Your South Wales Wedding news and ideas from around the area

The five best weather apps to keep your eye on it leading up to the big day

Wedding jewellery experts Austen & Blake have listed some of the best weather apps to keep an eye on in the lead-up to your big day. The UK weather has been anything but predictable lately, with September set to be a particularly rainy and unsettled month, according to The Met Office. Top-rated apps help to track and plan your wedding day accordingly. Weather apps are invaluable when it comes to planning your nuptials, but sometimes there's no avoiding the inevitable. That's why, along with listing the best apps for tracking grey skies, the jewellery experts have teamed up with a professional wedding photographer to provide tips on how to get the best rainy snaps.

Even when the weather's a washout, it doesn't mean your wedding photos have to be! Here are some of the best weather apps to keep an eye on and how to strike the perfect pose if rain is predicted:

Coast, a restaurant in Saundersfoot, has launched a new seafront bar

Coast, a restaurant in Saundersfoot, has launched Pembrokeshire's newest seafront bar. Offering guests an al fresco experience, Teras Bar is the ideal space to enjoy pre-wedding drinks, good food, and the coastal breeze while relaxing on the golden sands of Coppet Hall.

Known for his passion for sustainability, head chef Fred Clapperton has partnered with local suppliers to craft a tantalising bar menu, comprising of locally-sourced Pembrokeshire oysters, Welsh cured meats, and delicious Welsh cheeses.

Don’t like your engagement ring? Relationship experts reveal what you need to do!

A marriage proposal is filled with an overwhelming amount of emotion and is a moment both you and your partner will remember forever. But once the initial rush fades, what if you come to terms with the fact that the ring placed on your finger isn't what you envisioned it to look like? Leading diamond jewellers, Diamonds Factory, teamed up with relationship experts Georgia Sturmer and Sharin Shafer, who have shared their top 3 tips on how to handle this delicate situation in the best way possible.

The Orangery is an 18th-century venue that combines rustic and contemporary décor

Nestled amongst 850 acres of parkland, The Orangery is an 18th-century venue that perfectly combines rustic and contemporary décor to create a wonderful setting to say, 'I do.' Situated within the grounds of Margam Country Park, The Orangery has plenty of places to explore and take photographs, including a Gothic-style mansion and monastic ruins.

Tie the knot in The Grove, a stunning room with elegant mouldings and feature windows that offers magnificent views of the terrace and gardens.

Fraser Hart launches its stunning lab-grown diamond collection

Fraser Hart, one of the UK's leading purveyors of fine jewellery, is redefining affordable luxury with the launch of its Born Lab Grown Diamonds collection in 10 new stores nationwide. Optically, physically and chemically identical to an earth-grown diamond, here cutting-edge technology is used to create timeless diamonds in a laboratory setting. Blending craftsmanship with innovation, Born Lab Grown Diamonds are breathtaking in their clarity, delivering the same sparkling wow-factor as traditionally mined gems, but with a more accessible price tag. The Born collection includes a stunning choice of "buy now, treasure forever" heirloom jewellery pieces. With exquisite diamond rings starting at just £799, diamond and white gold stud earrings from £799, classic diamond encrusted tennis bracelets from £5,250, and diamond pendant necklaces from £850, investing in luxurious, exceptional quality and utterly timeless diamond jewellery pieces has never been more attractive.

The wellness journals from Lovendu you need in your life

With Mental Health Awareness day falling in October, and as we approach the end of the year, take positive steps to improve your wellbeing in 2024 through journaling. The benefits of daily journaling are huge, from reducing stress and improving your mental health to boosting productivity and providing an opportunity to get in sync with your emotions. It's the ultimate act of self-care – and Lovendu makes it easy to take control of your life and truly thrive.

The Welsh National Wedding Awards recognise the best wedding businesses in Wales

The Welsh National Wedding Awards, now in its 12th year, recognise the best wedding businesses in Wales. Once again, this year, thousands of votes have been cast from couples whose weddings have taken place between 1st September 2022 and 31st August 2023. From these votes, a shortlist has been created, and the overall winners will be announced at the prestigious awards ceremony at Swansea's Brangwyn Hall on Sunday 12th November 2023.

Getting married? Alcohol-free menu is the new must-have

Samantha Gilchrist, CEO of the UK's largest wedding venue collection, The Gilchrist Collection, conducted a survey of 2,000 UK adults to find out their wedding drinking habits. The study comes as the collection launches its new alcohol-free drinks menu, created in partnership with First Dates star bartender, Merlin Griffiths. The survey revealed that almost half (47%) of those who had attended a wedding in the last five years didn't drink alcohol during at least one of the events they had been to. Sober guests said they were often left feeling uncomfortable at weddings sipping an un-festive soft drink, as 35% of respondents said they are questioned on why they aren't having alcohol. Sadly, a quarter admitted to drinking alcohol at a wedding just to avoid awkward questions or having to share personal or medical information as an excuse.

Pencoed House Estate is a photographer's dream

Pencoed House Estate is surrounded by 36 acres of grounds, well- groomed lawns, flowers, and ancient woodland, with plenty of places to explore and take photographs. Dating back to 979AD, the property has a rich history and was once home to ministers of the church, the King of Glamorgan, and King Arthur and Queen Guinevere.

Made from original stone walls, the stately Old Hall has a striking vaulted ceiling, wooden beams, a roaring log fire, and room for 120 of your nearest and dearest.

3 things no one tells you when it comes to setting your wedding budget

2024 is set to be a bumper year for weddings. In addition to the usual 275,000 or so which take place in the UK each year, the big day is finally coming around for a lot of couples who had to postpone because of the pandemic. Unfortunately, the cost of living crisis is squeezing all those couple's budgets tighter than ever so we've asked Isabel Smith, wedding industry veteran, to offer her advice on setting (and sticking to!) that spreadsheet. Today, Isabel let's us in on the things no-one ever tells you when you're setting your wedding budget...

The Top 10 Instagrammable Spas in the UK

With National Spa Week taking place between the 4th and 10th of November this year, it is time to book your favourite location to totally relax! Whether with the girls, in a couple, or even on your own, treating yourself to a weekend away at a spa can revive you. Maddie, Senior Marketing Exec at Pink Boutique, says: "Reset the everyday stress with a weekend away at a luxurious spa and hotel. From acres of woodland setting the picture-perfect backdrop to dipping into a pool worthy of Aphrodite, you deserve to look as good as you feel, and with these spas, there's no doubt your followers will be that little bit jealous."

The Glen Yr Afon House Hotel is offering our readers an exclusive discount

The Glen Yr Afon House Hotel in Usk is the ideal spot to get away from it all and enjoy some time to yourself, relaxing and enjoying the beautiful scenery and sights of Monmouthshire. It sits on one of the finest salmon-fishing rivers in the country, the River Usk. A regular winner of Wales in Bloom, the pretty and well-cared-for town has charming shops, a castle, 28 sites of historic interest, the Museum of Rural Life and a Town Trail.

The beautiful bedrooms at Glen Yr Afon House Hotel are furnished to a high standard, with every guest bedroom being well equipped and most offer views of the hotel's spacious gardens.

5 engagement ring trends for 2024

With the festive season being the most popular time of year that couples choose to pop the question, it's no surprise that internet searches for 'engagement ring' have been steadily increasing the last six months as we head towards the new year. Luxury diamond jewellers, Diamonds Factory, have used Pinterest Trends data from the last six months (4th April 23' - 26th September 23') to find out which engagement ring styles are set to be big in 2024...

The Coed-Y-Mwstwr Hotel is a 19th-century venue nestled in 17 acres of woodland

The Coed-Y-Mwstwr Hotel is a 19th-century venue nestled in more than 17 acres of enchanting woodland. Steeped in history, the property offers breathtaking views across the Vale of Glamorgan and the perfect blend of rustic and contemporary décor.

Tie the knot in the Eliot Suite, which has dome ceilings, chandeliers, and a beautiful décor throughout, with space for 90 of your loved ones for the vows.

The secrets to a happy relationship

Researchers surveyed 2,000 British couples who have been together for ten years or longer, and it revealed a host of secrets to a happy, long-term relationship, according to those who have achieved it - including having no secrets (43 percent), a similar sense of humour (41 percent), never going to sleep on an argument (31 percent) and regular sex (32 percent.) Over a quarter (26 percent) of the long-term couples polled, said a 50/50 division of household labour was essential to keeping things amicable. Being able to laugh at each other (42 percent), not trying to change each other (36 percent) and having an open phone policy (10 percent) all featured in the list. Almost half (44 percent) of the British couples surveyed, claim they are very happy in their relationship, while a further 29 percent said they were generally happy.

The top autumn and winter wedding trends for 2023

An expert has forecast the wedding trends we can expect to see in the remainder of 2023. Wedding-goers in autumn and winter can expect to see a large emphasis on sustainability, DIY and an ode to all things vintage, according to Rachael Kiss from Alliance Online. She commented: "Wedding trends change seasonally, so it's crucial wedding hosts stay ahead of the curve. Efficient spending, sustainability and a vintage feel are key focuses this season, and rightly so. Wedding hosts no longer have to feel obliged to over-indulge in their big day and can instead, save money."

Enjoy oysters and champagne at Pembrokeshire’s newest seafront bar

Coast in Saundersfoot, a Seren venue, has launched Pembrokeshire's newest seafront bar, Teras Bar, offering guests an al fresco experience. Teras Bar is the ideal space to enjoy drinks and easy food and the coastal breeze while relaxing beachside on the golden sands of Coppet Hall.

Known for his passion for sustainability, head chef Fred Clapperton has partnered with local suppliers to craft a tantalising bar menu, comprising locally-sourced Pembrokeshire oysters, Welsh cured meats, and delicious Welsh cheeses, not only to offer fresh ingredients and the finest of Welsh cuisine, but to celebrate locally-sourced produce and the local community.

Sentimental wedding bands with Atelier VM

Fine Italian jewellery maker Atelier VM has just launched its beautiful new Impronta wedding bands, whereby brides and grooms can customise their special ring with their loved one's fingerprint. Each 18K ring is a unique piece made using the lost wax casting technique, of multiple finger prints layered, to create a beautifully personalised ring that makes a marriage of everlasting love extra special.

The therapeutic power of music on Mental Health Awareness Day

The issue of mental health has never been more important, three in five people in the UK suffer from some form of anxiety, but almost half of those people keep it a secret as they worry about being judged by others. And around one in six of the British population also suffers from moderate to severe depressive symptoms. Those shocking statistics show that the issue is still not spoken about enough, which means that sufferers feel excluded. But music can make a big difference! Making or playing music has been proven to deliver many mental health benefits.

Hensol Castle is a 17th-century castle perfectly placed within 650 acres of Welsh countryside

Hensol Castle is a 17th-century castle perfectly placed within 650 acres of Welsh countryside. Sympathetically renovated and boasting a modern décor throughout, the castle has arched windows, oak panelling, and sweeping staircases. Those of you looking to stay the night will love the new luxury bedrooms; each has bespoke features such as roll-top baths and four-poster beds.

Ceremonies are held in the resplendent Oak Room or outside under the bandstand, which offers impressive views of the Welsh countryside.