Editor loves and inspiration

Make-up artist Emma Locke tells us her trend predicitons for 2024.

"Next year, we will be looking at a variety of make-up trends, from bold and rebellious to soft and romantic. There will be a range of popular colours that cater to every style and occasion.

"Sparkles are going to be the star of the show, bringing a sense of glitz and glamour to your look. Whether it’s a glittery eyeshadow or a shimmery highlight, the aim is to make a statement. Catwalks will be all about fantasy and mythic themes in 2024.

On the other hand, the no-make-up look is ideal for enhancing your features in a more natural way. This has been on-trend through 2023, and I believe it will continue."

See more top tips in the current issue. Download your free copy at www.yoursouthwales.wedding/free-download

Lauren and Levi met when they were children through family and friends. “As we became teenagers, we were attracted and interested in each other, but as we went to different schools, nothing ever happened,” says Lauren. “Years later, we bumped into each other on a night out. We went on a date not long after and have been together ever since.”

Levi proposed after Lauren had given birth to their second child. “It was super romantic as it was just us in the room with our perfect newborn,” shares the bride. “It's a memory I will treasure forever.”

See more from their wedding in the current issue. Download your free copy at www.yoursouthwales.wedding/free-download

The weather can often be a deciding factor on what time of year you get married. It's great to plan, but as we all know the weather in Wales can be unpredictable, meaning you can still get rain in the summer and sunshine in the autumn, so it's important not to dwell too much on the what ifs and instead prepare for all climates. To help you decide when to tie the knot, we've asked Laura Rees from Laura Mae Rees Photography to share some of her favourite seasonal images and top tips. She tells us: “For winter weddings, make sure you plan your day around the light, if the sunset is at 4pm, have an earlier ceremony so you get the most out of your couple photos, group shots and special moments.”

See more in our Photography feature in the current issue. Download your free copy at www.yoursouthwales.wedding/free-download

The idea for this styled shoot was to promote small, local businesses. Stacey Williams from Bridal Braids tells us: “My inspiration came from both my colleague and I recently becoming engaged. After working as a wedding hair specialist for more than 10 years, getting engaged really inspired me to promote the wedding industry that much more. I love everything about weddings, and getting to create this photo shoot was a great experience and lots of fun.”

See more from the shoot in the current issue. Download your free copy at www.yoursouthwales.wedding/free-download

Kerry and Huw both swiped right on Tinder and found that they were a perfect match. They exchanged numbers and started talking back in 2014. “I was working in a hotel in Aberaeron at the time,” says Kerry. “One Thursday evening, I invited Huw down to the hotel after a shift, and we ended up talking until 2am! We became official in December 2014, and the rest is history.”

Huw popped the question on Christmas Day in 2018. “It was our first Christmas in our new home together,” shares the bride. “We were in our pyjamas in the kitchen, and he'd bought a personalised heat-revealing mug, and on it, he'd written: 'Will you marry me?'. I was really surprised, and don't think I finished my tea!”

See more from their wedding in the current issue. Download your free copy at www.yoursouthwales.wedding/free-download

Stacey Williams, a hairstylist based in Swansea, has won 'Bridal Hair Specialist of the Year' at the Welsh Hair and Beauty Awards 2023.

“I have been hairdressing for 18 years but have been focusing on bridal hair for the last 10,” says Stacey. “I love everything about the morning of a wedding, and I take pride in my work and reputation for going above and beyond. Winning this award means so much to me. I have been a finalist in this category for the last three years but have never come close to winning, so winning this year took me by surprise and left me speechless. This award shows how hard I have worked and continue to work to make a bride feel comfortable, relaxed and stress-free on her wedding day while getting my little small business name further out into the industry.”

See more news in the current issue. Download your free copy at www.yoursouthwales.wedding/free-download

Tim and Adam met in Oxford in 2011 at an event organised by their university's LGBTQ Society. “We shared a love of music, film, and video games, and I immediately thought he was kind, handsome and funny,” says Adam. “We hit it off, and shortly afterwards, Tim asked me out for a coffee.”

Adam popped the question on Christmas Day in 2020. “It was our first Christmas together after almost 10 years of being apart on the big day,” shares Adam. “Christmas is Tim's favourite holiday, so I gave him the ring as his final present, dropping to one knee as he opened it. The inside of the band was engraved with our initials and, in a nod to our love of video games, I placed it in a box resembling a chest from the Legend of Zelda franchise. It had been an incredibly difficult year for Tim, one that made us keenly aware that tomorrow is not a given. We had been discussing marriage for a while, and it felt like the right time to take this exciting next step.”

See more from their wedding in the current issue. Download your free copy at www.yoursouthwales.wedding/free-download

We love flowers here at Your South Wales Wedding, but with so many gorgeous blooms to choose from, it can be a bit overwhelming. To help give you some inspiration, we've asked Wild and Fabulous Flowers to send in their favourite creations that match on-trend colour schemes.

See more in our Flowers feature in the current issue. Download your free copy at www.yoursouthwales.wedding/free-download

Laura Glanville from Wishbone & Comb explains what hair styles are ideal for a summer wedding.

"There are lots of styling options for summer weddings, but one thing to remember is that it's likely to be warm and if your hair is around the back of your neck, it will make you feel even hotter. Depending on the style of your dress, I would recommend wearing your hair up. This will help keep you cool, and you will be less likely to touch your hair, meaning it will hold well throughout the day and into the night.

"If you're planning on wearing it down, go for a half-up style so your locks don't feel as heavy. Consider loose tousled waves and more relaxed curls adorned with fresh or dried flowers.

"Keep in mind, large barrel curls and Hollywood waves are harder to maintain throughout the summer months and are likely to drop down faster than in the cooler season."

See more top tips in the current issue. Download your free copy at www.yoursouthwales.wedding/free-download

Becca and Lewis met in 2016 through a dating app. They discovered that they had a mutual friend in common, and their connection quickly grew. “Lewis' blue eyes and warm smile stood out to me as well as his ability to make me laugh at anything,” says Becca. “I knew he was going to be my better half from the first time we met.”

Lewis proposed in Dublin in February 2019. “He had taken me away as a surprise birthday present,” shares the bride. “Dublin has always been one of my favourite places, so I didn't expect the proposal, but it was perfect.”

See more from their wedding in the current issue. Download your free copy at www.yoursouthwales.wedding/free-download