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

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.

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.

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.

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).

How much money should you really spend on big-day gifting?

Confused Brits turn to Google for advice as expert spills secrets to saving cash without looking stingy. Wedding season is fast approaching – and while many Brits are busy outfit-hunting or booking hotels, there's one part of the big day that continues to cause confusion - how much money should you actually spend on the happy couple? It's a question thousands of guests are turning to the internet for. In fact, Google searches for 'how much money should you give for a wedding gift' have soared by a whopping 5,000% over the past month*, proving just how panicked Brits are about getting it right.

One hundred and eighty!

Being appointed chief hen planner (or sten if you're doing a hen and stag combo) is no easy task. You've got to come up with something that'll be fun for a big group, often with a mix of ages and personalities, and that doesn't break the bank. Flight Club in Bristol and Cheltenham are activity bars presenting the perfect option for a pre-wedding party to remember. Think on-point cocktails, a buzzing atmosphere, beautiful backdrops for gorgeous photos, and super-fun games. Flight Club has all the ingredients needed for an epic hen party. The fairgound-inspired bar looks spectacular with lights blinking in time to the music and its carousel horse.

How to protect your wedding day against unexpected events

Brides and grooms-to-be are being warned to think ahead on possible disasters, and what they can do to protect their big day. Whether planning a destination wedding abroad or an intimate garden wedding at home, it is crucial for couples to understand the essential checklist and plan for what could go wrong. The research comes after a survey revealed 26% of those planning a wedding in the next three years would not take out wedding insurance. Weddings come with a whole host of unforeseen risks, like supplier no-shows, damaged goods, technical faults, damaged or lost items, severe weather and accident or illness.

Discover the new Tattinger Terrace and more at The Royal Crescent & Spa

Five Red Star, two Michelin-Key The Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa in Bath is welcoming the summer season with a host of events, experiences, and cultural offerings, open to guests and locals alike. The brand new Taittinger Champagne Terrace invites guests to relax in the sunshine with a glass of fizz, or to enjoy some live music at one of the regular DJ nights and live jazz evenings. For those seeking culture, in the stunning gardens of the hotel Axle Arts and Somerset Art Works will hold an outdoor sculpture exhibition, featuring a variety of sculptures by renowned and emerging artists, all from the local area.

Say “I Do” to Free Fizz – DASH Water’s Wedding Giveaway

Just in time for peak wedding season, DASH Water  – the makers of deliciously simple, real fruit-infused soft drinks – is popping the question: "Will you let us bring the bubbles?" Introducing "I Do, With DASH" – a new feel-good campaign giving soon-to-be-wed couples the chance to WIN a 48-can Pick & Mix of DASH for their big day. Whether it's to stock the reception bar, fill the fridge the night before, or keep guests refreshed the morning after, DASH is here to add a little sparkle to the celebrations. Running from 9th - 16th June, the competition invites couples getting married this summer to enter via a simple online form. Winners will receive a one-time-use code for free DASH (plus free shipping), redeemable until 31st August.

Rebel Love Collective delivers inclusivity training for vendors

Rebel Love Collective, a leading provider of LGBTQ+ inclusive wedding services has announced its expansion into new areas to further its mission of creating a more inclusive and affirming space for couples and lovers. Founded in March 2022, Rebel Love Collective has rapidly become a trusted wedding industry name. Through its existing services, including Rebel Love Club (photography and videography), Rebel Love Directory (wedding directory), and the upcoming Rebel Love Wedding Fair, the company has already connected countless LGBTQ+ couples with inclusive vendors.