Your South West Wedding news and ideas from around the county

Winning wedding transportation at Orchardleigh Estate

Orchardleigh Estate has been named as the winner of the Best Wedding Transportation Service at the Wedding Services Awards 2024. The venue, near Frome, has received the accolade recognising the Estate's dedication to providing unparalleled transport options that enhance the wedding experience for its couples and their guests. Featuring a Rolls Royce Cullinan, Bentley Continental GTC, vintage cars and even a Bell LongRanger helicopter, Orchardleigh Estate's wedding transport service is renowned for its elegance and variety.

Seasonal style

As seasons change, it's important to be aware of how the weather affects the wedding. Editorial Assistant Millicent Garton takes you through some suggestions of how to embrace the chill and celebrate the sun. Much like seasons, it's only natural that weddings and their themes flow and evolve with changing year. From the cake and catering to the dress and décor, all elements of the big day can be influenced by the time of year, so it's only fitting that special attention should be given to those minor details.

Best of British at The Elder, Bath

The Elder, located within Hotel Indigo Bath, has launched a seven-course set menu showcasing the best of British wild food. With the expertise and passion of restaurateur Mike Robinson and executive chef Liam Goldstone at the helm, The Elder has now elevated its outstanding offering to new heights with an exciting new chapter for the award-winning restaurant. The constantly changing menu is a celebration of seasonality, featuring ingredients sourced locally with a focus on sustainability. The Elder's commitment to using wild, sustainable ingredients remains at the core of their ethos. Mike Robinson is incredibly passionate about the subject and owns an ethical venison company called Deer Box, which provides the restaurant with wild venison from estates within and hour of Bath.

The wedding team at The Old Milking Parlour tell us why wedding insurance is worth considering

When you're in that happy bubble of wedding planning, the concept of things going wrong are far from the beautiful, happy, fun filled vision that you have in your head for your wedding day. And, don't worry. Most weddings do happen without major problems. But from time to time, things happen that you can't control. And with the average cost of a 2023 wedding in the U.K. at more than £20,000 and 65% of couples spending more than £15,000 on their wedding (Source: Hitched). Obtaining wedding insurance is a sensible way to protect yourself from the financial impact of some unforeseen events. We decided to do a little research into wedding insurance.

Mini-break pawfection with PoB Hotels

We know how much you love your fur babies, so we thought it would interest you to know that PoB Hotels, a distinguished collection of properties across the UK offer unparalleled elegance and historical charm for stays with four legged companions. Located within 20 acres of beautiful gardens, Homewood Hotel & Spa is a superb dog-friendly destination just outside Bath, Somerset. Offering privacy, serenity, and luxury, it's the perfect retreat for travellers with furry friends. Upon arrival, dogs receive a Woof Box filled with Lily's Kitchen food, treats, and a ball, along with dog beds and bowls. The hotel has a dog agility zone to keep pets active and entertained.

Lazy afternoons at The Queens Hotel in Cheltenham

The garden at The Queens Hotel in Cheltenham has now reopened with a delicious new al fresco dining menu and an exciting programme of events including live music, prosecco on tap and bottomless afternoon tea. The garden provides an outdoor sanctuary in the heart of historic Cheltenham, it's the perfect place for friends to meet over delicious food in the sunshine. The new al fresco menu serves a mix of nibbles, small plates, fresh salads, and burgers, with highlight dishes such as the Royal Burger or smoked salmon bao buns. The menu also includes a range of delectable small plates such as tomato arancini, mussel linguini, chicken skewers or baked feta filo, perfect for sharing.

What's top of your wedding gift list?

Amid the joyful chaos of peak wedding season, wedding guests seek to find the perfect gift for you, the happy couple. The ideal wedding gift idea should reflect your unique style, personal preferences, and shared joyful experiences. Finding the perfect present is no easy feat! With this in mind, wedding gift-giving experts at Graham and Green have surveyed 1,500 engaged and married couples to uncover the most desired wedding gifts from their home and interiors. Perhaps it will inspire you when putting your own gift list together. Bedding is the top choice. The survey revealed that bedding is the most desired wedding gift among newlyweds, with one in six of those surveyed agreeing bedspreads and quilts were their ideal gift.

Time for tea at The Manor House

At The Manor House, set in the heart of Castle Coombe, guests can indulge in a decadent, homemade afternoon tea for two (or more), served on a tiered cake stand with a glamorous sense of tradition and occasion. Your afternoon tea is enjoyed in the Bybrook restaurant or one of the stunning lounges. This quintessentially English pastime, which dates back to the 19th century, features an essential selection of Shibui blends, single-estate teas, and infusions from India, China, and England to suit every taste. Savouries, typically in the form of sandwiches, are taken first, followed by warm scones accompanied by clotted cream and strawberry jam. The crowning glory of the experience is the array of divine pastries and cakes.

Make sure your wedding day is protected! 

When you're planning a wedding, getting insured is important to protect yourself against anything that could go awry just before, or on the big day. For those aiming to tie the knot this year, Alex Cross, Insurance Director at Tesco Bank shares his top tips on things to consider for your wedding day and make sure you're covered so things can run as smoothly as possible. Weddings can be a pricey affair, with the average cost of a UK wedding in 2024 coming in at around £20,755. Knowing the total cost of your wedding and how much you're spending on each element of your big day is crucial before choosing your insurance policy. Identifying any big-ticket expenses that you'll want covered should anything go wrong, such as venues, caterers, photographers, or dresses is also key. This can also help you decide if standard insurance policies will be enough or if you'll need something more specific or customised.