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

Bristol-based Topikki Stationery cordially invites you...

This issue, we asked our panel of experts for their advice on planning an intimate wedding with no more than 30 guests. Gaynor Page from Topikki Stationery (www.topikki.co.uk) says: When it comes to buying or choosing stationery, the most important consideration is the necessity of buying in smaller quantities rather than being bound by multi-packs designed for larger affairs,which can end up being a false economy for a wedding of 50 or fewer. If your intimate setting is a personal preference, rather than due to budget, you might even have a little wiggle room to upgrade.

Ginger Ray - An Introvert's Guide to surviving a hen party

So, you've got a hen party on the horizon, but the thought of navigating through a sea of social interactions is making you break into a cold sweat. Fear not introverts, we've got your back! Follow these top tips to make sure that you don't bring down the mood at the hen party and instead boost the atmosphere of the event. Hen parties are a chance to celebrate the lucky soon-to-be bride so make it a night she'll never forget! Jess Martin, Hen Party expert at Ginger Ray has shared 6 strategies to ensure that you not only survive, but actually enjoy the festivities:

Tie the knot on the iconic harbourside in the heart of Bristol

M Shed is a world-class cultural landmark set on the harbourside in the heart of Bristol. The museum has been designed to retain the character of the former 1950s transit shed but with the addition of purpose-built facilities and state-of-the-art lighting and AV equipment. M Shed is licensed for weddings and civil ceremonies and is flexible enough to suit all budgets and preferences, whether you're planning an intimate ceremony or a grand celebration. The versatile event space here, alongside the venue's range of menus, drinks packages and décor options allows you to do your day, your way.

Sten dos are on the rise

Stag and hen experts, Adventure Connections, say it is the 'Sten do' that takes traditional trends down! A mash-up of the separate parties, the Sten do provides a popular new way for the future bride and groom to be united before the big day. Rumoured to have been recreated by Harry and Megan, Sten dos prove to be the hottest way to party. Founder of Adventure Connections, Justin Sayers mentions that "things are changing when it comes to pre-wedding parties", so why not give it a try? Sten dos offer a cost-effective and inclusive solution to those separate gatherings, perfect for those with a large number of guests. Those shared memories are sure to be irreplaceable. Reduce your stress and make it a rave to remember!

Dive into the world of muted colour palettes

Rebecca Brennan-Brown, founder of GetWed, a team of wedding experts based in London, helping couples achieve dreamy, fun, and unpretentious weddings, dives into the world of muted colour palettes and shares her top tips and advice for channeling this aesthetic...In a world of Instagram algorithms and Pinterest boards that feed you new inspiration every five minutes, it can be tricky to choose a colour palette for your wedding, let alone stick to one. Do you go for classic, whimsical whites and greens? Or perhaps something bolder and more fun? Or maybe you've always envisioned a summery pastel palette. The options are endless.

Personalisation is IN for 2024

Crafty Brewing and Lola and Luna's collaboration reveals how personalisation is being brought to the forefront of 2024 weddings. The concept of personalisation is holding a key part in redefining 'tradition' and incorporating new captivating trends in every aspect of your magical event. Aimee, a wedding expert from a wedding planning and styling company says that "Over the past few years, weddings have increasingly started steering away from the same old conventions, and opting for bespoke options more frequently." From table plans set on where the couple first met, to embroidered napkins there are so many opportunities to add a personal touch on your big day.

Paperchase unveils wedding and hen party products collection

The beloved brand Paperchase has recently launched an exclusive collection of wedding and hen party products. The new range features a wide selection of unique and sophisticated wedding staples and novelty hen products for great value prices, from stationery to decorative accessories. It is perfect for those tying the knot this year or planning a spectacular hen do. Looking for luxurious wedding invitations? but want to keep costs down? Well, the Ginger Ray Wedding Invitations with Envelopes (10pack with envelopes) with a classic cream finish they combine style with affordability for those looking to advertise their big day with a stunning opening number.

Scentscape your wedding day with Yankee Candle

Scentscaping your wedding day is a trend that's going nowhere! Finding the right fragrance to shape the atmosphere of your wedding is an exciting part of the wedding planning journey you can do together - beats the wedmin too! Yankee Candle, and sister brand WoodWick, boast a wide collection of candles in all shapes, colours and sizes that would work perfectly for your nuptials, reception and big-day gifting. Imagine walking into you ceremony with the scent of pink cherry and vanilla surrounding you, or at your winter reception Pumpkin Cinnamon Swirl from Yankee's new collection will certainly set the tone of the proceedings and reflect the time of year. Once you've found your favourite candle, it's also something you can purchase time and again to evoke memories of the special event, alternatively gifting loved ones who supported you on your wedding day with a candle to the big-day fragrance will be a gift where guests can reminisce too!

Make an impact with Salt and Scent Events

This issue we asked our panel of experts for their advice on planning an intimate wedding with no more than 30 guests. Rachel Terrett from Salt and Scent Events (https://saltandscent.co.uk) says: Treat your guests like VIPs. Smaller guest numbers offer the opportunity to go all out with an exquisite setup. When choosing a venue, make sure it isn't too big that you risk the tables feeling lost in the space. Consider impactful table layouts that fill the room and allow everyone to feel connected. Adding in beautiful lounge furniture helps to dress the space too and will be enjoyed during cocktail hour for a relaxed sophisticated vibe.

Planning for the night ahead – wedding nightwear from Chelsea Peers

West London based designer brand Chelsea Peers has an glamorous array of wedding nightwear for any bride on their special day, to complement the bride's style and luxurious taste. When wedding planning, you mainly focus on the particulars of the actual ceremony and the events of the day, however what about your first night as husband and wife? With Chelsea Peers, the elegant draping allows the bride to maintain an effortless silhouette while adding just a touch of splendour. For a spectacular wedding night, consider the chic and comfortable Satin Fringe Trim Long Pyjama Set – Ivory, that features a swishy flared shape that has plenty of movement, combined with smooth, lustrous satin.

Say I do amid grand halls and stunning galleries at Bristol Museum & Art Gallery

Bristol Museum & Art Gallery has some extraordinary spaces for your wedding day. The venue offers civil ceremonies in its grand halls or stunning galleries followed by a wedding celebration of your choice. What's more, the incredible Edwardian Baroque architecture means the setting could not be more striking with glass vaulted ceilings, romantic balconies and sweeping staircases all steeped in history sure to give your big day the wow factor it deserves. Why not treat loved ones to a private viewing of one of the venue's many galleries to make your event truly unique? If you choose to have your ceremony at Bristol Museum & Art Gallery it will begin at 6pm, with guests arriving from 5.40pm.

The Speech Surgery: modern day etiquette with Heidi Ellert McDermott, founder of Speechy

The Speech Surgery: modern day etiquette with Heidi Ellert McDermott, founder of Speechy, and author of The Modern Couple's Guide to Wedding Speeches: Some say addressing guests as 'ladies and gentlemen' is a mistake these days... what is the Modern newlywed speech etiquette? Let's start by saying (again) there are no wedding speech rules. When it comes to etiquette, it's simply a case of common sense and being polite. Honestly, that's it. When it comes to addressing your audience, 'Ladies and gentlemen' is becoming less common for two reasons.

Intimate I dos with Somerset-based Just Ceremonies

This issue, we asked our panel of experts for their advice on planning an intimate wedding with no more than 30 guests. Celebrants Deb Stodgell and Jackie Aldrich from Just Ceremonies say: In a world that loves grandeur, the allure of an intimate celebration is growing, and possibilities emerge that aren't feasible for larger gatherings. Selecting the right venue sets the tone for your intimate ceremony. Opt for a cosy space with a charming ambience that resonates with both of you. It could be a rustic barn, a quaint garden, or a small boutique venue with character. The goal is to create an atmosphere that feels warm, inviting, and uniquely yours.

Creative ways to preserve and display your wedding bouquet

Your wedding day is one of the most magical days of your life, so you'll no doubt want to hold onto your memories for as long as possible. Here, Clare Price from framing specialists Wall Space shares their tips for preserving your wedding bouquet for years to come. Preserving your wedding bouquet can be a wonderful way to keep the memories of your special day alive. Techniques like drying and pressing are some of the best methods of flower preservation, and there are countless ways to show off your preserved blooms in your home once you're done. With the tips and ideas below, you can create lasting reminders of your cherished moments and remember your special day for years to come.

A one-of-a-kind Bristol wedding venue offering something out of this world

We The Curious is a one-of-a-kind venue, ideal if you're looking for somewhere extraordinary that you and your guests will never forget. There are three distinctive and quirky spaces to combine as you wish from ceremony to celebrations and the team are on hand to ensure you have a truly memorable experience. Get married in Bristol's iconic Planetarium for a completely one-off ceremony. Your guests will marvel at the dome, lit up with glittering stars and spectacular images of space. Walk down the aisle and say your vows beneath an endless star field, creating the most romantic of wedding experiences. The space can host 97 loved ones.

Experts reveal five wedding trends set to be huge this Summer

With the new season comes new colours and trends, and with that being said, experts at Diamonds Factory have predicted five wedding trends that are set to be big this Summer. Couples will step away from the traditional colour scheme "Stepping away from the traditional black and white formal attire, we expect to see many wedding parties embrace colour this Summer. We saw the mismatched bridesmaid dresses trend resurge in popularity in late 2023, and predict this trend will take off even further this Summer, especially now it's getting warmer and with people experimenting with colour more.

The Speech Surgery: how long is too long?

The Speech Surgery: how long is too long? Heidi Ellert McDermott, founder of Speechy explores this. My groom says he's finished his speech and he's really happy with it but it's almost 2,000 words long. Is that too much? Yes. All speeches should be under ten minutes long. It seems obvious but I've seen several speeches (generally the best men) go well over half an hour, oblivious to the yawns or heckling. That's no more than 1,300 words maximum, allowing for pauses or laughter on the day. Remind your fiancé that his first draft is just the start of the writing process.

Wedding favours for Kids: ToyChoc Box

PLAYin CHOC's ToyChoc boxes are a fantastic choice for entertaining kids at weddings. These eco-friendly, vegan, and allergen-free treats come in 100% recyclable packaging. Each box contains two creamy chocolate bars wrapped in compostable packaging, along with a 3D card puzzle toy featuring animals like endangered species, sea creatures, or dinosaurs - there's also a fun animal fact inside. At just £2.25 each on Amazon, these boxes are a budget-friendly addition to your wedding plans.

New wedding dog chaperone service, Warners Weddings, supports couples across Somerset

New wedding dog chaperone service, Warners Weddings, based in Highbridge, Somerset, is now supporting couples across the county, into Bristol and occasionally further afield. "I've always had dogs and currently have two rescue dogs, Ronnie, a Pomeranian cross, and Larry, a Romanian street dog," owner Lizzie Warner shares. With a growing number of dog-friendly wedding venues in Bristol and Somerset, Lizzie can help to make your big-day perfect by chaperoning your beloved dog or indeed dogs. Knowing your furry best friend is looked after on your wedding day makes it one less thing to worry about and you can feel relaxed in the knowledge that Lizzie treats every dog as if they were her own.

Your ultimate guide to wedding gift etiquette

It's that time of year again where our inboxes and mailboxes are full of beautifully designed wedding invitations, we're scouring the web for the perfect outfit and excitedly researching accommodation and travel. Being invited to a wedding is a gift and it is tradition to provide a gift to the happy couple. But, where to begin? Luckily we've sat down with Georgie Mitchell, Wedding Planner, Coordinator and Wedding Expert, at online fashion destination SilkFred, who has shared her ultimate guide to wedding gift giving from how much to spend to how to make your gift stand out on the present table.