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

Bloom & Wild's exclusive insights into this year’s most anticipated flower trends

Brace yourselves for a vibrant floral revolution as 2024 bids adieu to the serene luxury trends of 2023, welcoming back maximalism with open arms. Bold statement pieces and lively colours are reclaiming their spotlight in the realms of fashion, interiors, and floral arrangements, marking a dynamic shift in the aesthetic landscape. Jo Reason, Director of Brand & Range at Bloom & Wild, predicts a surge in hyper-colour bouquets featuring fuchsia and electric lilac flowers paired with lime yellow foliages.

De Vere Tortworth Court crowned the best hotel wedding venue in the Southwest

De Vere Tortworth Court, located in Gloucestershire, recently won the award for Best Hotel Venue at The Wedding Industry Awards 2024. Polly Savage, wedding manager at De Vere Tortworth Court, said, "It's an honour to win such a prestigious award. It's so rewarding to know that the work that we do behind the scenes and on couple's wedding days doesn't go unmissed. The whole team are passionate about creating the most perfect day for all our couples and we all work tirelessly to make sure this happens. We're looking forward to welcoming our 2024 brides to De Vere Tortworth Court in the new year."

Wedding trends and tablescaping predictions for 2024

We've seen a number of popular wedding trends take centre stage over the past few years, from the soaring popularity of micro weddings to cosy and intimate sweetheart tables for the happy couple. As we step into 2024, the world of weddings is evolving even further, with couples embracing new and exciting trends and reimagining the art of tablescaping. So, what exactly are the latest nuptial trends, and how can brides and grooms emulate them in their own ceremonies and wedding tablescapes? The tableware experts from Burleigh Pottery are here to share their wedding and tablescaping trend predictions for 2024 to give you the inspiration you need ahead of the big day.

Expert reveals wedding planning tips for newly engaged couples

Samantha Gilchrist, the owner of The Gilchrist Collection, has had the pleasure of working with thousands of married-couples-to-be, across 12 venues in total including three US, making her the expert when it comes to wedding planning: "Valentine's Day is an incredibly popular day for proposals, in fact the search for 'Valentine's Day proposal' is currently up 40% globally!" I love working with newly-engaged couples; but I always encourage them not to wait too long, as they may miss out on getting the best venues, photographers or even end up with key guests of honour unable to attend the big day as they have left sending 'save-the-dates' out until the last minute."

Park Fair returns to the Cotswolds bigger and better this year

Park Fair will return to the Cotswolds bigger and better this year on Friday 21st, Saturday 22nd and Sunday 23rd of June at the Great Tew Estate in Oxfordshire. The weekend will welcome The Toy Box by BRIO, Montrose Group Open Kitchen, Yarnton Home & Garden Makes, the Park Fair Food Market and the Potted Goose Pub for the first time. Park Fair will see The Savills Lounge return along with the House of Hair Braid and Style Boutique and Amie Wine Bar. New and returning boutiques include Ma + Lin, AFF & JAM, Little Garden Shop, ODEONIA, Amuse La Bouche, and Lacuna Child. As always, unlimited fairground rides and music all day will keep the whole family entertained - all within the ticket price that are on sale now.

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%).

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...

Luxury Wiltshire hotel Bowood reveal wedding showcase

Luxury Wiltshire hotel Bowood reveals a wedding showcase on Sunday the 18th of February and unveils 2024 wedding trends. Bowood Hotel, Spa and Golf Resort is the perfect backdrop for a wedding ceremony and reception. On Sunday the 18th of February, couples will be invited to see the function room dressed for a wedding day and meet with the team and suppliers to discuss their ideas. From 10:30 am until 2:30 pm, the Kerry Suite will be transformed into a wedding wonderland, with dedicated appointments available with the hotel's wedding coordinators to discuss dream wedding plans with the latest trends on show from trusted and preferred suppliers.

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:

Wine & Dine with The Bradley Hare’s Valentine’s Tasting Menu

Enjoy Valentine's Day at The Bradley Hare in Wiltshire with a delectable six-course tasting menu, bubbles for two, sweet treats from local chocolatier Choc Et Al, and a delightful, cooked breakfast the following morning. Start the evening with oysters and fizz before enjoying Westcombe ricotta and truffle agnolotti accompanied by Somerset pecorino and hazelnut. Next up there's fresh Orkney scallops with Jerusalem artichokes, followed by a rich fillet of beef served with parsnip, salsify, and green peppercorn. Dessert includes dark chocolate delice with rhubarb, crème, and sourdough, alongside tahini and honey bread partnered with pickled walnuts. Petit fours will mark the end of the evening.

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.

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.

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

Propose at The Old Bell Hotel in Malmesbury this Valentine's Day

Set in the romantic, historic borough of Malmesbury, Wiltshire, the magical Old Bell Hotel, established in 1220, is the perfect spot for a Valentine's Day celebration. It's offering a delicious Valentine's Day Afternoon Tea at the award-winning restaurant Abbey Row, and diners can also hire the Belvedere, the intimate medieval-style pavilion overlooking the Wiltshire countryside. Guests will be treated to a private waiter and an exclusive Valentine's menu. Working closely alongside the talented Old Bell Hotel team, the Belvedere space can be designed in a way that's bespoke to guest requirements and bubbles and canapes will start the evening in style.

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.

Celebrate Valentine’s Day at De Vere Tortworth Court

De Vere Tortworth Court, located in The Cotswolds, is offering guests the chance to spend an evening in the beautiful Grade II Victorian orangery with their new dining and wine experience under the stars, thanks to its ornamental glass ceiling and windows. Enjoy Norwegian smoked salmon arancini to start, before tucking into a confit lamb neck croquet with wild mushroom fricassee, fondant potato and lamb jus. Finish the evening with the strawberry Charlotte, a delicate strawberry torte served with macerated strawberries and chantilly cream. Diners looking to extend their evening can enjoy a drink in the 1853 Restaurant and Library Bar or experience the opulence of the new De Vere Reserve guest rooms featuring new Penhaligon's toiletries, local delicacies and upgraded services and amenities.

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.

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.

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...