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

Sleep well at Francis Hotel, Bath

The Francis Hotel in Bath has been awarded a gold Green Tourism Award following its sustained engagement with the local community and an excellent performance in all areas of protecting and supporting staff and customer health and wellbeing. The award recognises and supports eco-friendly achievements of tourism businesses, and the gold award stands as its most prestigious. The Hotel is immersed in the heart of a World Heritage Site, with plenty to explore on its doorstep. First opened by Emily Francis in 1884, a leading entrepreneur of her time, it has shown great initiative in paving the way for a greener future.

Worried about your dad's wedding speech? Here's some top advice from Speechy

'The Speech Surgery' with Heidi Ellert McDermott, founder of Speechy & author of 'The Modern Couple's Guide to Wedding Speeches. At Speechy, we believe that all great speeches have good story-telling at the heart of them. So instead of hunting down one-liners, encourage your dad to simply tell his favourite stories. Remind him that he can call on your mum or siblings for help with content and constructive feedback, and send him links to lots of various speech examples to get his brain thinking.

The best place in the UK for a springtime wedding

A new study has revealed the areas in the UK with the best vendors and venues for spring wedding ceremonies, with Essex being crowned top for both. The research conducted by photo wall art creator StoryBoards analyzed data from a popular wedding planning site, to identify the UK regions with the highest quantity of top-rated vendors and venues, including vineyards, cake companies, and stationery brands. Most brides and grooms will agree that planning a wedding is stressful, as trying to pull off an event that feels unique to the couple while managing expectations, budget, and family can be difficult at times. Thankfully, beautiful venues exist to help make the whole process easier.

Glowing for gold with Omorovicza at The Gainsborough Bath Spa

In the modern world of beauty where everyone is looking to fight signs of ageing and get the golden glow, many spa and cosmetic offerings are recognising the unique benefits of the use of gold and are continuing to drive the demand, with indulgent treatments such as gold massages and skincare. An example of a brand spearheading this trend is the innovative Hungarian skincare brand, Omorovicza, through its brand new partnership with five-star hotel, The Gainsborough Bath Spa. Part of the prestigious YTL Hotels brand, this luxury spa hotel has recently unveiled a collection of five new Mineral Cure Rituals to its existing Spa Village offering, including two gold spa treatments that will redefine self-care and leave guests feeling like royalty.

Does your mum need help with her wedding speech? Read these tips from Speechy

The Speech Surgery with Heidi Ellert McDermott, founder of Speechy & author of The Modern Couple's Guide to Wedding Speeches. Firstly, reassure your mum that we work with lots of mothers (both of the bride, and increasingly, the groom's) so it's no longer unusual to see a mum on the mic. Whether your mum is standing in for your father, speaking in addition to him or your dad isn't part of the picture, we generally find mothers have a lot to say! In terms of getting your mum excited at the prospect of delivering a speech, rather than dreading it, send her a few blog posts to show her how simple writing her speech can be.

Your ultimate hen do survival guide by SilkFred

With April being the most popular month for hen do's, and online fashion destination SilkFred finding that 625 people will be attending at least one hen do this 'hen do season' (with 93 of respondents attending 3+ hen do's)*, we've sat down with Georgie Mitchell, Wedding Planner, Coordinator and Wedding Expert at Silkfred and Head Stylist Megan Watkins, who have shared their ultimate 'Hen Do Survival Hacks' to manage everything from budgets and schedules to styling tips and mastering the art of saying "no".

Five myths about Champagne

For centuries, great occasions in life have been punctuated with Champagne. However, there are several myths surrounding the drinking, storing and essence of Champagne. As a result, the Champagne Bureau UK* wanted to bust those myths to separate fact from fiction and demonstrate how best to enjoy the pinnacle of sparkling wine, as well as ensure that you aren't fooled by some of the most common Champagne myths. Myth: Pop the cork and spray Champagne in times of celebrations. The blunt pop of the cork and the fizz of the fine bubbles – instantly reminiscent of celebration – is a sparkling start to any special occasion.

Spring has sprung as riverside pub, The Lock Keeper reopens

Step into a foodie haven at The Lock Keeper as the riverside pub reopens its doors following a stunning refurbishment. Set to the backdrop of the Keynsham Lock, the historic pub is back with a new look and a host of exciting menus, which shine a spotlight on seasonal British ingredients, handpicked at the height of harvest. Located a 10-minute drive from Bristol city centre in the charming village of Keynsham, the Grade II listed inn has been sensitively restored throughout, blending original features with contemporary flourishes. Sitting on the banks of the River Avon, diners can enjoy the view from the pub's bright and airy conservatory space, with an eclectic mix of seating and floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the river and countryside views.

Moonpig reveals weddings cards are the hardest to write

Greeting cards have been a popular way to express celebrations and affection for our loved ones. We're used to purchasing cards for milestones from birthdays, weddings, new jobs and more, but how often do we struggle with what to write in a card? With the recent growth in popularity of AI models like ChatGPT, Moonpig has launched its "Smart Text" tool, a feature which uses generative AI as a writing assistant for customers who need help in those moments where they don't know what to put in a card to their loved ones.

Crosstown Bristol turns one!

On Saturday 25th February 2023, Crosstown Bristol's doors opened for the very first time. The Bristol store was the fourth store that Crosstown opened outside of the capital on 21 Queens Rd, Bristol BS8 1QE. To celebrate the occasion, on Friday 22nd March, Crosstown gave away 100 of their signature vegan Tongan Vanilla Bean Glaze and Dark Chocolate Truffle doughnuts, from 12pm; just in time for a lunch time treat. The Bristol store gives customers the full Crosstown experience of eating in, picking up a doughnut and coffee to go, scoops of their small-batch ice cream, pre-order for collection, or placing an order for on-demand delivery to their doorstep in under an hour.

Thinking of doing a joint wedding speech? Read Speechy's top tips

The Speech Surgery' with Heidi Ellert McDermott, Founder of Speechy & author of 'The Modern Couple's Guide to Wedding Speeches. A joint speech follows the same etiquette principles as your standard bride and groom speech but allows you to present it as a team and play up to your relationship dynamic. But, despite the two voices, be careful not to make the speech double the length! No more than 1,500 words maximum. When it comes to writing a joint speech, it all comes down to your ability to collaborate, discuss and bounce ideas off each other.

Things to consider when booking your big-day musicians

As the UK's largest and most sustainable musician bookings platform, musicians for weddings account for around 50% of Encore's bookings. As such, the company is well-versed in the most cost-effective ways to cut down on one of the more expensive aspects of a wedding. Please see below some best tips to help you save the most money when booking your wedding entertainment. On average, couples book musicians for their wedding seven and a half months in advance, but if your big day falls on a Saturday during peak season, you should book your musicians at least nine months in advance.

Planning a hen (or sten) party? These activity-based bars need to be on your list

Tasty food, gorgeous cocktails and a bit of healthy competition equals a winning recipe for an amazing time for your pre-wedding get together! How does a side of shuffleboard or darts with your cocktails sound? Whether you're looking for a daytime plan or something to keep you partying into the early hours, Electric Shuffle and Flight Club are great options. Both have resident DJs banging out the tunes, and both offer fab bottomless brunch packages if an afternoon booze session is more what you're after. They're also perfectly designed for the most amazing insta-worthy pics

Revealed the UK’s best venues with woodlands to achieve dreamy cottage-core weddings

A recent study revealed the UK's highest-rated venues for woodland-themed weddings, with Creeksea Place being named the best. The research conducted by photo wall art creator StoryBoards analysed user-generated review data to identify the UK regions with the highest quantity of top-rated woodlands venues by creating an overall rating score. The study has revealed that Creeksea Place is the most highly rated woodland in the nation. Located in Essex, the manor house, which includes picturesque woodland, has been rated five stars over 220 times giving it a perfect score of ten out of ten.

The new Yankee Candle® SS24 collection

Find an oasis this spring with the new Yankee Candle® SS24 collection, Under the Desert Sun. The new collection will brighten the home with fragrances that exude memories of warmer days, including four refreshingly light and bright fragrances including, Desert Blooms, Aloe & Agave, Sweet Vanilla & Horchata, and Stargazing. Inspired by the unique beauty of the desert, the new collection has been designed to help escape the ordinary and satisfy wanderlust, immersing the home in sun-drenched scents. The Under The Desert Sun collection features exotic fragrances such as aguaro cactus, aloe and blue lotus, as well as soothing lavender and eucalyptus.

Three spicy but sophisticated hen party ideas

Throwing a hen party that will please all attendees can be tricky. Striking a balance between risque and tame activities can be one of the most controversial challenges you'll face when planning. In fact, some of the more crude hen party gimmicks came out in the top 10 most hated parts of a hen party in this report. However, you can create a hen party that strikes the perfect balance between spice and sophistication, ensuring a night to remember for both the bride and her friends. Jess Martin, Hen Party expert at Ginger Ray has shared three amazing themes for the perfect spicy but sophisticated hen party:

BBC’s Pooch Perfect winner Kelly Davis unveils the new KD Pet Spa at Montigo Resorts Somerset

Multi award-winning pet grooming expert Kelly Davis has joined forces with Somerset's most welcoming country house and spa retreat, Montigo Resorts Somerset at Charlton House, to offer parallel residential and day-spa pampering packages for pets and their owners. Characterised as Britain's 'Best Groomer' by the BBC, Kelly has been in the pet industry since 2001 and has exceptional grooming skills and experience. Kelly, says, "I was thrilled to be asked by Montigo Resorts to collaborate on the opening of the new KD Pet Spa at Montigo Resorts Somerset. Together we have created a unique grooming experience for pets, where pet owners can be confident in our thorough and competitively priced grooming service and relax themselves in the comfort of this beautiful hotel and grounds.

Experts share 5 tips on accommodating deaf guests at your wedding

Planning a wedding can be challenging, especially when there are so many decisions to be made and so many things to be considered. Whilst this is your big day, considering your guests can go a long way, especially for those who have disabilities or are hard of hearing. In the UK, one in five adults is deaf, has hearing loss or tinnitus, so the likelihood of having someone who may need additional help when it comes to hearing in attendance is quite likely. Ashish Shah, Audiologist at The Hearing Care Partnership has offered his expert advice on how you can better accommodate your deaf and hard-of-hearing guests.

Get ready to say I do to the wedding event of the year!

It's time to mark your calendars and secure your tickets for the most spectacular wedding extravaganza of the season—The Big Southwest Wedding Fair! Join the team on April 6th and 7th at the Bath and West Showground for a weekend filled to the brim with wedding wonders, inspiration, and all things pretty! With over 110 talented wedding professionals under one roof, this is your golden opportunity to connect with the best in the biz and turn your wedding dreams into reality. But wait, there's more! Score VIP Entry and be treated like true royalty, with exclusive early access to event, a glass of bubbly and VIP priority seating at our dazzling catwalk shows over the weekend.

These daily habits are ruining your wedding ring

If you've been the lucky recipient of a diamond ring or a piece of jewellery, Nilesh Rakholia, jewellery expert and founder of Abelini, has shared exactly how to care for your precious diamonds to ensure they last a lifetime... Nilesh says: "While it can be tempting to wear precious items such as an engagement ring all the time, daily habits such as cooking and cleaning can damage your jewellery. To avoid this, we always recommend removing jewellery before showering or washing up because the soap can cause a film to form, which can leave rings and bracelets looking dull.