Your South Wales Wedding news and ideas from around the area

Ewenny Priory is one of South Wales’ hidden gems

Ewenny Priory is one of South Wales' hidden gems, a wonderfully atmospheric Medieval priory encircled by fortifications from the 12th century. Facing a large former deer park surrounded by woodland, Ewenny Priory is a peaceful and ultimately private scene to use to celebrate your wedding.

On your big day, you will be given exclusive access to the gardens to create your own venue using marquees, tipis, yurts, or whatever takes your fancy.

True costs of saying 'I do' revealed by the experts

Recent research by Hodge reveals the dream of getting married can come with a hefty price tag, reaching more than £20,000. Hodge dived into the averages of how much each part of a wedding costs, revealing that food and the honeymoon were the two most expensive parts. When it comes to wedding attire, couples spare no expense to look their best on their special day. According to Hodge's research, the average cost of wedding outfits in the UK is substantial. For instance, the engagement ring alone sets couples back around £1,948 on average, surpassing even the cost of the bride's dress, which averages £1,500. But, the wedding bands cost substantially less, on average couples only spend £1,000 for both rings.

The Speech Surgery: Indian wedding speeches with Heidi Ellert McDermott, founder of Speechy

'The Speech Surgery' with Heidi Ellert McDermott, founder of Speechy & author of The Modern Couple's Guide to Wedding Speeches. I'm giving a Maid of Honour speech at a large Indian wedding. I've never been to one before... any etiquette I need to be aware of? Speeches are finally getting the attention they deserve at Indian weddings. A couple of decades ago they still weren't that common but now they're finally taking centre stage. And quite literally. In terms of etiquette, there's no major difference but the scale of the event will impact your speech. As we know, most Indian weddings are big events. It's not uncommon to have a guestlist anywhere from 400 to 1,000 guests and speakers are often up on a stage with lighting, sound crews and being filmed too! Check with the bride and find out...

Show your bridesmaids some love with the One4all Beauty & Spa Gift Card

Finding a range of gifts all your bridal party will love can be a struggle, especially when you've got a long wedding checklist to tick off. That's why the One4all Beauty & Spa Favourite Gift Card is an ideal addition to any bridal box or thank you card, it gives your hens the choice to pamper themselves with much-loved brands such as Boots, The Perfume Shop, Rituals, SpaSeekers and many more. It can be loaded with any amount from £15 to a generous £100, perfect if you've got a tight budget but still want to treat your bridesmaids.

Check out these unmissable wedding fairs this June

Looking for the perfect suppliers for your big day? Head down to a local wedding fair to meet some of the region's best companies and get heaps of inspiration.

On Sunday 2nd June is The Pembrokeshire Wedding Fayre at The Pavilion between 11am and 3pm. Entry is free of charge.

Also taking place on Sunday 2nd June is the Gileston Manor Wedding Fair. Doors open from 11am to 3pm and entry is free of charge.

Later in the month, is The Orangery at Margam Park Wedding Fayre. Taking place on Sunday 23rd June, the event starts at 11am until 3pm and it's free to attend.

Jewellery expert shares how to match your nails to your rings

Whether you're searching for an engagement ring for your partner or treating yourself to some new diamond earrings, there is so much to consider when it comes to finding the ideal jewellery. From complementary colours to chunky or more delicate styles, the experts at Abelini have shared four things to consider when purchasing new jewellery. Nilesh Rakholia, Director at jewellery retailer, Abelini, comments: "There are many factors to think about when it comes to buying new jewellery. Whatever the occasion, and whether it's a purchase for yourself or for a loved one, different styles and colours complement people in different ways - there's a perfect jewellery match for everyone!"

Caer Llan is an 18th-century country house boasting far-reaching views

Situated in more than 25 acres of glorious countryside, Caer Llan is an 18th-century country house wedding venue boasting far-reaching views of the distant Welsh mountains. Family-run by owners Vicky and Jake Carpenter, the property has idyllic grounds and gardens with a network of paths and an adjacent bluebell woodland to explore. Various features, such as an outdoor swimming pool and an original Victorian greenhouse, are also located within the grounds. The house itself has been lovingly refurbished by the owners and has 16 en-suite bedrooms available exclusively for your wedding guests.

There are countless areas for amazing wedding photos both indoors and outdoors, and the venue is a favourite of many photographers who have visited.

The Speech Surgery: funny photo inclusions yay or nay?

'The Speech Surgery' with Heidi Ellert McDermott, founder of Speechy & author of The Modern Couple's Guide to Wedding Speeches: My husband has been asked to be his brother's best man. We have lots of funny photos of his brother through the years. Should we utilise them in the speech? A decade ago, nearly every best man speech involved a PowerPoint presentation of embarrassing photos of the groom. These days are over. Maybe it's because social media now allows people to look back at laugh at their mates 'fedora' or 'drop crotch' years without needing to wait for a wedding. Or, maybe it's just because using PowerPoint is generally awkward and clunky anywhere other than the boardroom.

Don’t let your wedding decor go to waste: five creative ways to repurpose it!

With the time, money and effort you put into creating the perfect wedding setting for your special day, it only makes sense to make the most out of it, don't you think? If you want to give your decor another ounce of life but are not sure how, look no further. Experts at Diamonds Factory have shared five ways you can repurpose your wedding decor beyond the ceremony. 1.Get creative and repurpose your extra wedding invitations into a DIY project.

Huw and Dale Photography is offering our readers an exclusive discount

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.

Six things you need to insure when tying the knot

As wedding season draws nearer, couples are scrambling to tie up loose ends and ensure their special day goes off without a hitch. Amidst the excitement and anticipation, there have been 11K Google searches for 'wedding insurance' in the past month alone. The insurance experts at Bionic have looked into some of the most useful insurances to have for your big day. As of 2023, the average amount spent on wedding venues in the UK was nearly £8,000, meaning a significant amount of money would be at stake if the day were to be cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances affecting the venue. Similarly, the average spent on wedding videography and photography was nearly £3,000. In the event of any technical faults on the day, you could be at risk of memories of your special day not being captured, and also losing out on thousands if you weren't to take out cover.

The Orangery is an 18th-century Grade I listed wedding venue

The Orangery, a grand 18th-century Grade I listed building, creates a jaw-dropping setting to say, 'I do.' Nestled within the grounds of Margam Country Park, The Orangery offers a wealth of locations for memorable photographs, including remnants of the monastic ruins and the iconic Margam Castle.

Tie the knot in The Grove, a gorgeous room lined with ornamental arched windows and fine architectural details. Flooded with natural light and offering serene views over the terrace and gardens, The Grove is a stunning location for a memorable wedding ceremony.

Leading Celebrant says industry needs infusion of new talent

The UK celebrant industry is seen as boring and is ripe for reinvigoration, according to Richard Lavender, founder of UK Celebrant Academy, a new training company for modern celebrants. There is now much more demand for celebrant-led ceremonies than ever before, as people want weddings that reflect their unique stories and values. "Celebrants, unlike registrars, provide completely unique and personalised ceremonies, with no limitations on location or content. But there are a lot of celebrants who are providing boring cookie cutter ceremonies. The Celebrant industry needs an infusion of new blood that will bring energy, humour and fun to special days whether they are weddings, funerals, baby naming or vow renewals," says Richard.

‘The Speech Surgery’ with Speechy's Heidi Ellert McDermott

'The Speech Surgery' with Heidi Ellert McDermott, founder of Speechy & author of The Modern Couple's Guide to Wedding Speeches' We're planning on having five speakers at our wedding. How do we make sure the speeches don't take over the whole day? Great speeches can add so much fun and meaning to a wedding day – but you can have too much of a good thing. Guests don't want to feel like they're sat at a conference, so firstly, think about how you schedule the speakers. Perhaps have a couple before the meal, two before the dessert and one (funny speech) after everyone's finished eating. You want your guests to interact with each other on a regular basis, rather than listening to a succession of speakers for an hour!

The Office for National Statistics: journeying through modern life

The Office for National Statistics has published an article exploring life's most important milestones and how they have changed over time. Using a range of data sources, the article looks at key life events such when people enter the workforce, get married, and earn the most money. Kerry Gadsdon, from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), said: "Everyone's journey through adulthood is different, but we can use a range of data to explore key events in life. We've examined how these milestones of adulthood have changed over the past decade and can see how society is shifting. "In England and Wales, people are doing many things later in life; like leaving their parent's home, getting married, and retiring. But not everything has changed. Most people still enter the workforce at 23-24 years old and make the most money in their 30s to 50s."

The Glyn Clydach is hosting a wedding fair on 2nd June

The Glyn Clydach, a charming wedding venue in Neath, is hosting a wedding fair on Sunday 2nd June. Taking place between 11am and 3pm, the fair is the perfect opportunity to see the venue for yourself, meet the venue's wedding coordinator and some of the best local wedding suppliers. What's more, one lucky couple will win £1,000 voucher prize!

Couples can explore the indoor wedding space, The Abbey Suite, which is complete with a fully draped fairylit ceiling. There's also a beautiful outdoor garden area which is ideal for al fresco celebrations.

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.