Your South Wales Wedding news and ideas from around the area

The Vale Resort is offering a one-night stay for two people with dinner and breakfast

Far from your average luxury hotel, the Vale Resort is nestled within a 650-acre private estate in the heart of the beautiful Vale of Glamorgan countryside. The resort's world class facilities are the perfect surroundings for couples to getaway and relax from the hustle and bustle of day-to-day life.

Exclusively for Your South Wales Wedding readers, the Vale Resort is offering a one-night stay for two people with dinner and breakfast included.

Say ‘I Do’ to a Dry Wedding with Mavrik Alcohol-free Cocktails

With a growing number of people going sober or choosing to moderate their drinking, the traditional wedding 'knees up' may be a thing of the past as today's couples opt for a more sober affair - which everyone can remember! In the past, non-drinkers or designated drivers would be somewhat left out of the celebrations with access to only a sad selection of soft drinks or juices. However, now nearlyweds-to-be are putting as much effort into deciding what alcohol-free drinks to offer as they would apply to sourcing the Champagne for the toasts! Plus, not only are dry weddings a huge money saver, but they also allow guests to enjoy the day with a clear head and leave the event with all those special memories firmly in tact.

Norton House Hotel is a Grade II listed independent country house

Norton House Hotel is a Grade II listed independent country house, which has been thoroughly refurbished with weddings in mind. The property has lots of period charm and has been renovated to a high standard with modern, home comforts that don't compromise the historic features. Guests will love the elegant windows, 17 individually designed bedrooms and impressive entrance. The private grounds, which include a secluded lawn, an original raised patio, and wide stone steps, are perfect for wedding photographs.

Five things that mean more to love than Valentine's gifts (and are free)

Dr Rachel Taylor is a neuropsychologist, podcast host and founder of UNBroken. She has this advice on the five things that mean more to love than Valentine's gifts (and are free). "The brain has many different circuitry mechanisms associated with feelings of love. Below are some suggestions that mean more to love than commercial gifts."To appreciate is to raise in value, so the appreciation of another is truly better than a gift. Appreciation of another triggers a part of the brain called the hypothalamus which is directly involved in controlling our circadian rhythm. We also get a dopamine hit which supports us to be more motivated to perform the same behaviour. The more we appreciate a person, the more motivated they are to carry on being the amazing person that we think they are.

5 ways to get your pooch involved in your wedding

Planning a wedding is a whirlwind of nerves and excitement, and if you have a dog, you might want to get them involved in the event too. But how? Here, Lisa Melvin from Webbox offer some ideas. Organising a wedding can be as overwhelming as it is exciting. If you have a dog, you might be wondering if you can involve them in the event too — your pooch is most definitely part of your family, and it's natural to want them to be a part of your special day. Read on to find out some ideas for how you can bring your pooch to the wedding.

Come along to the first wedding showcase of 2023 at Bryngarw House

If you've recently got engaged and have just started wedding planning, come along to the first wedding showcase of 2023 at Bryngarw House in Bridgend. Once a 15th-century farmhouse, this idyllic 113 acre property has retained its historic charm through its transformation into a grand and elegant venue, where exceptional quality and stylish sophistication is guaranteed.

On Sunday 26th February, the venue will be dressed to impress, and couples can meet some fantastic, recommended suppliers. The wedding team will be on hand to answer any questions you may have about the venue and available packages.

How to create a bespoke drinks menu for your wedding

Your wedding should be as personalised, luxurious and enjoyable as possible, and the drinks menu is no exception! Here, Steve King, managing director at the drinks retailer Bottled & Boxed, shows you how to bring together a bespoke drinks menu for your wedding. Organising a wedding is as exciting as it is overwhelming: you'll want your day to be as special as possible, and the drinks menu is no exception to this. It's becoming more and more popular to create your own personalised drinks, with Google searches for 'bespoke drinks menu' increasing 10% since the beginning of 2022.

Heritage Park Hotel is a historic wedding venue perfect for grand celebrations

Heritage Park Hotel is a historic wedding venue perfect for grand celebrations. Effortlessly combining a contemporary décor with heaps of character, the property boasts a garden area for eating and drinking, which is surrounded by greenery, outdoor heaters and speakers.

Ceremonies at The Heritage Park Hotel take place in the Rhondda Suite, which has a capacity for 160 loved ones. The room is large and airy and features high ceilings, floor-to-ceiling windows, wooden cladding and an elegant décor. The Rhondda Suite leads into the Rhondda Conservatory, which holds 70 guests.

F.Hinds advises on your wedding selection

Jewellers F.Hinds, boasting more than 115 stores across England, advise on what precious metals your wedding rings could be made from... Your wedding day will be one of the biggest days of your life, and we're so happy that you're about to embark on this new chapter, no doubt you are too! With an exciting engagement comes a whole load of happiness and emotion, but with that what also comes is a never-ending list of things you need to do before the big day, and we can bet that one of them is going to be to "find the perfect wedding rings".

How to choose your wedding date

You would have thought choosing the date for your wedding would be the easiest part? Simple pick a date that suits you as couple and your venue. Well, yes, that is often the case. But there will always be other factors you should consider before making the final choice. If you're hosting a marquee wedding at private residence, then you're fortunate enough to have a little more flexibility with a date than those opting for a wedding venue. However, whether a marquee or venue it's wise to take into account some of the following factors that may make deciding on the best date for your special day a little easier....

Valentine’s Day: 9 tips to help you spoil someone special without breaking the bank

With Valentine's Day right around the corner, it's the perfect excuse to show someone special how much they mean to you. However, the cost of living crisis means that people are more concerned than ever about money. To help, jewellery specialists, Queensmith have pulled together 9 ways to spoil your partner on a budget...1.Set a budget ahead of Valentine's Day. This is an important first step. The last thing you want is for one of you to spend double the amount of money compared to the other, and fall out over gifts on Valentine's Day.

Engagement ring trends for 2023

Whether you're future-gazing about your dream proposal or just like keeping up to date with the latest styles, Lorna Haddon, head of diamonds and jewellery at Beaverbrooks, predicts the new wave of engagement ring trends that will be taking over our Instagram feeds in 2023. Here at County Wedding Magazines it's hard to pick our fav? Really, can we only choose one?

Hannah Williams Harpist has appeared on ITVBe’s The Singles Table

Hannah Williams Harpist, a professional harpist in the Vale of Glamorgan, has appeared on ITVBe's The Singles Table. The show featured a colourful wedding held at Lakeside Venue in Bridgend where Hannah performed during the ceremony and wedding breakfast.

"It was a really interesting wedding," adds Hannah. "The couple had a legal ceremony followed by a church blessing and a traditional Nigerian ceremony. I was really excited to be a part of their special day."

Abroad stag and hen dos not an option due to cost of living crisis

Couples planning stag and hen festivities this year may need to think again as Brits admit they would not attend an abroad celebration. Luxury fashion retailer Fenwick, has surveyed the nation to find out opinions on stag and hen dos, including the amount they'd be willing to spend and whether they'd travel abroad. Many people now take their bridal parties or groomsmen on holiday to celebrate their big day. These trips can often end up costing a lot of money especially if heading to popular destinations such as Marbella, Budapest or even Vegas which when the majority of the UK is being squeezed by the ongoing cost of living crisis, isn't something many can afford. Of the 1,000 people surveyed, 50.70% would refuse to attend a stag do abroad, preferring to celebrate closer to home in the UK.

Perfectly placed within 650 acres of beautiful Welsh countryside is the 17th-century Hensol Castle

Perfectly placed within 650 acres of beautiful Welsh countryside is the 17th-century Hensol Castle. This grand wedding venue has been sympathetically renovated and boasts a modern décor with arched windows, oak panelling and sweeping staircases. New for 2022 are the luxury bedrooms, each with bespoke features such as roll-top baths and four-poster beds.

Ceremonies are held outdoors under the romantic bandstand, which offers impressive views of the Welsh countryside, or in the resplendent Oak Room.

The most eye-catching wedding decor revealed

A new study, conducted by the wedding financial experts at money.co.uk, involved surveying 1,000 future newlyweds and asking them to estimate how much they will spend on 70 wedding items. Images of these 70 items were then used in an eye-tracking study to reveal the specific elements that people spend the most time gazing at. Fairylights came out on top, with guests staring at them for 5.53 seconds which is impressive considering they are the decorations that those planning a wedding expect to pay the least for (£106.25). So, if you're looking to impress your guests without splurging then try draping your venue in tiny, twinkling fairylights.

A man’s perspective to changing names after marriage

NameSwitch has interviewed some trail blazing men who took a bold step into the future. When you're planning a wedding, whether small and informal or grand-scale, there's a myriad of tasks to organise. And, these days, guys are expected to pull their weight when it comes to sorting everything from flower arrangements and wedding cakes to transport and catering. But, before you even walk down the aisle to say, "I do", there's another important factor to consider – whether you intend to take your partner's surname.

Tall John’s House in Brecon is undergoing a refurbishment

Tall John's House in Brecon is undergoing a refurbishment. "It has become increasingly obvious to us that one of the great attractions of Tall John's Weddings is that we have on-site accommodation for up to 25 people across the Manor House, Stables and Saddlers," says owner Liza Watson. "This is in addition to our two self-catering cottages, which are included in the wedding package and sleep 10 in total. Bearing this in mind, we are in the process of a big refurbishment of the reception areas of the Manor House. We have moved our snooker table into a newly-formed Games Room which is adjoining our Granary. This makes the room dual purpose as we have a top for the table, and it magically turns into a serving area for drinks and canapés.

Is keeping your maiden name at work right for you?

NameSwitch shares its advice on the dilemma that many women face in the workplace, and that's whether to keep your maiden name? Read on to find out more... The process of getting married comes with a million personal choices to be made along the way – do you want a big white dress or something more minimal? Do you want a DJ at your celebration or a live band? Do you want to keep your maiden name or embrace your married one? Each choice is personal and unique and there is no one-size-fits-all answer. Even when it comes to something as momentous as what name you'll be known by for the rest of your life, there are different options and choices to be made. And just like decisions about what kind of dress to buy, the choices you make about your name will also be influenced by your personal preferences and life experiences.

The Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama is a striking venue situated in the heart of Cardiff

The Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, situated in the heart of Cardiff, is surrounded by white Portland-stone 19th-century civic buildings on one side and the grounds of the magnificent Cardiff Castle on the other. The college is made up of two buildings encompassing both historic and contemporary styles. The Anthony Hopkins Centre is the original Cardiff Castle Stables and boasts an historic open-air courtyard. While, the contemporary glass-walled entrance hall, overlooking the Grade I listed Bute Park, creates a stunning backdrop for photographs.

The Anthony Hopkins Centre has two elegant rooms that are available for ceremonies, one can seat 80 guests, and the other can hold 50.