Your Glos and Wilts Wedding news and ideas from around the area

Does your mum need help with her wedding speech? Read these tips from Speechy

The Speech Surgery with Heidi Ellert McDermott, founder of Speechy & author of The Modern Couple's Guide to Wedding Speeches. Firstly, reassure your mum that we work with lots of mothers (both of the bride, and increasingly, the groom's) so it's no longer unusual to see a mum on the mic. Whether your mum is standing in for your father, speaking in addition to him or your dad isn't part of the picture, we generally find mothers have a lot to say! In terms of getting your mum excited at the prospect of delivering a speech, rather than dreading it, send her a few blog posts to show her how simple writing her speech can be.

Your ultimate hen do survival guide by SilkFred

With April being the most popular month for hen do's, and online fashion destination SilkFred finding that 625 people will be attending at least one hen do this 'hen do season' (with 93 of respondents attending 3+ hen do's)*, we've sat down with Georgie Mitchell, Wedding Planner, Coordinator and Wedding Expert at Silkfred and Head Stylist Megan Watkins, who have shared their ultimate 'Hen Do Survival Hacks' to manage everything from budgets and schedules to styling tips and mastering the art of saying "no".

Five myths about Champagne

For centuries, great occasions in life have been punctuated with Champagne. However, there are several myths surrounding the drinking, storing and essence of Champagne. As a result, the Champagne Bureau UK* wanted to bust those myths to separate fact from fiction and demonstrate how best to enjoy the pinnacle of sparkling wine, as well as ensure that you aren't fooled by some of the most common Champagne myths. Myth: Pop the cork and spray Champagne in times of celebrations. The blunt pop of the cork and the fizz of the fine bubbles – instantly reminiscent of celebration – is a sparkling start to any special occasion.

Book a stylish summer sleepover at Horwood House Hotel with Their Nibs

With spring finally here and summer on the horizon, escape to Horwood House Hotel in the beautiful Buckinghamshire countryside for some much-needed relaxation with your best girls. The hotel has launched an exclusive collaboration with the beautiful nightwear brand, Their Nibs to reveal their 'Seriously Stylish Sleepover' package. Groups of friends, hens, mums and daughters can enjoy a night away in style in stylish surroundings and the most comfortable pyjamas! Put on a pair of Their Nibs stylish PJs, get cosy, watch a film and pop open the prosecco before indulging in an express spa treatment, followed by dinner in Harry's Bar & Kitchen.

Moonpig reveals weddings cards are the hardest to write

Greeting cards have been a popular way to express celebrations and affection for our loved ones. We're used to purchasing cards for milestones from birthdays, weddings, new jobs and more, but how often do we struggle with what to write in a card? With the recent growth in popularity of AI models like ChatGPT, Moonpig has launched its "Smart Text" tool, a feature which uses generative AI as a writing assistant for customers who need help in those moments where they don't know what to put in a card to their loved ones.

Chef Adam Smith triumphs in Great British Menu 2024

Adam Smith, executive chef of Coworth Park including Michelin-starred Woven by Adam Smith, has excelled in this year's Great British Menu, impressing the esteemed judges Tom Kerridge, Nisha Katona and Ed Gamble, as well as visiting Olympians. For this BBC Two series, 32 of the UK's top chefs competed with creative menus that celebrate The Olympic and The Paralympic Games. Adam's fish course was triumphant in Finals Week and resulted in him winning a place in the Great British Menu banquet at the British Ambassador's Residence in Paris, which aired on BBC Two on Friday night. At the banquet, the chefs wished Team GB good luck for the 2024 Summer Olympic Games.

Donnington Valley Hotel and Spa Unveils New Gin-inspired Overnight Spa Break

Newbury's Donnington Valley Hotel and Spa announces the launch of the exciting new Spring Into Gin overnight spa break from £129.50 per person which invites guests to indulge in a rejuvenating spa retreat complete with botanical-inspired treatment choices, amidst the serene Berkshire countryside. The Spring Into Gin package is available from now until May 31st 2024. Guests embarking on the Spring Into Gin experience will be treated to a delightful journey of relaxation and revitalisation. Upon arrival, they will be welcomed with their choice of a refreshing gin and tonic, setting the tone for a truly tranquil getaway to follow.

Thinking of doing a joint wedding speech? Read Speechy's top tips

The Speech Surgery' with Heidi Ellert McDermott, Founder of Speechy & author of 'The Modern Couple's Guide to Wedding Speeches. A joint speech follows the same etiquette principles as your standard bride and groom speech but allows you to present it as a team and play up to your relationship dynamic. But, despite the two voices, be careful not to make the speech double the length! No more than 1,500 words maximum. When it comes to writing a joint speech, it all comes down to your ability to collaborate, discuss and bounce ideas off each other.

Things to consider when booking your big-day musicians

As the UK's largest and most sustainable musician bookings platform, musicians for weddings account for around 50% of Encore's bookings. As such, the company is well-versed in the most cost-effective ways to cut down on one of the more expensive aspects of a wedding. Please see below some best tips to help you save the most money when booking your wedding entertainment. On average, couples book musicians for their wedding seven and a half months in advance, but if your big day falls on a Saturday during peak season, you should book your musicians at least nine months in advance.

Planning a hen (or sten) party? These activity-based bars need to be on your list

Tasty food, gorgeous cocktails and a bit of healthy competition equals a winning recipe for an amazing time for your pre-wedding get together! How does a side of shuffleboard or darts with your cocktails sound? Whether you're looking for a daytime plan or something to keep you partying into the early hours, Electric Shuffle and Flight Club are great options. Both have resident DJs banging out the tunes, and both offer fab bottomless brunch packages if an afternoon booze session is more what you're after. They're also perfectly designed for the most amazing insta-worthy pics

Introducing James May Gin

Top Gear and The Grand Tour presenter, automotive obsessive and Wiltshire pub landlord James May has started a gin brand - perfect for all those couples tying the knot in the area and looking to keep their wedding carbon footprint down by shopping local! James became co-owner of The Royal Oak Swallocliffe in a particularly beautiful part of Wiltshire in September 2020, and thought it might be a good idea to create a gin for the loyal customers. SO along with West Countryman Gus Colquhoun and Hugh Anderson of Downtown Distillery, that dream became a reality.

Liston Court Gardens to host Marlow Spring Festival this Easter

Marlow's new look Liston Court Gardens will be hosting the Marlow Spring Festival this Easter weekend. Taking place from 11 am until 4 pm on Saturday 30th March, the free-to-attend, one-day seasonal eggstravaganza will feature an artisan Easter gift market, live music, crafting, face painting, an Easter egg hunt and even the opportunity to meet the Easter bunny. Featuring more than ten boutique stalls from local producers, there will be artisan chocolatiers and gifts galore, with offers that will be sure to put a spring in visitor's steps. Family entertainment will be in full flow, with a regular programme of live music from distinguished guitarist, Steph Willis, and talented duo Soulcem, who'll be filling the air with some melodious classics.

Revealed the UK’s best venues with woodlands to achieve dreamy cottage-core weddings

A recent study revealed the UK's highest-rated venues for woodland-themed weddings, with Creeksea Place being named the best. The research conducted by photo wall art creator StoryBoards analysed user-generated review data to identify the UK regions with the highest quantity of top-rated woodlands venues by creating an overall rating score. The study has revealed that Creeksea Place is the most highly rated woodland in the nation. Located in Essex, the manor house, which includes picturesque woodland, has been rated five stars over 220 times giving it a perfect score of ten out of ten.

The new Yankee Candle® SS24 collection

Find an oasis this spring with the new Yankee Candle® SS24 collection, Under the Desert Sun. The new collection will brighten the home with fragrances that exude memories of warmer days, including four refreshingly light and bright fragrances including, Desert Blooms, Aloe & Agave, Sweet Vanilla & Horchata, and Stargazing. Inspired by the unique beauty of the desert, the new collection has been designed to help escape the ordinary and satisfy wanderlust, immersing the home in sun-drenched scents. The Under The Desert Sun collection features exotic fragrances such as aguaro cactus, aloe and blue lotus, as well as soothing lavender and eucalyptus.

Three spicy but sophisticated hen party ideas

Throwing a hen party that will please all attendees can be tricky. Striking a balance between risque and tame activities can be one of the most controversial challenges you'll face when planning. In fact, some of the more crude hen party gimmicks came out in the top 10 most hated parts of a hen party in this report. However, you can create a hen party that strikes the perfect balance between spice and sophistication, ensuring a night to remember for both the bride and her friends. Jess Martin, Hen Party expert at Ginger Ray has shared three amazing themes for the perfect spicy but sophisticated hen party:

Greenway Hotel and Spa in Gloucestershire enjoys a refurbishment

A new bar and an expanded food menu are among the new additions to Cheltenham's Greenway Hotel and Spa, a 16th-century manor house hotel which has been named as one of the top ten country house hotels by The Times' guide to the 100 best places to stay in the UK for 2024. The boutique property, which's set within eight acres of countryside grounds and holds a 4 AA Red Star rating as well as the 3AA Rosette-awarded Garden Room restaurant, has completed a refurbishment across its communal areas, including the spa brasserie, its main reception and stairwell, and its multi-purpose Austen Room.

Experts share 5 tips on accommodating deaf guests at your wedding

Planning a wedding can be challenging, especially when there are so many decisions to be made and so many things to be considered. Whilst this is your big day, considering your guests can go a long way, especially for those who have disabilities or are hard of hearing. In the UK, one in five adults is deaf, has hearing loss or tinnitus, so the likelihood of having someone who may need additional help when it comes to hearing in attendance is quite likely. Ashish Shah, Audiologist at The Hearing Care Partnership has offered his expert advice on how you can better accommodate your deaf and hard-of-hearing guests.

Bucks-based Burnham Beeches Hotel offers gift to future couples

The elegant Buckinghamshire-based Georgian manor house, Burnham Beeches Hotel, offers couples getting married an idyllic and romantic setting in which to celebrate their wedding day. Nestled in the countryside, the renowned hotel offers comfort, charm and seamless service with a choice of stylish bedrooms and function suites along with delicious dining. Guests are welcomed by the impressive Georgian architecture, ten acres of ethereal woodland and manicured lawns and grounds. Two wedding packages, The Sweetheart Package and The Signature Package are on offer, as well as private hire and bespoke additions. Lucky couples who choose to contract their 2024 or 2025 wedding on Burnham Beeches Sweetheart Package before the 1st of April 2024 will receive a complimentary wedding gift.

These daily habits are ruining your wedding ring

If you've been the lucky recipient of a diamond ring or a piece of jewellery, Nilesh Rakholia, jewellery expert and founder of Abelini, has shared exactly how to care for your precious diamonds to ensure they last a lifetime... Nilesh says: "While it can be tempting to wear precious items such as an engagement ring all the time, daily habits such as cooking and cleaning can damage your jewellery. To avoid this, we always recommend removing jewellery before showering or washing up because the soap can cause a film to form, which can leave rings and bracelets looking dull.

A third of Brits decline wedding invites due to cost Klarna finds

The wedding season is just around the corner! What is normally a cause for joy can often become a financial strain for guests. Travel, outfits, gifts – the costs can quickly soar to unexpected heights. This is also confirmed by a recent survey by Klarna*, the flexible choice for smart, secure payments: One third (36.4%) of those surveyed said they had declined wedding invitations in the past due to associated costs. Moreover, 30.2% of respondents said they have not attended a Stag or Hen party due to the expenses involved.