Your South Wales Wedding news and ideas from around the area

County Wedding Magazines launch new websites!

Here at County Wedding Magazines HQ the office is abuzz with excitement at the launch of our new websites – I'm sure you can hear the *collective oohs and ahhs* from where you are! So yes, it's here, after months of hard work, sweat and tears (maybe less tears but more cheers!), our shiny, new, glorious websites are ready to be viewed by our much-loved readers – we really hope you like them as much as we do! Wedding planning at your fingertips - What's new, we hear you ask? Well, everything! The County names are as important as ever, it's our ethos after all, but we have a lush new font and modern colour scheme that really makes our County Wedding Magazine titles jump off the page.

The best of English sparkling wine, with Amelia Singer this National Champagne Week (1-7th October)

There's the New World of wine, and then the New New World: English Sparkling Wine is on the rise. This National Champagne Week, wine expert, Amelia Singer selects her favourite bubbles from our own green pastures... Which country comes to mind if you think of "wine"? For most, I imagine France, Italy, or perhaps even the USA these days, probably dominates. We all know, however, that the world is a-changing and so should our concept of wine and where it comes from. English wines are on the rise, and it's my opinion, along with a fair few of the worlds top wine experts, that they are the new frontier of wine making – even beating out top champagne houses in sparkling wine competitions.

Personalised wedding gifts from Pen Heaven

Find beautifully crafted, meaningful, and personalised wedding gifts to cherish forever with Pen Heaven. A master of exquisite stationary design, Pen Heaven was founded in 2008 and offer a comprehensive range of luxury writing instruments, leather journals and gifts. Specialists in classic brands such as Parker, Cross and Lamy, Pen Heaven also boast some more unusual and hard-to-find items such as the Japanese hand painted Platinum range, Italian calligraphy sets and the design focused Worther brand. Offering an in-house, by-hand engraving and embossing service, Pen Heaven are the ultimate destination for meaningful gifts with a personal touch perfect for big-day gifting.

The Vale Resort and Hensol Castle are hosting a wedding fair

The Vale Resort and Hensol Castle in the Vale of Glamorgan are hosting a wedding fair on Sunday 1st October 2023. Organised and run by the Wedding Guild of Wales, the Inspirational Wedding Fayre is the perfect opportunity to meet over 80 exhibitors, including members of the prestigious Wedding Guild of Wales and specially selected guests. Visitors will be able to see these two stunning venues on the same day and win some exciting prizes. Drawn live on the day, one lucky winner will receive £1,000 to spend on any exhibitor they meet.

County Wedding Magazines' readers share their prize win story!

Here at County Wedding Magazines HQ, we love nothing more than to hear from the winners of our competitions. In the crazy world of wedding planning, it's exciting for us to be able to offer our lovely readers some exciting giveaways and competitions which will hopefully give you a much-needed pick-me-up during on the countdown to your wedding day. In March 2023, CWM ran a competition, 'Win a minimoon in Northern Ireland!' and the winners were nearlyweds Jennifer and her partner.

Bryngarw House has a romantic history dating back to the 15th century

Bryngarw House dates back to the 15th century, and it is believed that in 1775, a gentleman named John Popkin gave the house and its grounds to his sister Frances as a wedding present. A symbol of love from the very start, the owners are proud to have transformed Bryngarw House into a beautiful wedding venue almost 250 years later.

Located in the heart of Bryngarw Country Park, there are an array of photo opportunities available, including the golden meadows, never- ending woodland, and the iconic ornamental bridge in the stunning oriental garden.

Halloween hen party ideas for 2023

If you're looking to throw a hen party that's nothing short of magical, mysterious and oh-so-memorable, then you're in for a treat, not a trick, with a Halloween hen party! This bewitching night is filled with laughter, eerie enchantment and spine-tingling surprises. Halloween, with its unique blend of the spooky and the playful, makes for a perfect theme that'll have everyone howling with delight. And just think of the costumes! Leading hen party company, Fizzbox is our guide as we embark on a haunted journey through the land of Halloween hen party ideas that will make your last night of freedom the talk of the town.

Wedding day aesthetic according to your star sign

Jewellery brand Diamonds Factory, has spoken exclusively to celebrity psychic and astrologer Inbaal Honigman, who has shared her top tips on how to plan your wedding according to your zodiac. Vibrant Colours for Aries, known for their fiery and youthful nature, embrace the vibrant energy of red. This intense hue symbolises their passion and dynamism. To capture their directness, a bow and arrow motif, reminiscent of Greek deity Eros, perfectly embodies Aries' spirit on their special day.

Penarth Pier Pavilion invites you to its Autumn Showcase Open Evening

Penarth Pier Pavilion invites you to its Autumn Showcase Open Evening on Thursday 28th September 2023. Whether you're planning an intimate ceremony and reception or a lively party for all your family and friends, Penarth Pier Pavilion is the perfect setting.

Arrive anytime between 5pm and 8pm and be greeted with a glass of bubbles and the soft sounds of the grand piano. Wander the space and enjoy canapés from Epic Catering and styling by Cinnamon Pig, and ask the team any questions you might have.

Let's talk about sleep - the importance of rest

A new nationwide study has revealed as many as 86 percent of us now regularly struggle to drift off - not good if you're wanting to look and feel your best physically and mentally in the run up to your wedding day and on-the-day itself! Research has revealed the top 20 natural sleep inducers in the modern age – and counting sheep or mugs of Horlicks did not make the cut. In fact, modern Brits are more likely to get intimate with their other half, listen to a true crime podcast, watch a comedy show, tidy their room from top to bottom, or cuddle up with their pet. But the survey shows, simply reading a book is the number one snooze inducing activity (23 percent), followed by scrolling through social media (22 percent), despite the consensus that looking at phones is bad for our sleep patterns.

Calling all newlyweds and nearlyweds - County Wedding Magazines need you!

Here at County Wedding Magazines HQ, there's nothing we love more than our real wedding features - and we couldn't do them without you! If you would like to see your wedding grace the pages of one of our County Wedding Magazine titles, then please do get in touch! Grand and big-budget extravaganzas, to small and intimate I dos, themed from beginning to end, or personalised with a sentimental touch - we want to hear about them all!

Cefn Tilla Court is a grand wedding venue that dates back to the 17th century

Dating back to the 17th century, Cefn Tilla Court is a grand wedding venue that was once home to Lord Raglan, the youngest son of the Duke of Beaufort.

Ceremonies take place in the pagoda, next to the oriental lily pond, with up to 140 of your friends and family.

Alternatively, the historic Great Hall, located at the front of the house, can accommodate up to 100 of your guests. The windows overlook the lawns and lily pond, letting in plenty of natural light, and the wood panelling and carved family crest exude a sense of history and charm.

Swansea’s four-star Morgans Hotel is hosting a wedding fair

Swansea's four-star Morgans Hotel is hosting a wedding fair on Saturday 14th October, 2023. This stunning venue will be open to the public from 1pm to 5.30pm with lots of local wedding suppliers to chat with. View the beautiful, fully licensed wedding rooms in their full glory, speak to the in-house wedding coordinators about your special day, and enjoy a selection of complimentary treats courtesy of Morgans Hotel.

Wolfscastle Country Hotel & Spa is a charming family-run Victorian vicarage

Nestled in the village of Wolfscastle is the award-winning Wolfscastle Country Hotel & Spa. This family-run property is a charming Victorian vicarage with 20 en-suite bedrooms, a two AA rosette restaurant, a contemporary brasserie, a boutique spa and impressive views of the surrounding woodland landscape and the awe-inspiring Treffgarne rocks.

The Garden Room is a bright and airy space with high ceilings, impressive bi-folding doors that open up to the rear garden and room for 120 of your friends and family.

Dylan Coastal Resort has opened its new Milk Wood Spa

Luxury Lodges, a collection of five-star self-catering resorts, has launched Milk Wood Spa at its South Wales site, Dylan Coastal Resort. Set in the ancient town of Laugharne, tucked away in Carmarthenshire, couples are invited to make use of the sleek and world-class spa facilities at Milk Wood Spa and delight in a luxurious spa experience. Relax in the heated, outdoor hydrotherapy infinity pool and admire the panoramic views of the vast Taf Estuary and beyond. Enjoy Milk Wood Spa's state-of-the-art facilities, including the large indoor pool, themed showers, Herbal steam room, Tepidarium, and Mezzanine relaxation zone – the perfect spot to wind down after a session in the sleek gym which offers Technogym equipment.

The Vale Resort is home to 143 on-site bedrooms and two championship golf courses

The Vale Resort is home to 143 on-site bedrooms, two championship golf courses, an award-winning restaurant, sports facilities and Wales' largest spa. Located within 650 acres of countryside, the resort boasts landscaped gardens, perfect for your wedding day photographs, as well as gorgeous greenery and well-kept seasonal plants.

There are nine deluxe suites available for weddings at this glorious garden venue. The Castle Suite is perfect for large celebrations, with high ceilings, grand windows, a private bar and space for 400 of your loved ones throughout the special day.

Four tips for storing your wedding dress after the big day

With September tipped to be the most popular month for weddings, when the big day is done deciding what to do with a wedding dress can be tricky. Whilst some people sell them or donate them so future brides can use them, others prefer to keep hold of them and preserve the memory of their wedding day. If you're looking to preserve your wedding dress after the big day, or pass it down to future generations, proper storage is essential in maintaining its pristine condition. With this in mind, Vlatka Lake, storage expert at Space Station shares four tips for storing your wedding dress to keep it in pristine condition. Vlatka adds: "Before putting your dress into storage, make sure you have it cleaned to remove any stains or marks that may have appeared from your wedding day. The most important thing to remember when putting your wedding gown into storage is that it shouldn't be stored in a plastic bag or hung on a hanger. "Plastic covers don't allow for humidity changes and can often let light in that will fade the material of your dress. Hanging your dress can also affect its shape by adding unnecessary stress on the seams or the fabric."

Unique gifts couples give each other on their wedding day

The team at hampers.com recently surveyed UK adults who have gotten married or attended a wedding in the past five years, with the goal of determining what the gifting landscape looks like for wedding season. In doing so, they spoke to almost 800 newlyweds from across the UK and a further 1,400 UK adults who have attended a wedding in the same time frame. Firstly, the study found that it's common for brides and grooms to buy each other a gift for the wedding day itself, with 65% stating they did this for their own wedding day. The average spend was found to be £115, with women most likely to purchase a pocket watch (24%) or a vintage bottle of alcohol (22%) and men most likely to purchase jewellery (37%) or personalised 'Mrs' clothing (19%)...

Big-day gifting ideas from Don't Buy Her Flowers

Gift company, Don't Buy Her Flowers, prides itself for having thoughtfulness at its core, with customers able to create a bespoke gift box that perfectly suits the person and occasion. Whether it's to celebrate, commiserate or offer someone some TLC during a tough time, Don't Buy Her Flowers offers a range of luxury British products from delicious treats, cashmere socks and bubble bath to the perfect G&T and a selection of great books. Each gift box is beautifully gift wrapped with the customer's personalised message handwritten on the gift tag, making it the perfect package for everyone from mothers, newlyweds, teachers and employees.

Penhein is introducing a host of wild gourmet dining options

Penhein, a glampsite offering luxury Persian Alachigh tents, is introducing a host of wild gourmet dining options for guests this summer. Penhein Glamping is set in a 450-acre Monmouthshire family-owned farm with wildflower meadows, an adventure playground for kids and a cooling brook to dip your toes in. The accommodation comes in the shape of eight luxury, high-domed tents, each sleeping up to five people.