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

As the wedding season approaches, turn to Viners for a gift ideas

If you've been invited to a wedding and need some inspiration for what to give as a gift, we're sure you will find something within the Viners® range that the happy couple will enjoy for years to come. Opting for a cutlery set is a guaranteed hit. A sentimental and thoughtful gift to give your loved ones, a cutlery set will take care of any special dinner parties or occasions hosted by the newlyweds.

Bloom & Wild's exclusive insights into this year’s most anticipated flower trends

Brace yourselves for a vibrant floral revolution as 2024 bids adieu to the serene luxury trends of 2023, welcoming back maximalism with open arms. Bold statement pieces and lively colours are reclaiming their spotlight in the realms of fashion, interiors, and floral arrangements, marking a dynamic shift in the aesthetic landscape. Jo Reason, Director of Brand & Range at Bloom & Wild, predicts a surge in hyper-colour bouquets featuring fuchsia and electric lilac flowers paired with lime yellow foliages.

Expert insight on upcoming wedding trends in 2024

Georgie Mitchell, Wedding Planner and Wedding Expert for online fashion destination Silkfred, shares her expert insight on upcoming wedding trends in 2024. A beautiful white gown has been the norm for centuries, however, as Georgie explains, 2024 is set to change these traditional bridal tropes: "I think, in 2024, we'll see loads of individuality. Brides will be wearing different designs, colours, necklines with more of a focus on styles that not only make them look and feel good, but won't look like everyone else. I also think they will be very romantic, textured, patterned with touches of colour. Gone are the white dress brides."

Wedding trends and tablescaping predictions for 2024

We've seen a number of popular wedding trends take centre stage over the past few years, from the soaring popularity of micro weddings to cosy and intimate sweetheart tables for the happy couple. As we step into 2024, the world of weddings is evolving even further, with couples embracing new and exciting trends and reimagining the art of tablescaping. So, what exactly are the latest nuptial trends, and how can brides and grooms emulate them in their own ceremonies and wedding tablescapes? The tableware experts from Burleigh Pottery are here to share their wedding and tablescaping trend predictions for 2024 to give you the inspiration you need ahead of the big day.

Curate the ultimate wedding with Temperley London at The Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa

Discerning brides and grooms are invited to experience the ethereal designs of Temperley London's bridal collection, at an exclusive Wedding Showcase on 28th April, at The Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa, Bath. The elegant designs will be exhibited in a captivating fashion show, offering a glimpse into the magic of bridal couture, while an array of top-tier wedding suppliers will be on site to provide inspiration for a truly sensational wedding, with everything from floristry to photography. The quintessentially British, bohemian fashion brand is a favourite of A-listers and royals, and guests will also get a glimpse of its celebrated Heritage collection, with the opportunity to purchase archived on-off pieces.

Expert reveals wedding planning tips for newly engaged couples

Samantha Gilchrist, the owner of The Gilchrist Collection, has had the pleasure of working with thousands of married-couples-to-be, across 12 venues in total including three US, making her the expert when it comes to wedding planning: "Valentine's Day is an incredibly popular day for proposals, in fact the search for 'Valentine's Day proposal' is currently up 40% globally!" I love working with newly-engaged couples; but I always encourage them not to wait too long, as they may miss out on getting the best venues, photographers or even end up with key guests of honour unable to attend the big day as they have left sending 'save-the-dates' out until the last minute."

Five minutes with Nicholas Wylde, Wylde Jewellers

We caught up with local jeweller Nicholas Wylde from Nicholas Wylde Jewellers to find out more about shopping for the wedding rings and big-day jewellery. Please tell us a bit about yourself. I opened my first Wylde Jewellers store 36 years ago with just 12 rings in the window. I'm still as passionate now as I was back then about being one of the leading jewellers in the UK – being at the forefront of the industry, offering unique jewellery and high quality service, in a relaxed, friendly way. We carry one of the largest selections of wedding rings in the South West.

Savvy couples request money over wedding gifts amid cost of living crisis

Savvy couples are looking to use wedding gifts to invest in savings amid the cost-of-living crisis, new national research has revealed. The survey, conducted by Coventry Building Society discovered almost a quarter of newlyweds (24%) put money received as a wedding gift straight into a savings account, with more than one in ten couples (15%) using money to pay off wedding debt straight away. What's more, over half of respondents (57%) just want money as their wedding gift, opting for financial safety over traditional gift giving (43%).

The Speech Surgery part three - the father-of-the-bride gets the spotlight

The Speech Surgery part three, Heidi Ellert McDermott shares her tips for the father of the bride and how to delivery the ultimate speech. The wedding speech tradition is as prevalent as ever and is still very much one of the key parts of the day. For some, public speaking comes quite naturally, and they wouldn't think twice about standing up and 'performing' on cue, while for others it may cause sleepless nights and anxiety but the pressure of pleasing a loved one means you can't say no! Fear not, whether you're a pro and want to heighten your speech, or a novice and you need some advice on how to settle those nerves, Heidi is here to answer your all-important questions...

There's an exciting new wellness partnership at The Gainsborough Bath Spa

The Gainsborough Bath Spa has announced a new wellness partnership with innovative Hungarian skincare brand Omorovicza. The collaboration will see five new mineral cure rituals added to the hotel's Spa Village menu, which already benefits from exclusive access to Bath's natural thermal springs, celebrated since Roman times for their remarkable wellness properties. In perfect harmony with this, Omorovicza encapsulates the healing minerals of Budapest's thermal waters by harnessing their curative powers to reach the deepest layers of the skin. The new, powerful mineral-based treatments boast a range of benefits that stem from the healing properties of the thermal waters, such as assisting with inflammation, detoxifying the body and unlocking youthful vitality.

Planning an engagement party? Here’s a 6-step-guide from a party planner

So you've said the easiest yes of your life and now is the time to celebrate your new status with an engagement party, but where do you even start? From budget to dates to invites, the list can seem endless and overwhelming at first, but there are a few simple considerations that can ease the process from the offset, making this exciting phase of your life enjoyable, memorable and personal to you both. To help with your engagement party checklist, party planning expert at Ginger Ray, Jess Martin, shares six fool-proof etiquette tips to avoid those stressful preparations:

Check out these candles with a Scents of Humour!

Bristol-based Scents of Humour was born out of the Covid-19 chaos when founder Jack was unemployed due to the pandemic. At the time, and having just become a father to baby Henry, he and good friend Aaron hatched a plan to design and make candles in their kitchens. The two have been friends since school and always joked about making products together. Following a successful launch in 2020, Aaron took a step away from the business due to work commitments, leaving Jack and his wife Katie to run Scents of Humour. Although Jack has since gone back to work full time, he and Katie have kept the company going in their spare time.

Lab-grown diamonds dominating the market in 2024

In 2023, rather than reassessing their budget, many couples have started to become more conscious of their spending habits and switching to gemstones rather than diamonds and opting for lab-grown diamonds. According to exclusive internal data from Queensmith, lab-grown diamonds have continued to dominate the market due to their lower cost per carat, resulting in more affordable prices. These highly sought-after diamonds have enabled couples to still find the perfect engagement ring, without inflating their budget. The affordable option, at 60-80% cheaper than natural diamonds, accounted for nearly 80% of Queensmith's diamond engagement rings sold in 2023. Not only can consumers expect larger carat weights and higher quality diamonds, but also a more environmentally friendly and sustainably sourced alternative to mined diamonds.

Love letters are all but lost

Once the staple currency of every romance, the simple art of writing a love letter has been all but lost, in an age of Snapchat and WhatsApp. A new study has revealed that nearly half of young Brits in relationships (45 percent) aged between 18 and 35, have never written their sweetheart a love letter, while 71 percent say they would rather send a romantic WhatsApp, DM or Snap. In fact, 88 percent say that traditional displays of affection such as love letters and flowers are old fashioned. Young lovers admit that they wouldn't know what to say in a letter (37 percent), with a third (29 percent) confessing they would feel silly, according to the poll by Bird & Blend Tea Co. who have created a Swizzels Love Hearts Tea.

The Speech Surgery part two - icebreakers and tips for the best man

The Speech Surgery part two, Heidi Ellert McDermott shares her tips on icebreakers and advice for the best man. The wedding speech tradition is as prevalent as ever and is still very much one of the key parts of the day. For some, public speaking comes quite naturally, and they wouldn't think twice about standing up and 'performing' on cue, while for others it may cause sleepless nights and anxiety but the pressure of pleasing a loved one means you can't say no! Fear not, whether you're a pro and want to heighten your speech, or a novice and you need some advice on how to settle those nerves, Heidi is here to answer your all-important questions...

The worst Valentine’s Day presents ever gifted

With Valentine's Day fast approaching, many people in relationships will be facing one of the toughest questions of the year - "What do I buy my other half?". There have already been 43,000 online searches for "Valentine's Day gifts" as people look for inspiration and whilst some people might receive extravagant and romantic presents, some people are less fortunate. With this in mind, Ninja surveyed the nation to find out what the worst presents people had been given for Valentine's Day, and between a bag of crisps and cat food, the results will shock you

Valentine's ceramics last longer than chocolate and flowers

Valentine's Day is just around the corner, and it's time to start thinking about that perfect gift for your loved one. While chocolate and flowers are traditional choices, there's something even more special and enduring that you can consider: ceramics. Why choose ceramics? Ceramics make a unique and thoughtful gift for Valentine's Day. Unlike chocolate which is quickly consumed or flowers that wither within days, ceramics are long-lasting and can be cherished for years to come. They not only serve as beautiful decorative pieces but also hold sentimental value. Symbolism and meaning. Ceramics can be chosen to reflect the personality, interests, or hobbies of your loved one.

Hen do and stag party tips 2024

Anita Naik, Savings Expert at VoucherCodes.co.uk provides her top tips on reducing the cost of a hen or stag do: "Many bridal and groom parties begin planning their respective hen and stag dos throughout the months of January and February. Taking the time to plan carefully is crucial, especially if you are planning on jetting off somewhere. "But, with rising living costs and foreign destinations being more expensive than ever, I've put together my top tips to help you have some pre-wedding fun without breaking the bank - either domestically, or abroad.

The bounties of Somerset direct to your door

Located between the vibrant market towns of Bruton and Castle Cary, The Newt in Somerset is a working estate in the heart of the West Country. The onsite team of farmers, gardeners, butchers, bakers, cheesemakers, chefs and cyder makers are guardians of an incredible patch of land and are continually inspired by the changing seasons. Now, thanks to their expanding online shop, The Newt is bringing the bounties of its landscape direct to your door, with the promise of convenient, reliable two-day door-to-door delivery available to most postcodes across the South West. The Newt's online shop first launched during lockdown in 2020 and has since amassed a loyal following for its fresh and nutritious produce.

2024 is here and it's time to get organised with a new wedding planner

Whether it's a new year's resolution to get more organised, or you're feeling overwhelmed with the wedding planning, use the new Our Wedding Planner to keeping track of your dreams and decisions for a stress-free wedding planning experience - allowing you to focus on enjoying day! Our Wedding Planner will not only organise your big day, but also create treasured memories for years to come. Every detail of your wedding, including hen and stag parties and the honeymoon are covered, allowing you to create your perfect wedding and keep that all-important budget on track along the way. Bursting with easy to follow advice, and space to record details of every conceivable aspect of planning the big day, this new book offers a one stop depository for ideas, prices, venues, suppliers and guests.