Your Glos and Wilts Wedding news and ideas from around the area

How to plan your finances for marriage

Wedding season is now in full swing as couples prepare for their big day. For those planning to tie the knot, wedding preparations are not the only things that need careful planning. Taking the right steps to prepare financially for marriage can help to prevent unexpected surprises as couples embark on their new life together. Weddings are magical moments but they also require a level of practicality, to ensure that you get your partnership off to the right start. So, what can couples do to make sure they are perfectly aligned before they say their vows?

The 10 most popular first dance songs for 2023

Over the past year, UK searches for 'first dance songs 2023' have increased by +4,700%, whilst searches for 'fun first dance ideas' have increased by +100% showing that more couples are looking for inspiration. The first dance is likely to be one of the most memorable moments of your wedding, so naturally, newlyweds are determined to pick the most suitable song. A decision needs to be made whether to choose an old classic or maybe the new love song that's currently on the charts.

Luxury Family Hotels in Wilts and Cornwall offer family friendly stays

The Luxury Family Hotels collection comprises five hotels in some of England's finest coastal and countryside locations: Woolley Grange in Wiltshire (pictured), Fowey Hall in Cornwall, Moonfleet Manor in Dorset, The Ickworth in Suffolk and New Park Manor in the New Forest. Each of the hotels is designed for families of every kind, offering all the little things required for a family holiday or a family-moon.

How to make your wedding day dog-friendly

For many, dogs are considered to be a key member of the family, so when it comes to one of the most important days of a couple's lives, their wedding day, it's only natural that they want their four-legged friends to be involved in the celebrations. That being said, lots of strangers, loud noises and the unfamiliar location of a wedding can prove quite overwhelming for our canine companions, so if you want to include your dog in your big day, there are a couple of things you need to be aware of. Below, Carolyn Menteith, Behaviourist at tails.com has offered her top tips and advice on how to throw the 'paw-fect' wedding that will ensure both humans and dogs remain happy at all times.

Summertime Live Ibiza festival in Cheltenham this summer

Looking for the perfect way to take a break from the wed-min, or perhaps an alternative hen do idea? Check out Summertime Live festival in Cheltenham this summer. Café 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 & Vodka across all festival sites.

The Bradley Hare pub based in Wiltshire launches new experiences and activities

Leading country inn, The Bradley Hare, situated in the beautiful village of Maiden Bradley in southwest Wiltshire, is one of the UK's leading cosy country inns. The Bradley Hare was successfully launched in June 2021 and is renowned for its amazing design and cool interiors by the ex-European Design Director for Soho House, James Thurstan Waterworth. The inn, that's located on the Duke of Somerset's Estate has twelve homely and unique bedrooms with seven in the main house and a further five in the Coach House. The talented kitchen team offer delicious dishes using the best local and seasonal produce and all-year-round al-fresco dining in glorious private gardens, surrounded by fresh fruit and vegetable patches. With sustainability at the forefront, The Bradley Hare team are also hoping to champion the modern reawakening of 'waste-not-want not' with their ultimate aim being to run a zero-waste kitchen.

UK wedding guests set to spend £16.6bn in 2023

As summer approaches and wedding season hits full swing, new research from American Express has found that UK wedding guests are set to increase their spend attending weddings by 18% this year, compared to 2022. The average wedding guest is expecting to spend £1,045 on average per wedding this year, equating to £16.6 billion across the UK. In 2022, wedding goers spent an average of £883 to mark the first year of restriction-free ceremonies, totalling £15.6 billion as a population.

On trend flower arrangements for summer 2023

With Summer here at last, it's time to elevate our flower arrangements in align with all the 2023 trends. Much like the fashion designs we follow year upon year, the world of florals is equally monitored for on-trend flowers and colours of the seasons. Bloomsbury Flowers are here with all the top tips on keeping your flower arrangements on trend for 2023. The luxury and longstanding florist (based in Covent Garden) has served some of London & the UK's most stylish venues and beyond with their individual designs and scents. With their reputation for premium and bespoke flower arrangements, they certainly know what they're talking about when it comes to flower trends.

New Etsy Registry launches for weddings

Etsy has launched its Etsy Registry, a new wedding gifting experience that allows couples to register for truly meaningful gifts. In addition to handmade and vintage gifts, couples can register for personalised items and specify the exact customisation for their guests, making Etsy the place people can go for gifts, decor, and even bridal party items – all while supporting UK small businesses.

Tips for making the perfect wedding gift hamper

Struggling to find the perfect gift for the couple who has everything this wedding season? Hampers are one of the best wedding gifts for newlyweds because of their practicality, variety, versatility and thoughtfulness. As well as being the perfect personalised and affordable gift that can be done on any budget. Cartwright & Butler's hamper and recipe developer, Karolina Glowacka, has given 8 tips on building the ultimate wedding gift hamper for the newlywed couple to continue to enjoy even months after their big day.

Online searches have surged for staycations in the Cotswolds

Did you know that online searches have surged for staycations in the Cotswolds. The UK's travel scene is booming and has been ever since the pandemic when holidaymakers had little choice but to travel within the UK. It seems that Britains are continuing to favour a staycation, the perfect pick for a honeymoon or a mini-moon rather than travelling abroad. It's considerably more sustainable than hopping on a flight as more people are looking to reduce their carbon footprint and travel more responsibly. While others simply want a more affordable and convenient alternative, especially when travelling with children. From luxury nature retreats to beautiful beaches, some of the country's most luxurious destinations are right on the doorstep waiting to be explored - all without the inconvenience of flying.

Moments Frame from Inkifi, the ultimate wedding gift

The Moments Frame from inkifi is a stylish way to display treasured memories at home, suiting both contemporary and traditional interiors schemes. A 52 aperture premium framed print to showcase the most special moments at home. Perfect for savouring a memory for each week of the year or for celebrating landmark moments like a wedding, a child's first year or photos from treasured holidays.

Demand for dry weddings increases

Whether it's teetotallers, the 'sober curious' or simply those wishing to cut back on the amount of alcohol they consume, dry weddings are an emerging growth market according to one leading events planner who has seen a 28% increase in requests for completely alcohol-free weddings, and a notable focus on alcohol free drinks in weddings that aren't forgoing it altogether. Liz Taylor, CEO of leading wedding and events management company, the Taylor Lynn Corporation (TLC), has been at the forefront of the wedding industry for over thirty-five years and has never seen such demand for no or low alcohol weddings, with requests rising nearly a third in the last two years.

Top trending wedding readings #WeddingTok #PoetryTok

With wedding season upon us, and many people looking for reading inspiration, the experts at Poem Analysis have found the top trending (and least cheesy) wedding readings on TikTok! There are 140.4 million views for the search 'best wedding readings' so you're not the only one if you're struggling with the right words to say on your big day! What's more, there's been 2.6 billion views and counting on #PoetryTok and #WeddingTok has 7.4 billion views and rising with advice for every element of your big day, and 140.4 million of those views are for the search 'best wedding readings'.

Cotswolds Hideaways offer weekend activities inspired by Clarkson's Farm

With the television documentary series Clarkson's Farm a popular viewing choice, filmed at his farm in the Cotswolds, one of the show's most popular personalities is Gerald Cooper, the farms dry stone wall expert. Couples wanting to book an action-packed honeymoon in this Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty can now learn to make a drystone wall on some of the area's most exclusive estates and remote sites with local partner Honeystone Training (https://honeystonetraining.co.uk). The course can be booked through the holiday cottage agency Cotswolds Hideaways which offers honeymoon-worthy accommodation (www.cotswoldshideaways.co.uk).

8 actionable tips for a more sustainable wedding

Weddings cause a surprising amount of waste and CO2 emissions. And, as more and more people consider the effect, many couples are starting to plan greener weddings. Lucille, jewellery expert at ethical jewellery brand Sacet shares eight actionable tips for a more sustainable wedding...Use conflict-free rings and jewellery - consider the ethics of your wedding rings and any other jewellery you may wear on the day. Diamond mining has a devastating impact on the environment and communities. So, choosing conflict-free, lab-grown diamonds, particularly diamonds created using Chemical Vapour Deposition or CVD - a method which requires lower temperatures than the first successful High Pressure, High-Temperature process, which requires a great deal of energy, and recycled metals is the way forward, particularly when it comes to the star of the show, your engagement ring.

Love and gin - matchmade in wedding heaven!

Tied the Knot Wedding Gin by Manchester Gin was crafted by founders Seb and Jen to celebrate their own wedding in 2022. Relaunching in time for wedding season as part of the distillery's core range, Tied the Knot contains 11 botanicals in perfect harmony. Juniper-forward, like most of the Manchester Gin range, this very special edition also celebrates the delicate summer flavours of elderflower and hibiscus, which work beautifully with bright lemon and grapefruit.

It's World Gin Day (10th June) celebrate with seven gin cocktails

World Gin Day on the 10th June is a celebration of all things gin. Here's a selection of amazing gin cocktails originating from different countries for you today and for your hen/stag/sten do and wedding day - well why not on the honeymoon too! There's lots you'll be celebrating! Happy World Gin Day! Ryan Reynolds' Aviation Gin Negroni create at home: 30ml Aviation American Gin, Campari and Sweet Vermouth. Stir all ingredients in a glass, add ice and a fresh twist of orange peel

Macmillan Cancer Support launches letter-box gifting service

GoodPost, is the new online gifting service from Macmillan Cancer Support that allows customers to shop personalised greeting cards, letter box gifts, hampers and more which can be sent straight to a loved one's door at the click of a button. It's really convenient and with every purchase, all proceeds go straight to the charity. As part of the new service, buyers can pick from a new range of exclusive gifts and cards.

Celebrate World Gin Day with Cotswolds Dry Gin At Chotto Matte, Soho

Cotswolds Distillery has partnered with the inspirational Soho bar, Chotto Matte, to create a special cocktail, the Cotswolds Vesper Martini, to celebrate World Gin Day, Saturday 10th June. This indulgent Vesper Martini is made using award-winning Cotswolds Dry Gin, expertly created by the mixologists at Chotto Matte, with premium ingredients from around the world. Don't miss the opportunity to enjoy this special martini, available all week on the special cocktail menu from 9th June until 16th June at Chotto Matte, Soho.