Your South Wales Wedding news and ideas from around the area

The Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama is nestled in the heart of Cardiff

The Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, situated in the heart of Cardiff, is surrounded by white Portland-stone 19th-century civic buildings on one side and the grounds of the magnificent Cardiff Castle on the other. The college is made up of two buildings encompassing both historic and contemporary styles. The Anthony Hopkins Centre is the original Cardiff Castle Stables and boasts an historic open-air courtyard. While the contemporary glass-walled entrance hall, overlooking the Grade I-listed Bute Park, creates a stunning backdrop for photographs.

Savvy couples request money over wedding gifts amid cost of living crisis

Savvy couples are looking to use wedding gifts to invest in savings amid the cost-of-living crisis, new national research has revealed. The survey, conducted by Coventry Building Society discovered almost a quarter of newlyweds (24%) put money received as a wedding gift straight into a savings account, with more than one in ten couples (15%) using money to pay off wedding debt straight away. What's more, over half of respondents (57%) just want money as their wedding gift, opting for financial safety over traditional gift giving (43%).

A group of local suppliers worked together to create a dream wedding and raise money for a great cause

A couple from Port Talbot, Ryan and Darcie, teenage sweethearts and very much in love, were dreaming of being with their nearest and dearest and being married, but they'd just ploughed all of their disposable money into renovating their home, so plans for a big doo were put on ice. Until they won a competition for a dream wedding worth over £25k!

Rachel Jenkins, owner of The Dancing Daffodil florist in Port Talbot and mastermind of the huge fundraising endeavour, thoughtfully put together a wedding of any couple's dreams, a big day filled with top suppliers and nothing too much trouble, all while boosting the fundraising efforts for a little girl from Cwmavon.

The Speech Surgery part three - the father-of-the-bride gets the spotlight

The Speech Surgery part three, Heidi Ellert McDermott shares her tips for the father of the bride and how to delivery the ultimate speech. The wedding speech tradition is as prevalent as ever and is still very much one of the key parts of the day. For some, public speaking comes quite naturally, and they wouldn't think twice about standing up and 'performing' on cue, while for others it may cause sleepless nights and anxiety but the pressure of pleasing a loved one means you can't say no! Fear not, whether you're a pro and want to heighten your speech, or a novice and you need some advice on how to settle those nerves, Heidi is here to answer your all-important questions...

LIGA has launched a new cork recycling scheme in Cardiff

Endeavouring to make a positive impact on the planet, LIGA has launched a new cork recycling scheme in Cardiff, putting used wine corks to good use.

LIGA creates contemporary homeware collections, including placemats and coasters, trays, tableware, kitchen textiles and furniture, perfect as pre-wedding gifts. As well as providing sustainable options for home products, the team at LIGA strongly believes in encouraging people to work together to protect the environment. The new cork recycling initiative is a simple yet powerful way to contribute to a greener future. With 30 stores currently taking part in this recycling scheme, the idea is to take spent corks from wine bottles to your nearest participating LIGA stockist, where the corks will be collected. These will then be recycled into future LIGA products.

Planning an engagement party? Here’s a 6-step-guide from a party planner

So you've said the easiest yes of your life and now is the time to celebrate your new status with an engagement party, but where do you even start? From budget to dates to invites, the list can seem endless and overwhelming at first, but there are a few simple considerations that can ease the process from the offset, making this exciting phase of your life enjoyable, memorable and personal to you both. To help with your engagement party checklist, party planning expert at Ginger Ray, Jess Martin, shares six fool-proof etiquette tips to avoid those stressful preparations:

The Glyn Clydach is situated in an idyllic part of Neath

Set in an idyllic part of Neath within 15 acres of pristine grounds with panoramic views over the surrounding countryside, The Glyn Clydach is the perfect setting for your dream wedding.

Licensed for civil ceremonies, you can say 'I do' in The Abbey Suite, complete with a fully draped fairylit ceiling, or weather permitting, in the beautiful outdoor garden area.

A range of menus and packages are available for 50 to 220 guests, with all-inclusive full-day packages and whirlwind offers available.

Love letters are all but lost

Once the staple currency of every romance, the simple art of writing a love letter has been all but lost, in an age of Snapchat and WhatsApp. A new study has revealed that nearly half of young Brits in relationships (45 percent) aged between 18 and 35, have never written their sweetheart a love letter, while 71 percent say they would rather send a romantic WhatsApp, DM or Snap. In fact, 88 percent say that traditional displays of affection such as love letters and flowers are old fashioned. Young lovers admit that they wouldn't know what to say in a letter (37 percent), with a third (29 percent) confessing they would feel silly, according to the poll by Bird & Blend Tea Co. who have created a Swizzels Love Hearts Tea.

Lab-grown diamonds dominating the market in 2024

In 2023, rather than reassessing their budget, many couples have started to become more conscious of their spending habits and switching to gemstones rather than diamonds and opting for lab-grown diamonds. According to exclusive internal data from Queensmith, lab-grown diamonds have continued to dominate the market due to their lower cost per carat, resulting in more affordable prices. These highly sought-after diamonds have enabled couples to still find the perfect engagement ring, without inflating their budget. The affordable option, at 60-80% cheaper than natural diamonds, accounted for nearly 80% of Queensmith's diamond engagement rings sold in 2023. Not only can consumers expect larger carat weights and higher quality diamonds, but also a more environmentally friendly and sustainably sourced alternative to mined diamonds.

The Speech Surgery part two - icebreakers and tips for the best man

The Speech Surgery part two, Heidi Ellert McDermott shares her tips on icebreakers and advice for the best man. The wedding speech tradition is as prevalent as ever and is still very much one of the key parts of the day. For some, public speaking comes quite naturally, and they wouldn't think twice about standing up and 'performing' on cue, while for others it may cause sleepless nights and anxiety but the pressure of pleasing a loved one means you can't say no! Fear not, whether you're a pro and want to heighten your speech, or a novice and you need some advice on how to settle those nerves, Heidi is here to answer your all-important questions...

The worst Valentine’s Day presents ever gifted

With Valentine's Day fast approaching, many people in relationships will be facing one of the toughest questions of the year - "What do I buy my other half?". There have already been 43,000 online searches for "Valentine's Day gifts" as people look for inspiration and whilst some people might receive extravagant and romantic presents, some people are less fortunate. With this in mind, Ninja surveyed the nation to find out what the worst presents people had been given for Valentine's Day, and between a bag of crisps and cat food, the results will shock you

Mercure Holland House Hotel and Spa is the fifth most booked city spa in the UK

Spabreaks.com has revealed that the Mercure Holland House Hotel and Spa is the fifth most booked city spa in the UK. Situated in the centre of Cardiff, the day spa at Mercure Holland House Hotel and Spa is easily accessible and has all the facilities to wind down as a mid-week treat or a weekend spa day. For a special occasion, a girls' weekend, or just for some time out from every day, the hotel will provide creature comforts, delicious dining and leisure facilities to help you unwind. Enjoy a dip in the 18-metre swimming pool surrounded by floor-to-ceiling windows, then chill out in the spa's other wet facilities, which include a hot tub and steam room. Then, of course, there's a selection of relaxing spa therapies to choose from, such as a hot stone massage or a Décleor facial.

Hen do and stag party tips 2024

Anita Naik, Savings Expert at VoucherCodes.co.uk provides her top tips on reducing the cost of a hen or stag do: "Many bridal and groom parties begin planning their respective hen and stag dos throughout the months of January and February. Taking the time to plan carefully is crucial, especially if you are planning on jetting off somewhere. "But, with rising living costs and foreign destinations being more expensive than ever, I've put together my top tips to help you have some pre-wedding fun without breaking the bank - either domestically, or abroad.

Penarth Pier Pavilion is a romantic venue with 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 charming wedding spaces to choose from. Hosting a range of events throughout the year, the venue offers live music, art exhibitions and workshops.

Hensol Castle is a 17th-century property nestled within 650 acres of Welsh countryside

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 beautiful Welsh countryside, creating plenty of places to take those all-important 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.

2024 is here and it's time to get organised with a new wedding planner

Whether it's a new year's resolution to get more organised, or you're feeling overwhelmed with the wedding planning, use the new Our Wedding Planner to keeping track of your dreams and decisions for a stress-free wedding planning experience - allowing you to focus on enjoying day! Our Wedding Planner will not only organise your big day, but also create treasured memories for years to come. Every detail of your wedding, including hen and stag parties and the honeymoon are covered, allowing you to create your perfect wedding and keep that all-important budget on track along the way. Bursting with easy to follow advice, and space to record details of every conceivable aspect of planning the big day, this new book offers a one stop depository for ideas, prices, venues, suppliers and guests.

The Speech Surgery - How many speeches are too many?

The Speech Surgery with Heidi Ellert McDermott, founder of Speechy and author of The Modern Couple's Guide to Wedding Speeches: The wedding speech tradition is as prevalent as ever and is still very much one of the key parts of the day. For some, public speaking comes quite naturally, and they wouldn't think twice about standing up and 'performing' on cue, while for others it may cause sleepless nights and anxiety but the pressure of pleasing a loved one means you can't say no! Fear not, whether you're a pro and want to heighten your speech, or a novice and you need some advice on how to settle those nerves, Heidi is here to answer your all-important questions...

A matchmade in heaven for wedding gifting

Habulous is excited to reveal the latest addition to their range of personalised products, the perfect match striker pot. Handmade in the UK these personalised ceramic match striker pots look at home in your living room. The wheel-thrown pot is carefully glazed with a choice of personalisation inside the heart - reminiscent of those retro love doodles! Filled with pastel matches in complementary shades, the jars come in five signature colours: Cornflower Blue, Mint Green, Off White, Pale Pink, Light Yellow.

Gaucho Cardiff is a new restaurant located in the heart of Cardiff

Gaucho Cardiff is a new restaurant located in the heart of Cardiff. Known for its South American dishes and signature selection of 100 per cent carbon-neutral steaks, sourced from Black-Angus cattle, the new Gaucho Cardiff boasts a range of delicious menus. Choose from a range of a la carte options, pre- and post-theatre, or a set lunch, perfect for pre-wedding celebrations.

HARIBO giving free wedding cake to Gummy Ring proposals this Valentine's

From lockdown couples to celebrities, the last few years has seen the nation embrace their inner child by getting engaged with HARIBO's iconic Friendship Ring. To mark this Valentine's Day, HARIBO, the UK's number one sweets manufacturer, is delighted to declare that lovebirds ready to unleash their inner child and dive into marital bliss with its iconic gummy ring will get the sweetest reward – the chance to win their very own HARIBO Heart Throb Wedding Cake for their big day.