Editor loves and inspiration

Florist Eve Weatherley tells us how to incorporate flowers into an outdoor wedding.

"Outdoor weddings are increasing in popularity and I personally adore them! As long as there is a back-up plan for inclement weather, the sky is the limit!

"Flowers can help provide a focal point for the ceremony. You could create a beautiful arch or floral pillars that are purposely made for the vows and will have maximum impact and provide the wow factor.

"I advise talking to the team at your venue and planning ahead to ensure that there are options to repurpose the flowers after your ceremony. By doing this, you will help extend your floral budget. You could use your centrepieces to line the outdoor aisle, or larger aisle displays can be dotted around the venue after the ceremony.

"Work closely with your florist to ensure your dream aesthetic is brought to life and you have the flowers of your dreams."

Find out how to create an outdoor wedding in the current issue. Download your free copy at www.yoursouthwales.wedding/free-download

Spabreaks.com has revealed that the Mercure Holland House Hotel and Spa is the fifth most booked city spa in the UK. Situated in the centre of Cardiff, the day spa at Mercure Holland House Hotel and Spa is easily accessible and has all the facilities to wind down as a mid-week treat or a weekend spa day. For a special occasion, a girls’ weekend, or just for some time out from every day, the hotel will provide creature comforts, delicious dining and leisure facilities to help you unwind. Enjoy a dip in the 18-metre swimming pool surrounded by floor-to-ceiling windows, then chill out in the spa’s other wet facilities, which include a hot tub and steam room. Then, of course, there’s a selection of relaxing spa therapies to choose from, such as a hot stone massage or a Décleor facial.

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

Hannah and Lee met online in 2014, when they were 16 and 17 years old. “We arranged to have our first date in Bristol,” says Hannah. “We had a long-distance relationship, as Lee was from Somerset and I lived in South Wales. Over the years, our relationship blossomed and we bought our first house together in April 2020.”

Lee popped the question in 2018. “He booked a night’s stay at the Celtic Manor Resort as a birthday present and surprised me with the proposal,” shares the bride. “We were due to get married in August 2020, but due to COVID, we had to re-arrange it twice. We first rescheduled to May 2021; however, due to restrictions still in place, we decided to move it to June 2022.”

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

Natasha Nicole Studio specialises in hand embroidery, embellishment and couture veils. Natasha creates each wedding veil with love in her studio in Wales. The bespoke pieces are full of intricacy and hold details personal to each bride, creating a stunning heirloom to cherish for many years.

Natasha’s veils add a whimsical, delicate touch to a bridal outfit and are designed and sketched by hand to complement each bride’s unique style.

Every piece of embroidery is either completed by hand or sketched perfectly before being digitised into beautiful floral and celestial motifs. Every applique is handmade, delicately hand-beaded, or painted using specialised materials.

From colourful embroidered statement veils to minimal additions of meaningful words or symbols, any design that can be dreamed of, Natasha can be made into a bespoke bridal accessory.

Meet more local companies in the current issue. Download your free copy at www.yoursouthwales.wedding/free-download

Make-up artist Sara Dymond tells us how to choose a foundation for your big day.

"Choosing the right foundation for your skin tone is crucial for achieving a natural and flawless look. To begin, determine your undertone, whether it’s warm, cool, or neutral. Warm undertones have hints of yellow or peach; cool undertones lean towards pink or blue; and neutral undertones combine elements of both.

"Next, identify your skin’s shade by holding up foundation samples against your jawline in natural light. It’s essential to test the foundation on your jaw rather than your wrist, as the latter may not accurately represent your face’s colour. Opt for a few shades that closely match your skin, and if possible, try them on your face to see how they blend."

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

Abbie and James met on Tinder and quickly became friends. The couple spoke for three months before going on their first date. “We are both family-oriented and have the same interests,” says Abbie. “We were able to talk for hours and get to know each other well before starting to date. We became a couple in March 2017 and have been together for more than six years.”

James popped the question at Rhossili Sunflower Arch in August 2020. “We had spoken about getting engaged for over a year prior to this,” shares the bride. “Despite this, it was a total surprise on the day when he proposed.”

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

Rachel and Ghandi met at a friend's party. “At the party, knee and asking me to marry him. It was an absolute surprise, Ghandi asked how my son was doing (from a previous marriage), and the rest is history,” says Rachel. “There's a 17-year age gap between us, which on paper shouldn't work, but as Ghandi says, he's Peter Pan and has never grown up, so that helps! We spent two years living 230 miles apart and only seeing each other every other weekend until Ghandi made the commitment to close his business, sell his house, and move to Wales.”

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

Photographer Dan Houghton and florist Faith Ward from Lux Blossom & Co worked together to create this modern styled shoot. “We kept seeing so many wild and outlandish ideas, which we thought couples wouldn’t connect with,” explains Dan. “We wanted to create a shoot that brought together a simple palette of pastels and summer vibes. We reached out to St Mellons Country Club, as their aesthetic matched the mood we wanted to create. We wanted couples to feel like they don’t need to break the bank to get a stylish look for their day.”

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

ParTee Time Mini Golf, based in Pontypool, provides nine-hole mini golf courses across South Wales and the surrounding areas. If you’re looking for something completely different for your wedding entertainment to appeal to all ages, this could be perfect. The courses are ideal for the time between the ceremony and wedding breakfast and even later in the day.

Since launching in late June 2021, ParTee Time Mini Golf has covered more than 200 bookings, and they are proud to be a recommended supplier at over 20 venues.

Gazebos can be hired if rain is forecast, and each booking comes with a leader board and a mini trophy for the best score of the day. The courses are fully staffed at all times to ensure the best, hassle-free experience for you and your guests.

The company has recently started offering retro carnival games. There are a wide range of handmade traditional games to choose from that are made to the highest specifications.

Meet more local companies in the current issue. Download your free copy at www.yoursouthwales.wedding/free-download

Looking for the perfect suppliers for your big day? Look no further than the Vale Resort and Hensol Castle Wedding Fair. This is the perfect opportunity to see the 17th-century castle and 650 acres of beautiful Welsh countryside for yourself. There are several charming wedding spaces to choose from with something for everyone, from outdoor celebrations to intimate nuptials and grand receptions.

Meet up to 100 exhibitors, get lots of inspiration, be in with a chance of winning some great prizes, and talk to the expert wedding team, who will answer any questions you may have.

The fair will be taking place on Sunday 14th January, 2024, between 11am and 4pm. Entry and parking are free.

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