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

Wedding floral trends for 2024

Bloom & Wild florist, Emma Forsey, presents a vision of floral enchantment that goes beyond the ordinary. From local blooms and wild meadows to bold colour clashes and the evolution of AI, here's what to come in 2024 for wedding blooms. Local flowers have been getting the love they deserve in the wedding scene, and it looks like they're going to be the go-to choice for UK weddings in 2024. More and more couples are valuing the eco-friendly element of homegrown blooms, appreciating the chance to support local flower growers. British flowers aren't just a trendy word anymore; they're becoming a significant and lasting part of the wedding flower industry.

From casual to formal, here’s how to plan your picture-perfect engagement party

Firsty, congratulations! You're getting married! After a proposal, there are so many things to think about, but before preparing for the big day itself, an engagement party is a great way to share your exciting news and get your nearest and dearest together to celebrate. Pinterest trends1 revealed the largest peak in searches for 'engagement party ideas' were in January last year, now is the time to get the ball rolling and start planning for the prelude of the main event. Whether you're planning an intimate gathering or a lavish affair, party planning expert at Ginger Ray, Jess Martin, shares 10 tips for your celebration, no matter how big or small:

That's so Fetch: 10 Ideas for the ultimate Mean Girls-themed hen party

It's time to channel your inner Regina George and party like it's October 3rd! To celebrate the release of the new Mean Girls movie on 19th January 2024, Fizzbox has the rundown on Mean Girls themed hen party ideas that are so fetch! In a world where wearing pink on Wednesdays isn't just a choice but a lifestyle, this is the ultimate way to celebrate your upcoming nuptials in style, whether you're an aspiring Spring Fling Queen or a Mathlete. So break out the Burn Book and dust off your Plastics-approved heels. Get in loser, we're going on a hen do!

Celebrate Burns Night tonight at The Bradley Hare

Celebrate Burns Night tonight at The Bradley Hare, a cosy country pub in Wiltshire. Celebrate the anniversary of Robert Burns' birth on the 25th of January 1759 with a celebratory dining experience. There's a cocktail special to kick off the evening - guests can quench their thirst with a Scottish Mule, made with Benromach, Drambuie, and orange bitters, topped with ginger beer. To accompany this, a six-course menu will be served with a dram of whisky (should guests desire). To start, there's cock-a-leekie soup with chicken consommé and bannock, followed by an Orkney scallop with traditional Cullen skink and pickled neeps. Succulent Venison tartare served with crispy kale, Scottish skirlie, and caviar is followed by roasted partridge with clapshot, haggis, baby neeps and jus.

The wedding gifts couples in 2024 really want...

When it comes to wedding planning, there is so much to think about, the same goes for wedding gift lists & etiquette. Gifting Guru at The Wedding Shop, Liza Baucher, answers you everything you need to know about wedding registries... In short, we advise adding 2-3 gifts per wedding guest invited. Adding a variety of gifts to your wedding list caters to the differing budgets and preferences of your guests. It's a thoughtful approach to include a wide range of items, from smaller, more affordable pieces to a few higher-end gifts. The key is balance and variety. Typically, having slightly more gifts than the number of guests or households invited allows for enough choice without overwhelming your guests.

Celebrate Burns Night at The Loch & The Tyne by Adam Handling

Celebrate Burns Night with a Scottish feast and bagpipes at Adam Handling's The Loch & the Tyne in Old Windsor. Adam and co-chef proprietors, Steven Kerr and Jonny McNeil, have created a one-off, celebratory menu, available for dinner on Thursday 25th January alongside a selection of Burns Night cocktails including the whisky hiball, made from chamomile-infused scotch, citrus, honey, and ginger ale, or a smoky nail, which combines balvenie 12YO and laphroaig 10YO with cazcabel honey and angostura bitters. This Burns Night menu showcases exquisite Scottish flavours, using the very best of British produce, in keeping with The Loch & the Tyne's ethos of Sustainable, British, Luxury. The night will be a celebration of all things Caledonian and will be priced at £65 per person.

Wedding ring trends 2024 according to Queensmith

Symbolising unconditional love, devotion and commitment, wedding rings represent the union of marriage between two people and unlike engagement rings, they are worn by both. Often, wedding rings tend to be more simple and minimalist, but there are still so many different choices you can make from the metal colour, style and bandwidth. As such, experts at engagement and wedding ring jeweller, Queensmith, have released exclusive internal data to help guide couples on what wedding rings will be popular in 2024.

2024 wedding trend: cocktails to serve at 70s-inspired weddings!

Pinterest has launched its Pinterest Predicts report and '70s-inspired weddings are set to be huge in 2024, with searches for 'groovy wedding' increasing 170% and 'retro wedding theme' spiking 80%. Experts at NIO Cocktails have shared popular cocktails from the 1970s that you should serve at your retro wedding: "The era that brought us the rise of disco music, retro prints and bell bottom trousers also brought us a resurgence in classic cocktails and new ones, too! There were many cocktails that were popular in the 1970s and if you're wanting to throw the perfect '70s-inspired wedding, we'd definitely advise including our top three '70s cocktail picks in your wedding."

Wedding Showcase to be held at The Langley, a Luxury Collection Hotel

On Sunday 25th February, The Langley in Buckinghamshire will host a complimentary Wedding Showcase from 11 am until 4 pm. This countryside retreat is hidden amidst 150 acres of secluded parkland offering the idyllic setting for an elegant wedding surrounded by a wealth of historical luxury. The showcase will allow visitors to meet the hotel's dedicated events team, enjoy a tour around the property and its expansive grounds and check out the stunning spa facilities. Couples will have the opportunity to speak with The Langley's hand-picked suppliers including bespoke wedding cake creator Ana Lewis, elite hair, make-up and beauty therapist MACH MGMT, bridal boutique owner Ellie Sanderson, and the floral design specialist team Lily's Flowers.

2024 food and drink trends predicted by the experts

From flexitarianism and the rise of sharing plates, to higher demand for whiskies and the rise in under-loved species of fish; here, renowned chefs and drink experts predict what will be the food and drink trends to take 2024 by storm - inspiration for your big-day catering too, with so much choice it will be hard to pick your favourite trend!

January Suite Deals available at The Vineyard in Berkshire

The Vineyard, a bucket list hotel for wine lovers in Newbury, Berkshire is offering stays from £199 for two. This January, guests are invited to experience suite deals starting from just £199 per room. The offer includes two hours of pure relaxation in the private spa facilities. There are 32 suites with an open-plan Atrium suite featuring a lounge area, a heavenly bathroom, and a balcony or French doors opening to the crisp Berkshire countryside. A restful night's sleep is guaranteed, followed by a leisurely late noon check-out. To start the day right, savour a cooked and continental breakfast. But, be quick – the suite deals are limited.

Celebrate your wedding day with Niche Cocktails

If you want to serve amazing cocktails on the big day, then Niche Cocktails has you covered with its premium ready-to-drink canned cocktails. Perfect for kick-starting the celebrations, Niche Cocktails' range of all-natural cocktails taste just as good (if not better) than the ones you'd make from scratch, meaning that cocktail-loving couples can serve their favourite combos on their wedding day - why not enjoy your favourite tipples on your hen/stag or sten do too! Pre-mixed to ensure there's one less thing to worry about, you and your guests can enjoy a tasty tipple with Niche's delicious range that is so simple to serve. Each can can be poured straight into a glass or into a shaker with ice, allowing your guests more time for mingling.

Should I get a prenup ahead of my wedding?

Should I get a prenup ahead of my wedding? If you're planning your wedding, it's likely you're experiencing a whole mix of emotions! On the one hand, you'll be on cloud nine and feeling so excited. On the other, the stress can often get the better of you, no matter how in love you are. The planning, the preparation and the pressure can be overwhelming at times. In amongst all of this, you may not be thinking about putting measures in place to protect yourself in the event of the relationship one day breaking down. Whilst not the most romantic of things to be thinking about, an ever-growing number of couples are turning to prenuptial agreements ('prenups') to safeguard their money and assets before they begin their marriage and post nuptial agreements thereafter. At Stowe Family Law, we have seen enquiries for prenups increase by a quarter in the last year.

The Old Bell Hotel in Malmesbury Wins AA Awards

Adding to its long list of recent accolades, The Old Bell in Malmesbury has recently been awarded 4 Stars for its truly spectacular rooms, two AA Rosettes for its fabulous restaurant, Abbey Row, and a rare AA Breakfast Award for their "memorable breakfast", firmly placing Wiltshire on the map as one of the UK's greatest destinations for staycations and dining. After visiting more than 4000 hotels and restaurants across the UK, the AA report writes that the "hotel team are evidently at the heart of this property and ensure a most memorable stay...refurbishment presents very well with a modern contemporary feel whilst still retaining the many characteristics of this impressive Grade I listed property. The overall quality is impressive."

Most popular day for marriage proposals revealed

New research has revealed the most common dates for marriage proposals in the UK, with Christmas Day, New Year's Eve and Valentine's Day taking the top three spots. In order to delve into engagement trends, a UK wedding venue has conducted a survey of married, engaged and single people... More than 2,700 people aged 18 and over took part in the research, 76% of whom were married or engaged and 24% of whom had not been engaged yet. Respondents answered questions about their past proposals, or what they would want from a proposal in future. Wedding venue Hensol Castle first of all asked what date of the year anyone who was or had been engaged was asked for their hand in marriage (or did the asking), which revealed the following top five dates to be the most popular of the year:

Rejuvenate this January with PoB Hotels at The Painswick in Gloucestershire

PoB Hotels is inviting guests to celebrate the dawn of the New Year in unparalleled style. With its distinguished collection of the finest independent hotels scattered across the British Isles, PoB Hotels is extending a heartfelt invitation for guests to welcome in 2024 with an unforgettable staycation. Visit The Painswick in Gloucestershire for fabulous feasting, fresh air and a tipple or two in the Quintessential Cotswolds. The Painswick embodies English charm with its boutique bedrooms, delectable dining, and sweeping panoramic views. Inviting guests to step into the New Year in style with their 'New Year, New Ewe' package that begins with a festive champagne and canapé reception.

2024 wedding trends from the experts

Emma Gold, founder of GSP Events, an events production agency responsible for some of the most iconic weddings of the last 27 years, unveils the 2024 wedding trends along with other experts in the industry..."Another trend we are seeing more and more of – the hotel buyout; guests are keen for total exclusivity and privacy for their guests. It is no longer enough to simply take a few rooms or the events spaces for the day or the weekend. Going forward, guests are taking over entire hotels. Clients of ours this year had the Maybourne Riviera for the weekend. One event was hosted there, with best friends and family all accommodated in the hotel. It means the celebrations never stop, and it allows guests to spend good quality down time together too. From a logistical perspective, it's hugely helpful in ensuring guests are at the right place at the right time; but also, what a dream to be able to have all your loved ones in one place."

20 things to get us through January according to Brits

With Christmas over, and the most depressing month of the year in full swing researchers asked Brits to vote for the things which we love about the colder months, with snuggling up with a blanket the top choice! The research, conducted by luxury ski resorts Club Med, also revealed a Sunday roast helps us get through the chilliest days, as over a quarter (27 per cent) love the smell of a roast dinner wafting through the house.

The best alcohol-free drinks to serve at weddings?

Discover the delightful range of award-winning non-alcoholic beverages from Mocktails which will make the perfect accompaniment to alcohol-free weddings and hen/stag dos! The ready-to-drink beverages are perfect for those looking to embrace the benefits of alcohol-free without compromising on flavour. Mocktails offer a delectable collection of flavours, each carefully crafted with the finest ingredients, spices, and botanicals sourced from around the world. Mixology-inspired and uniquely crafted, drinks include Mockarita, Sansgria, Mockscow Mule, Mockapolitan and Espress0% Martini. Mocktails' beverages are made with real fruit juices, exotic and natural flavours, and pure cane sugar.

Sustainable wedding wrapping paper from Curlicue

Curlicue, a British-made, female-founded company, has a delightful range of love-themed gift wrap - perfect for wedding gifting or Valentine's Day! All wrap is on 100% FSC-certified recycled and recyclable paper, plastic-free, and made with vegetable-based ink. The company uses a waterless and chemical-free printing process to be kinder to the environment, and use a UK printer for its paper to keep its carbon footprint as low as possible - from making to shipping its plastic-free!