Your South Wales Wedding news and ideas from around the area

Tall John’s House is a wedding venue in the Brecon Beacons National Park

Set in the Brecon Beacons National Park, in acres of grounds with mature trees and breathtaking views across to the Black Mountains, Tall John's House is a charming venue that's perfect for those of you who want tranquillity, exclusivity, and the freedom to make this venue your own. The gardens at Tall John's House are something special with features for all-year attraction, such as the rill, rose arbour, silver birch circle, a splendid display of flowers, shrubs, fruits, and vegetables, and fabulous sweeping lawns perfect for strolling and taking photos.

Best dates for a wedding and honeymoon in 2025

Research from leading UK jeweller Diamonds Factory has revealed the best dates to book your wedding and honeymoon in 2025 in order to get as much time off as possible. Online searches for 2025 weddings have leapt by 916% this year, meanwhile searches for honeymoons skyrocketed by 15,247% during the same period. As couples consider weddings and honeymoons for next year, Diamonds Factory analysis has revealed the best days to book your wedding ceremony which will maximise your annual leave for the honeymoon.

Dylan Coastal Resort is updating its spa

Dylan Coastal Resort, set in peaceful Carmarthenshire, ensures that its activity schedule is regularly updated to offer a range of on-and off-site experiences. Whether it be a favourite hobby or something completely new, there is something for everyone. Dylan Coastal Resort will be introducing a fun trampoline area and a marquee for kids to play, while regular guest activities include trivolle, tag archery, and offering bikes for cycling around the local woodlands and stunning coastal paths.

Craig Y Nos Castle is located on the edge of the Brecon Beacons

Located in the upper Swansea Valley on the edge of the Brecon Beacons, Craig Y Nos Castle is a romantic wedding venue that would make a grand backdrop for any celebration.

Once home to Adelina Patti, the world-famous opera singer, the castle has a long and interesting history dating back to 1841. It boasts plenty of places to explore and take photographs both inside and outside, such as the breathtaking grounds and ceremony spaces.

Those of you looking to stay the night will love the 36 en suite bedrooms; there's also an on-site gym with high-quality apparatus and a private lounge with a hot tub.

Pantone Introduces Color of the Year 2025: Mocha Mousse

Wedding moodboards at the ready; Pantone, the global colour authority and provider of professional colour language standards and digital solutions for the design community, today introduced PANTONE 17-1230 Mocha Mousse. An evocative soft brown that transports our senses into the pleasure and deliciousness it inspires: cacao, chocolate and coffee, appealing to our desire for comfort. "Underpinned by our desire for every day pleasures, PANTONE 17-1230 Mocha Mousse expresses a level of thoughtful indulgence" says Leatrice Eiseman, Executive Director Pantone Color Institute.

Noveltyspirits and wedding favours – a perfect marriage

The wedding favour tradition is said to originate in Europe in the 16th century, when royalty and aristocrats gave presents to their guests to celebrate family weddings.

Originally, brides offered bags of sugar – a rare and expensive gift in those days, as a sign of their wealth and status.

Today, Noveltyspirits carries on this tradition by offering individually designed and personalised miniature bottles of spirits, including the couple's picture on the front of the miniature bottle, for guests to remember their special wedding day.

The inclusion of a photograph of the couple, with personalised text and date, enables Noveltyspirits to produce wonderful wedding favours, even for the smaller wedding.

Noveltyspirits can produce as little as 30 x 5cl. miniatures as part of a premium service for the smaller wedding, without design fees, and a discount structure is in place for larger weddings.

These services include liaising with the couple and discussing precisely what they want. Designs are produced, and after "sign-off," their order is produced.

The Angel Hotel is hosting a range of festive nights throughout December

Nestled in the heart of Cardiff, The Angel Hotel is a Victorian landmark that's hosting a range of festive nights throughout December. You can take a trip to Cardiff and explore the beautiful countryside and beaches of South Wales from this hotel, ideally situated between the Principality Stadium and Cardiff Castle. Featuring 102 elegant and traditional bedrooms and a restaurant and bar, this charming wedding venue is the perfect place to stay when visiting this historic city.

Starting from £49.50 per person, the Angel Hotel's Christmas parties include arrival drinks, a three-course meal, evening entertainment and the option to elevate your evening with the drinks-inclusive option.

Delta Hotels by Marriott St. Pierre Country Club is a 14th-century manor nestled within 400 acres of parkland

Easily accessible from Newport, Cardiff, Bristol and Bath, Delta Hotels by Marriott St. Pierre Country Club is a 14th-century manor nestled within 400 acres of picturesque parkland. The newly renovated venue offers 148 guest rooms, including suites and lakeview options, and is set in the rolling hills of the Wye Valley. Accessed via a grand tree-lined driveway, the venue provides a range of facilities, including premium bedrooms, a spa, treatment rooms, fitness classes, and a swimming pool.

Hottest hen do Trends for 2025 revealed by GoHen

Well, GoHen.com, the UK's leading hen party provider, have just dropped a hitlist of the hottest hen do themes for 2025 with some absolutely iconic trends."2025 is going to be the most Instagrammable era for hen weekends, for sure," said Ellie Silk, Head of Events at GoHen.com. "The themes that are on-trend are absolutely iconic and there is something for every bride and every vibe. From chaos to cute, outdoors to outrageous, you're bound to find something for your group in that list. "A hen do theme helps elevate a weekend from average to unforgettable because it's the tiny details and extra thought that really make your celebration special.

"Having a theme doesn't have to equate to spending loads more money, either. You can lean into your chosen theme as little or as much as you want. From outfits to decorations to the activities you choose to do, there are plenty of ways to make it your own."

The Vale Resort is running a competition for couples celebrating their silver wedding anniversary

Couples celebrating their silver wedding anniversary can win a break at the Vale Resort worth over £300. Having opened its doors in 1999, the Vale Resort is celebrating its 25-year anniversary and wants to share in that excitement with couples also celebrating their own silver wedding anniversary. By sharing their favourite memory from their wedding day, one lucky couple will win an overnight stay (with dinner and breakfast) at the resort on a date of their choosing.

The independent four-star Vale Resort, built by the Leeke family, is made up of the 143-bedrooms, two championship golf courses, extensive leisure and sports facilities, Wales's largest spa, wide-ranging conference and events facilities, restaurants, bars and Hensol Castle, an exclusive wedding and events venue that also incorporates a distillery and visitor experience in its cellars.

The Orangery is a romantic wedding venue nestled within the grounds of Margam Country Park

The Orangery, a grand 18th-century Grade I listed building, is 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 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.

The Bridal Boutique Crickhowell is offering a free veil when purchasing a Pronovias gown

The Bridal Boutique Crickhowell is set in a beautiful barn conversion and boasts an airy, modern and exclusive space that specialises in bringing your bridal dream to life. Just one hour from Cardiff, you'll find a full range of luxury and designer wedding dresses at your fingertips in a relaxed setting perfect for any bride to be and their bridal squad.

Owner Yasmine John tells us more: "Choosing your wedding dress is a significant decision, and we are here to support you every step of the way. Whether you're dreaming of a classic ballgown, a romantic lace dress, or a chic modern silhouette, our collection is designed to cater to every bride's aesthetic, ensuring you feel your most beautiful and confident self on the day."

Gladi-Waiter in the Buff – hen do firm offer

One of the UK's leading hen party planning companies is now offering Gladi-Waiters in the Buff in honour of the new Gladiator film hitting the big screen on the 14th of November. Butlers in the Buff are a hugely popular addition to hen weekends and are often scantily clad in just a small apron and a bow tie. However, GoHen are now offering buff butlers adored in gladiator helmets, shoulder pads and gladiatorial skirts. "Buff butlers are the modern-day gladiator," said GoHen's Head of Events, Ellie Silk. "They're performers, they're in great shape and they're often forced to entertain a rowdy crowd – what's the difference, really?

Llantilio House is a listed 18th-century wedding farmhouse in Monmouthshire

Llantilio House is a listed 18th-century farmhouse on a picturesque 300- acre farm in Monmouthshire. The venue has been refurbished in the most sustainable way possible, with ground-source heating throughout and great care taken to use traditional, environmentally friendly materials and wool insulation. Owners Lottie and George were keen to honour the venue's original features in the redevelopment.

Consisting of a courtyard with two interlinking barns, Llantilio House has a granary, a farmhouse with front and back gardens, an additional courtyard with a heated (natural) pool and two outbuildings. Up to 20 of your nearest and dearest can stay on-site with you for the whole duration of your wedding. There is a large courtyard and grounds overlooking the River Trothy Valley, which is in the process of being restored to a wildflower meadow via a grant from Natural Resources Wales.

The Welsh National Wedding Awards has announced its 2024 winners

The Welsh National Wedding Awards, now in its 14th year, shine a light on the incredible Welsh wedding industry, with categories ranging from best bridal retailer, best venue, through to best florist.

Throughout the summer, thousands of votes were cast by brides, grooms, and their families, taking time out of their busy lives to say thank-you to those suppliers that helped make their dream day extra special.

Dylan Coastal Resort is remodelling its Milk Wood Bar & Kitchen

With a rise in multi-generational family holidays, Luxury Lodges Collection understands the importance of catering to guests of all ages; its South Wales site, Dylan Coastal Resort, set in peaceful Carmarthenshire, ensures that its activity schedule at Dylan Coastal Resort is regularly updated to offer a range of on- and off-site experiences. Whether it be a favourite hobby or something completely new, there is something for everyone. While kids are forever entertained with this vast range of activities, teens and adults can make use of the world-class spa and wellness facilities at the luxurious, on-site Milk Wood Spa, located in Milk Wood House.

The ultimate gifting experience your friends, family - and you - will love

In today's busy world, it's not always possible to be there for every birthday, housewarming, or special occasion, but that doesn't mean you can't send a heartfelt message. That's where gift box specialist, Parcel London, comes in. Parcel London is here to offer the ultimate gifting experience - believing that the best gifts are about more than just the item – they're about the connection they represent. They're there for when you can't be. Working with a number of well-known and newly emerging independent brands, Parcel London connects you to the people who matter most through beautiful, useful, and memorable gifts. Every one of their Parcels is lovingly handpicked and carefully hand-wrapped, ensuring that each recipient feels cherished and valued. Whether you need a single gift for a special someone or thousands for a corporate event, they've got you covered

Mount Rooms Hotel is located just seven minutes from Cardiff Airport

Having been an established hotel for many years and being located within the heart of Barry, surrounded by 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.

Bridal Reloved Cardiff has recently opened its doors

Bridal Reloved Cardiff is Wales' first eco-conscious bilingual bridal boutique, selling pre-owned and ex-sample designer wedding dresses.

Bronwen Barclay, from Bridal Reloved Cardiff, tells us: "I decided to start the business after recently getting married and seeing that no local bridal shops offered pre-loved or sustainable dresses alongside a personalised experience. So, I took a leap, leaving my job after nearly a decade of primary school teaching, to give brides-to-be in my hometown unforgettable 'say yes to the dress' experiences."

Seasonal style

As seasons change, it's important to be aware of how the weather affects the wedding. Editorial Assistant Millicent Garton takes you through some suggestions of how to embrace the chill and celebrate the sun. Much like seasons, it's only natural that weddings and their themes flow and evolve with changing year. From the cake and catering to the dress and décor, all elements of the big day can be influenced by the time of year, so it's only fitting that special attention should be given to those minor details.