Your South Wales Wedding news and ideas from around the area

Something borrowed, something blue’ is out – but 1 in 4 Brits still value wedding cards

New research from Moonpig reveals the top wedding card writing confessions. A whopping 30% of Brits admit to defaulting to a safe "congratulations!" because they simply can't think of anything else to say. This is followed by recycling the same message for different couples (11%) and signing a card without knowing what your partner has written (8%). What's more, when stuck for words, one in 10 (8%) admit to turning to AI for inspiration - this rises to one in seven (14%) among 25–34-year-olds. Brits are not alone in facing this wedding card conundrum. More than half of Brits (55%) admit they have struggled with at least one aspect of wedding message writing. Nearly one in four find wedding cards (23%) or guest-book messages (24%) difficult, while one in five (20%) hit writer's block when preparing the all-important wedding speech.

The YouGov Big Survey on Weddings

The journey that begins with "will you marry me" and ends with "I do" transforms a couple's lives in multiple ways, but it also involves a huge number of decisions, as planning a wedding is no mean feat. Every guest will have an opinion on what a wedding should be like: from what's classy and tacky, to which traditions should be followed and which can be discarded. To help prospective couples get a grip on what these potential guests hope to see in a wedding, YouGov's new Big Survey on Weddings examines all these key debates about what should and shouldn't feature on the big day, including looking at the decisions that brides and grooms would make themselves. The study is part a Big Surveys project: a series of in-depth surveys on British society. It was conducted between 7-9 August 2026, with a sample of 1,784 adults in the UK aged 18 and above.

Brits are swapping the 'big day' for the 'right day' as searches for intimate wedding venues soar

Couples are increasingly choosing quality time over large guest lists, with new search data revealing a growing demand for intimate weddings and stylish registry office ceremonies. According to Google search data analysed by Suit Direct, searches for "small intimate wedding venues near me" have increased by 86% year-on-year, while interest in "micro wedding packages" has risen 23% over the past three months, suggesting more couples are opting for meaningful celebrations that prioritise the experience over extravagance. For many, the legal ceremony is no longer just the paperwork before the "real" wedding. Instead, couples are dressing for the occasion, hiring photographers and celebrating afterwards with an intimate meal or party, proving you don't need a 200-person guest list to make the day feel special.

Swansea and Gower's Rhossili Bay named Britain's best bank holiday beach

Swansea and Gower's Rhossili Bay has been named Britain's best bank holiday beach, scoring 4.9 stars from 6,792 Google reviews. It is the only beach in the ranking to reach 4.9 at that scale, while Wales takes three of the top 10. At Rhossili Bay and the South Gower coast, Swansea, the National Trust listing covers a dramatic coastal stretch. Check tide times and allow extra time for the walk from parking areas to shore. Tenby South Beach in Pembrokeshire is fourth with 4.8 stars from 2,439 reviews. The long waterfront setting combines plenty of sand with Tenby close by, making a mixed beach-and-town day possible. Decide where to park before reaching the busiest streets and aim to arrive early.

Expert at Cake Box, shares 2026 wedding trends

Weddings may be rooted in tradition, but 2026 is seeing couples put their own spin on the big day. From reimagined wedding cakes to more personal, less conventional celebrations, today's couples are increasingly choosing what feels meaningful to them rather than simply following the rules. To explore how wedding traditions are evolving, Okay Rahman, Head of Product and in-house cake expert at Cake Box, shares their insight into the biggest wedding trends of 2026 — and how couples are putting a fresh, modern twist on some of the most-loved elements of the day. He said... "We're seeing that wedding cakes are becoming much more personal in 2026. The traditional tiered cake certainly hasn't disappeared, but couples are feeling less tied to the idea that a wedding cake has to look or taste a certain way. These days, it's being treated as another part of the styling of the day, so the design reflects the couple, the venue and the overall feel of the wedding.

Are Brits risking their finances by avoiding the pre-wedding money talk?

For many couples, talking about money can feel far less romantic than talking about the wedding itself. But as more Brits prepare to tie the knot — and with stronger legal rights on the horizon for unmarried couples — new research suggests we may be leaving some important financial conversations until it's too late. From avoiding money talk on first dates to steering clear of prenups, the findings reveal a nation surprisingly reluctant to discuss how to protect their finances, even when differences over money are already putting relationships under strain. Two thirds of Brits (66%) say they would not get a prenuptial agreement before marriage (48%) or have already opted against one (17%) - compared to 42% in both France and Spain. New findings from Europe's second largest neobank, bunq, reveal that Brits are markedly more resistant to prenuptial agreements than their continental neighbours – despite Britain's reputation as the less romantic nation.

Couples could legally get married anywhere - legal comment

The UK Government has unveiled a new consultation to reform the wedding laws in England and Wales which is exploring how wedding ceremonies are conducted, particularly looking at wedding venues. The proposals are seeking to modernise the outdated legislation in this area which will eventually provide couples with greater freedom to decide where and how they will get married. At present, when a couple gets married, they need to have their legal ceremony in a licensed building or a registered place of worship. The existing laws have a further requirement that couples must ensure the individual officiating their wedding ceremony is either an authorised religious minister or a civil registrar.

7 Ways to Make Your Wedding Memories Part of Your Home

As weddings become increasingly personal, couples are moving away from cookie-cutter celebrations and towards details that tell their own story. British Vogue has identified intentionality, personalisation and nostalgia as defining themes for 2026 weddings, while The Knot is highlighting the rise of keepsakes and deeply personal touches. But there is an interesting part of the wedding story that receives far less attention: what happens to those meaningful details afterwards. Here, founder Kate Legodi of Coeur et Maman, specialists in conservation-quality printed photo mounts, shares her advice...

Welsh Seaside town with three beaches and dolphin sightings named best in Britain

A Welsh seaside town has been named the best in Britain after a current UK coastal guide placed it first, with three contrasting beaches and regular dolphin activity among its biggest draws. Travel specialists at Ski Vertigo (https://skivertigo.co.uk/) have reviewed what the result means for anyone planning a British coastal break. The town is New Quay in Ceredigion, which took the number one position in Holiday Cars' current guide to the 20 best coastal towns in the UK. The recognition is a guide ranking rather than an official national tourism award, but it puts the Cardigan Bay town ahead of better-known coastal names.

Enjoy late summer at a Premier Cottage in Wales and Hampshire

With late-summer getaways on the horizon, make some memories with loved ones in a holiday cottage in Snowdonia or Hampshire with Premier Cottages. Wallops Wood Cottages located near Droxford in Hampshire is a collection of ten stunning luxury lodges and cottages ideal for a familymoon, mini-moon or a pre-wedding hen celebration. The grounds feature an on-site indoor swimming pool, sauna, games room and enclosed gardens. Each site comes with its own hot tub and seven of the ten cottages offer disabled access making them an ideal spot for multi-generational holidays. Dogs are also welcomed too, and prices start from £795.

Enjoy Oystermouth Castle Outdoor Theatre This August 25th - 27th

As the sun sets over Swansea Bay, the grounds of Oystermouth Castle will become one of the region's most atmospheric performance venues this month. Outdoor Theatre returns each summer with a programme of open-air productions staged against the backdrop of the 12th-century castle, where audiences can enjoy literary classics beneath the evening sky. This year, the line-up includes Shakespeare's As You Like It, Gilbert and Sullivan's Pirates of Penzance and family-favourite 'Pinocchio'. Visitors are encouraged to bring a picnic, settle into the historic surroundings and enjoy a relaxed night of entertainment with panoramic views stretching across Swansea Bay and Mumbles. With every Outdoor Theatre ticket purchased, visitors can enjoy half price entry to Oystermouth Castle from 25th until the 27th August.

From best mates to distant relatives: Brits reveal the wedding gift hierarchy

How much should you spend on a wedding gift? It seems the answer depends on just how well you know the happy couple. New research from One4all Gift Cards has revealed that almost half of Brits (49%) would spend less on a wedding gift if they were not particularly close to the couple. The relationship came out ahead of travel and accommodation costs (38%) and paying for a hen or stag do (28%) when it comes to factors influencing how much guests are prepared to spend. For those closest to them, Brits consider an average of £77 per person to be an acceptable wedding gift. The most popular amount was between £50 and £100, selected by 43% of respondents, while 36% believe spending up to £50 is perfectly acceptable. Just 5% would spend more than £200.

Revealed: England and Wales’ most common wedding anniversary date as August accounts for nearly one in six

1 September is the most common wedding anniversary date, with an average of 1,557 marriages taking place on the date, new analysis has revealed. The research, from drinks and gifting retailer Bottled and Boxed, analysed 22 years of marriage registration data from the Office for National Statistics to identify the dates when couples across England and Wales are most likely to be celebrating their wedding anniversaries each year. Every date in the top 10 falls between late July and early September, showing how heavily the most common anniversaries are concentrated in late summer. August is the most common month for wedding anniversaries, accounting for 15.7% of all marriages analysed, with an average of 1,254 couples married per day.

Marriage law reform: what the Government’s proposals could mean for couples

Planning a wedding is fun, stressful, time consuming. Couples want a ceremony that reflects their taste, is reflective of their love for each other and feels unique. The current restrictions in place can sometimes fetter that. Long-awaited plans to modernise weddings law in England and Wales could give couples far greater freedom over where and how they marry. It is hoped that they may be part of a much wider transformation of family law which is going through the biggest shakeup in decades.

Celebrate Afternoon Tea week in Snowdonia in Wales

Celebrate Afternoon Tea Week in luxury in Wales this week. Taking place until the 18th of August, diners can enjoy a delicious afternoon tea overlooking Snowdonia at Penmaenuchaf. Located within the breathtaking surroundings of Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park, Penmaenuchaf, is a refined country house hotel that offers guests a peaceful escape with spectacular mountain and estuary views. Steeped in history and recently refreshed with a design-led refurbishment by Nicola Harding, the hotel blends timeless character with contemporary comfort. It's the perfect base for walkers, cyclists, and explorers discovering the beauty of North Wales, with highlights including the ascent of Cadair Idris, the forest trails of Coed y Brenin, and the heritage-rich market towns of Betws-y-Coed and Conwy.

Entering your marriage era? Forget wedding favours; McDonald’s launches Limited Edition ‘Wedding Flavours’

The nation's brides and grooms can live happily ever after, as prayers are answered with personalised McDonald's sauces for their Big Day. With some of the biggest celebrities making their way down the aisle this summer, it's safe to say 2026 has been the year of saying "I do" – and now McDonald's is bringing the flavour to the wedding season. How many epic weddings end with guests making a grand finale pit stop at a Maccies en route home? Well now you won't have to detour, McDonald's is going to literally bring the ceremonial rite of passage to the actual wedding party.

Bye Bye Sweet Caroline: The Classic Anthems BANNED From UK Weddings

The era of the predictable wedding singalong is officially dead, according to new data from entertainment agency Jonny Ross Music. New figures have revealed that Britain's couples are ruthlessly blacklisting the nation's favourite party anthems from their big days. A shocking analysis of playlist requests shows that legendary floor-fillers are being banished to the 'Do Not Play' list. Modern couples are ordering DJs to completely snub overplayed staples like 'Uptown Funk' and 'Mr Brightside'. But Brits are not turning their backs on the dancefloor. Instead of relying on default reception cheese, millennial newlyweds are demanding authentic club vibes that replicate a proper night out.

Chepstow Racecourse hosting Family Fun Day this August Bank Holiday

The school summer holidays are here, and finding new ways to entertain your family without breaking the bank can be a challenge. But this bank holiday weekend on Monday 31st August, Chepstow Racecourse opens its gates once again to offer an absolutely incredible family day out, with its best-ever value offers. In addition to seven thrilling flat races in action on the course, visitors will be treated to free family entertainment designed to keep your little tribe busy. Whether watching the Paw Patrol Live Show, enjoying the meet and greet with their favourite Paw Patrol characters, dancing along to the K-POP Superstars or taking advantage of the unlimited fairground rides, one thing is for sure, children will certainly be well entertained!

Swansea has been named one of the best food destinations in the UK

Swansea has been named the UK's fifth best food destination outside London, putting it ahead of Worcester, Newport, Wrexham, Perth and Brighton & Hove in a new city-break ranking. The Welsh city was placed inside the top five after analysis by travel specialists at Ski Vertigo which compared recent restaurant rankings, review data and current dining guide credentials across more than 60 UK cities. Birmingham took the overall crown, but Swansea's position gives the city a clear food-led break hook for travellers who want a cheaper and easier alternative to the capital. London dominates the UK for sheer restaurant volume and high-end dining, but the ranking looked beyond size alone, comparing the ratio of five-star rated food spots to total venues alongside wider guide recognition.

The British Wedding Tradition Most Guests Never Question

Most wedding guests have heard the phrase "wedding breakfast", but very few stop to question it. After all, the meal is rarely served in the morning. It usually comes after the ceremony, often in the afternoon, and can involve anything from a formal three-course dinner to sharing boards, canapes, grazing tables and dessert stations. So why do we still call it a breakfast? According to Nick from Country House Weddings, the answer goes back centuries and is tied to religion, fasting and the way weddings were once celebrated in Britain. Breaking A Very Specific Fast The word "breakfast" does not originally mean a morning meal. It simply means breaking a fast.