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

Get your £12 tickets for SS Great Britain this summer complete with live music

After-hours gigs at Bristol's iconic dockyard return for the third year on 27 June 2024, so don't miss your chance to bag discount early bird tickets. Locals will know that Brunel's SS Great Britain is one of Bristol's best family days out and a treasure trove for history fanatics. But this summer, after the gates are closed to the public, it will also become one of the city's most exciting gig locations. Brunel's SS Great Britain has teamed up with Coffee Club Bristol – hosts of Bristol's best alternative gigs since 2013 – to showcase up-and-coming acts and fan favourites from previous years. Tickets include after-hours access to the whole ship, the Dry Dock, and the Dockyard Museum.

7 top tips for including your pooch in your wedding

Considering including your pooch at your wedding? Here are 7 top tips from Petpals. With 57% of UK households boasting a furry friend, it is no wonder many couples dream of having their beloved dog join them on their special day. In fact, a whopping eight in 10 Brits say they would want their four-legged companion to be part of their wedding festivities. But before you entrust your pooch with the role of ring bearer, it is essential to be well prepared to ensure that your big day is nothing short of paw-some for both you and your pup. Here, Kevin Thackrah, Director of Petpals, the UK's longest-established pet-care franchise, shares some top tips on how to seamlessly incorporate your canine companion into your wedding day.

How to avoid guests over indulging on alcoholic drinks on the big day

One in six (16 per cent) wedding guests admit to driving home the morning after a wedding, when they could still be over the alcohol limit, reveals new research1 from Direct Line Motor Insurance. In a bid to remind drivers about the risks of getting behind the wheel after celebratory drinking, a car was crashed into a three-metre-high wedding cake outside Blenheim Palace2, one of the UK's most instagramable wedding venues.

With one in five (20 per cent) guests saying they have been driven home by someone they thought was over the drink drive limit, the morning after celebrating nuptials, the smashed wedding cake highlights the risks involved with driving the morning after.

6 Star Wars cocktails for the ultimate Star Wars hen do

Calling all brides-to-be and their intergalactic squadrons! Prepare to elevate your hen party to new heights as leading hen party company Fizzbox teams up with magical tavern, The Cauldron, to concoct a range of Star Wars cocktails, perfect for celebrating the bride's journey to the galaxy of marriage! Set your blasters to fun as The Cauldron's mixologists transport you to a galaxy far, far away with their selection of otherworldly drinks inspired by the iconic saga. From Darth Vader-inspired concoctions to drinks that will have you feeling like you're partying on the Millennium Falcon, there's something to delight every Jedi bride and her entourage.

The most popular wedding cars of 2024 and how much they will cost

As we head into the Spring/Summer wedding season, many couples will be tying up the last elements of their weddings before the big day. Often left to the last minute is transport, with many couples wanting to arrive and leave their wedding venues in style. Nationwide Vehicle Contracts decided to investigate which cars are the most popular when it comes to wedding hire, and also how much hiring one will set you back. To work out the most popular wedding car of 2024, Nationwide Vehicle Contracts has analysed Google search volumes, Google search trends and TikTok data including the number of posts per model, monthly searches and the YoY search trend.

Wedding homeware from Addison Ross

The heart and soul of British luxury Addison Ross, is a family owned British brand started in 1978; from a small business, it has now grown into a global sensation with a vast offering including an exquisite range of luxury homeware essentials that create the ideal wedding tablescape or wedding gift. A recent collaboration with India Hicks, saw the launch of a beautiful new photo frame collection, which India (King Charles' Goddaughter) used for her own wedding photos. These wonderful frames can also be used to create special moments at weddings including framing seating charts or cocktail menus!

Radhika & You wins National Wedding Planner of the Year 2024

The couple behind the luxury Bristol-based wedding planning business Radhika & You has won the title of National Wedding Planner of the Year 2024. Radhika and Shindy had already secured the South West regional title for Best Wedding Planner, and accepted the honour in tribute to Radhika's late mum, Versha. The business launched in 2015 after staging an event in Bristol to help young Asians celebrate Diwali in the city. What began with them providing a community-focused event has led them to global expansion, catering for couples getting married in high-end ceremonies not only in the UK, but as far afield as Greece, Italy, France and Canary Islands.

Young Brits looking to get hitched face saving for 30 Months

Young couples are faced with saving for over 30 months to reach their wedding savings goals, according to new research from Nationwide that charts what Brits are saving for in 2024.One in six young people are currently putting money away for their dream wedding. On average, these love birds are aiming to save £17,000 in preparation for their wedding – although the costs will likely be higher as many will also benefit from contributions from family and friends. Based on average monthly individual savings of £282, it would take a typical couple saving a combined £564 around 31 months to reach their target.*

Enjoy a taste of Malaysia at The Gainsborough Bath Spa

Luxury five-star city sanctuary in the heart of Bath, The Gainsborough Bath Spa by YTL Hotels is a modern icon of luxury wellness, combining the rich history of the thermal waters in Bath with the YTL brand's Malaysian heritage to offer a one-of-a-kind wellness experience in its Spa Village. Now, The Gainsborough is paying homage to the brand's heritage through its food, with the launch of a new Far East Meets West dinner menu. Including irresistible dishes from the brand's sister restaurants both in Malaysia and Japan, this delectable new menu is not to be missed for both locals and overnight guests alike and is available to book in the elegant Gainsborough Brasserie.

Spring Bank Holiday weekend is set to host second highest number of weddings for 2024

The team at hampers.com, who strive to bring joy and wholehearted togetherness through gifting, recently undertook a study to determine the most popular dates for weddings in 2024, surveying almost 2,300 UK adults who were set to get married this year. When asked what date they were getting married on, the most popular dates were found to be were these here...

Need a helping hand with your groom's speech? Check out these top tips from Speechy

'The Speech Surgery' with Heidi Ellert McDermott, founder of Speechy & author of The Modern Couple's Guide to Wedding Speeches'. My groom isn't naturally romantic. How can I help him with his speech without actually writing it for him? Well, no one will be expecting him to be reciting sonnets and he doesn't need to have a personality transplant, but it would be nice if he managed to deliver at least a few suitably sweet lines in his speech! Send him a few good blog posts (including this one) and encourage him to get the advice & feedback from his friends (ideally, married ones who have been through the speechwriting process before).

Indulge in Vera Wang x Chopin vodka this wedding season

With the 2024 wedding season fast approaching, brides and grooms-to-be are looking for ways to impart luxury to their special day. From elevating their drink offering with expertly crafted cocktails to creating a sophisticated monochrome look, the Vera Wang x Chopin vodka has all the assets to make one's celebration stylish and memorable. Vera Wang x Chopin vodka comes from a unique partnership blending the refined style of iconic fashion designer Vera Wang with the unparalleled craftsmanship of Chopin.

The UK’s top stately homes for Bridgerton-themed weddings

A recent study has revealed the UK's highest-rated stately homes for Bridgerton-themed weddings, with Pembroke Lodge, Surrey named the best. The research, conducted by photo wall art creator StoryBoards, analysed user-generated review data from a popular wedding planning site to identify the UK regions with the highest quantity of top-rated stately homes by creating an overall rating score. The study has revealed that Pembroke Lodge is the nation's most highly rated stately home. Located in Surrey, the grand wedding venue has over 1,100 five-star ratings and an overall perfect score of 10 out of 10.

Onwards and upwards for Waterside Country Barn

Waterside Country Barn has been successfully running up to eight events per year for the past three years, and has now gained planning consent to increase that number by a further 20. Nestled on the outskirts of Bradford on Tone, Waterside Country Barn boasts a stunning backdrop for weddings of all sizes. The venue offers a variety of customisable spaces, including a beautiful barn, the stylish Blue Room, and a picturesque outdoor setting with decking and an attractive gazebo overlooking the emerald lake. It can host up to 250 people and offers exclusive use of the site. Georgia Venn, owner and events manager says, "The increase of the frequency of events allows for us to honour more enquiries for weddings and other events.

New research reveals biggest wedding trends of 2024, and some will surprise you

The wedding themes of 2024? Expect them to be smaller and more intimate, more informal and just generally more fun! That's according to a new study which was commissioned by high street jewellers, F.Hinds. They asked 2,000 UK couples for their thoughts on which wedding traditions are still important (and which aren't), and what new trends will be incorporated into wedding day plans for 2024. They also spoke to a wedding expert for her views. Their research revealed that the 'big day' traditions that remain in favour include the bride walking walked down the aisle (53%), having wedding rings (52%), cutting the cake (49%), having a best man (44%), and the bride being given away by a family member (43%).

Sweet success for Cake Design by Holly Miller

Cake Design by Holly Miller, based in Yeovil has recently been awarded the coveted National Cake Designer of the Year accolade at The Wedding Industry Awards. The local lovely progressed from winning the regional event in November at the Aldwick Estate through to the national finals held at the Underglobe in London. The goal of these prestigious awards is to recognise and celebrate the very best of the wedding industry and are voted on by a panel of judges as well as the nominees' previous couples. "We're very proud to have been awarded this new title and to have brought it home for the South West," says owner Holly Miller. The wedding cake business competed against seven of the top cake designers from across the county to win.

Having a multicultural wedding? Make sure everyone is include with these tips from Speechy

'The Speech Surgery' with Heidi Ellert McDermott, Founder of Speechy & author of The Modern Couple's Guide to Wedding Speeches. My groom's family is Italian and some of them don't speak any English. How do we ensure they feel included during the speeches? This is becoming an issue for more and more couples as relationships become increasingly international. Bringing two cultures together at a wedding can be wonderful but it's not without its challenges, the prime example being the speeches.

Top tips on moving in together for the first time

Making the big decision to move in together can be an exciting, yet daunting time! Whether you've been living apart due to distance, financial constraints or other circumstances, deciding to take the next step in your relationship can help strengthen your bond and progress it further. Whilst being around each other 24/7 has its benefits, it's important not to overlook the potential issues that could arise as a result. Property experts at Essential Living have teamed up with Dr Becky Spelman, Psychologist and Founder at Private Therapy Clinic to reveal some of the issues the couples might experience and her top tips on what to keep in mind before taking the big step.

What's on in Bristol this spring?

Spring is in the air with some exciting and diverse openings and events in Bristol over the coming months. From from hen and stag party ideas to wedding guest accommodation there's much to look out for as the city buzzes this season! Diverse Artists Network, champions of local arts and culture, is excited to present DIASPORA, a new arts festival for Bristol and the South West taking place from 3rd to 6th May. This four-day festival will be a vibrant celebration of music, film, poetry, dance, storytelling and community engagement projects. Following the recent ITVX drama Archie about Bristol's very own film star Cary Grant, Show of Strength is hosting its newest actor-led tour this spring.

Wedding menu guide from Papier

A wedding day is an unparalleled occasion, filled with unforgettable moments and cherished memories. Best-selling British stationery brand Papier understand the importance of every detail on this special day, especially when it comes to creating a memorable dining experience for the happy couple and their guests. Food is a huge part of your wedding day. Whether it's a meal guests have chosen or a set menu, informing your loved ones about what's ahead gets them excited to sit down and tuck in