Your South Wales Wedding news and ideas from around the area

Huw and Dale Photography is offering our readers an exclusive discount

Huw and Dale Photography are a husband-and-husband team based in the captivating landscapes of South Wales. "Our journey together not only thrives in our personal lives but also fuels our creative path behind the camera," say Huw and Dale. "With years of experience, we have become familiar faces at the enchanting venues of South Wales, trusted by many to capture their most cherished moments. Our photography style is all about capturing genuine, unscripted moments. We believe in the power of natural and documentary-style photography, where every click tells a unique story.

Six things you need to insure when tying the knot

As wedding season draws nearer, couples are scrambling to tie up loose ends and ensure their special day goes off without a hitch. Amidst the excitement and anticipation, there have been 11K Google searches for 'wedding insurance' in the past month alone. The insurance experts at Bionic have looked into some of the most useful insurances to have for your big day. As of 2023, the average amount spent on wedding venues in the UK was nearly £8,000, meaning a significant amount of money would be at stake if the day were to be cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances affecting the venue. Similarly, the average spent on wedding videography and photography was nearly £3,000. In the event of any technical faults on the day, you could be at risk of memories of your special day not being captured, and also losing out on thousands if you weren't to take out cover.

The Orangery is an 18th-century Grade I listed wedding venue

The Orangery, a grand 18th-century Grade I listed building, creates a jaw-dropping setting to say, 'I do.' Nestled within the grounds of Margam Country Park, The Orangery offers a wealth of locations for memorable photographs, including remnants of the monastic ruins and the iconic Margam Castle.

Tie the knot in The Grove, a gorgeous room lined with ornamental arched windows and fine architectural details. Flooded with natural light and offering serene views over the terrace and gardens, The Grove is a stunning location for a memorable wedding ceremony.

Leading Celebrant says industry needs infusion of new talent

The UK celebrant industry is seen as boring and is ripe for reinvigoration, according to Richard Lavender, founder of UK Celebrant Academy, a new training company for modern celebrants. There is now much more demand for celebrant-led ceremonies than ever before, as people want weddings that reflect their unique stories and values. "Celebrants, unlike registrars, provide completely unique and personalised ceremonies, with no limitations on location or content. But there are a lot of celebrants who are providing boring cookie cutter ceremonies. The Celebrant industry needs an infusion of new blood that will bring energy, humour and fun to special days whether they are weddings, funerals, baby naming or vow renewals," says Richard.

‘The Speech Surgery’ with Speechy's Heidi Ellert McDermott

'The Speech Surgery' with Heidi Ellert McDermott, founder of Speechy & author of The Modern Couple's Guide to Wedding Speeches' We're planning on having five speakers at our wedding. How do we make sure the speeches don't take over the whole day? Great speeches can add so much fun and meaning to a wedding day – but you can have too much of a good thing. Guests don't want to feel like they're sat at a conference, so firstly, think about how you schedule the speakers. Perhaps have a couple before the meal, two before the dessert and one (funny speech) after everyone's finished eating. You want your guests to interact with each other on a regular basis, rather than listening to a succession of speakers for an hour!

The Glyn Clydach is hosting a wedding fair on 2nd June

The Glyn Clydach, a charming wedding venue in Neath, is hosting a wedding fair on Sunday 2nd June. Taking place between 11am and 3pm, the fair is the perfect opportunity to see the venue for yourself, meet the venue's wedding coordinator and some of the best local wedding suppliers. What's more, one lucky couple will win £1,000 voucher prize!

Couples can explore the indoor wedding space, The Abbey Suite, which is complete with a fully draped fairylit ceiling. There's also a beautiful outdoor garden area which is ideal for al fresco celebrations.

The Office for National Statistics: journeying through modern life

The Office for National Statistics has published an article exploring life's most important milestones and how they have changed over time. Using a range of data sources, the article looks at key life events such when people enter the workforce, get married, and earn the most money. Kerry Gadsdon, from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), said: "Everyone's journey through adulthood is different, but we can use a range of data to explore key events in life. We've examined how these milestones of adulthood have changed over the past decade and can see how society is shifting. "In England and Wales, people are doing many things later in life; like leaving their parent's home, getting married, and retiring. But not everything has changed. Most people still enter the workforce at 23-24 years old and make the most money in their 30s to 50s."

Craig Y Nos Castle is offering two new wedding packages

Located in the upper Swansea Valley on the edge of the Brecon Beacons, Craig Y Nos Castle is a romantic wedding venue that's offering two new packages. The Tea and. Evening Buffet Wedding Package includes welcome drinks and canapés, followed by a delicious afternoon tea and a hot evening buffet.

The Twilight Wedding Package includes an evening buffet for your guests, a professional DJ and equipment, the use of a dry-ice machine, mood uplighting, a selfie pod and accessories, a dancefloor and a dancing on the clouds moment. The Twilight Wedding Package fulfils your evening entertainment needs for a fraction of the cost if purchased separately, providing a standard evening buffet and extras for a small portion of the individual price.

These are the UK’s most popular manor house wedding venues for Bridgerton-inspired ceremonies!

As we all wait in anticipation for tonight's first episode of season three of Bridgerton to hit our screens, we're ready to immerse ourselves in Regency splendour once again. If you're engaged, in the throws of wedding planning, there's so much to be inspired by when watching this hit series. New data collected by ethical jewellery brand Sacet has revealed the top manor house wedding venues across the UK that would make the perfect location for a Bridgerton-inspired ceremony. By analysing a number of factors, including number of reviews, professionalism, quality of service and value for money, of over 230 wedding venues that offer manor house weddings in the UK, the top 20 were revealed.

Make sure your big day is protected

A wedding is a special day for a couple, but it can also be an expensive one. Between venues, caterers, photographers, dresses, and entertainment, the costs can add up. For those planning a wedding, it's important you insure yourself against anything that could go awry just before, or on the big day. For those aiming to tie the knot this year, Alex Cross, Insurance Director at Tesco Bank shares his top tips on things to consider for your wedding day to make sure you're covered so things can run as smoothly as possible.

Newbridge on Usk is an idyllic five-star boutique hotel

Newbridge on Usk is an idyllic five-star boutique hotel featuring six stylish en-suite bedrooms, each individually designed with comfort and elegance in mind. Bursting hedgerows, a bubbling river and laid-back luxury in the heart of the countryside, your guests will fall in love with the property from the moment they arrive.

The newly refurbished superior and deluxe bedrooms offer everything you need for the perfect escape to the country. Each room is complete with a stylish en-suite and upgraded luxury amenities.

Indulge in delicious dining with family and friends, enjoying lovingly cooked modern British cuisine featuring seasonal ingredients. All this in the loveliest setting on the banks of the River Usk. With passionate chefs at the helm of this fabulous two-AA Rosette award-winning restaurant, offering delicious modern dishes, it really is a dining delight.

WoodWick® reveals its latest collections

WoodWick® reveals its latest collection designed to effortlessly elevate the home with its unique fragrances and contemporary designs - perfect for big-day gifting. What's more, the gorgeous colour palettes would also suit spring and summer wedding themes adding aroma to your ceremony or reception, evoking memories of your wedding day for years to come. Created to make a statement with its one-of-a-kind multi-sensory experience, the WoodWick® Spring/Summer 2024 range re-energises the home and adds an extra layer of sophistication. With the soothing sound of the crackling wicks, and trend forward scents evocative of the brighter days ahead, this collection is sure to add a bold, yet stylish, touch to the home.

Tall John’s House was shortlisted for an award

Tall John's House, a romantic wedding venue in the Brecon Beacons National Park, has been shortlisted for the 'Customer Service Award' by Guides for Brides! What's more, the venue has also increased its accommodation capacity to 27 people in the Manor House, Stables and Saddlers, meaning the entire venue can accommodate up to 37 adults.

On-site is a restored Welsh barn that's ideal for weddings. Its enchanting courtyard, with a wooden gazebo decorated with flowers and covered in Perspex if the weather is unkind, is a generous space both inside and out. There's also a split-level granary with its canopied beams and light-stone floor and there is space in the gallery above for extra friends and family if needed.

New cake stands launched in Spring pastel shades

Innovative UK cake stand brand, Prop Options has launched a new, sophisticated range of interchangeable pastel-coloured cake stands, giving couples and cake designers bountiful colourful options when it comes to displaying their wedding cakes. Known as the Reeded Stand, these pastel-toned contemporary cake plinths have removable top plates, allowing designers and couples to mix and match colourways for a truly unique, fun, yet elegant, design. Prop Options is bringing out six colourways in its Pastel Reeded Stand collection, namely pink, lavender, green, yellow, blue and 2024 colour of the year, Pantone Peach Fuzz. The stands are also available in white, black, and gold.

New Smeg products ideal for wedding gifting this season

Whether you're compiling your big-day gift list and looking for inspiration, or you're a guest attending a wedding in the coming months, these new items from Smeg makes wedding gifting easy! Adding to its of portfolio cooking essentials, Smeg has introduced its first countertop scales. The KSC01 Kitchen Scales are a welcome addition for both budding bakers and professionals in the kitchen. Joining the likes of stand mixers and cookware in Smeg's portfolio, the brand's all-new digital scales are both outstanding in design and packed with its advanced technology.

Mount Rooms Hotel has opened after a refurbishment

Having been an established hotel for many years and being located within the heart of Barry, surrounded by lots of history, it was realised that the landmark Mount Rooms Hotel was something much desired, and the facilities of the hotel were being missed. After being empty for nearly two years and with much love and attention required, investment has been put back into the iconic hotel to create the Mount Rooms Hotel.

Strategically located just seven minutes from Cardiff Airport and a five- minute walk from Barry train station, the ethos of Mount Rooms Hotel is to offer exceptional quality throughout your stay without a hefty price tag.

7 top tips for including your pooch in your wedding

Considering including your pooch at your wedding? Here are 7 top tips from Petpals. With 57% of UK households boasting a furry friend, it is no wonder many couples dream of having their beloved dog join them on their special day. In fact, a whopping eight in 10 Brits say they would want their four-legged companion to be part of their wedding festivities. But before you entrust your pooch with the role of ring bearer, it is essential to be well prepared to ensure that your big day is nothing short of paw-some for both you and your pup. Here, Kevin Thackrah, Director of Petpals, the UK's longest-established pet-care franchise, shares some top tips on how to seamlessly incorporate your canine companion into your wedding day.

How to avoid guests over indulging on alcoholic drinks on the big day

One in six (16 per cent) wedding guests admit to driving home the morning after a wedding, when they could still be over the alcohol limit, reveals new research1 from Direct Line Motor Insurance. In a bid to remind drivers about the risks of getting behind the wheel after celebratory drinking, a car was crashed into a three-metre-high wedding cake outside Blenheim Palace2, one of the UK's most instagramable wedding venues.

With one in five (20 per cent) guests saying they have been driven home by someone they thought was over the drink drive limit, the morning after celebrating nuptials, the smashed wedding cake highlights the risks involved with driving the morning after.

6 Star Wars cocktails for the ultimate Star Wars hen do

Calling all brides-to-be and their intergalactic squadrons! Prepare to elevate your hen party to new heights as leading hen party company Fizzbox teams up with magical tavern, The Cauldron, to concoct a range of Star Wars cocktails, perfect for celebrating the bride's journey to the galaxy of marriage! Set your blasters to fun as The Cauldron's mixologists transport you to a galaxy far, far away with their selection of otherworldly drinks inspired by the iconic saga. From Darth Vader-inspired concoctions to drinks that will have you feeling like you're partying on the Millennium Falcon, there's something to delight every Jedi bride and her entourage.

The most popular wedding cars of 2024 and how much they will cost

As we head into the Spring/Summer wedding season, many couples will be tying up the last elements of their weddings before the big day. Often left to the last minute is transport, with many couples wanting to arrive and leave their wedding venues in style. Nationwide Vehicle Contracts decided to investigate which cars are the most popular when it comes to wedding hire, and also how much hiring one will set you back. To work out the most popular wedding car of 2024, Nationwide Vehicle Contracts has analysed Google search volumes, Google search trends and TikTok data including the number of posts per model, monthly searches and the YoY search trend.