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

Behind the Seams: Bridal Designer Brooke Curling of By Brooke Shares the Bespoke Wedding Dress Process

If you're dreaming of a wedding dress that's truly one-of-a-kind, a bespoke bridal gown could be the perfect choice. We spoke to Chippenham-based designer Brooke Curling of By Brooke, who gave us a behind-the-scenes look at the custom dressmaking process. From your initial consultation—where ideas, fabrics, and fit are discussed—right through to the final fitting, every detail is tailored to you. If boutique collections aren't quite hitting the mark, going bespoke ensures your gown reflects your personality, style, and wedding vision. Watch your dream dress take shape as a toile is created and adjusted to flatter your figure. With expert guidance at every step, you'll end up with a gown that's as unique as your love story—and one you'll feel proud to wear on your big day.

Happily ever after - making plans for the future

As nearlyweds, you may not be thinking about what happens beyond the end of your natural lives together - that's not the exciting bit - Katharine Bundell, a barrister at 4PB shares advice in this article that could make your loved ones' lives a lot easier if anything happens to you. Death and taxes remain fairly inevitable. On 16th May 2025 the Law Commission published its recommendations on wills and proposed a new statute. This is the first significant reconsideration since the Wills Act 1837 which is still effective today. Life was quite different in 1837. Queen Victoria ascended the throne aged 18 years old. Any property owned by a women on marriage was transferred automatically to her husband. It would be 40 years before Thomas Edison lit up the first electric lightbulb.

The Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa Celebrates Unhurried Luxury with Extended Stays & Unique Experiences

With the growing popularity of the slow travel trend, where travellers are trading packed itineraries and whistle-stop tours for an unhurried, more considered approach to their getaways, the five Red Star, two Michelin-Key Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa is inviting guests to enjoy an extended stay with their Stay Four, Enjoy More offer. Visitors who stay for four nights or more will receive their final night complimentary, allowing them to immerse themselves in all the exciting experiences the hotel has to offer, from hot air ballooning to penny farthing rides, as well as explore the surrounding UNESCO World Heritage city of Bath and its rich array of historic landmarks and stunning landscapes.

Why the bar at your wedding shouldn’t be an afterthought

In the grand orchestration of a wedding, couples often obsess over floral arrangements, lighting design and detailed seating charts. The dress, the photographer, the five-course dinner - each element is painstakingly curated. And yet, one of the most powerful forces behind a wedding's success is consistently left until the eleventh hour: the bar! Let's be honest, it's not often you hear a couple say: "First things first, let's lock in a great bar team." But maybe they should. "You can spend months working on the seating plan or deciding the perfect shade of napkin, but if the bar's giving bored function-room energy, it can all quickly lose its magic," says Luke Shelton-Sharp, co-founder of room two, the London-based cocktail studio and event planner.

The Number Wedding Etiquette Mistakes Guests Make, According To Expert

Picture this: you're scrolling through a friend's wedding photos and spot someone in flip-flops at a black-tie garden party, or worse, a guest in head-to-toe white stealing focus from the bride. Sound familiar? These fashion faux pas happen more often than you'd think at summer weddings. Thanks to outdoor ceremonies and relaxed vibes, many guests assume summer weddings mean anything goes. But according to wedding specialist Nick Bramer from Country House Weddings, a family-run business specialising in exclusive-use wedding venues across the UK, this casual approach often backfires spectacularly.

How Much Should You Really Gift At Weddings In 2025?

Many people are unsure of how much money to give when they attend a wedding, statistics showed Google searches for 'how much money should you give for a wedding gift' soared by a whopping 5,000% in April of 2025 alone and 11% of guests go into debt just to attend a wedding, with the average spend hitting £451. Anita Naik, Savings Expert at VoucherCodes, has broken down exactly what you should spend based on your relationship to the couple, plus clever tricks to make your gift feel luxe on a budget.

Calling all history buffs! Celebrate the Festival of Archaelology at National Turst places in the South West

Looking for a unique escape from wedding planning while indulging your shared love of history? The Festival of Archaeology offers the perfect opportunity to step back in time and explore Britain's rich past. Organised by the Council for British Archaeology, this annual summer celebration is the UK's largest archaeological event. Across National Trust sites in the South West, history lovers can enjoy guided walks, artefact handling, family activities, and even live excavations. Highlights include Chedworth Roman Villa, where you can handle 1,800-year-old artefacts and see rare Roman coins up close, and Dunster Castle, where over 1,000 years of history come to life through surveys and storytelling. Whether you're new to archaeology or a seasoned enthusiast, this festival promises unforgettable, hands-on experiences steeped in heritage.

Hen Party Treats- Big Day Cakes

To begin planning your hen party you need to set a budget first so you can make sure you'll still have enough money to spend on your actual wedding. Once that's decided you need to choose a theme and factor in the cost of the decorations and other things you may buy. You'll also have to create a guest list consisting of only your closest friends before moving onto picking the date, location and some activities to do. In need of some inspiration for what to do at your hen party? There is a variety of options to choose that will fit your fancy venturing from whether you want to do something adventurous like rock climbing or canyoning or perhaps you'd prefer to spend the day calming down and doing something relaxing such as having a spa day or afternoon tea.

How to Beat the Heat: Tips for a Comfortable Summer Wedding

A summer wedding sounds like a dream, and it often is. Long days and gorgeous sunshine can make your big day truly unforgettable. But there's one little guest that always turns up uninvited during summer: the heat. No one wants to be a sweaty mess in their wedding photos but luckily with a bit of planning, you can keep everyone cool and comfortable from start to finish. Leading wedding experts, The Foxy Hen explains how. If you're going for a full-day celebration, think about having the ceremony indoors or under cover, then move the party outside once the sun starts to ease off.

Celebrate Your Wedding in Historic Style: Celebrant-Led Ceremonies at Glastonbury’s Saxon Longhall and Abbey Barn

Looking for a truly unique and historic wedding venue in Somerset? The South West Heritage Trust now offers celebrant-led weddings at two stunning Glastonbury locations: the Saxon Longhall at Avalon Archaeology and the 14th-century Abbey Barn at the Somerset Rural Life Museum. These atmospheric venues provide unforgettable backdrops for personalised ceremonies, ideal for couples seeking non-traditional or multicultural celebrations. The Saxon Longhall offers intimate, fireside vows in a hand-crafted space inspired by Somerset's ancient heritage. For larger gatherings, the Abbey Barn delivers rustic charm and grandeur, once part of the Glastonbury Abbey estate. Perfect for celebrant-led or handfasting ceremonies, these venues are now booking for summer 2025 onwards. Embrace history, romance, and tradition in the heart of Somerset.

Discover The Wellhead: Bristol’s Cozy Harbourside Venue for Weddings and Events

The Wellhead is a stylish and intimate cocktail bar in Bristol city centre, perfectly positioned along the scenic Finzels Reach harbourside. Ideal for wedding receptions, bridal showers, and private events, this independent venue offers both elegant indoor seating and a charming outdoor patio with riverside views. Just a short walk from Bristol Registry Office and Temple Meads station, The Wellhead combines convenience with romance, making it a top choice for city celebrations. Guests can enjoy expertly crafted cocktails from a seasonal menu, with the option to add a fun cocktail masterclass. With space for up to 40 seated or 60 standing guests, and setup managed by the experienced team, The Wellhead delivers a relaxed, sophisticated setting for unforgettable moments in the heart of Bristol.

Doctors Tips To Avoid Last Minute Wedding Stress

Dr Ravi Lukha, Medical Director at Bupa UK Insurance, advises on how to combat wedding stress! Peak wedding season is upon us, and the UK's Google search habits show huge leaps in people seeking quick turnaround weddings - and planners to help make those nuptials happen. According to Google Search Console analysis, UK volumes for searches around quick weddings have seen significant increases, recently. In the last six months, the following searches have seen steep climbs:

Create Your Own Perfume with Parterre at The Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa, Bath

The Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa in Bath, a prestigious five-star, two Michelin-Key destination, has partnered with local perfumery Parterre to offer exclusive overnight sensory escapes and private perfume masterclasses. From May 6th to December 23rd, guests can immerse themselves in the art of perfumery, learning about botanical scents, natural ingredients, and fragrance composition. Held just steps from the hotel, these tailored workshops provide a fun and informal experience where participants create their own custom 50ml perfume to take home. For a truly luxurious stay, the Fragrant Escape package combines the masterclass with an overnight stay, a four-course dinner, and spa access, offering a complete sensory journey. Discover this unique opportunity to craft your personal scent while enjoying the elegance of Bath's Royal Crescent Hotel.

RSVP trauma - one wedding worry tackled

Ever worry about what to do if guests drop out at the last minute? Your Somerset, Glos & Wilts Wedding has the answers. One way to avoid cancellations is to set a clear RSVP deadline on your invitations. If you haven't heard either way by this date, get in touch to follow up. However, stuff happens. Some circumstances are unforeseen; the guest's reason might be completely understandable... and sometimes not! First things first, don't panic. It's 100 per cent frustrating if there's a flighty excuse, and it's ok to feel disappointed, so own that for a minute. Next, it's time to spring into action! If there's time, contact your suppliers to see whether adjustments can be made.

Love is in the Air: Wedding Fragrances with Yankee Candle and WoodWick

When it comes to planning a wedding, it's the little details that make the biggest impact; from scent to style, every element helps tell the story of your day. No matter how you choose to incorporate fragrance into your wedding, a beautifully chosen candle can create a sensory signature that stays with you and your guests forever. We asked Taylor Perlis, Yankee Candle Fragrance Evaluator to share how best to use candles to create a beautiful, memorable atmosphere on your special day.

Bristol Beacon and Diana Porter from a new partnership

Bristol Beacon is turning up the volume on love with a new wedding offering, featuring an exclusive collaboration with celebrated Bristol jeweller Diana Porter. Diana Porter's Park Street studio, now proudly employee-owned, carries on her legacy of ethical sourcing and storytelling through jewellery. Known for meaningful modern pieces, often incorporating family heirlooms and sentimental stones, the jeweller's process gives couples the chance to co-create rings that reflect their unique journey. This partnership offers the next five couples who book their wedding at Bristol Beacon an exclusive 25 per cent discount from Diana Porter's jewellery collection as well as bespoke pieces. The first couple will also receive a personal engraving of their choice, such as a special name or date on the jewellery item.

National Trust celebrates National Picnic Week to launch late Friday opening at Woodchester Park

The National Trust is announcing Friday evening opening at their site at Tinkley Gate, Woodchester Park, from 13 June to 25 July. The site will be open until 8pm each Friday through this period with the café open until 7.30pm, a three-hour increase to normal times for hot food, allowing visitors to enjoy the green space at Woodchester Park for longer. Take a deep breath and wind down from a busy week of wedding planning, with drinks, food and activities on offer until later in the evening. With the gentle backdrop of bird song into dusk, it's the perfect opportunity to settle into a relaxing weekend. Entry is free – just pay for parking or scan your National Trust membership card.

Til' death do us part - financial tips for couples approaching marriage

There are few life events bigger than getting married - and very few more expensive! In order to fully enjoy your big day, make sure you have planned and budgeted for the cost early. When you're giddy with excitement, picking out the perfect dress, money is often the last thing on your mind. However, so there's no black cloud hanging over your head as you prepare to say "I do", Kindar Brown, Senior Financial Planner at Rathbones shares her tips on saving for the big day and beyond...

Date nights in Cheltenham

One of the shiniest jewels in the Cotswolds crown, spa town Cheltenham offers impressive Regency architecture and tree-lined promenades at every turn as well as a vibrant food scene. Chef David Everitt-Matthias has been firmly on the chef scene for 38 years and his restaurant, Le Champignon Sauvage (www.lechampignonsauvage. co.uk), was recently noted by The Telegraph as one of 15 best value Michelin star restaurants. The restaurant's seasonally driven and locally sourced menu is priced from £42 for two courses and £50 for three courses for the set lunch and dinner (excluding Saturday evenings). Menu highlights include seared mackerel, apple and celeriac remoulade, ponzu dressing followed by sea bream, buttered monks beard, buttermilk and horseradish dashi. So, that's your next date night in Cheltenham sorted!

Creating Safe Spaces: The Emotional Journey of Wedding Wear

Jake Allen, co-founder and CEO at inclusive tailor, King & Allen shares his insights on inclusive attire. "Many people experience anxiety about being fitted for their wedding outfit. We look to create an environment where clients of all gender identities and body types feel genuinely welcomed and affirmed. The whole process begins with a welcome email, before they even step foot in one of our shops - we have premises in Surbiton/Surrey, Liverpool Street/London, Savile Row/London, Knutsford/Cheshire and Birmingham/Midlands).