Your South Wales Wedding news and ideas from around the area

BIG MAC’S WHOLLY SOUL BAND CELEBRATION

Big Mac's Wholly Soul Band are a 12-piece classic soul band who have been together since 1990; they've played all over the UK, and in other stunning locations such as Vienna, Cairo, Tenerife, Germany and Dublin. Its line-up includes tenor saxophone, alto saxophone, trumpet, trombone, three female singers, one male singer, keyboards, bass, drums and guitar – that's a whole lot of soul in one room!

HOW MUCH SHOULD YOU REALLY GIFT AT WEDDINGS IN 2025?

Wedding season is fast approaching – and while many Brits are busy outfit-hunting or booking hotels, there's one part of the big day that continues to cause confusion - how much money should you actually spend on the happy couple? It's a question thousands of guests are turning to the internet for. In fact, Google searches for 'how much money should you give for a wedding gift' have soared by a whopping 5,000% over the past month*, proving just how panicked Brits are about getting it right.

Jewellery expert debunks the most common engagement myths

When it comes to engagements, traditions run deep – but not all of them hold up today. From outdated rules about who should propose to the history behind getting down on one knee, there are plenty of myths which may not reflect how couples approach engagements today. Lorna Haddon, Head of Diamonds and Jewellery at Beaverbrooks, said: "Getting engaged can be one of the most exciting life experiences for those in love – but it can sometimes be a nervous experience for those doing the proposing, with so many traditions to remember.

The 2025 Hen Party Trends - According to TikTok

Whether you're jetting off to Mykonos, booking out a villa in Spain, or hosting a garden party at home, 2025's hen dos are all about creating unforgettable moments — and capturing them in style. With TikTok leading the charge in how Gen Z and Millennials plan pre-wedding celebration and searches for 'hen party' up +118%, jewellery brand Abbott Lyon scrolled through the feeds, trends and reels to bring you the ultimate hen party playbook. From must-have themes to viral activities, this is your go-to guide for planning a hen party that you'll never forget.

New Cocktail Menu at The Orangery

All of the included cocktails have something for everyone, and even the current favourite, aperol spritz! Whilst pimms and lemonade screams Wimbledon days and summer pub gardens, all the drinks work for any wedding, at any time of the year. On your special day, enjoy a cool glass of strawberry daiquiri whilst you explore their lush grounds. Click through to find out more about their new menu!

Nearly half of newlyweds will experience post-wedding blues this year

As we quickly approach the start of wedding season, many brides and grooms will be amping up for the best day of their lives. While the happiness of wedding days is well explored, the lull that comes afterwards is barely spoken about and not a feeling newlyweds are warned of, leading to potential feelings of isolation. Exclusive data from engagement and wedding ring experts at Queensmith has revealed that 40% of recently married couples experience some form of post-wedding blues. An experience of sadness, letdown, or emptiness that is often the first thing to hit couples after their honeymoon - a hangover from the heady highs of wedding planning.

Unique wedding trends 2025: Film photography surges 50%

Three in five couples plan to incorporate unique elements into their wedding, and with the world of choice at the end of our fingertips, inspiration is flying in from all angles. But which of the net's most loved delights have seen the most significant interest surges since last summer? To find out, the team at Aura Print scoured social media platforms to discover what's been hot, and gathered Pinterest and Google Trends data to reveal their most adored trends that have shot up since last summer.

Wild and Fabulous Flowers is Expanding

Rhian from Wild and Fabulous Flowers has commented, "we are so excited to announce that Wild and Fabulous Flowers now offer a full styling service for your wedding day. We decided to expand our services to include styling as we want our vision to be carried across all the elements of the day, from tablecloths, candles, lanterns, our own scented candles, as well as sourcing table and glassware. Of course, we still create the most beautiful floral displays too!"

Happily ever after - making plans for the future

As nearlyweds, you may not be thinking about what happens beyond the end of your natural lives together - that's not the exciting bit - Katharine Bundell, a barrister at 4PB shares advice in this article that could make your loved ones' lives a lot easier if anything happens to you. Death and taxes remain fairly inevitable. On 16th May 2025 the Law Commission published its recommendations on wills and proposed a new statute. This is the first significant reconsideration since the Wills Act 1837 which is still effective today. Life was quite different in 1837. Queen Victoria ascended the throne aged 18 years old. Any property owned by a women on marriage was transferred automatically to her husband. It would be 40 years before Thomas Edison lit up the first electric lightbulb.

DISCOVER SOMETHING LAINGS BLUE

Laings' Cardiff showroom invites you to step into a world where love knows no bounds. Each exquisite piece of wedding jewellery in Laings' collection is a testament to love's unrivalled commitment. Born from the finest materials and expert craftsmanship, Laings Cardiff offers a myriad of elegant wedding bands and jewellery pieces that capture the essence of your unique and romantic story.

Why the bar at your wedding shouldn’t be an afterthought

In the grand orchestration of a wedding, couples often obsess over floral arrangements, lighting design and detailed seating charts. The dress, the photographer, the five-course dinner - each element is painstakingly curated. And yet, one of the most powerful forces behind a wedding's success is consistently left until the eleventh hour: the bar! Let's be honest, it's not often you hear a couple say: "First things first, let's lock in a great bar team." But maybe they should. "You can spend months working on the seating plan or deciding the perfect shade of napkin, but if the bar's giving bored function-room energy, it can all quickly lose its magic," says Luke Shelton-Sharp, co-founder of room two, the London-based cocktail studio and event planner.

The Number Wedding Etiquette Mistakes Guests Make, According To Expert

Picture this: you're scrolling through a friend's wedding photos and spot someone in flip-flops at a black-tie garden party, or worse, a guest in head-to-toe white stealing focus from the bride. Sound familiar? These fashion faux pas happen more often than you'd think at summer weddings. Thanks to outdoor ceremonies and relaxed vibes, many guests assume summer weddings mean anything goes. But according to wedding specialist Nick Bramer from Country House Weddings, a family-run business specialising in exclusive-use wedding venues across the UK, this casual approach often backfires spectacularly.

THE BIG PEMBROKESHIRE PANTOMIME GAINS FAMOUS CAST MEMBER

The Big Pembrokeshire Pantomime is thrilled to announce that Welsh rugby legend, Gareth Thomas, will be joining the cast of this year's spectacular production of Aladdin taking on the magical role of the Genie. The former Wales rugby captain, who earned 100 caps for his country, will be bringing his larger than-life personality to the pantomime stage this December, joining the previously announced Drew Baker as Widow Twankey and Tom Dyer from Pure West Radio as the villainous Abanazer.

Hen Party Treats- Big Day Cakes

To begin planning your hen party you need to set a budget first so you can make sure you'll still have enough money to spend on your actual wedding. Once that's decided you need to choose a theme and factor in the cost of the decorations and other things you may buy. You'll also have to create a guest list consisting of only your closest friends before moving onto picking the date, location and some activities to do. In need of some inspiration for what to do at your hen party? There is a variety of options to choose that will fit your fancy venturing from whether you want to do something adventurous like rock climbing or canyoning or perhaps you'd prefer to spend the day calming down and doing something relaxing such as having a spa day or afternoon tea.

How Much Should You Really Gift At Weddings In 2025?

Many people are unsure of how much money to give when they attend a wedding, statistics showed Google searches for 'how much money should you give for a wedding gift' soared by a whopping 5,000% in April of 2025 alone and 11% of guests go into debt just to attend a wedding, with the average spend hitting £451. Anita Naik, Savings Expert at VoucherCodes, has broken down exactly what you should spend based on your relationship to the couple, plus clever tricks to make your gift feel luxe on a budget.

How to Beat the Heat: Tips for a Comfortable Summer Wedding

A summer wedding sounds like a dream, and it often is. Long days and gorgeous sunshine can make your big day truly unforgettable. But there's one little guest that always turns up uninvited during summer: the heat. No one wants to be a sweaty mess in their wedding photos but luckily with a bit of planning, you can keep everyone cool and comfortable from start to finish. Leading wedding experts, The Foxy Hen explains how. If you're going for a full-day celebration, think about having the ceremony indoors or under cover, then move the party outside once the sun starts to ease off.

New Simon James Home Candle Scents

Nothing stirs the senses quite like the smell of freshly baked pastries – and now, Simon James Home is inviting fragrance lovers to savour those cosy moments every day with their beloved Bakery-Inspired Candle Collection. Designed to evoke the warm, delicious aromas of your favourite bakery, this luxurious range features five irresistible scents. As people continue to crave comfort and connection at home, "edible" scents, in particular warm ones, and nostalgic bakery notes are surging in popularity.

A Song to Remember Him By

Jenny Bray will be performing a tribute song Mr. J (Jenkins) in Swansea, Port Talbot and other venues in South Wales. Jenny Bray is a singer, songwriter, and pianist and has many connections to the actor. Jenny even played on Richard Burton's home piano as a young girl, which later inspired her to explore a career in music. To find out more, please visit her website.

Doctors Tips To Avoid Last Minute Wedding Stress

Dr Ravi Lukha, Medical Director at Bupa UK Insurance, advises on how to combat wedding stress! Peak wedding season is upon us, and the UK's Google search habits show huge leaps in people seeking quick turnaround weddings - and planners to help make those nuptials happen. According to Google Search Console analysis, UK volumes for searches around quick weddings have seen significant increases, recently. In the last six months, the following searches have seen steep climbs:

Oxwich Bay Hotel Hosts Wedding Open Day

Oxwich Bay Hotel combines outstanding natural beauty, historic charm and world-class hospitality to provide couples with an unparalleled coastal setting for weddings. From golden-hour vows to a reception beneath the stars, the hotel offers a selection of event spaces to suit all visions; such as the 17th-century Chestnut Room, with exposed stone walls and a fireplace carved from the trunk of a 300-year-old Chestnut tree, and the purpose-built wedding Marquee, surrounded by unspoilt woodlands with uninterrupted views across one of the UK's most celebrated beaches.