Gemma and Anthony had a romantic celebration at The Oxwich Bay Hotel
Gemma and Anthony have known each other their whole lives. “Our parents lived close, and we attended the same schools, always remaining good friends,” says Gemma. “When we were younger, our parents used to send Valentine’s Day cards to us from each other. This continued until our early comprehensive school days where we would just give each other a knowing look! We got together in 2012, and the following year I moved to Wales, and the rest is history.”
Anthony proposed in August 2017 in Florida. “It wasn’t the most romantic of proposals,” laughs the bride. “We were out shopping in The Mall at Millenia when we passed Tiffany’s and Anthony said ‘we’d better go in there and choose an engagement ring for you.’ It turned out that he had asked my dad’s permission the day before we flew! The lady who helped us pick out an engagement ring was called Lily, she was so helpful, and we visit her every time we go back to Florida.”
Guests Spend £348 On Average to Attend A Wedding, Says Expert
Wedding guests across the UK are spending hundreds of pounds just to attend a single wedding, with new research revealing the growing financial strain placed on friends and family. Research* commissioned by The Insurance Emporium, conducted by Censuswide, has revealed among people who have attended a wedding in the last five years shows that guests spend £348 on average to attend a wedding - with costs rising even higher in major cities. The wedding insurance specialist's findings reveal that 72% of guests now say attending weddings has become a financial burden, while 38.2% admit they have felt pressured to overspend in order to attend.
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Divided down the aisle: The UK’s feelings on the most controversial wedding choices uncovered
Weddings bring with them lots of excitement, joy and happiness, but couples also often face the added challenge of trying to balance their personal wishes and preferences with the opinions of their guests. From who qualifies for a plus one to how much to spend on an engagement ring, new research conducted by Pandora UK has uncovered the nation's true feelings about the most divisive wedding decisions¹. Pandora has also enlisted wedding expert and events director at The Post Barn, Daisy Bradley to share advice on the best ways to handle tricky decisions with guests.
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Hensol Castle Reveals Top Wedding Trends for 2026
Wedding content creators, eco-conscious dcor and experiential dining: Hensol Castle in Pontyclun reveals top wedding trends for 2026. Smaller guest lists, social media content creators, eco-conscious decisions and experiential dining are amongst the biggest wedding trends set to define 2026, according to the award-winning Hensol Castle wedding venue in South Wales. The historic castle, which hosts weddings throughout the year, has seen a noticeable shift in how couples plan their big day compared with five years ago, with modern weddings becoming increasingly personalised, experience-led and social media conscious. According to Hensol Castle's wedding experts, the top wedding trends emerging for 2026 and beyond include the rise of wedding content creators and smaller, more intimate wedding guest lists.
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The “2 dinners a week” rule that could transform your love life, according to expert
Google searches for 'emotional connection' are up 78% over the past month, while searches for 'relationship advice' are up 54%, showing that many are struggling and searching for ways to strengthen their bond with their significant other. Interiors brand Oak&More have spoken exclusively with award-winning sex and relationship expert Gemma Nice to find out why eating at the table a couple of nights a week can strengthen, or maybe save, your relationship.
