avoid guests over indulging on alcoholic drinks on the big day

One in six (16 per cent) wedding guests admit to driving home the morning after a wedding, when they could still be over the alcohol limit, reveals new research1 from Direct Line Motor Insurance. In a bid to remind drivers about the risks of getting behind the wheel after celebratory drinking, a car was crashed into a three-metre-high wedding cake outside Blenheim Palace2, one of the UK's most instagramable wedding venues.

With one in five (20 per cent) guests saying they have been driven home by someone they thought was over the drink drive limit, the morning after celebrating nuptials, the smashed wedding cake highlights the risks involved with driving the morning after.

6 Star Wars cocktails for the ultimate Star Wars hen do

Calling all brides-to-be and their intergalactic squadrons! Prepare to elevate your hen party to new heights as leading hen party company Fizzbox teams up with magical tavern, The Cauldron, to concoct a range of Star Wars cocktails, perfect for celebrating the bride's journey to the galaxy of marriage! Set your blasters to fun as The Cauldron's mixologists transport you to a galaxy far, far away with their selection of otherworldly drinks inspired by the iconic saga. From Darth Vader-inspired concoctions to drinks that will have you feeling like you're partying on the Millennium Falcon, there's something to delight every Jedi bride and her entourage.

Wedding homeware from Addison Ross

The heart and soul of British luxury Addison Ross, is a family owned British brand started in 1978; from a small business, it has now grown into a global sensation with a vast offering including an exquisite range of luxury homeware essentials that create the ideal wedding tablescape or wedding gift. A recent collaboration with India Hicks, saw the launch of a beautiful new photo frame collection, which India (King Charles' Goddaughter) used for her own wedding photos. These wonderful frames can also be used to create special moments at weddings including framing seating charts or cocktail menus!

The most popular wedding cars of 2024 and how much they will cost

As we head into the Spring/Summer wedding season, many couples will be tying up the last elements of their weddings before the big day. Often left to the last minute is transport, with many couples wanting to arrive and leave their wedding venues in style. Nationwide Vehicle Contracts decided to investigate which cars are the most popular when it comes to wedding hire, and also how much hiring one will set you back. To work out the most popular wedding car of 2024, Nationwide Vehicle Contracts has analysed Google search volumes, Google search trends and TikTok data including the number of posts per model, monthly searches and the YoY search trend.

Tenovus Cancer Care has launched an online shop

The Wales-based charity Tenovus Cancer Care has launched an online shop selling hundreds of products, including great gifts, home decor, well-being products and accessories for your garden.

New products for spring have just dropped, including great ideas for Easter and the warmer days of summer. 100 per cent of all profits from the sales go towards helping Tenovus Cancer Care provide care and support to all those affected by cancer.

Young Brits looking to get hitched face saving for 30 Months

Young couples are faced with saving for over 30 months to reach their wedding savings goals, according to new research from Nationwide that charts what Brits are saving for in 2024.One in six young people are currently putting money away for their dream wedding. On average, these love birds are aiming to save £17,000 in preparation for their wedding – although the costs will likely be higher as many will also benefit from contributions from family and friends. Based on average monthly individual savings of £282, it would take a typical couple saving a combined £564 around 31 months to reach their target.*

SGDJ Weddings has won an award

Taking place in Cardiff earlier this year, the sixth Welsh Wedding Awards celebrated the elite wedding specialists and businesses that continuously create magical moments that turn into lasting memories. They recognise and reward those within the wedding industry that work towards making the big day as perfect as possible, including the caterers that provide delicious reception meals, decorators that take care of the wedding venues and add the glam in the room, or florists that know how to make any wedding flourish.

SGDJ Weddings was one of the finalists in the Entertainment Category. The competition was fierce, but they received recognition and took the trophy home.

Originating as a charming country house, Llechwen Hall first became a hotel in 1990

Llechwen, a traditional Welsh word, translates as white slate and it is thought that at some point in Llechwen Hall's long history, the building's roof was constructed with white slate, hence the name. Originating as a charming country house, Llechwen Hall first became a hotel in 1990, but in previous years the hall has had a variety of uses, from being a farm house to a private Welsh longhouse and even a small primary school.

The luxurious country house hotel has 44 luxurious and charmingly appointed bedrooms, which offer the perfect retreat after a long day of activities. All of the rooms are en suite with shower and bath facilities and each offers views across the splendid Welsh countryside.

In the restaurant, you'll find relaxed yet charming interiors paired with a warm welcome and sumptuous food, creating an intimate experience.

Spring Bank Holiday weekend is set to host second highest number of weddings for 2024

The team at hampers.com, who strive to bring joy and wholehearted togetherness through gifting, recently undertook a study to determine the most popular dates for weddings in 2024, surveying almost 2,300 UK adults who were set to get married this year. When asked what date they were getting married on, the most popular dates were found to be were these here...

Need a helping hand with your groom's speech? Check out these top tips from Speechy

'The Speech Surgery' with Heidi Ellert McDermott, founder of Speechy & author of The Modern Couple's Guide to Wedding Speeches'. My groom isn't naturally romantic. How can I help him with his speech without actually writing it for him? Well, no one will be expecting him to be reciting sonnets and he doesn't need to have a personality transplant, but it would be nice if he managed to deliver at least a few suitably sweet lines in his speech! Send him a few good blog posts (including this one) and encourage him to get the advice & feedback from his friends (ideally, married ones who have been through the speechwriting process before).