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

Celebrate the Coronation of King Charles III with PoB Hotels

With plans well underway for the upcoming Coronation of King Charles III on Saturday 6th May 2023, many people are considering how best to celebrate this historic event. PoB Hotels, the collection of carefully curated rooms, the finest restaurants and spas, and the most authentic regional experiences across the British Isles, has launched the Coronation Concierge to give guests the best royal staycation. Available to book throughout spring until 31st May 2023, PoB Hotels' Coronation Concierge will advise guests on the best-suited hotels for them to book a stay at in order to mark this historic event. Each hotel that the Concierge suggests has a strong Royal link, whether it has been visited by King Charles III, or has a historic connection to the monarchy. As the only dedicated collection of curated, independent hotels within the British Isles, PoB Hotels is perfectly placed to inform guests on the most unique and exciting stays to book in honour of this very British occasion. Just a phone call away, PoB Hotels' Coronation Concierge is a 24-hour service dedicated to guiding guests to book their perfect Coronation trip.

County Wedding Magazine reader shares 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 December 2022, CWM ran a competition, 'Win a relaxing spa day for two!' and the winners were nearlyweds Laura and Antoni. The lucky pair enjoyed a day at The Spa at Ardencote, a luxury four-star wedding venue in Warwickshire, including a 55-minute Elemis treatment, light lunch and full access to the award-winning spa facilities worth £130!

Wedding flowers for a lifetime

If you fell in love with your wedding flowers, or perhaps your chosen blooms on the big day had a sentimental meaning, the experts from Gardening Express have named the best flowers to grow in your garden so you can have memories forever of your wedding day. Dahlias come in a variety of colours and sizes, they have a long vase life, which means they will look fresh and beautiful. Dahlias are also associated with love and commitment, making them a meaningful choice.

Elmore Court announce rewinding plans

Elmore Court, the award-winning wedding venue in Gloucestershire, has announced details of its ambitious rewilding plans which include the opening of six sustainably built treehouses this spring, nestled in the estate's woodland, a stone's throw from the River Severn. They will mark the 10th anniversary of the opening of Elmore Court to the public as a wedding venue. It's a significant move which will allow visitors beyond those attending private functions to stay on the estate for the first time and enjoy the flourishing flora and fauna and experience the wildlife first-hand as the landscape evolves.

UK wedding catering trends 2023

Restaurant Associates reveals new data shows a definitive shift in style and substance at UK weddings post-Covid. Now that the dust has settled, and government mandated guest list limits are all but a thing of the past, the UK wedding scene has seen a definitive shift. New data from Restaurant Associates shows a preference to an informal style, plant-forward menus and reception only guests - so what does a 'normal' wedding look like, post-covid?

Henley Festival reveals unmissable line-up for summer 2023

The Henley Festival Presented by Westcoast has revealed this year's sensational line-up, featuring five unmissable summer nights packed full of world-class music, comedy, dining, dancing and magical moments. Westcoast is excited to continue its long association with Henley Festival in 2023 and is delighted to be supporting RISE. From Wednesday 5 July to Sunday 9 July, the UK's only boutique black-tie festival will present an unforgettable experience on the stunning riverside in Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire. Henley Festival is truly like no other, with a vibrant line-up of pop, world, classical, folk and jazz music sitting alongside award-winning comedy, visual art and sculpture installations on the green banks of the Thames, and first-class gastronomy. Festival goers will be enchanted late into the night by this captivating programme of music and arts – with each evening coming to an epic close with a jaw-dropping firework spectacular.

Wedding favours that make a difference

Parkinson's UK has launched a new collection of wedding and celebration favours and place cards, meaning couples can rest assured with their ethical wedding choices. From old favourites to stunning new designs, there's something for everyone, and even better, with every purchase they're helping someone living with Parkinson's and their family, friends and carers. Parkinson's is the fastest-growing neurological condition in the world, and currently there is no cure. It affects around 145,000 people in the UK and every hour two more people are diagnosed with more than 40 symptoms, from tremor and pain to anxiety.

How to announce your wedding and involve your WIPs (Wedding Important People)

There are various levels of Wedding Important People (WIPs), which Rachel from The Wedding Party (TWP) says should govern how you tell them. "Significant WIPs, such as parents or guardians, should be face-to-face wherever possible. Getting families together to announce can kill two birds with one stone, but if your families have not met yet this can produce more nerves. If there are likely to be any reservations, then perhaps speak to your WIPs separately to allow for this. In the same breath, if parents are separated (yours or your partners), arrange to visit them separately but on the same day if possible. Finally, remember that using the video software available to you can ensure that you do this face-to-face no matter the circumstances.

Travelling Storyteller to headline Blenheim Palace’s Easter Eggstravaganza

A travelling storyteller is heading to Oxfordshire as part of Blenheim Palace's Easter Eggstravaganza taking place from Friday 7th until Monday 10 April. Mr Alexander's Travelling Show is a unique outdoor vintage variety show which involves magic, illusion, music and a cascade of skills. There will be three different shows running each day for the Easter Bank Holiday Weekend. There will also be Easter treats on offer for visitors with Hotel Chocolat returning to the UNESCO World Heritage Site for the second consecutive year for the Palace's Easter Eggstravaganza.

How to manage financial anxiety when planning a wedding

Anita Naik, Savings Expert at VoucherCodes.co.uk, provides her top tips on how to manage financial anxiety when planning a wedding: "Understanding and managing your finances is never an easy task at the best of the times, however, throwing in a big goal, such as saving for a wedding, can lead to feelings of stress and anxiety. Wedding planning should be fun, not daunting, therefore this Stress Awareness Month, I've pulled together my top tips to help reduce financial anxiety and make the process as enjoyable as possible.

Celebrate Easter with Daylesford Organic

Daylesford Organic is celebrating Easter with a curation of classic favourites and new products for this year. The regenerative farm is one of the most sustainable retailers in the UK, and this year's range covers hand-painted chocolate eggs, hampers, homeware, cakes and pastries from the farm's bakery, and show-stopping Easter chocolate. Highlights include Easter eggs, handmade produce from the Easter Bakery, hampers and homeware.

The number one cause of wedding planning stress and how to reduce it!

What causes stress in wedding planning is something that is individual to each couple, but where does it mainly come from? Friends? Family? Finances? "A staggering 92% of our couples planning a wedding are feeling the pressure financially and it is causing overwhelm", says Rachel Allen, the CEO of The Wedding Party (TWP)." This was the reason that Rachel formulated The Overwhelm Button® to help couples to get good support. Rachel continues, "Being stressed over finances can take several different forms, the main three being as follows...

Enjoy an Egg-citing event at Birdland Park & Gardens

There's a host of egg-citing events and activities taking place at Birdland Park & Gardens throughout the Easter holidays. In what is the season of new life, many of the birds will begin a courtship and dozens of eggs are due to be laid over the coming weeks in the nine acres of gardens and woodland in Bourton-on-the-Water, Gloucestershire. close to the border of Oxfordshire. Birdland's head keeper Alistair Keen said: "Easter is always a busy time of the year for us as we wait for the eggs to be laid. It's an exciting time when we find out what our new residents are going to look like." From Saturday, April 1 to Sunday, April 16, families can join in the Easter Challenge Quiz, hunting down hidden eggs around the park and answering some fun ornithological questions. Visitors can also go back in time to hunt for dinosaur eggs in the Jurassic Journey trail and explore prehistoric fossils in the Dino Dig.

Sustainable wedding table ideas from LIGA

Known for their love of nature's wonder material - cork, LIGA's sustainable tableware collections are a stylish and unique wedding dining-setting choice. With their extensive collection of placemats, coasters, trays and candle holders, all made from eco-frendly and recycled materials, LIGA create clean and contemporary pieces, bringing a naturally beautiful element to the tablescape. Each with a unique grain and pattern, the organic cork selected by LIGA is lightweight and soft to touch, a wonderful raw material which is naturally water resistant and easy to clean. Sourced from the Montado Forests in Portugal, LIGA's cork is hand harvested using age-old skills without damaging the trees or the delicate eco-systems which thrive in the forests. Once cork has been made into a LIGA product it continues to absorb CO2, so a living and breathing piece of homeware.

On The Mount Wasing concert series set to take place this summer

A unique new concert series, staged on the incredible natural amphitheatre The Mount in the grounds of Wasing in Berkshire, has been announced for summer 2023. On The Mount will take place across midsummer, nestled amongst the magical woodland treescape at Wasing, one of the most diverse rural estates in England. The inaugural line-up for the series will feature headline sets from Gabriels on 22nd June, Jack Johnson on 25th June, Primal Scream on 30th June, Ben Howard on 1st July, and Sigur Ros on 2nd July. Support artists and further shows will be announced in due course. Soulful British-American trio Gabriels are nominated for this year's BRIT Awards International Group of the Year, following the release of the first half of their debut album 'Angels and Queens', released last year. Already touring worldwide and garnering fans such as Elton John, the band will release the hugely anticipated second half of the album later this year. Gabriels will be supported at this show by Olivia Dean, one of the UK's hottest rising stars, and Rachel Chinouriri, one of The Guardian's Ones to Watch for 2023.

Team Hen's new Jelly Bag has landed

Meet the jelly bag that every bride tribe wants their hen party favours to arrive in 2023. Landing in three gram-worthy hues (off-white for the bride, dusky pink for the bridesmaids and maid-of-honour and pink for the hens). These reusable beauties are perfect for filling with Team Hen's latest array of coveted hen party favours and gifts whilst flaunting a cool, retro vibe. Plus, each comes tied with a matching ribbon, professionally printed in a luxe puffed design to create a slightly raised font effect. Not only are they the gift that keeps on giving (post-hen recipients can use them from beach to bar) but at £3.99 they're a steal!

Wolsey Lodges offer 10% Coronation Voucher Offer

Celebrate spring with a stay at a Wolsey Lodge. The Wolsey Lodge gift vouchers are the perfect present for friends and relatives, and with 10% off, they're a clever way of reducing the cost of your next Wolsey Lodge stay by buying vouchers now. Vouchers can be redeemed for accommodation and food at any Wolsey Lodge and are valid for two years. So, if you take advantage of this discounted offer - available until the end of the Coronation Weekend on the 8th of May - there's plenty of time to plan your stay.

Cotswold Rustic Cakes unveil tasty new designs

Maryanne Stefanovic is the master baker behind Cotswold Rustic Cakes based in Moreton-in-Marsh, Gloucestershire specialising in bespoke buttercream floral wedding cakes. When it comes to couples wanting a mouth-watering statement wedding cake with the wow factor, she tells us, "Planning a wedding cake can be quite an overwhelming task. There are so many factors to consider from cost, portioning, design and flavour choices so it's really important to find a cake designer who is willing to help you every step of the way." She adds, "I encourage my couples to do their design research and create a mood board of the things they like, Instagram and Pinterest are great platforms for collating ideas. Find a cake designer who suits your style and you'll love the work they create. This will probably be the most important cake you will ever eat, so why not have fun with the process of creating a bespoke cake that matches your personality as a couple?"

Involving your family pet on the big day? Check out this personalised offering

Involving your four-legged friend on your wedding day? Are they taking a staring role walking down the aisle? If so, then you have to take a look at these smart and stylish personalised leather dog ring bearer pouches (£24) from Create Gift Love. Create Gift Love design and make personalised keepsake gifts and accessories to celebrate all of life's special moments, all handmade to order in its UK workshop from sustainable natural materials.

The Griffin, Amersham serves new Sunday roast offering

The Griffin is an independent restaurant located in the historic market town of Old Amersham in Buckinghamshire. Leading up the team is Mikey Seferynski, the star head chef who is known for his previous experience at Hind's Head, Heston Blumenthal's quintessentially English inn. Known for his twists on classics and interpretation of modern European cuisine, the dishes reflect the stylish, yet comfortable recent opening in this quaint market town. The Sunday roasts get booked up months in advance due to popularity. They are served with roast potatoes, charred hispi cabbage, smoked nuts and seeds, caraway glazed carrots, cheesy green beans, Yorkshire pudding and roasting juices. Highlights on the menu include roast suckling piglet, chorizo and apple jam; slow-cooked shoulder and leg of lamb with house mint sauce and roast rib eye and glazed beef shin with horseradish cream.