All the latest wedding news for couples getting married in Gloucestershire or Wiltshire, along with bridal fashion and beauty inspiration and honeymoon ideas.
The best of English sparkling wine, with Amelia Singer this National Champagne Week (1-7th October)
There's the New World of wine, and then the New New World: English Sparkling Wine is on the rise. This National Champagne Week, wine expert, Amelia Singer selects her favourite bubbles from our own green pastures... Which country comes to mind if you think of "wine"? For most, I imagine France, Italy, or perhaps even the USA these days, probably dominates. We all know, however, that the world is a-changing and so should our concept of wine and where it comes from. English wines are on the rise, and it's my opinion, along with a fair few of the worlds top wine experts, that they are the new frontier of wine making – even beating out top champagne houses in sparkling wine competitions.
Posted: 1 October 2023
Personalised wedding gifts from Pen Heaven
Find beautifully crafted, meaningful, and personalised wedding gifts to cherish forever with Pen Heaven. A master of exquisite stationary design, Pen Heaven was founded in 2008 and offer a comprehensive range of luxury writing instruments, leather journals and gifts. Specialists in classic brands such as Parker, Cross and Lamy, Pen Heaven also boast some more unusual and hard-to-find items such as the Japanese hand painted Platinum range, Italian calligraphy sets and the design focused Worther brand. Offering an in-house, by-hand engraving and embossing service, Pen Heaven are the ultimate destination for meaningful gifts with a personal touch perfect for big-day gifting.
Posted: 29 September 2023
PoB Hotels unveils collaboration with Madeleine Shaw
PoB Hotels unveils a new collaboration with Madeleine Shaw for a new wellness experience dedicated to skin health that's taking place across the portfolio of properties, including at Bovey Castle in Devon, Barnsley House in Gloucestershire and The Vineyard in Berkshire. This partnership offers guests an exclusive opportunity to glow, both inside and out through indulgent treatments and delectably nutritious dishes, all expertly crafted with fresh, seasonal ingredients to enhance overall skin health and well-being. Madeleine Shaw's exceptional expertise certifies these extraordinary treatments and delightful dishes, available at select PoB Hotels from September 2023 to March 2024. Madeleine has proudly partnered with PoB Hotels, sharing her 'Get the Glow' Philosophy. Madeleine Shaw boasts over a decade of unparalleled experience in the wellness industry.
Posted: 28 September 2023
County Wedding Magazines' readers share their prize win story!
Here at County Wedding Magazines HQ, we love nothing more than to hear from the winners of our competitions. In the crazy world of wedding planning, it's exciting for us to be able to offer our lovely readers some exciting giveaways and competitions which will hopefully give you a much-needed pick-me-up during on the countdown to your wedding day. In March 2023, CWM ran a competition, 'Win a minimoon in Northern Ireland!' and the winners were nearlyweds Jennifer and her partner.
Posted: 27 September 2023
Gloucestershire-based Forever Bouquet Fine Art offer wedding heirloom
Why not commission Caroline Evans from Gloucestershire-based Forever Bouquet Fine Art to create an oil painting of your bouquet? It's not just a keepsake, it's a heirloom which couples can enjoy for a lifetime. Capturing the blooms in a painting is a straightforward process, it doesn't require the bouquet to be sent anywhere, Caroline simply asks for a good photograph to work her magic from. The flowers will look exactly like they did on the special day - perfect and in context. It makes the ideal wedding gift or couples can treat themselves to one as a first anniversary present.
Posted: 26 September 2023
Halloween hen party ideas for 2023
If you're looking to throw a hen party that's nothing short of magical, mysterious and oh-so-memorable, then you're in for a treat, not a trick, with a Halloween hen party! This bewitching night is filled with laughter, eerie enchantment and spine-tingling surprises. Halloween, with its unique blend of the spooky and the playful, makes for a perfect theme that'll have everyone howling with delight. And just think of the costumes! Leading hen party company, Fizzbox is our guide as we embark on a haunted journey through the land of Halloween hen party ideas that will make your last night of freedom the talk of the town.
Posted: 25 September 2023
Wedding day aesthetic according to your star sign
Jewellery brand Diamonds Factory, has spoken exclusively to celebrity psychic and astrologer Inbaal Honigman, who has shared her top tips on how to plan your wedding according to your zodiac. Vibrant Colours for Aries, known for their fiery and youthful nature, embrace the vibrant energy of red. This intense hue symbolises their passion and dynamism. To capture their directness, a bow and arrow motif, reminiscent of Greek deity Eros, perfectly embodies Aries' spirit on their special day.
Posted: 22 September 2023
Enjoy the new Rewild and Relax package at Calcot & Spa with PoB Hotels
A picturesque Cotswold country house hotel, Calcot & Spa is offering a Rewild and Relax package that invites guests to immerse themselves in the wild landscape of the Cotswolds for two nights. The package includes a guided early bird nature walk with Calcot's wildlife expert, Ed Drewitt, to fully enjoy nature's chorus at its best, highlighting the plethora of flora and fauna to be enjoyed on the hotel's doorstep. After a hearty breakfast, guests will be shown the hotel's on-site beehives by resident beekeeper, Martin, who will give guests an insight into these amazing creatures busy making use of the wildflower meadows and surrounding hedgerows.
Posted: 21 September 2023
Calling all newlyweds and nearlyweds - County Wedding Magazines need you!
Here at County Wedding Magazines HQ, there's nothing we love more than our real wedding features - and we couldn't do them without you! If you would like to see your wedding grace the pages of one of our County Wedding Magazine titles, then please do get in touch! Grand and big-budget extravaganzas, to small and intimate I dos, themed from beginning to end, or personalised with a sentimental touch - we want to hear about them all!
Posted: 20 September 2023
Let's talk about sleep - the importance of rest
A new nationwide study has revealed as many as 86 percent of us now regularly struggle to drift off - not good if you're wanting to look and feel your best physically and mentally in the run up to your wedding day and on-the-day itself! Research has revealed the top 20 natural sleep inducers in the modern age – and counting sheep or mugs of Horlicks did not make the cut. In fact, modern Brits are more likely to get intimate with their other half, listen to a true crime podcast, watch a comedy show, tidy their room from top to bottom, or cuddle up with their pet. But the survey shows, simply reading a book is the number one snooze inducing activity (23 percent), followed by scrolling through social media (22 percent), despite the consensus that looking at phones is bad for our sleep patterns.
Posted: 20 September 2023
Hurley House Hotel in Berkshire launches Omakase Sushi Bar
Hurley House Hotel is a privately owned exclusive and luxury boutique hotel and licensed wedding venue that specialises in bespoke events for up to 160 guests seated including weddings, private parties and special celebrations. It's set in a countryside location in Hurley close to Henley-on-Thames, Marlow and Maidenhead and recently unveiled its Japanese Omakase Sushi Bar. Bassam Shlewet, Hurley House's managing director tells us, "Our aim has always been to create unforgettable experiences for our guests. Having first introduced Japanese cuisine to the area in July 2019, it was only natural for us to extend our offering to include an authentic Japanese experience. Omakase, which translates as 'Leave it to me, is a unique dining ritual, in which your meal is carefully chosen and crafted by the head sushi chef right in front of you."
Posted: 19 September 2023
Antiques and vintage store now open at The Old Kennels in Cirencester
Independent antiques and collectables homewares store, Lily Antiques, is celebrating opening the doors of its new showroom at The Old Kennels in Cirencester Park, Gloucestershire. Inspired by rustic, everyday handmade objects from across Europe, Lily Antiques offers ever-changing collections of beautiful and useful items of excellent quality from one-off antique ceramics, including Capasoni olive oil jars and Spanish pots to Italian crockery platters and pasta bowls. There's also vintage furniture, decorative items, baskets and stoneware - the pieces are perfect for weddings and also gifts. Carefully hand-picked by Lily owners, Steve and Louise Pike, on regular and dedicated buying trips to the Continent, each piece was chosen for its unique, visually appealing and versatile aesthetic with weathered textures, tones and glazes in the best traditions of enduring design made by skilled craftspeople.
Posted: 14 September 2023
De Vere Tortworth Court features in new series Ultimate Wedding Planner
De Vere Tortworth Court features in the new hit series Ultimate Wedding Planner broadcast on BBC Two. Made by BBC Studios, the show sees Fred Sirieix, Sara Davies and Raj Somaiya judge eight aspiring wedding planners battling it out to see who's got what it takes to be crowned the Ultimate Wedding Planner. In episode four, the wedding planners are tasked with planning a multi-themed wedding, one of their toughest challenges yet. The engaged couple wanted an autumnal fantasy wedding, and the team set to work utilising De Vere Tortworth Court's Victorian Orangery as the perfect backdrop for the ceremony.
Posted: 12 September 2023
Sudeley Castle & Gardens in Winchcombe, Gloucestershire opens Orangery
Sudeley Castle & Gardens in Winchcombe, Gloucestershire has recently opened its stunning Orangery which, combined with the historic Old Coach House provides spacious dining and celebration areas to seat up to 150 guests, with many more able to enjoy the large terrace and outdoor bar. This timeless setting is located in the surroundings of the 15th-century Sudeley Castle and Gardens, with views of the castle exterior and across the rolling Cotswold Hills. The award-winning gardens sweep around the castle and grounds and are known as being some of the most romantic in the Cotswolds. With ruins and roses aplenty, there are awe-inspiring views and when the sun begins to set, the Cotswold stone of the castle and ruins magically glows.
Posted: 7 September 2023
Gloucestershire's Elmore Court host open day on 10th September
Gloucestershire's wedding venue Elmore Court is hosting The 10th! open day on 10th September 2023 from 1 pm until 5 pm to celebrate ten years of weddings at the venue. It's set to be their biggest one yet and there'll be some incredible talent and inspiration from some of the team's favourite local suppliers... visitors will be in for a treat! It's an open invite for all and the perfect opportunity to have a look around the house and grounds and meet the wonderful Team E. Guests can book a private tour and enjoy a cocktail while they explore.
Posted: 5 September 2023
Four tips for storing your wedding dress after the big day
With September tipped to be the most popular month for weddings, when the big day is done deciding what to do with a wedding dress can be tricky. Whilst some people sell them or donate them so future brides can use them, others prefer to keep hold of them and preserve the memory of their wedding day. If you're looking to preserve your wedding dress after the big day, or pass it down to future generations, proper storage is essential in maintaining its pristine condition. With this in mind, Vlatka Lake, storage expert at Space Station shares four tips for storing your wedding dress to keep it in pristine condition. Vlatka adds: "Before putting your dress into storage, make sure you have it cleaned to remove any stains or marks that may have appeared from your wedding day. The most important thing to remember when putting your wedding gown into storage is that it shouldn't be stored in a plastic bag or hung on a hanger. "Plastic covers don't allow for humidity changes and can often let light in that will fade the material of your dress. Hanging your dress can also affect its shape by adding unnecessary stress on the seams or the fabric."
Posted: 4 September 2023
Unique gifts couples give each other on their wedding day
The team at hampers.com recently surveyed UK adults who have gotten married or attended a wedding in the past five years, with the goal of determining what the gifting landscape looks like for wedding season. In doing so, they spoke to almost 800 newlyweds from across the UK and a further 1,400 UK adults who have attended a wedding in the same time frame. Firstly, the study found that it's common for brides and grooms to buy each other a gift for the wedding day itself, with 65% stating they did this for their own wedding day. The average spend was found to be £115, with women most likely to purchase a pocket watch (24%) or a vintage bottle of alcohol (22%) and men most likely to purchase jewellery (37%) or personalised 'Mrs' clothing (19%)...
Posted: 1 September 2023
Big-day gifting ideas from Don't Buy Her Flowers
Gift company, Don't Buy Her Flowers, prides itself for having thoughtfulness at its core, with customers able to create a bespoke gift box that perfectly suits the person and occasion. Whether it's to celebrate, commiserate or offer someone some TLC during a tough time, Don't Buy Her Flowers offers a range of luxury British products from delicious treats, cashmere socks and bubble bath to the perfect G&T and a selection of great books. Each gift box is beautifully gift wrapped with the customer's personalised message handwritten on the gift tag, making it the perfect package for everyone from mothers, newlyweds, teachers and employees.
Posted: 1 September 2023
Finest Retreats unveils Blaisdon Hall for staycations
Finest Retreats, which offers a hand-picked selection of the finest holiday rental properties across the UK has unveiled its latest addition, the sublime historic estate of Blaisdon Hall nestled in the heart of Gloucestershire. Unlocking the gates for groups of friends and families everywhere to enjoy extraordinary experiences, stunning staycations and celebrations can now be enjoyed in this beautiful building. Blaisdon Hall, with its rich heritage dating back centuries, has, until now, remained an exclusive private retreat for those hosting large-scale celebrations and weddings. Renowned for its timeless elegance and captivating beauty, it will now welcome guests to indulge in unforgettable experiences like never before.
Posted: 31 August 2023
Cafe del Mar Spirits sponsors Summertime Live in Cheltenham this weekend
Cafe del Mar Spirits is pleased to announce its 2023 Headline Partnership with the UK's most iconic Ibiza festival – Summertime Live. Over nine days and in seven separate venues, the festival will bring the biggest anthems of the last 30 years to life, with a 32-piece orchestra, live vocalists and DJs. Café de Mar, a brand so synonymous with Ibiza, will serve its premium gin and vodka across all festival sites. The dates for the festival in Cheltenham have been revealed as Fri 1st September and Sat 2nd September 2023. Café del Mar Vodka is incredibly smooth in taste, with subtle undertones of cream and citrus. A clean, refreshing and balanced premium spirit, it's perfect for cocktails or served over ice. Café del Mar Gin is a delicate blend of juniper, with fresh citrus and a hint of sweet spice.
Posted: 29 August 2023
Five reasons why Champagne is the pinnacle of sparkling wine
The Champagne Bureau UK* have rounded up five reasons why Champagne is the long-standing pinnacle of sparkling wine. Firstly, Champagne only comes from Champagne. Champagne is a 100% French product - the Champagne region is located in France, approximately 90 miles east of Paris. It is a protected appellation (AOC). From 816 to 1825, France's royalty was crowned in Champagne's Reims Cathedral, where Champagne was said to flow freely at all the coronation banquets. Soon, highly prized for their taste and finesse, it became customary to gift these wines to any royalty visiting the region. This is how the Champagne came to be known as the wine of coronation and known in France as "the wine of Kings and the King of wines".
Posted: 28 August 2023
7 ways to ask your friends to be bridesmaids
Bridesmaid proposals are a special moment in any friendship so it's natural to want to put some thought behind popping the question. Personalising gifts such as photo frames or pyjamas are a great way to give friends something they can keep forever. The glass experts at MeandMyGlass.co.uk have shared some of the best bridesmaid proposal ideas to make the occasion memorable.John Cutts, founder of MeandMyGlass said, "Asking your friends and family to be bridesmaids is a special moment and should be done in a special way. "You can't go wrong with a personal touch which is why things like photo frames and pyjamas are a great way to show appreciation to your bridesmaids and you know they'll keep their gift.
Posted: 25 August 2023
Experience Freedom offers getaways in safari tents in Moreton-in-Marsh
From wooden yurts to safari tents: Experience Freedom offers great accommodation choices for autumn glamping with two-night getaways from only £58. Book a two-night break for just £58* in the autumn glamping sale which starts today. From safari tents and brand-new wooden yurts to glamping cabins and pods, the sale offers glampers a fantastic saving of up to £20 per night. Whether it's a glamping trip with friends or a family staycation, Experience Freedom from the Caravan and Motorhome Club, has a range of accommodation options available to suit all tastes and budgets across eight different UK locations for trips taken between 12th September and 30th November.
Posted: 24 August 2023
Floral, citrus, or woody - and everything in between - wedding scents are becoming more popular as couples incorporate them into their day. They can provide an ideal way to remember the occasion, the trigger of a special memory when you come across that fragrance connected to it. What's more, key scents can also help control emotions according to psychologists. Yasmin Sharp, essential oils expert at Nikura, says, "With more than 12 million hashtag views on TikTok, wedding scents (#weddingscent) are becoming more and more popular
Posted: 23 August 2023
Vanilla Pod Bakery in Cheltenham host fundraising event on 20th Sept
Vanilla Pod Bakery in Cheltenham is hosting a fundraising event on 20th September 2023 at Holiday Inn Express in Cheltenham. Founder and director of Vanilla Pod Bakery, Pia Cato and her team are raising money for local charity appeal Emily's Gift. They are hosting a coffee and cake morning with free entry from 10:30 am until 12:00 pm. They will be creating some delicious bakes for the event, including pressed flower cakes and the popular Lambeth-style cakes using royal icing over piping to create layers. The talented team has also just been shortlisted for a Female Business Award in the Food & Drink Category with voting closing on 31st August.
Posted: 22 August 2023
