Editor loves and inspiration

I love the statement shoulder ruffle on this elegant Rosa Clara gown, Abigail. Find this and more tiered layers and cascading ruffles creating a sensatition this season in the current issue.

Your Somerset, Glos & Wilts Wedding is free to download at www.yoursomersetglosandwilts.wedding

Over in this issue's outdoor weddings feature, we've put together three moodboards for you to inspire if you're planning an al fresco day. Check out our Rustic Romance, English Country Garden and Festival Vibes themes.

I love this forest set up at The Woods at Oakley (https://thewoodsatoakley.co.uk) - oh so ethereal.

Download the current issue free at www.yoursomersetglosandwilts.wedding/free-download

“Start your journey by exploring as many different venues as possible,” says Steph, weddings manager at Wookey Hole (www.wookey.co.uk). “As you visit various locations, you'll know when you've found the match for your vision. Embrace this time as an opportunity to dream big and gather ideas.”

For more planning tips and our what to do when timeline, check out our Planning SOS feature from page 49 of the Apr/May25 issue. It's free to download at www.yoursomersetglosandwilts.wedding/free-download

Being best friends with Andrew's sister, Tiffany had known him for years. But it wasn't until the time of the pandemic that they found themselves spending more time together and realised how similar they were and how much they had in common. “We definitely bonded over our love of food,” Tiffany says. “I was drawn to his kind heart, humour, strong family values and his amazing smile. He tells me he was attracted to my fun and energetic personality, my natural beauty and my incredible culinary skills!”

While on a short break in Paris with his family, Andrew decided it was time to propose. The group were enjoying a visit to the Tuileries Garden, next to the Louvre, when Andrew's mum pretended she was tired and took the rest of the family away to a local cafe, leaving the couple alone. The two proceeded to take a walk through the beautiful Parisian park and when they came across a quiet spot, Andrew dropped to one knee and popped the question, much to Tiffany's surprise.

When the couple visited Fonthill Estate they fell in love with Bake Barn. “It's in a stunning location with beautiful views giving it the wow factor we were looking for,” Tiffany explains. “It was the perfect size for the number of guests and has an amazing industrial chef's kitchen for our caterers to work their magic.” Tiffany and Andrew also had their hearts set on a big party during the evening and found they'd be able to do so without being restricted by an early curfew. “Many venues had a midnight cut off, whereas our wedding didn't finish until after 2am,” the bride tells us.

To find out more about the big day, head over to the Apr/May 25 issue of Your Somerset, Glos & Wilts Wedding, free to download at www.yoursomersetglosandwilts.wedding/free-download

Jemima and Nathanael met at church when Jemima moved to Salisbury. They were both invited to lunch by a family from there, which was the first time they met. It also happened to be Nathanael's birthday!

Nathanael proposed on his birthday two years to the day since that first meeting. They'd both booked the day off work and decided to go for a very rainy, windy walk near Hengistbury Head. An hour into their stroll at the top of the Head, Nathanael got down on one knee and asked Jemima to marry him. “I knew a proposal was coming soon, but I wasn't 100 per cent sure when,” Jemima says. “The moment felt very special.”

Unfortunately, their own church wasn't quite big enough to host all of their nearest and dearest, so the couple decided to say “I do” at Salisbury Baptist Church. The main hall is upstairs, while the downstairs was perfect for their afternoon tea wedding breakfast following the ceremony. When they viewed the church for the fi rst time, they took their fl orist with them to discuss adorning the venue and putting together their vision. “It made me excited to see it all come together,” Jemima remembers.

To find out more about the couple's big day, head over to the Apr/May25 issue of Your Somerset, Glos & Wilts Wedding. Download it free at www.yoursomersetglosandwilts.wedding/free-download

Victoria and David were introduced by a mutual friend at a pub in Saltford back in 2010 and immediately clicked. “We're like chalk and cheese but agree we bring out the best in each other,” Victoria shares. “I'm calm, sensible and sensitive, whereas Dave is adventurous, spontaneous and full of energy... it just works!”

The couple love nothing more than paying a visit to The National Trust, Dyrham Park every spring to see the beautiful tulips. This is where David chose to propose. “It was a complete surprise,” Victoria remembers. “I thought he was out shopping for a last-minute Mother's Day gift for our daughters to give to me the following day, however he was actually asking my dad for my hand in marriage. I even called my mum that morning and complained that he'd popped out at such an inconvenient time – little did I know he was with them!”

Berwick Lodge was the one venue the couple came away from saying: “This is it!” The house, grounds and accommodation all won them over. “The initial meeting with Georgia and the rest of the team sold Berwick to us,” Victoria remembers. “We loved the fact that everything could be taken care of, and nothing was too much trouble. Berwick Lodge is absolute gem! It's classy, but also has a warm, boutique, quirky feel.” There were a few vital items on their checklist. As David's mum is disabled, they needed a venue that could accommodate her needs. Plus, as the couple have two children, they wanted somewhere with various spaces to cater for guests' varying needs during the day.

Happily, Berwick Lodge ticked every box for them, so they wasted no time in securing their date, 29th March 2024. To find out more about their big day download the Apr/May25 issue of Your Somerset, Glos & Wilts Wedding free at www.yoursomersetglosandwilts.wedding/free-download

Emma and Terence met in Qatar, where they both live. They met on Bumble but soon discovered they shared mutual friends through their passion for sport and dance.

Terence proposed in the Maldives. He struggled to choose an exact location, since everywhere on the island is stunning. However, he found the perfect moment, while Emma was watching the sharks, fascinated by them. As the sun set with the ocean as his backdrop, he popped the question.

At the top of the couple's venue wish list was somewhere with character that was available for exclusive use throughout the entire weekend. They discovered Brympton House, booked the date for 26th October 2024 and never looked back.

Find out more about their big day in the Apr/May25 issue of Your Somerset, Glos & Wilts Wedding, free to download at www.yoursomersetglosandwilts.wedding/free-download

Clare Lloyd is a British bridal accessory designer and jeweller based in Frome, Somerset. She hand-makes a range of beautiful and intricate hair accessories and jewellery inspired by all things floral and botanical. “Using recycled precious metals with sustainably and ethically sourced materials, I create exquisite future heirlooms,” she says. Clare also welcomes bespoke and custom orders.

Find out more about Clare along with plenty more tips for looking your big-day best in the Feb/Mar25 issue. Download it now, free at www.yoursomersetglosandwilts.wedding/free-download

Cynthia Green was born in Bolton and her illustrious 27-year-long career as a celebrant and registrar is peppered with firsts. She conducted the first same sex civil partnership ceremony in 2005 and made history by leading the UK's first opposite sex civil partnership at midnight in 2014. She has also conducted the first and only ever Scientology wedding. To date, Cynthia has married more than 20,000 couples.

Find out more: download the Jan/Feb25 issue of Your Cheshire & Merseyside Wedding free at www.yoursomersetglosandwilts.wedding/free-download

“The timing of food at weddings is often different from when people are accustomed to eating. With the sit-down meal often not being until late afternoon, your guests will need some post-ceremony sustenance,” explains Jo Cranston from Queen & Whippet. “We recommend serving canapés as soon as guests arrive at the reception, alongside a selection of thirst-quenching non-alcoholic drinks in addition to the Champagne. Our canapés are designed to be substantial and self-contained; juggling leftover skewers and spoons is a pain for guests, so we don't use them. Canapés are a wonderful opportunity to add a personal touch to your reception. We create bespoke options that reference the couple's shared tastes and travels, which can be a great talking point for your guests. Recently, we've designed burrata and truffle cones for a couple who met in Rome and bite-sized empanadas for a Brazilian groom.”

For more foodie words of wisdom, check out our catering feature in the Feb/Mar25 issue of Your Somerset, Glos & Wilts Wedding, free to download at www.yoursomersetglosandwilts.wedding/free-download