Editor loves and inspiration

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

Captured at Northover Manor Hotel in Illchester by Infinity Photography, this shoot gives us all the romantic vibes of a glorious winter wedding, complete with nature's seasonal palette of burgundy, oranges, browns and yellows. It was a theme that suited the Hotel's rustic, beamed function space and its 16th-century manor house to perfection.

The team took their inspiration from the venue's 400-year-old horse chestnut tree and gardens, which offer breathtaking views of the Somerset countryside. How could one fail to fall in love with the setting? The day came together with the assistance of some wonderfully talented local suppliers and we're delighted to present the results.

Don't miss the full shoot in the Feb/Mar25 issue of Your Somerset, Glos & Wilts Wedding, free to download at www.yoursomersetglosandwilts.wedding/free-download

Beckie and Michael met while working together at The Sidcot Arms, Winscombe. Michael was head chef and Beckie worked front of house. They both lived in the hotel and Michael would knock on Beckie's door to wake her up for 6am shifts and gave her cuddles in the kitchen to warm her up on cold winter mornings. Soon, they fell in love.

Michael proposed in 2021 after receiving an ultimatum from Beckie: propose by the end of the year or else, even though she didn't really have an 'or else' planned! He was cutting it fine waiting until November, but what a romantic time of year. The couple planned a trip to Germany for Michael's birthday, visiting Beckie's brother and nephew while they were there and taking in the amazing Christmas markets. “I was sure he was going to propose while we were there, but he says he couldn't find the right moment,” Beckie shares. So, the day they came home, he took her to their favourite restaurant, Miller & Carter, and eventually popped the question there very quietly so as not to cause embarrassment!

The couple chose to tie the knot at St Andrews Church, Cheddar, where Beckie was Christened. The “I dos” were followed by celebrations at Draycott Memorial Hall in order to keep costs down and really put their own stamp on the blank canvas it offered.

The date was set for 21st September 2024. Find out more in the Feb/Mar25 issue of Your Somerset, Glos & Wilts Wedding. Download it now for free at www.yoursomersetglosandwilts.wedding/free-download

The Barn at Berkeley is a charming family-owned wedding venue, renowned for its restaurant-standard food and stunning rural location. This quintessentially Cotswolds destination is a popular choice for exclusive hire and the team behind this hidden gem have recently released additional availability for 2026 and 2027.

Find out more at www.thebarnatberkeley.co.uk

Catch up on the latest from around the county with our Nearlywed News pages. Download the Feb/Mar25 issue free at www.yoursomersetglosandwilts.wedding/free-download

Kate met The Honourable Hilary Wise, or Hils as he's known to her, through mutual friends. “He has a good sense of humour, and genuinely cares for people,” she tells us. When he proposed to her at home in 2023, it was a complete surprise. They followed her “yes” with a celebratory trip to London where lots of surprises had been arranged for her including dinner at the chef's table at Gordon Ramsey's Lucky Cat and a theatre trip to see Dirty Dancing.

The couple were attracted to Dunkertons' relaxed and warm, informal atmosphere, so they booked it for 22nd November 2024 to celebrate their big day.

To find out more, download the Feb/Mar25 issue of Your Somerset, Glos and Wilts Wedding, free at https://www.yoursomersetglosandwilts.wedding/free-download