Your Bristol and Somerset Wedding news and ideas from around the county

A one-of-a-kind Bristol wedding venue offering something out of this world

We The Curious is a one-of-a-kind venue, ideal if you're looking for somewhere extraordinary that you and your guests will never forget. There are three distinctive and quirky spaces to combine as you wish from ceremony to celebrations and the team are on hand to ensure you have a truly memorable experience. Get married in Bristol's iconic Planetarium for a completely one-off ceremony. Your guests will marvel at the dome, lit up with glittering stars and spectacular images of space. Walk down the aisle and say your vows beneath an endless star field, creating the most romantic of wedding experiences. The space can host 97 loved ones.

Experts reveal five wedding trends set to be huge this Summer

With the new season comes new colours and trends, and with that being said, experts at Diamonds Factory have predicted five wedding trends that are set to be big this Summer. Couples will step away from the traditional colour scheme "Stepping away from the traditional black and white formal attire, we expect to see many wedding parties embrace colour this Summer. We saw the mismatched bridesmaid dresses trend resurge in popularity in late 2023, and predict this trend will take off even further this Summer, especially now it's getting warmer and with people experimenting with colour more.

The Speech Surgery: how long is too long?

The Speech Surgery: how long is too long? Heidi Ellert McDermott, founder of Speechy explores this. My groom says he's finished his speech and he's really happy with it but it's almost 2,000 words long. Is that too much? Yes. All speeches should be under ten minutes long. It seems obvious but I've seen several speeches (generally the best men) go well over half an hour, oblivious to the yawns or heckling. That's no more than 1,300 words maximum, allowing for pauses or laughter on the day. Remind your fiancé that his first draft is just the start of the writing process.

Wedding favours for Kids: ToyChoc Box

PLAYin CHOC's ToyChoc boxes are a fantastic choice for entertaining kids at weddings. These eco-friendly, vegan, and allergen-free treats come in 100% recyclable packaging. Each box contains two creamy chocolate bars wrapped in compostable packaging, along with a 3D card puzzle toy featuring animals like endangered species, sea creatures, or dinosaurs - there's also a fun animal fact inside. At just £2.25 each on Amazon, these boxes are a budget-friendly addition to your wedding plans.

New wedding dog chaperone service, Warners Weddings, supports couples across Somerset

New wedding dog chaperone service, Warners Weddings, based in Highbridge, Somerset, is now supporting couples across the county, into Bristol and occasionally further afield. "I've always had dogs and currently have two rescue dogs, Ronnie, a Pomeranian cross, and Larry, a Romanian street dog," owner Lizzie Warner shares. With a growing number of dog-friendly wedding venues in Bristol and Somerset, Lizzie can help to make your big-day perfect by chaperoning your beloved dog or indeed dogs. Knowing your furry best friend is looked after on your wedding day makes it one less thing to worry about and you can feel relaxed in the knowledge that Lizzie treats every dog as if they were her own.

Your ultimate guide to wedding gift etiquette

It's that time of year again where our inboxes and mailboxes are full of beautifully designed wedding invitations, we're scouring the web for the perfect outfit and excitedly researching accommodation and travel. Being invited to a wedding is a gift and it is tradition to provide a gift to the happy couple. But, where to begin? Luckily we've sat down with Georgie Mitchell, Wedding Planner, Coordinator and Wedding Expert, at online fashion destination SilkFred, who has shared her ultimate guide to wedding gift giving from how much to spend to how to make your gift stand out on the present table.

Enjoy your own Regency adventure on a Jane Austen holiday in Bath

To celebrate the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen's birth, The Gainsborough Bath Spa Hotel has announced a series of exclusive events and experiences to honour the iconic author, in partnership with Strictly Jane Austen, a division of Bath-based travel specialists ECT Travel. Over the course of two six-day programmes planned for spring and autumn 2025, the elegant five-start hotel in the heart of Georgian Bath will be filled with the spirit of Jane Austen as guests look back on her life and time in the very surroundings where she shaped several of her most significant works. Literature enthusiasts from around the world are invited to take a deep dive into Austen's world.

Green I dos: How to plan a sustainable wedding

The carbon footprint of a wedding in the UK is equivalent to driving a car around the world twice – both create 14.5 tonnes of carbon dioxide. Ahead of wedding season, sustainability experts from BusinessWaste.co.uk teamed up with leading wedding planner Georgie Mitchel from Georgina Rose Events to share the best ways to make a wedding more sustainable, while also saving some money. Georgie says: "Having been involved in hundreds of weddings, it's hard to see the amount of waste that is produced from that one day. However, it's so good to hear that couples are looking at ways to be more green! Here are my tips for having a sustainable wedding day."

The Speech Surgery: too many thank yous? Heidi Ellert McDermott, founder of Speechy explores this

The Speech Surgery: too many thank yous? Heidi Ellert McDermott, founder of Speechy explores this here, ready now...I've written my bride speech but almost three quarters of it is 'thank yous'. Is that right? The thank yous are obviously very important but you also need to be wary of turning your speech into one long tedious list. For guests, thank yous are really only interesting if 1) they're personally getting thanked or 2) the thank yous are entertaining, from-the-heart and feel more than a cut and paste job...

Five ways to beat a wedding hangover

Weddings are notorious for booze with 50% of people admitting they wouldn't be happy to attend a wedding without alcohol. With an expectation for heavy drinking at most celebrations, lots of dancing and a late night, wedding guests often wake up feeling worse for wear. Those suffering the morning after a wedding can ease the pain with simple hacks, including drinking a pint of water before bed and sleeping on their left side. Nausea, thirst and aches can also be alleviated by having a lie-in, which helps to limit fatigue and irritation the next day.

Wedding dog chaperone service Fetch and Flourish unleashes canine happiness

Hannah Viney founded Bristol start-up Fetch and Flourish with the ethos of unleashing canine happiness! Although offering walking, sitting and boarding services, Hannah specialises in wedding dog chaperone services, and supporting parents-to-be with dog-care respite as they welcome a new baby to the family. Having worked in a corporate PR environment for most of her career (including owning an award-winning agency), Hannah always believed dogs were the happiness she came home to after work never believing she could actually merge the two! But eight months ago, after embarking on a course to become a Guide Dog Puppy Raiser, she realised pup Anne was giving her more fulfilment and enjoyment than her existing business, and the rest is history.

UK vs US Brides: Wedding expert reveals 5 ways we differ

It's time to settle the score: do UK brides really do it better, or are our American cousins stealing the show? Let's dive into the wedding warzone and explore five spicy differences that set us apart! According to a survey conducted by the UK's largest wedding venue collection, the Gilchrist Collection, there are some key differences in the ways Brits plan their big day, compared to that of Americans. Samantha Gilchrist, the owner of the Gilchrist Collection, has had the pleasure of helping thousands of engaged couples with their wedding, across 12 venues, both in the UK and US.

Leigh Court, Bristol, announces new partnership with award-winning wedding caterer

Leigh Court, Bristol, has announced a new partnership with award-winning wedding caterers Epic Catering. Based in Cardiff, Epic Catering is renowned for its chef-driven, culinary excellence and has earned a stellar reputation for crafting remarkable culinary experiences to each event's unique requirements. Bristol wedding venue Leigh Court knows food plays a pivotal role in the enjoyment of wedding celebrations and this was key to their decision to partner with Epic Caterers, in addition to the desire to provide outstanding and memorable dining experiences for all guests.

Here are 10 must-have items to include in a wedding bathroom basket

Luxury bathroom experts at Posh.co.uk have shared ten must-have items to provide to make sure guests are well taken care of. Wedding bathroom baskets can be a really nice touch for couples to show their guests they care by providing them with everything they need for a comfortable evening. Including items like safety pins, deodorant, body tape and antihistamines will mean that guests won't have to worry about a thing. Andy Ellis from Posh.co.uk said: "Wedding bathroom baskets can be a really lovely touch at a reception by providing guests with all of those small but important items that they may not necessarily be able to bring with them.

The Speech Surgery: timings!

Unsure of when to have the wedding speeches? Heidi Ellert McDermott, founder of Speechy & author of The Modern Couple's Guide to Wedding Speeches has the answer: In the US, speeches are just as common at the rehearsal dinner (the formal dinner prior to the wedding that the 'top table' are invited to) as the wedding day itself. At many British weddings, the speeches are scheduled before the wedding meal; the idea that everyone is officially welcomed to the wedding and the speakers are quickly able to relax (and tuck into the free wine!).

Wedding day wines from leading English wine producer Gusbourne

English wine producer Gusbourne, has a stunning range of the finest vintage sparkling and still wines to elevate any wedding providing guests with an array of exquisite drinks that complement every element, from the welcome drinks to the wedding breakfast and toasts! With Gusbourne wines, every pour becomes a celebration of love and new beginnings, ensuring your wedding day becomes a truly unforgettable affair, brimming with sophistication, charm, and cherished memories. For a spectacular wedding reception, fill your guests' glasses with the exquisite Gusbourne Blanc de Blancs 2018, a sparkling masterpiece that exudes elegance with its delicate bubbles and refreshing, crisp notes. As guests raise their glasses to toast the happy couple, each sip is vibrant and intense, setting the tone for an evening of celebrations.

New restaurant opens at Hotel Indigo Bath

A stunning new restaurant is now open at Hotel Indigo Bath. Located on the ground floor with an outdoor terrace, Brasserie Beau is set within the Grade I listed Georgian building, which is also home to The Elder restaurant, independently run and owned by multi-award-winning restaurateur Mike Robinson. Brasserie Beau celebrates the best of Britain, using only the finest British ingredients. The restaurant, which has 100 covers, is open seven days a week from 12pm to 9:30pm offering visitors a sanctuary where they can eat, drink, and unwind away from the bustling city centre. Bath restaurant, Brasserie Beau champions wild food and supports small producers, ensuring that the menus evolve daily, guided by the seasons and the availability of ingredients. Executive Chef Liam Goldstone

Biggest wedding faux pas to avoid on your big day

With more than half (53%) of married Brits confessing to having wedding day regrets, wedding expert and CEO of the UK's largest collection of wedding venues, The Gilchrist Collection, Samantha Gilchrist shares her thoughts on the biggest wedding faux pas' couple should steer clear of to guarantee wedding day success. "You've planned everything down to the tiniest detail and finally get to enjoy your day, why risk something spoiling it? While some of these things are a little outside your control, it's important to let your wedding planner and venue know what your boundaries are, and the things you would find unacceptable, were they to happen on your big day. They'll be able to support you in handling issues both ahead of time and on the day itself.

Celebrate Bridgerton's return with The Francis Hotel's Regency Experience

Hurrah! Part two of our beloved Bridgerton has finally hit our screens! Bridgerton, a beloved cult classic, captured hearts upon its release and has now become Netflix's most-watched series, with a staggering 41% of subscribers tuning in to its last series. Fans of the hit period drama filmed in the fair city of Bath can truly immerse themselves in the Regency era during a stay at The Francis Hotel. The city of Bath is home to many iconic spots from the show, including Modiste's dress shop, Lady Danbury's townhouse, and Gunter's tea shop. From the cobbled and picturesque Abbey Green, which stood in for a market square in the series, to The Holburne Museum, which acted as the entry for the opulent ball scenes, guests will be able to recognise many of the famous sites that take place on Bridgerton. Fans may even take a visit to the home of the Featheringtons, No.1 The Crescent which in real life is a museum dedicated to the period.

These are the most popular 'first dance' songs of 2024, as online searches soar!

Scraping over 350 'First Dance' playlists on Spotify and analysing the 12,000 tracks that featured on them, Diamonds Factory ranked the songs that featured the most to determine the most popular first dance song of 2024. 60 years on, and Etta James' At Last is the most popular first dance song of 2024. The data revealed that Etta James' 'At Last' is the most popular first dance song for couples to choose for their wedding, with the song featuring in a whopping 46 'first dance' playlists. Regardless of the song being released over 60 years ago, Etta's love song is still proving to be a timeless classic for couples.