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January/February 2016 cover
cover
Cover image provided by Oliver & Ruth Photographers, www.oliverandruth.com
 
January/February 2016
Wonderful world of weddings
News and products from around the country

You know it makes sense to...
Keep your guests well-fed

Tulle Britannia
Meet the designers making their mark on bridal fashion across the UK

The illusionist
From sheer lace sleeves to peekaboo bodices, this season's bridal fashion dares to bare

Blue for you
The on trend hue for this year's grooms

You heard it here first
As another year of wonderful weddings begins, the County Wedding Magazines team reveal what trends and treats we've got to look forward to in 2016

Celebrate in the capital
Cardiff is a city-chic hotspot for couples, but where's best to wed?

Beyond the bouquet
Want to incorporate beautiful blooms into your big day in as many ways as possible? Local florists show you how…

Higher and higher
Ruth and Oliver opted for a chic and on-trend dove grey colour scheme for their elegant nuptials

Laid-back luxury
Demelza Rayner discovers there's much more to Mauritius than sandy beaches and turquoise waters

Plus...
Regular features, news, events, Q&A special - and much more
 
Next Issue Out
4th March, 2016
Giveaways
 
For some terrific FREE TO ENTER competitions, giveaways and offers,
visit our website at www.yoursouthwaleswedding.com
Hot topic: Last-minute touches
 
Hot topic: Last-minute touches
Image provided by www.ryan-welch.co.uk
 
Snapping up a photographer

Q We’ve decided to get married in three months time and need to find a photographer. Although we’re booking last-minute, we still want to secure an experienced professional, have a pre-wedding shoot and stay within budget; is this possible?

A Photographer Ryan Welch says:
Finding a good photographer at short notice is a potentially difficult task, however it’s not impossible. Ask those whose work you love and if they’re booked, maybe ask them if they know of anyone who’s free on your chosen date. I do this regularly for my clients and use a wedding photographers’ Facebook group I’m a member of.

Simply scour through their portfolios and send off a few emails. If you haven’t booked a date yet, I’d suggest avoiding a Saturday, and opt to get married midweek, or at least on a Friday, as photographers are generally less busy then.

I’m very lucky in the fact that a lot of my clients sometimes work their wedding day around my availability, so another option is to chat to a few to establish their availability before jumping the gun and booking a venue for a date where your favourite photographer isn’t free.

There’s absolutely no reason why you should miss out on an engagement session by booking this close to the wedding date; simply mention this when you meet with them and get something in the diary for as soon as possible. Ensure you have an understanding of your chosen photographer’s turnaround times for this type of session and an agreement that you’ll have the images back within good time of the wedding date too. Good luck!

www.ryan-welch.co.uk

Experts answer more questions on page 107 of the current issue.
Under control
 
Under control
 
Whether it’s a secret ladylike lace confection you’re seeking or a hidden layer of supportive structure, there’s lingerie styles to suit every bride-to-be’s personal needs

Saga bra, £72, and shorts, £52, Simone Perélè
www.simoneperele.com

Turn to page 82 of the current issue for more bridal lingerie inspiration.
New year, new to-do list
If you lost sight of the end goal over the festive period, the start of a new year is the perfect time to begin a new countdown and checklist.

To help you get back into the flow of things and right back on to that wedding-planning bandwagon, we’ve got a jam-packed issue for you. From charming Cardiff venues on page 21 to blooming beautiful flower ideas on page 59, complete with local real weddings from page 38 and not forgetting our regular fashion, beauty, grooms and honeymoons sections too.

There are so many ways you can get involved with the magazine, so be sure to keep in touch. Send us your questions and we’ll put them to local experts, ping us your top tips for couples and, of course, visit our website to submit your nuptials to be featured – and enter your big day into our upcoming 2016 Wedding of the Year competition too!

2016 looks set to be an exciting one…

Rosie Orgles, Editor
 
Make sure you email editor@yoursouthwaleswedding.com to keep us up to date with all your news
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Win a family-moon for four in Oman, worth more than £4,000
 
Win a family-moon for four in Oman, worth more than £4,000
 
Enter now for your chance to win a four-night stay for four in the Royal Suite at the Millennium Resort Mussanah in Oman

If your dream is to enjoy your honeymoon with your kids in tow, then now is the chance for all of you to visit the Sultanate of Oman – home to some of the most beautiful landscapes in the Middle East with rugged mountains and crystal clear fjords providing a dramatic backdrop.

With tranquil views of the surrounding Al Hajar Mountains, overlooking its very own marina and the Gulf of Oman, the four-star of the Sultanate’s top wellness destinations with a diverse range of pursuits, including leisure, sailing and diving trips, and stress-free family-friendly getaways – not to mention the ultimate in relaxation and rejuvenation at its spa.

The resort boasts 311 spacious, well-appointed rooms and lavishly decorated serviced apartments, complemented by a comprehensive array of leisure and lifestyle facilities that meet the needs of even the most discerning guest.

The resort is located in the South Batinah region of Muscat along the Gulf of Oman, on a private beach surrounded by date trees. Facilities include the Beach Club with the signature Zayna Spa, which offers relaxing treatments from around the world, and the Health & Fitness Club in addition to an outdoor fitness track park.

Millennium Resort Mussanah was built to host the second Asian Beach Games in 2010 and retains many of the world-class outdoor sporting facilities, incorporating Oman’s first ladies-only swimming pool and Jacuzzi, as well as two infinity pools. Olympic-size leisure pool and kids’ splash pool ensure plenty of opportunity for guests to cool off. Other amenities include two floodlit tennis courts, volleyball courts and 18-hole mini golf plus a fully supervised Kids’ Club.

Looking to be wined, dined and pampered? Try the culinary delights at any of the three à la carte restaurants; Maydan, Al Bahar and Azure, chill at the poolside bar or do like the locals and enjoy a Hubbly Bubbly at the Shisha lounge.

The resort is a major gateway to the Damaniyat Islands; a group of nine islands about 18km offshore. They are Oman’s only fully protected marine reserve and the stunning marine and island environments are still in pristine condition. The biodiversity is plentiful with some of Oman’s best-developed coral reefs, nesting sea turtles and a plethora of inquisitive sea creatures. Blink and you will miss something! The on-site PADI dive centre offers excellent snorkeling and diving opportunities year round together with training courses for kids and adults of all levels.

To find out more visit the website www.millenniumhotels.com/
millenniumresortmussanah


The prize
Millennium Resort Mussanah is offering a four-night stay for four people in the Royal Suite – with a daily buffet breakfast delivered to your 125m² luxurious suite that boasts a separate living room, second twin bedroom and stunning views of the Gulf of Oman.
 
Enter here
Beyond the bouquet
 
Beyond the bouquet
Image provided by www.hepburnphotography.co.uk
 
Want to incorporate beautiful blooms into your big day in as many ways as possible? On page 59 of the current issue, local florists show you how.

Wear in your hair


Pretty flowers can be worn in your tresses for a soft, feminine finish to your bridal look.

www.humblebynature.com
www.catherinegrayflowers.co.uk
www.hepburnphotography.co.uk
Purse-friendly pictures
 
Purse-friendly pictures
Image provided by www.intotheheartphotography.com
 
South Wales’ Into The Heart Photography, that prides itself on its affordable yet quality service, will be offering wedding packages from just £850 this year, with a free engagement shoot included. And Your South Wales Wedding readers are being treated to an exclusive £200 discount, meaning you can snap up a photographer for your big day for last year’s price of £650. Simply book before 4th March, 2016, and quote ‘Your South Wales Wedding magazine’ on enquiry.

For more information, call 07980 124 663 or visit www.intotheheartphotography.com
Register now for your personalised Wedding Planning Tools
A country affair
 
A country affair
 
Marry in a rural setting

The region is brimming with gorgeous countryside – valleys, rolling hills, woodland, you name it, it’s got it. And what backdrop is more gorgeous for your nuptials than the natural beauty that is your home surroundings? We think charming country-chic settings are ideal for weddings – who doesn’t love an al fresco ceremony, oak-beamed reception venue and rustic views? If you do, flick to page 27 of the current issue to discover four of the loveliest country havens in the region - one of which is…

Llechwen Hall Hotel & Restaurant, CF37 4HP

“Llechwen Hall Hotel is the epitome of a country haven,” says the venue’s wedding and events manager Alyssa Fern. “Tucked away on top of Mount Llanfabon in the rolling hills of the Welsh countryside, the hotel enjoys breathtaking views from its impressive location.”

Elegant and homely, Llechwen Hall is made for country-chic weddings but that’s not always been its use; once a charming country house, farmhouse, long-house and primary school, it only became a hotel in 1990. The hotel’s 17th-century Welsh long-house is particularly suited to weddings and its Victorian façade and six acres of grounds make for beautiful backdrops to your big-day snaps.

Tie the knot in the Nelson Suite and celebrate here post-vows with 70 guests, or head to the Oakbeam Orangery, an ideal spot for a reception with 60 loved ones, or the Garden marquee, a permanent feature at Llechwen Hall that can hold up to 300 family and friends. Both the orangery and marquee have gorgeous countryside views and are light and airy spaces in which to celebrate.

Excitingly, the venue is in the process of converting its 17th-century jailhouse in the hotel grounds into an additional spot to host your ceremony or drinks reception. Originally used as a stopover prison between Merthyr Tydfil and Cardiff back when people travelled by horse and cart, the jailhouse will have a rustic feel with exposed beams and stonework, and doors opening out on to two acres of meadow. Work’s due to be complete in March, 2016, when the hotel re-opens after closing for the first part of the new year for refurbishment, so watch this space!

As well as exclusive use of the venue on your wedding day, couples can also expect to receive a complimentary three-course menu tasting pre-wedding and a free stay for their first anniversary.

Ceremony licence: Yes
Contact: www.llechwenhall.co.uk

Did you know? ‘Llechwen’ is a traditional Welsh word that translates as ‘white slate’ and it’s thought that the building’s roof was constructed with beautiful white slate in the past.
Something blue
 
<i>Something blue</i>
Image provided by www.sachamiller.co.uk
 
The trademark Tiffany & Co. hue featured throughout Charlotte and Stephen’s special celebration

Having known each other throughout university, it wasn’t until the final year that the pair became close. Stephen invited Charlotte out for dinner, but setting the date proved more difficult than expected, so he offered to cook for her instead. “He’s always been extremely thoughtful,” says Charlotte. “I was suffering from a cold at the time and he came to my house with Lemsip, flowers and chocolates, before cooking us both fajitas. I barely ate anything though as I was so worried about getting messy!”

Seven years later, Stephen planned a romantic weekend in London – complete with Tower Bridge views from their room – to treat Charlotte because he’d been so busy at work, but there was another reason too.

“The next day we had afternoon tea and after we finished, Steve surprised me with a Tiffany & Co. box. As I removed the bow, he took it from me and unfolded a two-page poem,” recalls Charlotte. “Each verse was a different chapter of our relationship, from university, travelling and our new house to talking about our future. By this time I was so emotional, I blinked and Steve was on one knee!”

The couple spent the next nine months organising their nuptials, which incorporated Charlotte’s love of Tiffany & Co. – the colour and the diamonds.

On page 47 of the current issue, the bride shares all the details of their day.

www.sachamiller.co.uk
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