Editor loves and inspiration

The idea behind this local shoot was to show that everyone is beautiful in their own unique way. “We shouldn't have to change our style or who we are to conform with what society deems to be a beautiful bride,” shoot coordinator Susanne Clark from Louisa Jackson Bridal and Bridal Reloved Street explains. Indeed, as we always say: do your wedding your way and you can't go far wrong.

See more from the shoot in the current issue. Download your free copy at www.yourbristolsomerset.wedding/free-download

Whether you have 150 guests or 15, the rollercoaster of wedding-day emotions is ever present, from pre- ceremony nerves through to dancefloor elation. It's these special moments that make your big-day memories so special and your photographer will be there to beautifully immortalise every one. So, to celebrate weddings big and small, we asked the Maple and Fleur Photography to share one of their favourite emotive shots.

See more from our Photography feature in the current issue. Download your free copy at www.yourbristolsomerset.wedding/free-download

Leading locally-based jewellery brand Abbott Lyon is launching its new advent calendar for Christmas 2022. A countdown like no other, this will elevate any wardrobe with personalised jewellery and features a stunning collection of Abbott Lyon's best sellers. Each one is personal to the recipient with initial jewellery and birthstones of your choice. Finished with your or your loved one's name on the front, it's the perfect gift this festive season. You also have the option to purchase with either gold or silver jewellery contents.

Over the course of 12 days, open a new door to find a luxury surprise. With a value of £500, it will be on sale for just £249 and with only a limited number available, there's sure to be a huge demand.

See more news in the current issue. Download your free copy at www.yourbristolsomerset.wedding/free-download

Chris and Angela met online. “Not very exciting, but I guess it's the modern way of dating,” Angela laughs. Perhaps so, but there is nevertheless a funny story behind how they were matched. While Chris was on holiday in Sweden he'd accidentally set his Tinder account to Singapore, where Angela was working as a nurse at the time! Three months after they started talking, Chris decided to travel to Singapore to meet Angela. “It definitely wasn't love at first sight,” she says. “Chris and I are totally different apart from our love of travel. We don't have any common interests at all, but we enjoyed learning a lot from each other. I think that's what excites us, there's never a boring day.” Angela and Chris would then meet up every three months and during those times travelled around Asia and Europe together, without thinking of anything serious. Having visited England on one such trip though, Angela unexpectedly fell in love with the place, the culture and the people, and successfully applied for a nursing job in Bath. “Chris and I finally decided to give our love story a try and I moved to England in 2019,” she tells us.

Lockdowns brought the pair closer and by the end of 2020 Angela knew Chris was the man for her. They started to discuss the subject of marriage soon after and decided to make it official. “There was no grand proposal, no traditional one knee. Chris proposed with a glass of gin and tonic and a ring, which was no less special. Everyone has a different take on how they want it to be, and I'm truly, genuinely happy,” Angela tells us.

See more from their wedding in the current issue. Download your free copy at www.yourbristolsomerset.wedding/free-download

Natalie is owner/designer at Wedbury Creative, a small environmentally conscious wedding stationery business based in Somerset. Her passion for art and design in school, through to college and university, progressed into a much-loved career in the creative industry as a graphic designer, where she's had the pleasure of working on many creative campaigns for national and international clients. In 2012, she entered the world of wedding stationery and along with her husband-to-be Greg, she was her first customer! “I learnt so much from our journey as both client and creator, developing a huge passion for wedding stationery along the way. I had so many ideas for designs, but only had the one wedding to design for,” Natalie tells us. That was when the seed for Wedbury Creative was planted.

Whether you love Wedbury Creative's semi-bespoke collections, or would like to work with the team to create your own unique bespoke design, you'll be guided through every step of your wedding stationery journey to realise your vision. You can rest assured too that once your stationery has been enjoyed, your guests can keep it as a momento of your day or recycle every element as all of Wedbury Creative's designs are 100 per cent recyclable, using carefully selected FSC-certified recycled papers and biodegradable non-toxic glue.

See more from our Handmade feature in the current issue. Download your free copy at www.yourbristolsomerset.wedding/free-download

Cathy Keen from 14 & Sixpence gives her top tips for finding a wedding dress to suit an outdoor wedding.

" It always helps to picture the date and venue when choosing the perfect dress, especially if the wedding will be outside. For a spring or summer wedding, why not opt for something floaty and romantic. Chiffon, organza or light tulle layers will blow in the breeze and keep you cool. If you want a more formal or princess-style gown, adding a hoop will help take the net away from your legs, adding some air and ease of movement. Ensure you pick the right hoop though, so it blends with your dress seamlessly.

"If you want something fitted and sassy consider whether you'll be walking down steps as you'll need to take ease of movement into account if so. Your dress should show off your curves, but you should still be able to function. On that note, consider sitting, eating and dancing in any dress style and don't forget your shoes as there may be grass or the ground may be uneven. You may think about raising your hemline a smidge to help with this."

See more top tips in the current issue. Download your free copy at www.yourbristolsomerset.wedding/free-download

Stephanie and John's relationship began as long-distance friends. They met on a night out, but Stephanie was living in Kent at the time, and John in Bristol. While they'd meet up through mutual friends whenever Stephanie visited Bristol they'd otherwise spend their time playing video games together online. Eventually, Stephanie moved to Bristol and they began spending much more time together before they started dating a few months later.

Each year on their anniversary the couple would visit Westonbirt Arboretum, which was somewhere they'd spent one of their first dates. On one such visit, celebrating five years together, they walked around the entire site and when they reached a quiet spot with no one else around, John got down on one knee and asked Stephanie to marry him. Through happy tears she asked him if he was being serious then said “yes” as quickly as possible!

See more from their wedding in the current issue. Download your free copy at www.yourbristolsomerset.wedding/free-download

Sophie and Jimmy met at university in Preston and started dating soon after. Sophie knew she was on to a winner, when Jimmy treated her to a home-cooked meal of Hunter's Chicken on one of their first dates. “I could barely cook a meal and still can't really!” she explains. The two soon became inseparable and after a year as a couple, they decided to move in together. “We found that our values aligned and it felt very natural to share our lives,” Sophie says.

Jimmy planned a heartfelt proposal at the National Trust gardens at Stourhead – a place they'd visited many times and adore.

See more from their wedding in the current issue. Download your free copy at www.yourbristolsomerset.wedding/free-download

The gorgeous Crowcombe Court, on the edge of the Quantock Hills in Somerset, was the setting for this romantically elegant styled shoot. Coordinators Alison Hieron of Creative Collections and make-up artist Jolanta Gladys, along with their team, set about styling no fewer than three of the stunning spaces there.

See more from the shoot in the current issue. Download your free copy at www.yourbristolsomerset.wedding/free-download