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

Gloucestershire's Elmore Court host open day on 10th September

Gloucestershire's wedding venue Elmore Court is hosting The 10th! open day on 10th September 2023 from 1 pm until 5 pm to celebrate ten years of weddings at the venue. It's set to be their biggest one yet and there'll be some incredible talent and inspiration from some of the team's favourite local suppliers... visitors will be in for a treat! It's an open invite for all and the perfect opportunity to have a look around the house and grounds and meet the wonderful Team E. Guests can book a private tour and enjoy a cocktail while they explore.

Four tips for storing your wedding dress after the big day

With September tipped to be the most popular month for weddings, when the big day is done deciding what to do with a wedding dress can be tricky. Whilst some people sell them or donate them so future brides can use them, others prefer to keep hold of them and preserve the memory of their wedding day. If you're looking to preserve your wedding dress after the big day, or pass it down to future generations, proper storage is essential in maintaining its pristine condition. With this in mind, Vlatka Lake, storage expert at Space Station shares four tips for storing your wedding dress to keep it in pristine condition. Vlatka adds: "Before putting your dress into storage, make sure you have it cleaned to remove any stains or marks that may have appeared from your wedding day. The most important thing to remember when putting your wedding gown into storage is that it shouldn't be stored in a plastic bag or hung on a hanger. "Plastic covers don't allow for humidity changes and can often let light in that will fade the material of your dress. Hanging your dress can also affect its shape by adding unnecessary stress on the seams or the fabric."

Big-day gifting ideas from Don't Buy Her Flowers

Gift company, Don't Buy Her Flowers, prides itself for having thoughtfulness at its core, with customers able to create a bespoke gift box that perfectly suits the person and occasion. Whether it's to celebrate, commiserate or offer someone some TLC during a tough time, Don't Buy Her Flowers offers a range of luxury British products from delicious treats, cashmere socks and bubble bath to the perfect G&T and a selection of great books. Each gift box is beautifully gift wrapped with the customer's personalised message handwritten on the gift tag, making it the perfect package for everyone from mothers, newlyweds, teachers and employees.

Unique gifts couples give each other on their wedding day

The team at hampers.com recently surveyed UK adults who have gotten married or attended a wedding in the past five years, with the goal of determining what the gifting landscape looks like for wedding season. In doing so, they spoke to almost 800 newlyweds from across the UK and a further 1,400 UK adults who have attended a wedding in the same time frame. Firstly, the study found that it's common for brides and grooms to buy each other a gift for the wedding day itself, with 65% stating they did this for their own wedding day. The average spend was found to be £115, with women most likely to purchase a pocket watch (24%) or a vintage bottle of alcohol (22%) and men most likely to purchase jewellery (37%) or personalised 'Mrs' clothing (19%)...

Finest Retreats unveils Blaisdon Hall for staycations

Finest Retreats, which offers a hand-picked selection of the finest holiday rental properties across the UK has unveiled its latest addition, the sublime historic estate of Blaisdon Hall nestled in the heart of Gloucestershire. Unlocking the gates for groups of friends and families everywhere to enjoy extraordinary experiences, stunning staycations and celebrations can now be enjoyed in this beautiful building. Blaisdon Hall, with its rich heritage dating back centuries, has, until now, remained an exclusive private retreat for those hosting large-scale celebrations and weddings. Renowned for its timeless elegance and captivating beauty, it will now welcome guests to indulge in unforgettable experiences like never before.

Cafe del Mar Spirits sponsors Summertime Live in Cheltenham this weekend

Cafe del Mar Spirits is pleased to announce its 2023 Headline Partnership with the UK's most iconic Ibiza festival – Summertime Live. Over nine days and in seven separate venues, the festival will bring the biggest anthems of the last 30 years to life, with a 32-piece orchestra, live vocalists and DJs. Café de Mar, a brand so synonymous with Ibiza, will serve its premium gin and vodka across all festival sites. The dates for the festival in Cheltenham have been revealed as Fri 1st September and Sat 2nd September 2023. Café del Mar Vodka is incredibly smooth in taste, with subtle undertones of cream and citrus. A clean, refreshing and balanced premium spirit, it's perfect for cocktails or served over ice. Café del Mar Gin is a delicate blend of juniper, with fresh citrus and a hint of sweet spice.

Five reasons why Champagne is the pinnacle of sparkling wine

The Champagne Bureau UK* have rounded up five reasons why Champagne is the long-standing pinnacle of sparkling wine. Firstly, Champagne only comes from Champagne. Champagne is a 100% French product - the Champagne region is located in France, approximately 90 miles east of Paris. It is a protected appellation (AOC). From 816 to 1825, France's royalty was crowned in Champagne's Reims Cathedral, where Champagne was said to flow freely at all the coronation banquets. Soon, highly prized for their taste and finesse, it became customary to gift these wines to any royalty visiting the region. This is how the Champagne came to be known as the wine of coronation and known in France as "the wine of Kings and the King of wines".

7 ways to ask your friends to be bridesmaids

Bridesmaid proposals are a special moment in any friendship so it's natural to want to put some thought behind popping the question. Personalising gifts such as photo frames or pyjamas are a great way to give friends something they can keep forever. The glass experts at MeandMyGlass.co.uk have shared some of the best bridesmaid proposal ideas to make the occasion memorable.John Cutts, founder of MeandMyGlass said, "Asking your friends and family to be bridesmaids is a special moment and should be done in a special way. "You can't go wrong with a personal touch which is why things like photo frames and pyjamas are a great way to show appreciation to your bridesmaids and you know they'll keep their gift.

Experience Freedom offers getaways in safari tents in Moreton-in-Marsh

From wooden yurts to safari tents: Experience Freedom offers great accommodation choices for autumn glamping with two-night getaways from only £58. Book a two-night break for just £58* in the autumn glamping sale which starts today. From safari tents and brand-new wooden yurts to glamping cabins and pods, the sale offers glampers a fantastic saving of up to £20 per night. Whether it's a glamping trip with friends or a family staycation, Experience Freedom from the Caravan and Motorhome Club, has a range of accommodation options available to suit all tastes and budgets across eight different UK locations for trips taken between 12th September and 30th November.

Wedding fragrance suggestions

Floral, citrus, or woody - and everything in between - wedding scents are becoming more popular as couples incorporate them into their day. They can provide an ideal way to remember the occasion, the trigger of a special memory when you come across that fragrance connected to it. What's more, key scents can also help control emotions according to psychologists. Yasmin Sharp, essential oils expert at Nikura, says, "With more than 12 million hashtag views on TikTok, wedding scents (#weddingscent) are becoming more and more popular

Vanilla Pod Bakery in Cheltenham host fundraising event on 20th Sept

Vanilla Pod Bakery in Cheltenham is hosting a fundraising event on 20th September 2023 at Holiday Inn Express in Cheltenham. Founder and director of Vanilla Pod Bakery, Pia Cato and her team are raising money for local charity appeal Emily's Gift. They are hosting a coffee and cake morning with free entry from 10:30 am until 12:00 pm. They will be creating some delicious bakes for the event, including pressed flower cakes and the popular Lambeth-style cakes using royal icing over piping to create layers. The talented team has also just been shortlisted for a Female Business Award in the Food & Drink Category with voting closing on 31st August.

Wedding ring mistakes to avoid!

Aimee Howlett, jewellery expert at Diamonds Factory, has shared how to choose and clean your wedding band. 'When choosing your wedding band, it's important to consider your lifestyle and daily activities. If you're someone with an active lifestyle you might want to go for a more durable material like platinum or tungsten that can withstand potential scratches and avoid a ring that has diamonds. With this in mind, it's worth visiting a jewellery store and trying on different styles of wedding bands, which can be really fun! Pay attention to comfort, fit, and how well it pairs with your engagement ring (if you have one).

Wedding gift inspiration from L'OR

Coffee brand L'OR provides the perfect machine which will ensure you capture the heart of any coffee-loving couple, whilst also providing a useful gift that lasts! With a unique double-spouted design that offers flexibility to adapt to different coffee preferences, the L'OR BARISTA is powered by Phillips technology and has become a much-loved coffee machine since its launch. What's more, the machine is not only compatible with L'OR pods, but also a wide range of alternative branded coffee capsules on the market*, providing maximum flexibility and choice.

L'OR BARISTA Sublime Coffee Machine (£104.99*) is available in Piano Noir, Satin Blanc and Sunset Rubis, while the L'OR BARISTA Original Latte Machines (£164.99*) is available in Piano Noir and includes built-in milk frother.

7 topics all couples should cover in a prenup

While a prenuptial agreement is unlikely to be on many people's wedding checklist, a family lawyer has urged couples who will be tying the knot in the coming months to consider making it a key priority. With research by the law firm revealing that Google searches for terms related to prenups including 'what is a prenup?', 'meaning of prenups' and 'prenups in the UK' have increased by 21% in the last three months compared to the three months previous, it is clear they are growing in popularity.

Wiltshire-based brand Bramley launches new spritzes for pets

Following the successful launch of the hugely popular Digby Dog Wash and Conditioner, Wiltshire-based brand Bramley is delighted to introduce two new pampering spritzes to their Digby collection designed with fur babies in mind! The new Digby Refresh Spray and Mood Spray are formulated using 100% naturally derived ingredients. Cruelty-free and kind to skin, the finest essential oils and botanicals combine to create gentle but effective products with a pH balance to suit dogs' skin. Bramley products are made in the UK and their collection now also contains new compostable refill pouches including Digby Dog Wash.

Garden wedding ideas for the big day

Co-founder of Togather.com, Hugo Campbell, unveils garden wedding ideas for the big day. As wedding trends evolve, couples may be seeking unique ways to celebrate their special day. For those looking to embrace a laid-back atmosphere and the shabby chic aesthetic, from Ottolenghi-style dining and Aperol carts, to enchanting fairylights and the perfect venue. A festival theme: Many couples are looking for maximum flexibility and the ability to perfectly match their food to the vibe of the day. This summer Togather.com is seeing many couples opting for a festival feel for their food, hiring multiple different street food trucks and allowing their guests a choice of handheld food rather than a sit-down meal. This means they can cater to all sorts of dietary requirements and preferences as well as give their guests a more relaxed feel.

Badminton Estate wedding venue in Gloucestershire hosted Tough Mudder event

Tough Mudder and Spartan Race, two of the world's most challenging obstacle courses joined forces to test competitors at the glorious Badminton Estate in Gloucestershire, pictured, last weekend. The sold-out Saturday affair witnessed a remarkable gathering of more than 8,000 individuals at this iconic estate and wedding venue who fearlessly confronted obstacles spread across formidable distances - all for a chance to attain a Tough Mudder victory headband. Each ticket included complimentary camping so that visitors could enjoy an epic weekend.

How Brits are spending and saving on weddings in 2023

New data from Barclays reveals how macro trends such as the cost-of-living crisis, inflation, and social media pressures are impacting weddings in 2023. The report combines proprietary spending data with a survey of 1,000 newlyweds and people engaged to be married to determine this year's top wedding trends and cost-saving behaviours. Two fifths (38 per cent) of newlyweds, and brides- and grooms-to-be are going over budget on their special day, with most of these couples citing the rising cost-of-living (51 per cent) and suppliers being more expensive than they anticipated (44 per cent) as the reasons for this increased spend.

The Castle Hotel Windsor hires new Pastry Chef to elevate Royal Afternoon Tea

The hugely talented Suhas Lokhande has been appointed the new pastry chef at The Castle Hotel in Windsor to elevate their exquisite Royal Afternoon Tea offering. Located near Windsor Castle, The Castle Hotel knows how to create an exquisite afternoon tea fit for royalty and the delicate new handmade patisseries and touches added by Suhas have created a truly indulgent experience.

Truffle Tablescapes Launches Luxury Tableware Rental Range

Truffle Tablescapes, a leading UK-based online tablescaping boutique, has launched its first range of rental tableware and accessories that is aimed at those wanting to decorate their lunch and supper parties, events or small weddings. Truffle has been helping at-home entertainers elevate their dinner party looks since it launched during the first lockdown in 2020. Founded by tablescaping expert and interiors lover Kate Fairlie, the brand has expanded again by launching an extensive, yet carefully curated, rental collection of luxury table linens and accessories.