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

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.

The Bradley Hare in Wiltshire announces bank holiday Hare Fest

The Bradley Hare is holding its first-ever country fair called Hare Fest this August bank holiday, from 12 pm until 6 pm on Monday the 28th of August, 2023. Festival-goers will enter the al fresco dining area and gardens where they will be welcomed with a cocktail. From the underrated Tommy's Margarita to the iconic and well-loved Spicy Margs, The Bradley Hare will ensure that sunshine is in the drink as well. They will also have 'Timms' – a new version of Pimms, with local gin sourced at the Tack Room Distillery.

Sentimental gift ideas from Heads & Tails Jewellery

Heads & Tails Jewellery has been making personalised, beautifully designed jewellery for more than 10 years. The brand's innovative products can be treasured by your loved ones for years to come, making them ideal for wedding day gifting. Every handcrafted gift uses high-quality materials and is presented in a luxury gift bag or luxury gift box and comes with a 12 month warranty. Emma Pearson, owner of Heads & Tails Jewellery, shares her top advice for wedding day gifting.

Weatherproofing your UK Wedding

Outdoor weddings can create truly magical experiences, from fairytale forests to Bridgerton-style countryside escapes, being surrounded by the natural world, the sound of birdsong and a gentle breeze is a perfect day for some. We wish that were always the case, but no matter how meticulously you plan your wedding, the one thing that will always be beyond your control is the notoriously unpredictable Great British weather. Fulton Umbrellas have come up with a handy guide on how you can weatherproof your wedding.

Attending a wedding this summer - save on travel costs

Now that wedding season is upon us, a recent survey by Railcard has revealed that wedding guests spend on average a whopping £402.90 on each wedding they attend. With 31% of Brits having attended between one and three weddings in the past two years, these sometimes-overlooked expenses can quickly rack up. In fact, 59% of those surveyed admit that they would decline a wedding invitation if the costs of attending were too high, showing that cost-savings to any wedding expense can really make the difference for those who RSVP 'Yes' or a regretful 'No'.

The Old Bell Hotel in Wiltshire voted the best in the UK

Last week, England's oldest hotel, The Old Bell in Malmesbury, Wiltshire proved it stands the test of time, having been named the Best Hotel/Inn in the National Muddy Stilettos Awards 2023. With more than 77,000 businesses considered throughout the awards, this is an incredible accolade for the hotel and furthers its mission of firmly placing Wiltshire on the map as one of the UK's greatest destinations for staycations and dining.

Wedding speech pressure: top tips to nail it!

Whether the best man, the bride or a family member, giving a speech at a wedding naturally comes with pressure to perform. In fact Dr Chris Hartley, a sport and performance psychologist working with Insure4Sport, has likened it to the pressure faced by professional sportspeople in a major event like a penalty kick or break point. Here, he shares top tips on how to cope with the weight of expectation, fear of failure when giving a wedding speech, using sport psychology techniques he employs when working with top athletes.

Should more women taking the wedding speech spotlight

More women should be taking the spotlight at big events, according to new research from learning and development company Good Shout. However, according to a new poll, conducted in partnership with YouGov, the very prospect fills two thirds of women (67%) with dread. Of those women in the UK who would refuse to give speeches at a wedding, 50% said that it was the "cringe factor" that held them back, i.e. being too self-conscious or feeling too awkward or uncomfortable in the situation.

Cliveden Literary Festival reveals speakers including Zadie Smith & Tom Holland

The Cliveden Literary Festival taking place from the 30th of September until the 1st of October 2023 is delighted to reveal early highlights from this year's programme as tickets go on sale. Taking place at the historic hotel and wedding venue Cliveden House in Berkshire, this year's festival features the leading writers and thinkers of today, with speakers including Zadie Smith, Tom Holland, Mary Beard, Maggie O'Farrell, Peter Frankopan and Marlon James.

Tips for tying the knot while it’s hot

With Summer wedding season in full-swing and the English weather as unpredictable as ever, happy couples across the country may get more than what they bargained for when it comes to wishing for a sunny day. As temperatures across the UK already reaching highs of 30C and the Met Office predicting even hotter temperatures expected ahead, Samantha Gilchrist, former wedding photographer turned cofounder and CEO of The Gilchrist Collection, the UK's largest wedding venue collection, gives her expert advice gathered from over 15 years in the industry.

Hen parties in UK more popular now

Hen parties on UK soil are the number one choice for Brits, according to new research from Butlin's Big Weekenders. According to a study commissioned to mark the reopening of Butlin's Big Weekenders breaks in September, over half of Brits (53%) say a hen do in the UK is more appealing than one abroad and almost the same (54%) say a hen do is better on one resort where all the facilities are in one place. On a Butlin's Big Weekender guests can enjoy accommodation, food, drink entertainment, and activities all in one place. The adult-only weekends are available at all three resorts - Bognor Regis, Minehead and Skegness. What's more, organisation is key for British hens, as data reveals the most common time to plan a hen do is 3-4 months in advance, in stark comparison to men, who are most likely to plan a stag do just 2-3 days in advance!

Glos-based wedding venue Badminton House hosts Open Garden Day

Designed by William Kent in 1746, Worcester Lodge is a Grade I listed building that faces south along the three-mile avenue that leads to Badminton House in South Gloucestershire. It boasts spectacular views of the surrounding fields, woodland and Badminton House itself. An idyllic wedding venue, it combines the grandeur of a historical building with the versatility of a modern outdoor wedding. This September, Badminton House is hosting an Open Garden Day for visitors to enjoy.

Most Instagrammable beach wedding venues in the UK

Wedding invitation company, Aura Print, analysed 70 of the most sought-after beach wedding destinations and discovered the UK's most Instagrammable coastal wedding venues. The stunning spot of Tunnels Beaches in Ilfracombe, Devon boasts over 13k hashtags on Instagram, making this the study's number one pick. Located on the beautiful North Devon coast, Tunnels Beaches is situated on a cliff top with hand carved tunnels down to a secluded private beach. The venue provides a thatched roof gazebo which overlooks the breathtaking Devon coastline for a picture-perfect backdrop

Frankie and Benny's launch summer fun in the sun campaign

Italian American restaurant Frankie & Benny's with restaurants in Devon, Oxford and Wiltshire (as well as nationwide) has launched weekly £250 cash prize giveaways for families looking to enjoy the great outdoors this summer, just in time for the holidays. Frankie & Benny's are on a mission to help families facing the cost of living crisis buy their kids leisure equipment so they can have fun in the sun. Every week there's a chance to win a £250 prize for the kids - all you have to do is sign up to the mailing list and enter each week. You don't even need to buy a meal, it's FREE and that simple!

Brits feel judged on wedding gifts

Almost one in five (20%) Brits feel judged by friends and family when they cannot afford wedding gifts and 14% say they feel judged when they can't afford to attend a wedding, stag or hen party. 81% are depending on a form of finance other than their main income to provide for their family New research has revealed that almost one in five Brits (20%) feel judged by friends and family when they cannot afford wedding gifts. A further 14% say they feel judged when they can't afford to attend a wedding, stag or hen party.

Sara Davies, Fred Sirieix and Raj Somaiya revealed as BBC judges

Launching in August, BBC Two's Ultimate Wedding Planner will see eight wedding planners battle it out to prove they are Britain's next best wedding expert as they design spectacular ceremonies for six couples. Dragons' Den star Sara Davies, First Dates favourite Fred Sirieix and wedding industry expert Raj Somaiya will be the judges and mentors - overseeing the planners as they create dream weddings for our couples. Throughout the competition they will send home the weakest planner until just two remain in the final where the planners will face one final challenge to decide who will be crowned the winner.

Celebrate National Picnic Month in Wiltshire

July marks National Picnic Month, a time that's dedicated to encouraging everyone to enjoy the great outdoors and soak up the British summer with friends, family and loved ones while indulging in a picnic. PoB Hotels – the finest collection of independent hotels across the British Isles – invites guests to experience a picnic like no other. Whether enjoying a feast on a wooden yacht or gorging on a delicious Michelin-starred hamper curated by one of the UK's best chefs, it's time to kick back and relax this July with PoB Hotels' picnic offerings...