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

Dixon Road Studio 1 is an impressive blank canvas space perfect for alternative weddings

Dixon Road Studio 1 is an impressive blank canvas space, boasting high ceiling, exposed steel framework, brick and stonework, with the addition of an indoor garden area and fairylight wall. This creates the perfect setting for an urban or industrial-chic wedding and can be styled to your taste.

The Studio is located on an industrial estate, an unusual setting for a wedding. While limited on outdoor areas, the venue has created an al fresco seating area complete with colourful graffiti backdrop, as well as a secret indoor garden.

Five things that mean more to love than Valentine's gifts (and are free)

Dr Rachel Taylor is a neuropsychologist, podcast host and founder of UNBroken. She has this advice on the five things that mean more to love than Valentine's gifts (and are free). "The brain has many different circuitry mechanisms associated with feelings of love. Below are some suggestions that mean more to love than commercial gifts."To appreciate is to raise in value, so the appreciation of another is truly better than a gift. Appreciation of another triggers a part of the brain called the hypothalamus which is directly involved in controlling our circadian rhythm. We also get a dopamine hit which supports us to be more motivated to perform the same behaviour. The more we appreciate a person, the more motivated they are to carry on being the amazing person that we think they are.

5 ways to get your pooch involved in your wedding

Planning a wedding is a whirlwind of nerves and excitement, and if you have a dog, you might want to get them involved in the event too. But how? Here, Lisa Melvin from Webbox offer some ideas. Organising a wedding can be as overwhelming as it is exciting. If you have a dog, you might be wondering if you can involve them in the event too — your pooch is most definitely part of your family, and it's natural to want them to be a part of your special day. Read on to find out some ideas for how you can bring your pooch to the wedding.

Dance Factory Bristol has celebrated teaching their 1,000th first-dance couple

Dance Factory Bristol is a vibrant dance company based in Bristol, founded by experienced dancer and choreographer Michele Webber. Its goal is to provide fun, informal dancing classes for people of all ages and abilities, covering a range of styles from ballroom and Latin to hip-hop and street. Whether you're anxious about your first dance or want to wow with some impressive choreography, Michele can help with tailored dancing lessons. There are packages to suit everyone from one lesson to three, or more if you really want to put on a show! Whatever you go for, the team will work with you to make your first dance right for you. They're also on hand to offer advice on music selection and will style your dance to complement your day.

How to create a bespoke drinks menu for your wedding

Your wedding should be as personalised, luxurious and enjoyable as possible, and the drinks menu is no exception! Here, Steve King, managing director at the drinks retailer Bottled & Boxed, shows you how to bring together a bespoke drinks menu for your wedding. Organising a wedding is as exciting as it is overwhelming: you'll want your day to be as special as possible, and the drinks menu is no exception to this. It's becoming more and more popular to create your own personalised drinks, with Google searches for 'bespoke drinks menu' increasing 10% since the beginning of 2022.

Find out what makes Aztec Hotel & Spa the perfect pre- or post-wedding getaway

The four-star Aztec Hotel & Spa sits in the ideal location for a city break whether you're after some pre-wedding pampering with your bride tribe or some mini-moon rest and relaxation. Conveniently nestled just off the motorway in Almondsbury, it lies within easy reach of Bristol and Bath and offers great access to all the sights and delights. However, if you prefer to just get away from it all and enjoy being cocooned in contemporary luxury, as I did, Aztec offers the ultimate experience.

After a three hour drive the bestie and I were well and truly ready to hit the spa! So, once we'd benefited from our early check in and been welcomed by the friendly staff we said a quick "hello" to our lovely twin room and grabbed our fluffy hotel robes and slippers to make our way down. This was an exciting prospect given it was awarded Best Boutique Spa by The Good Spa Guide earlier in 2022.

F.Hinds advises on your wedding selection

Jewellers F.Hinds, boasting more than 115 stores across England, advise on what precious metals your wedding rings could be made from... Your wedding day will be one of the biggest days of your life, and we're so happy that you're about to embark on this new chapter, no doubt you are too! With an exciting engagement comes a whole load of happiness and emotion, but with that what also comes is a never-ending list of things you need to do before the big day, and we can bet that one of them is going to be to "find the perfect wedding rings".

How to choose your wedding date

You would have thought choosing the date for your wedding would be the easiest part? Simple pick a date that suits you as couple and your venue. Well, yes, that is often the case. But there will always be other factors you should consider before making the final choice. If you're hosting a marquee wedding at private residence, then you're fortunate enough to have a little more flexibility with a date than those opting for a wedding venue. However, whether a marquee or venue it's wise to take into account some of the following factors that may make deciding on the best date for your special day a little easier....

Valentine’s Day: 9 tips to help you spoil someone special without breaking the bank

With Valentine's Day right around the corner, it's the perfect excuse to show someone special how much they mean to you. However, the cost of living crisis means that people are more concerned than ever about money. To help, jewellery specialists, Queensmith have pulled together 9 ways to spoil your partner on a budget...1.Set a budget ahead of Valentine's Day. This is an important first step. The last thing you want is for one of you to spend double the amount of money compared to the other, and fall out over gifts on Valentine's Day.

Engagement ring trends for 2023

Whether you're future-gazing about your dream proposal or just like keeping up to date with the latest styles, Lorna Haddon, head of diamonds and jewellery at Beaverbrooks, predicts the new wave of engagement ring trends that will be taking over our Instagram feeds in 2023. Here at County Wedding Magazines it's hard to pick our fav? Really, can we only choose one?

Bristol’s directory of independent shopping locations has relaunched

Bristol's directory of independent shopping locations has relaunched this year, focusing on locally-made, unique, consciously-created products, for customers who want to support small businesses.

The online directory is a collection of fantastic independents offering a diverse range of products from jewellery to plants, homewares to clothes. It's a great place to look if you want to support Bristol businesses when compiling your wedding gift list and can find everything you could need to start your married life together all in one place, as well as thoughtful gifts for your wedding party. Whether you decide to shop in store or online, the support for your neighbourhood shops will always be appreciated.

Abroad stag and hen dos not an option due to cost of living crisis

Couples planning stag and hen festivities this year may need to think again as Brits admit they would not attend an abroad celebration. Luxury fashion retailer Fenwick, has surveyed the nation to find out opinions on stag and hen dos, including the amount they'd be willing to spend and whether they'd travel abroad. Many people now take their bridal parties or groomsmen on holiday to celebrate their big day. These trips can often end up costing a lot of money especially if heading to popular destinations such as Marbella, Budapest or even Vegas which when the majority of the UK is being squeezed by the ongoing cost of living crisis, isn't something many can afford. Of the 1,000 people surveyed, 50.70% would refuse to attend a stag do abroad, preferring to celebrate closer to home in the UK.

The Bishop’s Palace and Gardens sits in the heart of the Medieval city of Wells

Steeped in history, The Bishop's Palace and Gardens sits at the heart of the Medieval city of Wells, Somerset. Whether your arrival is by car or a relaxed stroll across the drawbridge, you'll be greeted with breathtaking views of the stunning, 800-year-old Medieval building.

The Bishop's Palace and Gardens boasts 14 acres of perfectly-kept gardens for you and your guests to enjoy, and there's something quite magical about them. With the moat surrounding the Palace offering the tranquil sounds of flowing water, the stunning backdrop of Wells Cathedral, picturesque willow bridge and seasonal flowers and plants all year round, this is a beautiful place for you and your loved ones to gather after the "I dos" elsewhere.

The most eye-catching wedding decor revealed

A new study, conducted by the wedding financial experts at money.co.uk, involved surveying 1,000 future newlyweds and asking them to estimate how much they will spend on 70 wedding items. Images of these 70 items were then used in an eye-tracking study to reveal the specific elements that people spend the most time gazing at. Fairylights came out on top, with guests staring at them for 5.53 seconds which is impressive considering they are the decorations that those planning a wedding expect to pay the least for (£106.25). So, if you're looking to impress your guests without splurging then try draping your venue in tiny, twinkling fairylights.

A man’s perspective to changing names after marriage

NameSwitch has interviewed some trail blazing men who took a bold step into the future. When you're planning a wedding, whether small and informal or grand-scale, there's a myriad of tasks to organise. And, these days, guys are expected to pull their weight when it comes to sorting everything from flower arrangements and wedding cakes to transport and catering. But, before you even walk down the aisle to say, "I do", there's another important factor to consider – whether you intend to take your partner's surname.

Introducing online bottle shop, Cave Bristol

Introducing Cave Bristol, founded by hospitality veteran and wine specialist Martin Hagen, it's an online bottle shop specialising in selling a carefully-curated selection of small producer- led, organic, biodynamic and low-intervention wines, mixed discovery cases, premium store cupboard essentials and spirits.

Cave Bristol on Gloucester Road opened two weeks before the first lockdown in 2020, but plans quickly had to pivot. Martin kept the store open, operating under government guidelines, but acted quickly to take the concept online. The online store launched soon after with great success offering a selection of properly sourced wines, local cheese and provisions unlike any available elsewhere in the city. Orders were, and still are, delivered by bike in Bristol using zero-carbon.

Is keeping your maiden name at work right for you?

NameSwitch shares its advice on the dilemma that many women face in the workplace, and that's whether to keep your maiden name? Read on to find out more... The process of getting married comes with a million personal choices to be made along the way – do you want a big white dress or something more minimal? Do you want a DJ at your celebration or a live band? Do you want to keep your maiden name or embrace your married one? Each choice is personal and unique and there is no one-size-fits-all answer. Even when it comes to something as momentous as what name you'll be known by for the rest of your life, there are different options and choices to be made. And just like decisions about what kind of dress to buy, the choices you make about your name will also be influenced by your personal preferences and life experiences.

Bath Mill Lodge Retreat is surrounded by meadows, a babbling brook and beautiful countryside

Situated in a peaceful oasis, just a short journey away from Bath city centre, Bath Mill Lodge Retreat is surrounded by meadows, a babbling brook and beautiful countryside. It really is a slice of tranquillity in the middle of the city. Inside, the venue offers a blend of traditional yet quirky décor, and you have complete freedom when it comes to styling the space for your reception, along with a range of food options to suit you, all prepared with fresh, local ingredients.

Located in the 350-year-old mill house, the Newton Suite offers an idyllic setting for your celebrations. Throughout your big day you'll be able to take advantage of the private bar, dancefloor private entrance and secluded patio area. The Newton has ramp access, all facilities are on the same level meaning they're accessible and features a fully- equipped modern entertainment system. It can host 70 of your nearest and dearest.

New interactive feature to make hen and stag dos less stressful

A new randomised spinning wheel feature has been launched by Hen Weekends and Stag Weekends in an effort to make the planning process of hen and stag parties easier and less stressful. This comes as their recent study of hen and stag party bookings found that 30% of hen and stag party organisers have no idea which location to book, with so many different options on offer creating quite the predicament.

Free Valentine's wedding with Frankie & Benny’s

Top Italian American restaurant Frankie & Benny's has been swamped with applications after offering a free wedding for Valentine's. The popular restaurant has launched the ultimate cost of living crisis busting wedding and they've already had thousands wanting to say 'I do'. The team at Frankie & Benny's have been astounded by the number of applicants, many of the lovebirds had their first date at one of the restaurants and want to celebrate their special day where they first met. You still have a chance to win, so long as you've just tied the knot, or about to, have a great love story, then you can apply for the free wedding. All applications need to be submitted via Facebook/Instagram by January 29, 2023.