Jess and Jamie shared their vows at St. Mary Magdalene Church
Jess and Jamie met like most modern couples, online. “We both swiped right on Tinder more than six years ago,” says Jess. “We talked for a few months before deciding to meet in Swansea, which was halfway between where we both lived. We instantly clicked and ended up taking for hours while we walked the length of Swansea marina and bay.”
Jamie popped the question on New Year’s Day in 2019. “He had asked for my mother’s blessing the summer before and had managed to keep it secret for a while,” shares the bride. “It nearly wasn’t a surprise as Jamie accidentally messaged my family group chat that morning to say he was about to propose! Luckily I didn’t see the message, so he quickly deleted it after my mum pointed out that I was in the group chat. He dressed up in a tux and covered it with a trench coat, so I wouldn’t notice, and we went for a walk to Porthcawl Common. We sat on the beach, and he asked me to take a photo of him and our dog, Odin. He walked to the cliff’s edge and put a white collar and bow tie on Odin to match his tux, then took his coat off and walked towards me. Much to my surprise, he got down on one knee and asked me to marry him.”
WINNERS OF THE NATIONAL PUB & BAR AWARDS 2026 ANNOUNCED
The winners of the National Pub & Bar Awards 2026 were recently announced, with establishments in Wales, Oxfordshire and beyond. In total, 94 County Winners were announced, as well as Highly Commended venues for each area. Regional Wiinners were announced for every region across the UK. Pub Group of the Year went to Caledonian Heritable, and Bar Group of the Year was won by German bier haus brand Albert's Schloss. The Tyrrells Tyrrellbly Good Taste Award – presented by the event's headline sponsor – was awarded to The Welldiggers Arms in Petworth, West Sussex. The Industry's Choice Award is voted for by hundreds of people from across the sector and, once again, went to The Devonshire in Soho, London.
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Henley Festival names Cardiff-raised Adjua winner of Audi Presents RISE Music Award
Henley Festival Presented by Hemani has announced Welsh-Ghanaian artist Adjua as the first-ever recipient of the Audi Presents RISE Music Award – an initiative created to champion and accelerate emerging music talent. The inaugural award marks a significant new chapter for Henley Festival's charitable RISE programme, which was established to support the next generation of creatives across music, visual art and backstage production. Through the partnership, Audi and Henley Festival will provide breakthrough artists with performance opportunities, mentoring, professional guidance, and access to influential networks within the music industry. Adjua will perform at this year's Henley Festival from the 8th - 12th July, bringing her distinctive indie-grunge R&B sound – infused with Afro and funk influences – to the festival audience.
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RSVPing 'YES' to multiple weddings? Here's how to budget!
Attending weddings can be a joyous occasion, but it can also be expensive, particularly if you're invited to more than one over the course of the year. Costs such as new outfits, travel and accommodation, and gifts mean the overall expense of attending can quickly add up. Duncan Fortune, Head of Commercial at Tesco Bank, says: "Wedding season can be a significant expense for households. Planning ahead and setting a dedicated budget for celebrations can help spread the cost over several months, allowing people to make the most of the celebrations while keeping their finances on track."
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How to treat the father-of-the-bride this Father's Day
Father's Day is the perfect excuse to celebrate the father of the bride. After all, he's been there through the wedding planning, the emotional speeches, the last-minute panics and probably more than a few budget discussions too. Whether the wedding has already happened or it's still to come, Father's Day is a brilliant opportunity to show him just how much he's appreciated. If you're looking to do something a little more exciting than buying another novelty mug or pair of socks, wedding experts The Stag Company share their favourite experiences that can make the day feel extra special.
