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

Your planning helping hand from Wedding Regency

Alongside her existing wedding packages, wedding planner Samantha Smart from Wedding Regency has launched two new packages bringing the total offer up to five. The Consultation and Management Package is perfect for couples who'd like full wedding support, but their budget doesn't permit. "I can support couples in their planning and give them hints and tips on how to find their own suppliers, what to look out for and questions they should ask," Samantha explains. "I'm present on their wedding day too to follow their guidance and ensure everything runs smoothly." Also, available is a Consultation Only option. This is ideal for those who want to DIY their wedding.

Old Bridge offers a glorious backdrop to your big day

This 16th-century manor and mature gardens provide a glorious backdrop to your special day. Built in the local honey-coloured ham stone, the house is close to the venue's marquee and is integral to the whole ambience. The gardens, available for guests to enjoy, are dominated by a massive 400-year-old sweet chestnut tree, from which there hangs a triple seat swing where you can capture some memorable photos with your photographer. The venue is also blessed with formal lawns, rose beds and colourful borders. In addition there's a wooded area with gravel paths and a small stream flowing past weeping willows, and all the mature trees are up-lit at night.

Platinum Spas interviews Love Island star Amy Hart

Platinum Spas caught up with Series 5 Love Islander Amy Hart to discuss her well-being routines; from fitness and wedding goals to diet plans, as well as her average screen time, and how she switches off with just a month to go until she gets married. Starting with well-being and fitness, what are your current go-to fitness routines? "So, I'm obviously getting married in September, I'm currently shredding for the wedding, but I just had that awful viral cough that was going around, so I haven't been able to go to the gym for 6 weeks, but I actually went back today for my first PT session back. I did a bit of legs, and I'm working with a PT, I'm also trying to get out walking every day with my little boy in the pram, and then I've got this app called Sweat with Kayla – I've had it for years.

The Old Milking Parlour in Somerset lies within easy reach of Dorset and Wiltshire

The Old Milking Parlour lies in an idyllic rural setting in the grounds of Cavokay House, near the village of Henstridge, Somerset, which also puts it within easy reach of Dorset and Wiltshire. The venue is, as the name implies, an old farm milking parlour. Parts of the building date back to around 1730 and cow chains still hang from the stone walls helping it to retain its old world, rustic charm. The team also have a large and ever-growing selection of styling props available to their couples at no extra cost. But that's not all as they also offer planning support, venue visits for planning purposes and on-theday coordination.

Barley Wood is a stunning 19th-century house on the edge of Bristol

A stunning 19th-century house located on the very edge of Bristol in rural Wrington, the venue boasts nine beautifully decorated bedrooms, five bathrooms – each with roll-top baths, and a kitchen and dining space for a relaxing stay over the course of your wedding weekend. With exclusive use of the house from Friday to Sunday, you can really take in the history and charm of Barley Wood in your own time. Benefiting from 11 acres of grounds with remarkable views across to the Mendip Hills, Barley Wood offers an incredible backdrop to your big day. From exploring the woodland to taking in the vista, this is a wonderful place to enjoy the great outdoors.

Labour's plan to legalise humanist weddings

We are deep in the midst of wedding season. Whether you're attending as a guest, or planning your own, you will probably be taking note of the special moments, and how each couple make their wedding truly their own, and reflective of their relationship. Joanna Newton is a Partner at Stowe Family Law and explains what the proposal in law changes could mean... Over the past two decades, humanist wedding ceremonies (which is a wedding that is non-religious ceremony) have soared in popularity. The most recent statistics from 2020 are from Humanists UK and reveal that humanist weddings have increased by a huge 266% since 2004.

Batch Country House, a comfortable home with a traditional farm house feel

A comfortable home with a traditional farmhouse feel, Batch Country House boasts cosy lounge areas and ample space. An exclusive-use venue it only hosts one wedding per day. The venue's beautiful, award winning landscaped gardens overlook the Mendip Hills, and you'll find plenty of water features dotted around including ponds, waterfalls and fountains. Plus, the outdoor photo opportunities are endless. Batch Country House is licensed for indoor and outdoor civil ceremonies. Outside, the garden gazebo is available and can seat up to 130 loved ones. Indoor ceremonies are held in the Somerset Suite, the venue's wonderful, converted barn, complete with beams, minster fireplace and hand-crafted oak doors. It can seat up to 120 for the ceremony.

Be uniquely you with a celebrant-led wedding

Very recently, approved venues have reported that the formal set of words for the entire legal marriage ceremony can be as short as nine minutes. "As celebrants, we were shocked but not surprised by this," say Deb Stodgell and Jackie Aldrich from Just Ceremonies. "Couples we speak to are increasingly opting for ceremonies that aren't about the legal words but about cerebrating their journey and love," the duo continue. "A ceremony where anything can be included, no restrictions. Where vows can be completely rewritten ensuring the occasion is meaningful and memorable. These personalised ceremonies focus on making the most of the experience, engaging not just the couple but the entire wedding group.

New beginnings for the iconic Francis Hotel in Bath

The iconic Francis Hotel in Bath is set to undergo a major £13million refurbishment, promising to breathe new life into this much-loved landmark. As one of the first Georgian buildings to be built in Bath, the Hotel was once home to 18th-century architect John Wood the Elder who was the inspiration behind the first Georgian stone buildings of Queen Square, the Royal Crescent, and The Circus. It has been a huge part of Bath's history ever since. Working with award-winning interior designers 3DReid, the design concept planned for the Hotel and all 98 bedrooms will take inspiration from the Georgian era while appreciating all the modern amenities and touches that today's traveller expects.

From big celebrations to budget savvy: the changing face of UK weddings

At a time of rising costs and changing perspectives, is the sound of wedding bells as tempting as it once was? To find out, Legal & General polled more than 2,000 married and engaged couples to see if they opted for a big wedding – or a big rethink. A 2024 survey revealed the average cost of a UK wedding has risen to £20,700, marking a 12.5% increase from £18,400 in 2022. Despite this, our survey found that couples typically budget much less, with the average amount set aside being just under £9,000 (£8,997.32). There was also a stark difference in wedding budgets across generations. Younger couples, particularly those aged 16-24, budget an average of £14,937 for their special day, while those over 55 set aside £4,614.

Top tips to get to sleep before your wedding

Pre-wedding jitters cause a large number of brides and grooms to struggle to get to sleep. Upcoming nuptials, even if a positive stress, can be a leading cause of sleepless nights. Sleep expert Dr Deborah Lee gives advice to those Brides- to- be who are struggling in the lead- up to their big day, and gives top tips on how to improve their sleep. As a bride, you face an immense amount of stress, especially in the final days that countdown to your wedding. With plenty of last minute preparations that are trying to please everyone, it's easy to let yourself get swept up and forget to prioritise your sleep. Sleep expert Dr Deborah Lee from Doctor Fox, has partnered with Get Laid Beds to share FIVE expert tips to ensure you wake up on your wedding day like a princess, feeling refreshed and radiant, and not like a bridezilla.

Alcohol-free options for weddings with Mocktails

For those looking for booze-free options this wedding season, Mocktails Uniquely Crafted, is the non-alcoholic premium cocktail brand perfect for big-day guests! The alcohol-free, ready-to-drink beverages are perfect for those looking to offer a range of beverages at their wedding. Mocktails showcase a delectable collection of flavours, each carefully crafted with the finest ingredients, spices, and botanicals sourced from around the world. Mockarita - A zesty twist on the classic Margarita. Notes of lime, quinine and acacia flower with a refreshingly tart finish. Here at County Wedding Magazines HQ we're finding it hard to choose our favourite... Mocksow Mule anyone?

Autumnal fragrances from Woodwick and Yankee Candle

Connect to nature with scents and colours drawn from the breathtaking outdoors with the cosy new Autumn collection from Yankee Candle®, Cottage Getaway. Inspired by the nostalgic roots of outdoor adventures, and the natural beauty of our world, the collection seeks to spark creativity and inspiration, whilst bringing family and friends together. Launching in August 2024, the collection includes three warming fragrances, Woodland Weekend Memories, Pumpkin Cinnamon Swirl, and Afternoon Scrapbooking. This comforting selection of candles is perfect for reliving cherished moments at home as the late summer falls away and the new season settles n. Relax into Autumn with fragrances that ignite the senses, whilst the bright greens fade from the leaves and dusk draws in earlier by the day.

CWM partnership with Maya Deluxe and Dower & Hall for an exciting prize giveaway!

County Wedding Magazines has teamed up with Maya Deluxe and Dower & Hall for an exciting prize giveaway for our reader and social media followers! If you like or follow all three brands on either Facebook or Instagram, you'll be in with a chance of winning a £350 Dower & Hall gift voucher which can be redeemed online, as well as a £250 gift voucher for Maya Deluxe – that's jewellery and bridesmaids sorted for your wedding day leaving you more time and more budget to crack on with the rest of the wedding planning. Read on to find out more details about the brands and how to enter!

Instant photos make for lasting memories!

poignant keepsake for guests or a photo album. Instant photos make for lasting memories! The INSTAX mini 12 (£79.99) is the perfect product for guest use. Place on tables or dot them around the venue to allow for guests to personalise their memories, and most importantly, take them home. The INSTAX mini Evo (£174.99) is another great option for capturing what's important. The retro-themed exterior is fitting for those vintage-themed weddings – place next to the guest book so photos can be added straight in. The INSTAX SQUARE (£129.99) is a modern option for those photographic keepsakes. Connect the devise to phones and print polaroid straight from the camera roll. Instant photos are irreplaceable.

Hestercombe Gardens: a wedding venue with a view

The historical buildings at Hestercombe have plenty of wow factor and offer unrivalled views across the glorious Edwardian gardens and beyond to the imposing Blackdown Hills. The venue features no less than 50 acres of lovingly restored gardens, representing three centuries of work and featuring lakes, cascades, temples, rills, shade-dappled pathways, and romantic corners. The beautiful scenery is tended by a team of skilled gardeners all year round providing a very special setting indeed for any big day. Ceremonies can be held in The Orangery for up to 90 loved ones. A beautiful light-filled setting, this iconic ham-stone building was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens, and offers the ideal backdrop whatever your theme.

Elope in style - expert advice

Couples are rewriting the script on what it means to say "I do". Over the past 12 months, searches for 'elopement weddings UK' are up +83%, 'elopement wedding packages UK' increased by +85%, and 'intimate weddings UK' have grown by +89%¹. This has highlighted a clear demand amongst couples for intimate weddings. To find out what has motivated this trend, wedding decoration experts at Ginger Ray have conducted a survey of those engaged and in the midst of planning an elopement to see what their special day will look like. Why are elopements becoming more popular? Topping the list of factors driving couples towards intimate weddings is the quest to manage expenses. More than a third (32%) of respondents highlighted financial constraints as the primary factor influencing their decision to opt for a smaller celebration.

Say yes to saving for the big day - Top tips from Rathbones

Top tips from Kindar Brown, Senior Financial Planner at Rathbones Group Plc on budgeting together for the important day. A wedding is the beginning of a new chapter and likely one of the most important days of your life. While the day itself should be full of joy and stress free, a lot of our time and money goes into pre-wedding planning, to make sure this is the case. The cost of living crisis and sticky inflation are impacting prices across the board and wedding suppliers are no exception. For those gearing up for their wedding day, Kindar shares her top tips for anyone putting a budget together for that important day.

Guest list wish list

Your Bristol & Somerset Wedding editor Kelly Andrews discusses how to streamline that all-important guest list into the perfect intimate wedding version. One of the toughest parts of planning an intimate wedding is narrowing down the guest list. After all, deciding just who makes it into the very select group is an important decision; presumably the reason you've opted for intimate is that you don't want to invite Uncle Tom Cobley and all so be careful not to jeopardise that vision. Start by thinking about those you can't envision your day without. Think of those people who've had a positive impact on your life and your relationship.

Most popular TikTok wedding car revealed

Gone are the days of a horse-drawn carriage or a Rolls Royce pulling up to the wedding chapel, now it's all about modern cars! Couples across the UK are planning their dream weddings, with a twist. Searches for 'modern wedding cars' have surged by 60% in the last month according to Google Trends, signalling a shift from traditional vintage choices to sleek, contemporary vehicles that add a touch of modern elegance to the special day. ATS Euromaster, the tyre, MOT and vehicle services provider, has analysed TikTok hashtags and trends to reveal the changing popularity of wedding cars, both vintage and modern. Additionally, ATS has estimated rental costs for three-hour periods to help couples choose the perfect car for their special day.