Your South Wales Wedding news and ideas from around the area

Guests say "I don’t" to wedding traditions

When it comes to cost, celebrating love doesn't come cheaply, as Brits say they spend an average of £219.65 per wedding. In fact, only a quarter (25%) say they spend less than £100. As a result, more than one in five (22%) admit they've had to decline an invite for financial reasons. Top of guests' wish lists? A wedding that puts people first. Almost half (49%) said making guests feel welcome and relaxed is the most important part of any wedding, far ahead of food (16%), music (17%) or even the schedule (18%).

Spotlight on...Glen-Yr-Afon

Glen-Yr-Afon is a stunning Victorian Villa that has been decorated to exude modern elegance while maintaining traditional feature. Set amongst the Monmouthshire countryside, this wedding venue has everything you could need for a special celebration. Privacy, tradition, and space for your loved ones. With both indoor and outdoor ceremonies available, this venue can be customised to suit your wedding needs. Click through to find out more about this exclusive venue!

Presence over presents: Brits ditch wedding gifts

Karin Haglund, Head of Consumer Insights at Klarna said: "Destination weddings tap into Brits' love of travel and shared experiences, but our research shows that cost remains a concern when celebrating love abroad. For those who want more flexibility, Klarna offers interest-free payment options and budgeting tools in the app that help support smarter planning — whether that's by booking travel early to secure a better deal or keeping track of costs along the way."

Pickled Pumpkin Catering - Your experts reveal 2026 trends

What started in 2020 as a one-man mission has grown into one of the South West's most exciting catering brands! From humble beginnings, they quickly evolved; transforming The Pavilion into a vibrant catering hub, refining showground catering, and serving weddings, corporate events, and high-profile partnerships with flair and precision. Today, they hold residencies at some of South Wales' most luxurious wedding and events venues; bringing bold, flavour-driven food to exclusive celebrations daily!

The top wedding trends for Autumn and Winter 2025

As summer weddings start to take a step back, a new wave of seasonal trends are emerging. According to Pinterest Trends, searches for 'wedding inspiration' have surged by 10,000% over the past month, with terms like 'October wedding', and 'autumn wedding cake' dominating mood boards. Nicola Barker, Head of Buying at Suit Direct, shares her insights on the standout trends set to shape autumn and winter weddings this season. From elegant romantic draping and on-trend semi-naked cakes to rich, moody colour palettes, couples are embracing celebrations that feel warm, inviting, and romantic.

Ask the Experts: Anna Bennett Make-Up

My wedding is in the summer, and I'm worried about my make-up 'melting' off - what do you recommend? There are few things to consider in relation to your wedding day make-up, especially when you expect hot weather. Invest some time into getting to know your skin needs and recognising its type for example: do you have oily skin? Or have you been suffering with dry patches? Then give it some TLC, starting at least a few months before the big day. All products, especially make-up, perform and look their best on a well-balanced complexion.

Why August 23rd Could Be the Most Romantic Day of the Decade

Celebration vacations are on the rise, as more people swap parties for passport stamps to mark life's biggest milestones. From weddings and retirements to birthdays and new jobs, searches for 'anniversary holidays' are soaring at 585k monthly, 'birthday trip ideas for couples' have doubled year-over-year, and 'celebration vacations' is up 57% in the last month alone. A new survey of 1,000 UK travellers, commissioned by Citalia, found that over half (56%) believe celebrating a major milestone abroad turns their trip into a once-in-a-lifetime story, whilst 47% say travel makes milestone moments truly unforgettable.

WEDDING GLAM FOR LESS

Makeup Locker isn't just a service, it's an experience curated by a professional who specialises in bridal make-up and hair. With years of expertise, Emma, the founder of Makeup Locker, understands the intricacies of bridal beauty, from enhancing natural features to creating stunning, camera-ready looks that last. Every bride deserves to feel like the most beautiful version of themselves, and Makeup Locker is dedicated to making that a reality. Using Charlotte Tilbury and other high-end brands, they're committed to insuring your make-up lasts for the duration of your wedding day and evening.

ANNE MORGAN JEWELLERY SPRING EXHIBITION

Anne Morgan Jewellery prides itself on being the number one location for contemporary jewellery designs and exhibitions, and its Sp-Ring Exhibition 2025 is set to be exactly that. This year, the exhibition features a vibrant mix of established designers and exciting new talent, alongside some returning artists. The event will welcome Boo Jewellery, Chloe Solomon, Claire Quick, Dainty London, Deborah Cadby, Jemma Slade, Lyndsay Fairley, Momocreatura, Natalie Perry, Rebecca Burt, Woodengold, and of course, Anne Morgan herself.

Expert shares how to preserve your wedding bouquet

From weddings and anniversaries to special birthdays and proms, there are some occasions where flowers just mean more and are hard to let go of. Whether you want to decorate your home, create a framed keepsake, or make your own potpourri, drying your flowers is the perfect way to hold on to beautiful memories. The flower experts at Bloom & Wild have shared three easy and effective ways to dry your bouquet at home with no special tools or floristry training required.

Renowned matcha brand PerfectTed launches wedding initiative

If there's one thing every wedding needs, it's energy and lots of it. From early-morning prep to late-night dancing, it's a full- day marathon of emotions, celebrations and unforgettable moments. That's why PerfectTed – Europe's #1 matcha brand – has launched PerfectWed, a new nationwide sampling initiative offering free matcha drinks to selected UK couples tying the knot. As part of the campaign, PerfectTed will send selected couples a curated selection of matcha drinks, including the brand's Healthy Energy cans and matcha lattes for wedding guests to enjoy. The couples will also have the chance to have their wedding speeches professionally filmed and featured in the brand's upcoming Speech Series

LUSH SPA IS READY TO UPLIFT YOU

Lush, known for its revitalising scents and phenomenal products, is offering a new 50-minute facial, Rewilding, at its Cardiff Lush Spa. The luxurious facial utilises hot and cold therapy, facial massages and lymphatic techniques to make the skin appear sculpted and rejuvenated. The quality of your skin is at the forefront of what Lush do, so this facial has been created by its in-house spa development team, achieving maximum results with minimal interference. The Rewilding facial (£125) is available to book now via the app or your local Lush Spa.

Post-Big Day Renovation with BHS

The confetti has settled, the thank-you notes are being written, and the whirlwind of wedding planning is finally over. Now that the excitement of your big day has passed, it's the perfect time to turn your attention to another beautiful chapter: making your shared home truly bespoke to you. Whether you've been living together for years or are just settling into a new rhythm, this post-wedding period is ideal for refreshing your space and infusing it with your combined style as a married couple. And when it comes to affordable yet high-quality lighting and home accessories, BHS is here to help you create the perfect sanctuary.

Penarth Pier Saved the Date

Located on the beautiful esplanade in Penarth and looking out over the Bristol Channel is the iconic Penarth Pier Pavilion, a romantic venue with spectacular sea views for you and your guests to enjoy. First opening in 1929, Penarth Pier Pavilion is an impressive example of Art Deco architecture, with a vaulted main gallery and several charming wedding spaces to choose from. Hosting events throughout the year, the venue offers live music, art exhibitions and workshops.

STAUB Unveils its NEW Sorbet Rose Colourway

Renowned cast iron specialist, STAUB has introduced a new Sorbet Rose colourway to its premium collection of cookware - a soft, elegant shade that reflects the enduring popularity of pink in the kitchen. As homeowners continue to embrace pink-toned cabinetry, small appliances and accessories, Sorbet Rose is a natural addition to STAUB's carefully curated colour range. Bringing a gentle touch of charm to both kitchen and table, Sorbet Rose is perfect for everything from alfresco summer suppers to Valentine's Day brunches. Inspired by the subtle hues of blush pink, this calming, nurturing colour complements a wide variety of palettes - pairing beautifully with natural woods, muted greys, crisp whites, and earthy greens. Its versatile appeal suits both contemporary minimalist kitchens and traditional farmhouse settings, making it a timeless choice for any home.

How I Planned My Wedding Without Losing My Mind (or My Fiancé)

With a whopping 84% admitting they felt overwhelmed in the run-up to the big day, and over a quarter calling it the most stressful time of their lives, it's no wonder many brides hit breaking point before they even walk down the aisle. But help is at hand! Jewellery brand Abbott Lyon spoke to real brides Jacky and Annabelle, who share the wedding day hacks that helped them stay cool, calm, and collected through meltdowns, menu dramas, and mother-in-law madness—proving that bridal bliss is possible, even when the pressure's on.

GOLDEN GROVE IS EXPANDING

Golden Grove is a serene retreat located amongst the rolling Welsh hills and has been a sanctuary for rest and relaxation for many years. The retreat includes a four-bedroom barn, two safari lodges, spa facilities and a spacious yoga studio. It's now expanding its horizons offering the opportunity for couples to get married there. The beautiful surroundings, wellness-focused atmosphere, and intimate location makes for the perfect wedding venue.

Warning to Hen and Stag Parties: Avoid These Common Mistakes

Your wedding is one of the most important days of your life, that's why The Wedding Travel Company has partnered with a former BA flight attendant to give their top tips on travelling for your destination wedding this summer. "Destination weddings are continuing to grow in popularity, with more and more people looking to escape the UK for weddings abroad in areas such as Greece, Italy, Spain and Cyprus. Though planning your wedding can sometimes be demanding, you should be able to enjoy the lead up, feeling as stress-free as possible", explains Kim Deller, Concierge Executive at The Wedding Travel Company.

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.