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

Romantic Somerset Engagement Shoot: Celebrating Real Love and the Bride Era

To mark the content launch of Somerset-based wedding brand Knot & Co., this romantic editorial shoot captures the essence of the modern bride era—a season filled with anticipation, intimacy, and celebration. Set across scenic Somerset locations, the shoot features real engaged couples, bringing authenticity and heartfelt emotion to every frame. "We wanted to reflect what being in love really looks and feels like," says Lucy King, shoot coordinator at Knot & Co. With styling that blends editorial beauty and natural settings—golden fields, whimsical meadows, vineyards, and waterfalls—this visual story embraces imperfection, connection, and effortless joy. Rooted in real love and relaxed interaction, the shoot not only sets the tone for Knot & Co.'s brand ethos, but also inspires couples planning their own meaningful wedding journey.

HOW MUCH SHOULD YOU REALLY GIFT AT WEDDINGS IN 2025?

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.

What to Expect at Your First Bridal Appointment: Tips for a Stress-Free and Successful Wedding Dress Shopping Experience

Feeling nervous about your first bridal appointment? You're not alone! With so many wedding dress options available, it can feel overwhelming. But with a little preparation, your experience can be exciting, memorable, and stress-free. At Your Somerset, Glos & Wilts Wedding, we share expert advice to help you feel confident and prepared. Start by researching local bridal boutiques that stock your favourite designers and offer personal, one-to-one appointments. Bring a strapless bra, wear nude underwear, and share your Pinterest inspiration with your consultant. Keep an open mind—many brides fall in love with a style they never expected. Most importantly, choose your entourage wisely; bring only those whose opinions you trust. With the right support, you'll feel pampered, empowered, and ready to find the dress of your dreams.

Jewellery expert debunks the most common engagement myths

When it comes to engagements, traditions run deep – but not all of them hold up today. From outdated rules about who should propose to the history behind getting down on one knee, there are plenty of myths which may not reflect how couples approach engagements today. Lorna Haddon, Head of Diamonds and Jewellery at Beaverbrooks, said: "Getting engaged can be one of the most exciting life experiences for those in love – but it can sometimes be a nervous experience for those doing the proposing, with so many traditions to remember.

How to Keep Your Wedding Cake from Melting in Summer: Our Tips for Hot Weather Celebrations

With record-breaking summer temperatures sweeping the UK, protecting your wedding cake from the heat is more important than ever. At Your Somerset, Glos & Wilts Wedding, we've put together our expert advice to help you avoid a big-day cake meltdown. If you're planning a summer wedding, talk to your cake designer early - while buttercream may be delicious, it's not heat-friendly, especially at outdoor or non-air-conditioned venues. Instead, consider fondant icing with a ganache base for added stability, or opt for a naked cake if you're going for a rustic vibe (just be cautious with fresh fruit and drying edges). No matter your style, storage is crucial - keep your cake out of direct sunlight and away from windows. For extra peace of mind, consider chilling it until the evening or even giving it its own fan!

The 2025 Hen Party Trends - According to TikTok

Whether you're jetting off to Mykonos, booking out a villa in Spain, or hosting a garden party at home, 2025's hen dos are all about creating unforgettable moments — and capturing them in style. With TikTok leading the charge in how Gen Z and Millennials plan pre-wedding celebration and searches for 'hen party' up +118%, jewellery brand Abbott Lyon scrolled through the feeds, trends and reels to bring you the ultimate hen party playbook. From must-have themes to viral activities, this is your go-to guide for planning a hen party that you'll never forget.

Include Your Dog in Your Wedding Day: Professional Dog Chaperone Services by Together Furever Weddings

In the Jun/Jul25 issue of Your Somerset, Glos & Wilts Wedding, we caught up with local expert Helen Whittle of Together Furever Weddings to talk all things dog-friendly weddings. If your furry friend is part of the family, why not include them in your big day? Helen offers a professional dog chaperone service, ensuring your pooch is pampered, safe, and stylish—from walking down the aisle to posing for photos. Whether your pup is the best dog, ring bearer, or simply greeting guests, Together Furever makes it all possible. Services include transportation, feeding, playtime, and even adorable pet attire suggestions. With flexible packages and "pupdates" sent straight to you, it's the pawfect way to keep your dog part of the celebration—stress-free. Visit togetherfureverweddings.co.uk to learn more.

Lynne Pane from Rustic Rentals shares her top venue styling tips for 2025 and beyond

In our Jun/Jul issue, we explored the exciting world of wedding venue styling, where personality meets creativity. Today's couples are all about personalised weddings, and choosing a theme that reflects your unique style is the first step. We spoke with styling expert Lynne Panes of Rustic Rentals, who shared her top wedding styling trends and tips—from florals and props to palettes and tablescapes. Whether you're dreaming of a romantic Garden Gala, Western Luxe charm, Celestial Dream magic, or an Intimate but Extra celebration, Lynne's insights will inspire a truly unforgettable day. From wildflowers to cowboy boots, starlit details to gourmet feasts, it's all about making your wedding stylish, meaningful, and entirely your own. Discover more at rusticrentals.co.uk and start planning your dream vibe.

Nearly half of newlyweds will experience post-wedding blues this year

As we quickly approach the start of wedding season, many brides and grooms will be amping up for the best day of their lives. While the happiness of wedding days is well explored, the lull that comes afterwards is barely spoken about and not a feeling newlyweds are warned of, leading to potential feelings of isolation. Exclusive data from engagement and wedding ring experts at Queensmith has revealed that 40% of recently married couples experience some form of post-wedding blues. An experience of sadness, letdown, or emptiness that is often the first thing to hit couples after their honeymoon - a hangover from the heady highs of wedding planning.

Unique wedding trends 2025: Film photography surges 50%

Three in five couples plan to incorporate unique elements into their wedding, and with the world of choice at the end of our fingertips, inspiration is flying in from all angles. But which of the net's most loved delights have seen the most significant interest surges since last summer? To find out, the team at Aura Print scoured social media platforms to discover what's been hot, and gathered Pinterest and Google Trends data to reveal their most adored trends that have shot up since last summer.

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.

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 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.

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.