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

Five minutes with Nicholas Wylde, Wylde Jewellers

We caught up with local jeweller Nicholas Wylde from Nicholas Wylde Jewellers to find out more about shopping for the wedding rings and big-day jewellery. Please tell us a bit about yourself. I opened my first Wylde Jewellers store 36 years ago with just 12 rings in the window. I'm still as passionate now as I was back then about being one of the leading jewellers in the UK – being at the forefront of the industry, offering unique jewellery and high quality service, in a relaxed, friendly way. We carry one of the largest selections of wedding rings in the South West.

Savvy couples request money over wedding gifts amid cost of living crisis

Savvy couples are looking to use wedding gifts to invest in savings amid the cost-of-living crisis, new national research has revealed. The survey, conducted by Coventry Building Society discovered almost a quarter of newlyweds (24%) put money received as a wedding gift straight into a savings account, with more than one in ten couples (15%) using money to pay off wedding debt straight away. What's more, over half of respondents (57%) just want money as their wedding gift, opting for financial safety over traditional gift giving (43%).

The Speech Surgery part three - the father-of-the-bride gets the spotlight

The Speech Surgery part three, Heidi Ellert McDermott shares her tips for the father of the bride and how to delivery the ultimate speech. The wedding speech tradition is as prevalent as ever and is still very much one of the key parts of the day. For some, public speaking comes quite naturally, and they wouldn't think twice about standing up and 'performing' on cue, while for others it may cause sleepless nights and anxiety but the pressure of pleasing a loved one means you can't say no! Fear not, whether you're a pro and want to heighten your speech, or a novice and you need some advice on how to settle those nerves, Heidi is here to answer your all-important questions...

There's an exciting new wellness partnership at The Gainsborough Bath Spa

The Gainsborough Bath Spa has announced a new wellness partnership with innovative Hungarian skincare brand Omorovicza. The collaboration will see five new mineral cure rituals added to the hotel's Spa Village menu, which already benefits from exclusive access to Bath's natural thermal springs, celebrated since Roman times for their remarkable wellness properties. In perfect harmony with this, Omorovicza encapsulates the healing minerals of Budapest's thermal waters by harnessing their curative powers to reach the deepest layers of the skin. The new, powerful mineral-based treatments boast a range of benefits that stem from the healing properties of the thermal waters, such as assisting with inflammation, detoxifying the body and unlocking youthful vitality.

Planning an engagement party? Here’s a 6-step-guide from a party planner

So you've said the easiest yes of your life and now is the time to celebrate your new status with an engagement party, but where do you even start? From budget to dates to invites, the list can seem endless and overwhelming at first, but there are a few simple considerations that can ease the process from the offset, making this exciting phase of your life enjoyable, memorable and personal to you both. To help with your engagement party checklist, party planning expert at Ginger Ray, Jess Martin, shares six fool-proof etiquette tips to avoid those stressful preparations:

Check out these candles with a Scents of Humour!

Bristol-based Scents of Humour was born out of the Covid-19 chaos when founder Jack was unemployed due to the pandemic. At the time, and having just become a father to baby Henry, he and good friend Aaron hatched a plan to design and make candles in their kitchens. The two have been friends since school and always joked about making products together. Following a successful launch in 2020, Aaron took a step away from the business due to work commitments, leaving Jack and his wife Katie to run Scents of Humour. Although Jack has since gone back to work full time, he and Katie have kept the company going in their spare time.

Love letters are all but lost

Once the staple currency of every romance, the simple art of writing a love letter has been all but lost, in an age of Snapchat and WhatsApp. A new study has revealed that nearly half of young Brits in relationships (45 percent) aged between 18 and 35, have never written their sweetheart a love letter, while 71 percent say they would rather send a romantic WhatsApp, DM or Snap. In fact, 88 percent say that traditional displays of affection such as love letters and flowers are old fashioned. Young lovers admit that they wouldn't know what to say in a letter (37 percent), with a third (29 percent) confessing they would feel silly, according to the poll by Bird & Blend Tea Co. who have created a Swizzels Love Hearts Tea.

Lab-grown diamonds dominating the market in 2024

In 2023, rather than reassessing their budget, many couples have started to become more conscious of their spending habits and switching to gemstones rather than diamonds and opting for lab-grown diamonds. According to exclusive internal data from Queensmith, lab-grown diamonds have continued to dominate the market due to their lower cost per carat, resulting in more affordable prices. These highly sought-after diamonds have enabled couples to still find the perfect engagement ring, without inflating their budget. The affordable option, at 60-80% cheaper than natural diamonds, accounted for nearly 80% of Queensmith's diamond engagement rings sold in 2023. Not only can consumers expect larger carat weights and higher quality diamonds, but also a more environmentally friendly and sustainably sourced alternative to mined diamonds.

The Speech Surgery part two - icebreakers and tips for the best man

The Speech Surgery part two, Heidi Ellert McDermott shares her tips on icebreakers and advice for the best man. The wedding speech tradition is as prevalent as ever and is still very much one of the key parts of the day. For some, public speaking comes quite naturally, and they wouldn't think twice about standing up and 'performing' on cue, while for others it may cause sleepless nights and anxiety but the pressure of pleasing a loved one means you can't say no! Fear not, whether you're a pro and want to heighten your speech, or a novice and you need some advice on how to settle those nerves, Heidi is here to answer your all-important questions...

Valentine's ceramics last longer than chocolate and flowers

Valentine's Day is just around the corner, and it's time to start thinking about that perfect gift for your loved one. While chocolate and flowers are traditional choices, there's something even more special and enduring that you can consider: ceramics. Why choose ceramics? Ceramics make a unique and thoughtful gift for Valentine's Day. Unlike chocolate which is quickly consumed or flowers that wither within days, ceramics are long-lasting and can be cherished for years to come. They not only serve as beautiful decorative pieces but also hold sentimental value. Symbolism and meaning. Ceramics can be chosen to reflect the personality, interests, or hobbies of your loved one.

The worst Valentine’s Day presents ever gifted

With Valentine's Day fast approaching, many people in relationships will be facing one of the toughest questions of the year - "What do I buy my other half?". There have already been 43,000 online searches for "Valentine's Day gifts" as people look for inspiration and whilst some people might receive extravagant and romantic presents, some people are less fortunate. With this in mind, Ninja surveyed the nation to find out what the worst presents people had been given for Valentine's Day, and between a bag of crisps and cat food, the results will shock you

Hen do and stag party tips 2024

Anita Naik, Savings Expert at VoucherCodes.co.uk provides her top tips on reducing the cost of a hen or stag do: "Many bridal and groom parties begin planning their respective hen and stag dos throughout the months of January and February. Taking the time to plan carefully is crucial, especially if you are planning on jetting off somewhere. "But, with rising living costs and foreign destinations being more expensive than ever, I've put together my top tips to help you have some pre-wedding fun without breaking the bank - either domestically, or abroad.

The bounties of Somerset direct to your door

Located between the vibrant market towns of Bruton and Castle Cary, The Newt in Somerset is a working estate in the heart of the West Country. The onsite team of farmers, gardeners, butchers, bakers, cheesemakers, chefs and cyder makers are guardians of an incredible patch of land and are continually inspired by the changing seasons. Now, thanks to their expanding online shop, The Newt is bringing the bounties of its landscape direct to your door, with the promise of convenient, reliable two-day door-to-door delivery available to most postcodes across the South West. The Newt's online shop first launched during lockdown in 2020 and has since amassed a loyal following for its fresh and nutritious produce.

2024 is here and it's time to get organised with a new wedding planner

Whether it's a new year's resolution to get more organised, or you're feeling overwhelmed with the wedding planning, use the new Our Wedding Planner to keeping track of your dreams and decisions for a stress-free wedding planning experience - allowing you to focus on enjoying day! Our Wedding Planner will not only organise your big day, but also create treasured memories for years to come. Every detail of your wedding, including hen and stag parties and the honeymoon are covered, allowing you to create your perfect wedding and keep that all-important budget on track along the way. Bursting with easy to follow advice, and space to record details of every conceivable aspect of planning the big day, this new book offers a one stop depository for ideas, prices, venues, suppliers and guests.

A matchmade in heaven for wedding gifting

Habulous is excited to reveal the latest addition to their range of personalised products, the perfect match striker pot. Handmade in the UK these personalised ceramic match striker pots look at home in your living room. The wheel-thrown pot is carefully glazed with a choice of personalisation inside the heart - reminiscent of those retro love doodles! Filled with pastel matches in complementary shades, the jars come in five signature colours: Cornflower Blue, Mint Green, Off White, Pale Pink, Light Yellow.

The Speech Surgery - How many speeches are too many?

The Speech Surgery with Heidi Ellert McDermott, founder of Speechy and author of The Modern Couple's Guide to Wedding Speeches: The wedding speech tradition is as prevalent as ever and is still very much one of the key parts of the day. For some, public speaking comes quite naturally, and they wouldn't think twice about standing up and 'performing' on cue, while for others it may cause sleepless nights and anxiety but the pressure of pleasing a loved one means you can't say no! Fear not, whether you're a pro and want to heighten your speech, or a novice and you need some advice on how to settle those nerves, Heidi is here to answer your all-important questions...

HARIBO giving free wedding cake to Gummy Ring proposals this Valentine's

From lockdown couples to celebrities, the last few years has seen the nation embrace their inner child by getting engaged with HARIBO's iconic Friendship Ring. To mark this Valentine's Day, HARIBO, the UK's number one sweets manufacturer, is delighted to declare that lovebirds ready to unleash their inner child and dive into marital bliss with its iconic gummy ring will get the sweetest reward – the chance to win their very own HARIBO Heart Throb Wedding Cake for their big day.

Crowcombe Court launches alchohol-free cocktail menu

The Gilchrist Collection's CEO Samantha Gilchrist has conducted a survey of 2,000 UK adults to learn about their wedding drinking habits. Sober guests said they were often left feeling uncomfortable sipping a soft drink, as 35 per cent of respondents said they're questioned about it. In response to the lack of non-alcoholic options available at venues, The Gilchrist Collection has partnered with star barman Merlin Griffiths from Channel 4's First Dates to add to the venues' existing menu, providing sober guests with three new grown-up and celebration-worthy options. Each recipe is perfectly suited to various key moments during the celebrations.

TikTok’s wedding trends - what we can expect in 2024

TikTok has become the best place to source beautiful wedding inspiration, from wedding dress fashion to food. But what were the biggest TikTok wedding trends of 2023, and what can we expect to see in 2024? By analysing TikTok hashtags, ethical jewellery brand Sacet provides insights into the most influential trends of 2023, the wedding trends on the decline, and predictions for the upcoming year.

Winter wedding flowers are all about the delicate detail

We asked Megan Troughton from Megan Lily Floral Design (www.meganlilyfloraldesign.co.uk) for her advice on creating a glorious winter wonderland wedding. Here's what she had to say... You may be worried that you won't have a lot of choice for your winter wedding when it comes to the flowers. But, as a florist I love creating designs at this time of year and there are plenty of varieties to choose from. It's all about delicate detail, textural berries and seed heads and beautiful foliage when it comes to winter florals. I truly believe it's the beautiful, natural qualities of seasonal flowers that add a touch of magic to wedding designs.