Editor loves and inspiration

Micro-weddings have seen a notable rise since 2020 and have taken the wedding world by storm. People are ditching the large lavish affairs, trimming their guestlist and opting for more intimate celebrations – with just 50 people or less in attendance. But is this the right choice for you? Whilst you may save some pennies, what are you losing in the process? You may not know hundreds of people, but in stripping back your guestlist, you could be missing some key players. To decide if an intimate wedding is the one for you, here's a list of pros and cons to help weigh-up the most important decision of your wedding. Once, we've ascertained if this is the celebration for you, we can then dive into guestlist suggestions and the catering – two factors greatly impacted by the decision to keep things small.

Find out more in the latest issue of Your South Wales Wedding magazine - Issue 105

Pontcanna Market has teamed up with The Install Co and Mary W-Thomas Photography to create this breathtaking styled shoot. The amazing team transformed Pontcanna Market into a vintage dream, featuring burnt oranges, wildfl owers, pampas, and lots of candles. The autumnal explosion is a treat for the eyes and goes to show the luxurious wedding style you can replicate at your venue. With lots of romantic lighting and expert styling, the market transforms from an already stunning location into one found on the pages of a romance novel. The dress changes show the flexibility of vintage style weddings and highlights the natural beauty of understated venues. Paired with a showstopping Lambeth-style cake and gorgeous table settings, this shoot is bursting with inspiration for this time of year!

Be inspired in the latest issue of Your South Wales Wedding magazine - Issue 105

This lovely couple met at a wedding Sammi was performing at, and Alex stood out to her as one of the only people truly committed to the dancefloor. After the wedding, Alex approached Sam to enquire about booking her band and, of course, had to get her number! They now live happily with their two sons, Theo and Lennon. Getting married wasn't on Sammi's radar; it wasn't until Alex overheard her discussing families with their son, Theo, that he thought he got the green light to propose. Alex popped the question to Sammi on Aberavon Beach – Sammi's favourite place on earth – with a ring fashioned out of an orange skittle and a strawberry lace (Sammi is a self-confessed sweet-aholic). Alex's love for the outdoors was the driving force behind their venue decision, paired with Sammi wanting to get married at a venue she hadn't performed at – making Green Grove Barns the location for their dreamy nuptials. They adorned this already stunning venue with burnt oranges, pampas, fun details and even a Pringles tower! Yes, you read that right!

Read more about their special day in the latest issue of Your South Wales Wedding magazine - Issue 105

Sophie and James first met when they were 11 and in school, but it wasn't until they were 15 that a romance would bloom. When it came to popping the question, James pulled out all of the stops to make it as special as possible. The lovely couple were holidaying in a treehouse in Devon in 2023, and had just got out from the hot tub, when Sophie ran inside to warm up (this was in February so there was still a bit of a chill in the air). Little did Sophie know that James was outside setting up the dream proposal. James had lots of candles outside and with the help of Mollie, their springer spaniel, asked Sophie to marry him. Talk about romantic! The wedding was set for 24th May 2025 at the Sugar Loaf Barn.

Read more about their special day in the latest issue of Your South Wales Wedding magazine - Issue 105

It would be very easy to sit here and say, 'a picture is a picture, why do I need to care about the different styles', but in this approach, we lose the magic of photography. If you and I took a picture of the same thing – yes, the subject would remain the same, but the style would differ completely! Mine might be more slap-dash and yours may be artistic. The same applies to wedding photography – what one artist views as improper, the other will see opportunity and vice versa. There are countless different types of photography, but for the sake of this feature, I have broken them down into the current most popular types: traditional, dark and moody/ flash photography, documentary/photojournalistic, light and airy, and fine art.

Discover your photography style today in the latest issue of Your South Wales Wedding magazine.

Hayley and Gary's Bridgerton-inspired wedding at Margam Park was a very royal celebration. Featuring pastels, gospel choirs, caricature artists and images captured by the esteemed Huw and Dale - this wedding really was the diamond of the season.

Explore the intimate details of their special day in Your South Wales Wedding - Issue 104 July/August 2025.

Joe and Chloe met when they were 15 and in school, their puppy love would stand the test of time and on their 10- year anniversary, they would tie the knot. The 17th September has remained an important date to this couple, it was the day they became boyfriend and girlfriend, it was the day Joe proposed, and it was the day that they got married. But how did Joe pop the question? Chloe details, “He proposed at the Lake District, and it was unexpected, but I was hoping it would happen! He was acting strange all day, so I had my suspicions.”

Find out more about their special day in Your South Wales Wedding - Issue 104 July/August 2025

Gina and Daniel's relationship starts with the overcoming of some very difficult times. With the loss of a dear friend and the approaching lockdown, they had a lot to overcome in a short amount of time. They may have started as flatmates, but the bond that flourished has created what is now, a beautiful relationship. Whilst lockdown was a tumultuous and daunting period for a lot of us, this time gave Gina and Daniel plenty of opportunities to get to know one another and to partake in some of the classic lockdown activities. Gina adds, “we were both locked down in the flat – we used to play lockdown bingo, which made for plenty of our own adventures.” Gina and Daniel now live happily ever after with their son and dog in Cardiff.

But before we jump to the end, how did this gorgeous couple become newlyweds? Daniel and Gina found Gina's engagement ring together when they were travelling in Madrid in 2022. They bought it there and then and carefully carried it around with them for the rest of the day. Daniel then popped the question in Bruges, in September that same year. Gina knew the engagement was coming but wasn't sure when, so this still came as a nice surprise. Daniel even did it on the bridge overlooking Lovers Lake – how romantic!

Read more in Your South Wales Wedding - Issue 104 July/August 2025

What cake trends are we leaving 2024 and what can we expect to see in 2025?

GINGER BEAR BAKERY - I think the ruffle trend is slowing down and will eventually be left in 2024. I made lots of the ruffle-style cakes last year, but I'm not seeing it as much in 2025 orders. There are lots of exciting new trends coming through for 2025; the vintage styling is still huge and lots of my couples are opting for this, choosing to complete their cakes with cherries or bows! Another trend I am excited for is fresh fruit; raspberry topped cakes and oversized single tier cakes are going to be seen a lot in 2025, dressed in all kinds of fruits and fresh florals!

www.thegingerbearbakery.co.uk

I'm looking to be sustainable where possible with wedding bits, and wondered if there was a way to incorporate my wedding stationery dreams and favours? I need something that feels like us but can also serve a purpose.

Kate Lee, of Love-Lee Wedding Stationery by Kate Lee, says: We all reach that point in our wedding planning where we must decide on what is important to us; what is absolutely needed and what is purely aesthetic. But everyone has a budget, and it's vital the budget is adhered to. When it comes to favours, we have to wonder, 'is this personalised candle or shot bottle for every guest absolutely necessary?' Whilst it's a lovely gesture, it can become a very expensive option; so why not use an order of service as a keepsake for your guests instead? Lovelee has just launched a new product called 'Newlywed Life' – your very own personalised magazine! The mag includes your love story, a shout out to your wedding party, an itinerary for the day, your favourite love quote, a link to your wedding gift list, and even a chance to nominate guests for a wedding award! There's also a fun 'Bride and Groom Guess Who' game for your guests to have a giggle over during the wedding breakfast. A perfect memory to hold and a wonderful keepsake for you and your guests.

Love-Lee Wedding Stationery by Kate Lee
www.lovelee-design.com