Editor loves and inspiration

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

The wedding team at Norton House Hotel tell us how to chose the perfect venue.

"The first thing you need to think about is how many guests will be at your wedding. Some venues will have a minimum and maximum capacity which might not suit your vision for the day.

"The next thing to consider is location; how far do you want to travel? Is there an option to stay overnight? Will you be getting married at the venue or somewhere else first? Is it far away from home and is there enough accommodation for your guests? These will all play a major part in where you decide to book.

"You need to decide what suits you, for example, if you want something a bit low-key and casual, then don't go for a big fancy manor house.

"One of the main things that will ultimately decide your location is budget. As much fun as it is to daydream about spending big on your wedding day, work out your budget before you start looking and stay within your means."

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

Rachel and David used to work together, but their relationship didn't blossom until they met again at an exercise class. They were paired together and quickly became inseparable. David declared his love by proposing on Rachel's 30th birthday at her favourite spa venue.

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

Inspired by the 1960s, this styled shoot at Motel Nights is full of romantic images with touches of vintage nostalgia.

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

Emma Locke from Makeup Locker tells us the latest make-up trends.

"The make-up trends for 2023 are continuing down the route of natural glowing beauty with bold statements. Of course, in these times, anything goes, but I believe in finding a compromise between what's 'on trend' and what actually suits your face. Your look should enhance your best features and create beautiful skin, regardless of fashion.

"Think minimalist base make-up, natural, luminous and less is more. You need to achieve this look with products that blend with your skin rather than sit on top of your skin. Two of my favourite products for this are Charlotte Tilbury's Hollywood Flawless Filter, which blurs, smooths, and illuminates; this can be used under your foundation or on its own for day-to-day use. The second is Charlotte Tilbury's Beautiful Skin Foundation which moisturises through the day, goes on with a dewy finish and allows natural freckles and skin tone to come through.

"Alternatively, go for a smoky look with browns blended to perfection, but keep the lips soft. Remember, go bold with your lips or eyes but never both."

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

Katie from KEM Radford Photography has had a busy few months; she was a finalist at both The Welsh National Wedding Awards and The 5th Welsh Wedding Awards 2023 and recently won 'The Most Trusted Wedding Photographer & Customer Service Excellence Award for South Wales' at the Global Wedding Awards. If that wasn't impressive enough, she's also just been accepted into The Wedding Guild of Wales – congratulations!

Katie tells us: “I adore taking wedding photos, and I think it shows. I have a creative and romantic style that focuses on the use of natural light and shadows. I have been developing my skills for more than 12 years and have had the honour of being a part of more than 400 weddings. I want to capture every beautiful instant between the two of you, and together we'll create portraits that are full of life and fun-posed. I like to keep it relaxed, fun and encourage laughter.”

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

Jack and Ashley met when they were children. “The first time I ever laid eyes on Ashley was when we were in year five,” says Jack. “It was at our school Christmas play where Ashley got the lead singing Robin Goch. As I sat watching him sing his little heart out, I couldn't help but think, 'wow you are so full of yourself!' I didn't like him at all; it was probably jealousy because all eyes weren't on me. Then he moved away, and I thought good riddance! A few years later, he came back to our high school. I hadn't noticed him until my second year of sixth form. I remember him walking in one day, and we locked eyes for the first time in years and needless to say, my feelings towards him were slightly different. What can I say? I love a man with thick Elvis Presley sideburns! I invited him over to my best friend Abbi's house, which led to us staying up all night talking about anything and everything, and the rest is history.”

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

Wedding cakes are quickly becoming something more than just a sweet treat. They are works of art that can incorporate your personalities and the time of year. With so many options to choose from it can feel overwhelming, but don't panic, there is something out there to suit everyone. Start by thinking about how many guests are attending your big day; if you have 30 guests, then a three-tiered cake will be too much or too little if you have 200 friends and family coming. Once you have a rough number, your cake maker will be able to advise on how many tiers you need. Don't worry about there being any leftovers, as you can always provide cake boxes for your guests to take home or you can freeze the cake. Check with your supplier that it wasn't frozen previously and enjoy it for months to come; you could even save some for your first anniversary.

The time of year is a great way to narrow down the flavours, colours and design for your big-day cake. With this in mind, we've asked Scrum Diddly to send in one of their favourite seasonal creations to help inspire you.

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

The team at All About Eve Bridal Ltd tell us how you can choose two dresses for a boho-themed wedding.

"It's becoming more common for brides to want two dresses for their big day. In the case of what can be done to differentiate the two, there are a multitude of options to keep in mind. Whether it be for a boho-themed wedding, black tie, or beach wedding, these tips can be implemented across the board:

"You could opt for a white or ivory wedding dress for your ceremony and a coloured gown for the reception. This is becoming extremely popular for the contemporary bride, whether it be a simple blush underlay or a statement black or red option. For a boho-inspired wedding, a subtlety-coloured underlay in nude, mocha, or blush may be a more appropriate choice for a second dress."

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