Your Somerset Glos and Wilts Wedding news and ideas from around the county

Best of British at The Elder, Bath

The Elder, located within Hotel Indigo Bath, has launched a seven-course set menu showcasing the best of British wild food. With the expertise and passion of restaurateur Mike Robinson and executive chef Liam Goldstone at the helm, The Elder has now elevated its outstanding offering to new heights with an exciting new chapter for the award-winning restaurant. The constantly changing menu is a celebration of seasonality, featuring ingredients sourced locally with a focus on sustainability. The Elder's commitment to using wild, sustainable ingredients remains at the core of their ethos. Mike Robinson is incredibly passionate about the subject and owns an ethical venison company called Deer Box, which provides the restaurant with wild venison from estates within and hour of Bath.

The wedding team at The Old Milking Parlour tell us why wedding insurance is worth considering

When you're in that happy bubble of wedding planning, the concept of things going wrong are far from the beautiful, happy, fun filled vision that you have in your head for your wedding day. And, don't worry. Most weddings do happen without major problems. But from time to time, things happen that you can't control. And with the average cost of a 2023 wedding in the U.K. at more than £20,000 and 65% of couples spending more than £15,000 on their wedding (Source: Hitched). Obtaining wedding insurance is a sensible way to protect yourself from the financial impact of some unforeseen events. We decided to do a little research into wedding insurance.

Mini-break pawfection with PoB Hotels

We know how much you love your fur babies, so we thought it would interest you to know that PoB Hotels, a distinguished collection of properties across the UK offer unparalleled elegance and historical charm for stays with four legged companions. Located within 20 acres of beautiful gardens, Homewood Hotel & Spa is a superb dog-friendly destination just outside Bath, Somerset. Offering privacy, serenity, and luxury, it's the perfect retreat for travellers with furry friends. Upon arrival, dogs receive a Woof Box filled with Lily's Kitchen food, treats, and a ball, along with dog beds and bowls. The hotel has a dog agility zone to keep pets active and entertained.

Lazy afternoons at The Queens Hotel in Cheltenham

The garden at The Queens Hotel in Cheltenham has now reopened with a delicious new al fresco dining menu and an exciting programme of events including live music, prosecco on tap and bottomless afternoon tea. The garden provides an outdoor sanctuary in the heart of historic Cheltenham, it's the perfect place for friends to meet over delicious food in the sunshine. The new al fresco menu serves a mix of nibbles, small plates, fresh salads, and burgers, with highlight dishes such as the Royal Burger or smoked salmon bao buns. The menu also includes a range of delectable small plates such as tomato arancini, mussel linguini, chicken skewers or baked feta filo, perfect for sharing.

What's top of your wedding gift list?

Amid the joyful chaos of peak wedding season, wedding guests seek to find the perfect gift for you, the happy couple. The ideal wedding gift idea should reflect your unique style, personal preferences, and shared joyful experiences. Finding the perfect present is no easy feat! With this in mind, wedding gift-giving experts at Graham and Green have surveyed 1,500 engaged and married couples to uncover the most desired wedding gifts from their home and interiors. Perhaps it will inspire you when putting your own gift list together. Bedding is the top choice. The survey revealed that bedding is the most desired wedding gift among newlyweds, with one in six of those surveyed agreeing bedspreads and quilts were their ideal gift.

Time for tea at The Manor House

At The Manor House, set in the heart of Castle Coombe, guests can indulge in a decadent, homemade afternoon tea for two (or more), served on a tiered cake stand with a glamorous sense of tradition and occasion. Your afternoon tea is enjoyed in the Bybrook restaurant or one of the stunning lounges. This quintessentially English pastime, which dates back to the 19th century, features an essential selection of Shibui blends, single-estate teas, and infusions from India, China, and England to suit every taste. Savouries, typically in the form of sandwiches, are taken first, followed by warm scones accompanied by clotted cream and strawberry jam. The crowning glory of the experience is the array of divine pastries and cakes.

Make sure your wedding day is protected! 

When you're planning a wedding, getting insured is important to protect yourself against anything that could go awry just before, or on the big day. For those aiming to tie the knot this year, Alex Cross, Insurance Director at Tesco Bank shares his top tips on things to consider for your wedding day and make sure you're covered so things can run as smoothly as possible. Weddings can be a pricey affair, with the average cost of a UK wedding in 2024 coming in at around £20,755. Knowing the total cost of your wedding and how much you're spending on each element of your big day is crucial before choosing your insurance policy. Identifying any big-ticket expenses that you'll want covered should anything go wrong, such as venues, caterers, photographers, or dresses is also key. This can also help you decide if standard insurance policies will be enough or if you'll need something more specific or customised.

How to avoid pre-nups becoming a wedding alarm bell

As one of the most popular seasons for wedding proposals approaches, couples are being reminded to factor pre-nuptials into their plans well ahead of the big day. No longer associated with the rich and famous, people from all walks of life and finance levels are entering into nuptial agreements. And often it's not the couples themselves who initiate the idea to enter into a nuptial agreement, it can often be suggested by their parents. "It's becoming more common for couples to take out an agreement because their parents have helped them financially more than perhaps, they did 5 to 10 years ago," said Sally Ward, a Senior Associate solicitor in Family Law at leading law firm, Ellisons Solicitors.

Donations instead of wedding gifts - support VOW for Girls

From unconventional venues to unique attire choices, modern couples are redefining what it means to celebrate love. But what if one of these unique touches could mean helping change the lives of millions of girls around the world? This is where VOW for Girls steps in. Founded by Princess Mabel van Orange of the Netherlands, a serial entrepreneur for social change and founder of VOW for Girls, this unique charity aims to tackle the urgent issue of child marriage through a creative and powerful funding method. Instead of the usual wedding day traditions, VOW for Girls invites couples to use their special day as a force for good. By saying 'I do,' couples can empower millions of young girls to say 'I do' to a brighter future.

Boogie Wonderland: Our A-Z of wedding entertainment ideas

Take the hard work out of sourcing your wedding entertainment. Alice from entertainment booking service Entertainment Nation says, "How you want your day to feel is the most important factor when nailing your wedding entertainment. If you imagine a serene atmosphere with elegant musical backdrops, a string quartet, singing guitarist or instrumentalist would be ideal to keep the drinks and chatter flowing. However, if something quiet and understated isn't your vibe and you want everyone dancing and singing like no one's watching, a pop, indie or rock band is a no-brainer. Perhaps a funky soul and disco band would go down a treat with you soul music lovers!

Winter wedding colour trends set to dominate 2024 & 2025

The date has been set, the invitations are out. Have you planned a winter wedding for this season and are still looking for inspiration for your decorations? Trend expert Ella Citron-Thompkins from Diamonds Factory tells us which five colour schemes are ideal...Ice Princess: silver, white, blue, grey: For those who prefer classic elegance, the "Ice Princess" colour scheme is perfect. The cool colour palette of silver, white, blue and grey creates an elegant, frosty look and adds a touch of fairytale magic to your winter wedding. Crystal clear accents such as ice crystals, sparkling fairy lights and shimmering decorations fit perfectly and create a magical, almost arctic atmosphere.

Raise a toast alcohol-free

Vino Zero has launched in the midst of increasing demand for no-alcohol wines. Intially focsing on the South West, Vino Zero has been established to offer the hospitality industry, specialist retailers and consumers direct premium dealcoholised wines, which truly represent the best of those available. With one in three consumers now looking for a non-alcoholic option, Vino Zero's mission is to support its sales partners in expanding their choices of premium no and low alcohol. While it's a booming market category, the wine element has been behind the curve. The basis for any good wine is excellent grapes, and no or low wine is no different.

Orchardleigh Estate is a family-owned country estate in the heart of Somerset

Nestled amid 500 acres of parkland and lakes is Orchardleigh Estate, a family-owned country estate in the heart of Somerset. Orchardleigh boasts a beautiful 19th-century stately home, romantic island church, 18- hole golf course and plenty of luxurious accommodation. Couples can enjoy Orchardleigh House and grounds exclusively for the duration of their day complete with plenty of stunning backdrops for photographs. Wedding packages are tailored to the individual and, if desired, couples can indulge in a three-day wedding experience at the estate meaning there's no need to rush off after the wedding night.

Top tips for a happy marriage

Victoria Walker, family lawyer and partner at Moore Barlow gives her top tips for a happy marriage! A happy marriage is built on a foundation of effective communication, love and mutual respect. Here are my essential tips to strengthen your partnership and foster lasting happiness. Wishing you all the best for your hopefully happy ever after. Before getting married... Don't rush! Take your time to really get to know the person. Ensuring that you both share similar or complementary aspirations is key. I've encountered couples where one person desired early retirement or to work overseas while the other was not in agreement, leading to irreconcilable differences and the end of the relationship. There have also been instances where one partner was satisfied with a simple and less demanding lifestyle, while the other was not. Qualities that were initially endearing might become sources of frustration later on.

Experience a historical, magical location for your wedding day at Wookey Hole Caves

Wookey Hole Caves offers you an unforgettable wedding in a historical, magical location in the heart of the Mendip Hills. Take your vows in a spectacular chamber surrounded by clear pools that have been carved out by the River Axe over millions of years. This really is a venue with a difference. The three breathtaking cave chambers are perfect for ceremonies with the largest accommodating up to 110 guests. The space also lends itself to more intimate gatherings for just a few nearest and dearest. In the valley below, you'll find the Grade II listed Paper Mill, which boasts a rich heritage having been at the heart of English paper-making for more than 400 years.

Dine in style at TIIGO, Charlton House

As autumn colours play out, Tiigo will host a series of events from October to year-end, starting with a phenomenal Pan-Asian Tapas-style brunch with bottomless drinks and great music, which will run every Saturday in October from 13:00 – 23:00! The revival of Charlton House is more than just a nod to its former glory – it's a reimagination! Tucked away in the kitchen gardens of a historic English country estate, Tiigo promises a unique and curious experience where the vibrant flavours of the East meet the timeless charm of the 17th-century Charlton House. Within a hair's breadth of the Jacobean chimneystacks and Regency windows, this pan-Asian restaurant and bar radiates a laid-back, tropical atmosphere. Filament lights hang overhead, casting a warm glow on colourful fabrics and unique interior design touches which beckon guests to relax, sip, and savour authentic dishes from around the world.

How to Manifest Anything: practical secrets to turn all your dreams into reality

Renowned manifestation coach and author Victoria Jackson has released her highly anticipated second book, How to Manifest Anything, published on 12th September 2024 by Octopus Books.Following the success of her debut book, "Manifesting For Beginners," Victoria returns with an essential guide that answers the most pressing questions about manifestation. "How to Manifest Anything" is written with Victoria's signature 'agony aunt' concept, providing a practical, dip-in-and-out collection of the most popular and recurring questions people have about manifestation as they incorporate it into their daily lives. Whether you're wondering how to manifest your soulmate, attract financial abundance, secure your dream job, or troubleshoot delayed manifestations, this book offers the guidance you need.

Discover your dream wedding at Somerset wedding fair

An award-winning Somerset wedding venue will be opening its doors this month to happy couples from across the county and beyond, for its highly anticipated wedding fair. The Somerset Wedding Show by WOW Wedding Shows, is taking place at Orchardleigh Estate, near Frome, on Sunday, September 22, from 11am until 3pm. Hosted at the stunning 500-acre Orchardleigh Estate, the fair offers an opportunity to explore all the estate has to offer, from its stately home and enchanting island church to its breath-taking gardens and lakeside locations. As well as taking inspiration from more than 50 Somerset wedding suppliers.

Look your big-day best with Eyedo Makeup

Based in Somerset but covering the whole South West and internationally, Eyedomakeup offers nearly 30 years experience in the industry, initially with top cosmetic companies before working freelance. What's more, Eyedomakeup is proud to support LGBTQ and is confident in Asian, Black and Indian make-up. Make-up artist behind Eyedomakeup, Jane Dare, says: "My work features regularly in Your Bristol and Somerset Wedding magazine, having secured two front covers and often share top tips in the Beauty Q&A feature. "I work regularly with photographers offering portrait shoot work, and supporting venues with marketing opportunities." Eyedomakeup offers a five-star professional service, tailor-making looks for every individual.

Advice from a divorce lawyer before your wedding day

As a divorce lawyer, one of the things that Joanna Farrands, a family lawyer and partner at Moore Barlow, helps couples soon to be married with is a prenuptial agreement. Here, she shares her advice... "These are increasingly common and popular as a way of considering your finances and future ahead of the wedding. Now, these can sometimes have a bad reputation. Some people dismiss them as they aren't the most romantic gesture, but in reality, a prenuptial agreement with your partner is a sensible, practical thing, and the conversations you have when going through it can make your relationship even stronger.