Your South Wales Wedding news and ideas from around the area

Most popular day for marriage proposals revealed

New research has revealed the most common dates for marriage proposals in the UK, with Christmas Day, New Year's Eve and Valentine's Day taking the top three spots. In order to delve into engagement trends, a UK wedding venue has conducted a survey of married, engaged and single people... More than 2,700 people aged 18 and over took part in the research, 76% of whom were married or engaged and 24% of whom had not been engaged yet. Respondents answered questions about their past proposals, or what they would want from a proposal in future. Wedding venue Hensol Castle first of all asked what date of the year anyone who was or had been engaged was asked for their hand in marriage (or did the asking), which revealed the following top five dates to be the most popular of the year:

The King Arthur Hotel is a hidden gem nestled in the Gower Peninsula

A hidden gem nestled in the Gower Peninsula, the King Arthur Hotel is an award-winning wedding venue comprising of 18 en-suite bedrooms, an 18th-century cottage, and luxury self-catering apartments.

Rich in history, the King Arthur Hotel's wedding venue, Avalon, boasts a high-pitched ceiling with exposed French oak beams, Welsh slate floors, and arched windows overlooking the surrounding landscaped gardens. The venue is licenced for civil ceremonies and can comfortably accommodate 140 seated guests for the wedding breakfast and 200 for the evening celebration.

2024 wedding trends from the experts

Emma Gold, founder of GSP Events, an events production agency responsible for some of the most iconic weddings of the last 27 years, unveils the 2024 wedding trends along with other experts in the industry..."Another trend we are seeing more and more of – the hotel buyout; guests are keen for total exclusivity and privacy for their guests. It is no longer enough to simply take a few rooms or the events spaces for the day or the weekend. Going forward, guests are taking over entire hotels. Clients of ours this year had the Maybourne Riviera for the weekend. One event was hosted there, with best friends and family all accommodated in the hotel. It means the celebrations never stop, and it allows guests to spend good quality down time together too. From a logistical perspective, it's hugely helpful in ensuring guests are at the right place at the right time; but also, what a dream to be able to have all your loved ones in one place."

20 things to get us through January according to Brits

With Christmas over, and the most depressing month of the year in full swing researchers asked Brits to vote for the things which we love about the colder months, with snuggling up with a blanket the top choice! The research, conducted by luxury ski resorts Club Med, also revealed a Sunday roast helps us get through the chilliest days, as over a quarter (27 per cent) love the smell of a roast dinner wafting through the house.

The best alcohol-free drinks to serve at weddings?

Discover the delightful range of award-winning non-alcoholic beverages from Mocktails which will make the perfect accompaniment to alcohol-free weddings and hen/stag dos! The ready-to-drink beverages are perfect for those looking to embrace the benefits of alcohol-free without compromising on flavour. Mocktails offer a delectable collection of flavours, each carefully crafted with the finest ingredients, spices, and botanicals sourced from around the world. Mixology-inspired and uniquely crafted, drinks include Mockarita, Sansgria, Mockscow Mule, Mockapolitan and Espress0% Martini. Mocktails' beverages are made with real fruit juices, exotic and natural flavours, and pure cane sugar.

1 in 7 couples buy wedding insurance at short notice

Christmas and New Year is the most popular time to get engaged* but research from wedding insurance specialist, CoverMyWedding.co.uk, reveals that couples might not be financially protecting all their purchases. One in seven (16%)** couples buy wedding insurance within 100 days of their wedding, according to CoverMyWedding.co.uk, leaving them potentially missing out on protection if they have already started putting down deposits and making payments. Wedding insurance often only covers items booked and bought after it is purchased, so it is important to buy it as soon as possible and before any big bookings or purchases are made, as depending on your insurer, they may not be included.

Sustainable wedding wrapping paper from Curlicue

Curlicue, a British-made, female-founded company, has a delightful range of love-themed gift wrap - perfect for wedding gifting or Valentine's Day! All wrap is on 100% FSC-certified recycled and recyclable paper, plastic-free, and made with vegetable-based ink. The company uses a waterless and chemical-free printing process to be kinder to the environment, and use a UK printer for its paper to keep its carbon footprint as low as possible - from making to shipping its plastic-free!

Northern Star Bespoke Jewellery has won an award

Northern Star Bespoke Jewellery is a multi-award-winning jeweller with stores in Penarth and Swansea. Combining traditional techniques with state-of-the-art technology, the talented team will work with you to create the perfect piece of handmade jewellery.

The jeweller was recently awarded 'Best Wedding Jewellery Designer in Wales for 2023' at the Welsh National Wedding Awards 2023. The team tells us: "We were pleased to attend the Welsh National Wedding Awards that were held in Swansea at the end of 2023. We have been lucky over the years to have won regional and national awards for our designs. The award we won this time was 'Best Wedding Jewellery Designer in Wales for 2023'."

The Penarth Pier Pavilion will be hosting a wedding showcase in January

The Penarth Pier Pavilion, located on the beautiful esplanade in Penarth, will be hosting a wedding showcase early in the new year. The event will be full of must-see suppliers and is the ideal time to see the venue's wedding spaces and meet the dedicated staff who will help make your dream wedding a reality.

Looking out over the Bristol Channel, this romantic wedding venue first opened in 1929 and is an impressive example of Art Deco architecture, with a vaulted main gallery and several charming wedding spaces to choose from.

Wedding gifting etiquette - your guide from the experts

When it comes to wedding planning, there is so much to think about, the same goes for wedding gift lists! That's why we are here to help with your guide to wedding gift list etiquette! We have spoken to The Wedding Shop, the UK's leading gift list provider to bring you everything you need to know about wedding registries. In short, we advise adding 2-3 gifts per wedding guest invited. Adding a variety of gifts to your wedding list caters to the differing budgets and preferences of your guests. It's a thoughtful approach to include a wide range of items, from smaller, more affordable pieces to a few higher-end gifts. The key is balance and variety. Typically, having slightly more gifts than the number of guests or households invited allows for enough choice without overwhelming your guests.

Glen-Yr-Afon is an award-winning wedding venue with 28 bedrooms

Glen-Yr-Afon is an award-winning wedding venue surrounded by acres of countryside and picturesque gardens. First opening its doors in 1974, the hotel is home to 28 modern bedrooms and is just a short walk away from the town of Usk, which is full of boutique shops and restaurants.

The Library, with its conical ceiling and striking interior, can hold 30 of your nearest and dearest for the vows and 20 for the reception, and weather-depending, you can get married in the venue's grounds.

Big-day gifting ideas from Yvonne Ellen

With careful eyes on tight-budgets, it's easy to forget the charm of gift-giving but with careful planning and your eye in the right place you can still find wedding gifts for loved ones. Based in London, Yvonne Ellen is an independent British home and lifestyle brand specialising in home and giftware that is quirky yet timeless. Bringing her passion for home design to life in 2017, award-winning designer Yvonne Ellen hand paints her illustrations on a wide range of fine china home and lifestyle products that's inspired by her love of travelling, fashion and London, bringing a colourful and bold statement either on its own or as part of an eclectic assortment of goodies.

2024's biggest gifting wedding trends revealed with The Wedding Shop

Gifting Guru, Liza Baucher from The Wedding Shop, reveals the 2024 wedding gifting trends that are set to be huge next year. According to The Wedding Shop's recent gifting survey, 99% of wedding guests will still give a gift in 2024 and the average price of a gift is higher. Which means, despite the cost of living - people are still spending more on wedding gifts. Liza adds, "In an era of rising costs, it's inspiring to see wedding guests prioritise the joy of giving. The significance of being part of someone's special day hasn't diminished, in fact it has grown stronger!

The Vale Resort and Hensol Castle Wedding Fair will be taking place in January

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.

Launch of SpeechyAI - a new wedding speech writing tool

SpeechyAI, the first (genuinely decent) wedding speech writing tool has launched, giving you plenty of help and inspiration for planning your big-day speech whether you're the bride, groom, bestman or any member of the bridal party that's volunteered or this all-important role. Heidi, the founder of Speechy (the wedding speech ghostwriting team who were featured on The Drew Barrymore Show & The New York Times), has spent the last nine months working with an innovation company and, using Speechy's speechwriting techniques and tips, has developed something they're now proud to launch. As writers themselves, the team were very sceptical that AI would ever be able to produce a witty, coherent, and original speech, but through extensive testing we realised the AI, despite ongoing rumours to the contrary, can be very funny. Heidi adds, "So, with our 'secret Speechy recipe' we've now developed SpeechyAI and we hope the speeches created will surprise the majority of people who are still sceptical about AI's ability!"

Wolfscastle Country Hotel & Spa is an award-winning wedding venue

The award-winning Wolfscastle Country Hotel & Spa is a charming wedding venue nestled in the village of Wolfscastle. This family-run property is a Victorian vicarage with 20 en-suite bedrooms, a boutique spa, a contemporary brasserie, a two-AA rosette restaurant, and impressive views of the surrounding woodland landscape and the awe-inspiring Treffgarne rocks.

The Garden Room is a bright and airy space with high ceilings, impressive bi-folding doors that open up to the rear garden and room for 120 of your nearest and dearest.

Get an extra night’s sleep with Young’s rooms this January

Two nights are always better than one, and with 1,000 nights to giveaway, cosy up in the comfort of the pub with Young's Rooms this winter. To redeem, simply book your two-night stay online between 3rd January – 15th February 2024 (for stays up to 29th February 2024) and use the code ONEMORESLEEP to receive 50% off your booking.Whether you fancy a city break in the capital, a getaway in the glorious British countryside or a seaside escape, make your stay count with 42 pubs with rooms in London and in the South of England to choose from. Ranging from snug stays for solo travellers to family bedrooms and one-of-a-kind feature rooms, complete with plush furnishings, uber-comfy Hypnos beds and Bramley toiletries, there is no better place to unwind than the cosy surrounds of the great British pub this winter.

Tips for keeping your 2024 New Year’s Resolutions

As 2024 approaches, many of our thoughts will turn to self-improvement and how we make the New Year as successful, satisfying, and productive as possible. Whether it's improving our health, focusing on professional advancement, learning a new skill, or exploring something totally unique, we typically create our list of goals during this time of year. To help ensure that 2024 is the year that your resolutions are kept, Toastmasters International offers these 8 tips that will help you to achieve your goals. Be realistic. Having lofty goals is commendable, however, it's important to make sure they are realistic, or you may end up feeling frustrated that they are too difficult to achieve.

Intimate Weddings are in for 2024: Venue expert offers tips

Micro weddings are on the rise, with a 100% increase in searches for 'intimate wedding venues' recorded in the past 12 months alone worldwide. In the UK specifically, searches for 'micro wedding venues near me' have risen by 100% in the past two years, and searches for 'intimate wedding venues UK' by 50% in the past 12 months. Forced small gatherings as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic have clearly rubbed off as scaled-back nuptials have stuck around, offering couples the opportunity to be in the moment, create memories with their closest loved ones, and eliminate the feeling for couples that they may need to gain approval from or impress guests on their big day.

The Holiday Inn Cardiff City Centre has unveiled its £500,000 refurbishment

The Holiday Inn Cardiff City Centre has unveiled a £500,000 refurbishment that has transformed its public spaces. The stylish new open lobby, designed to provide guests with one multi-faceted public space to eat, meet, relax, socialise, and work as they choose, will revolutionise the way guests stay at the Cardiff hotel.

The traditionally separate zones of a reception, lobby, bar, lounge, restaurant, and business centre have been merged into one cohesive space. Key new features include free high-speed Wi-Fi, an all day dining menu, a living-room-style media lounge with comfy seating, games, magazines, and TVs, and an E-Bar where guests can relax.