NEARLYWED NEWS

Tall John’s House in Brecon is undergoing a refurbishment. “It has become increasingly obvious to us that one of the great attractions of Tall John’s Weddings is that we have on-site accommodation for up to 25 people across the Manor House, Stables and Saddlers,” says owner Liza Watson. “This is in addition to our two self-catering cottages, which are included in the wedding package and sleep 10 in total. Bearing this in mind, we are in the process of a big refurbishment of the reception areas of the Manor House. We have moved our snooker table into a newly-formed Games Room which is adjoining our Granary. This makes the room dual purpose as we have a top for the table, and it magically turns into a serving area for drinks and canapés. We have made our smallest sitting-room into an informal bar area and have extended our drawing-room through the secret bookcase into the lounge area where the snooker table used to be.

“Of course our bedrooms are of great importance, so we have installed tea trays with coffee, teas, chocolate and milk so everyone can enjoy a cup of tea in bed,” adds Liza. “We are also committed to being as green as we can, so we use toilet paper and tissues which is produced NEWS Nearlywed sustainably and also resource soaps that are environmentally friendly and made locally.” Find out more at www.talljohnshouse.com All the latest from around South Wales

MUSIC TO MY EARS

Hannah Williams Harpist, a professional harpist in the Vale of Glamorgan, has appeared on ITVBe’s The Singles Table. The show featured a colourful wedding held at Lakeside Venue in Bridgend where Hannah performed during the ceremony and wedding breakfast.

“It was a really interesting wedding,” adds Hannah. “The couple had a legal ceremony followed by a church blessing and a traditional Nigerian ceremony. I was really excited to be a part of their special day.”

Hannah is a graduate of the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama and is an in-demand professional musician performing across the United Kingdom. Hannah can perform at weddings, and corporate and charity events, and adds a special touch to each of these occasions with her professional experience, repertoire and classical training.

Head over to www.hannahwilliamsharpist.com for more information. PLANNED TO PERFECTION

Venue Wales is hosting a wedding showcase on 26th February 2023. This is the perfect time to meet local companies, chat with wedding coordinators and find inspiration for your special day.

The showcase is taking place at The Lloyd Thomas Centre. This large, picturesque venue is situated in the middle of Lampeter town, nestled in the foothills of the Cambrian Mountains of Ceredigion. Known for hosting prestigious annual events from conferences to the local Eisteddfodau, the venue has experienced, friendly staff on hand to offer you excellent service and planning throughout your wedding journey.

Check out www.venuewales.co.uk for more information.

HISTORY IN THE MAKING

Pencoed House Estate in Cardiff has been awarded Best Wedding Venue in East Wales at The Welsh National Wedding Awards 2022 (www.welshnationalweddingawards.co.uk). Surrounded by 36 acres of grounds, well-groomed lawns, flowers and ancient woodland, Pencoed House Estate is a beautiful wedding venue full of charm. Dating back to 979AD, it was once home to ministers of the church, the King of Glamorgan and King Arthur and Queen Guinevere.

The team at Pencoed House Estate added: “A huge thank you to every person that voted for us, we are over the moon and so grateful.”

To find out more, visit www.pencoedhouseestate.co.uk

DRESSED TO IMPRESS

Baroque Boutique has won the Best Occasionwear Award in East Wales for the sixth time at The Welsh National Wedding Awards 2022. The boutique is run by mother and daughter team, Marion and Coryn, who specialises in designer wear, accessories, hats and shoes for the mother-of-the-bride and groom and outfits for wedding guests.

Marion and Coryn tell us: “A big thank you to everyone who voted for us. The awards ceremony took place at Brangwyn Hall in Swansea. It was wonderful to be surrounded by the best wedding businesses in Wales. This is the first ceremony since 2019, and after a tough couple of years in the wedding industry, it is wonderful to be back! Many thanks to JR Events for hosting these awards. They really have a huge impact on small businesses, and we are truly grateful for all of your continued support. Thanks to our couples for giving us the opportunity to play a small part in your big day.”

Visit www.baroqueboutique.co.uk for more information.

CONGRATULATIONS

Craig Y Nos Castle, a fairytale venue located on the edge of the Brecon Beacons, has won the My Wedding Hero award at The Welsh National Wedding Awards 2022.

Boasting 36 en suite bedrooms, an on-site gym with high-quality apparatus, a private lounge and a hot tub, the property is surrounded by breathtaking grounds with plenty of places for guests to explore and take photographs. Once home to Adelina Patti, the world-famous opera singer, Craig Y Nos Castle has a long and interesting history with a stunning décor throughout.

“We won My Wedding Hero, and it means the world to us,” says the team at Craig Y Nos Castle. “We are still in shock and can’t thank our wonderful couples enough for taking the time to vote for us, we are so grateful! We adore what we do, and to win an award based on our customer service has meant everything to us. Congrats to all the winners and finalists. Wales has an amazing wedding community, which we are so proud to be a part of!”

Discover more at www.craigynoscastleweddings.com

READY, SET, PLAN!

If you’ve recently got engaged and have just started wedding planning, come along to the first wedding showcase of 2023 at Bryngarw House in Bridgend. Once a 15th-century farmhouse, this idyllic 113 acre property has retained its historic charm through its transformation into a grand and elegant venue, where exceptional quality and stylish sophistication is guaranteed.

On Sunday 26th February, the venue will be dressed to impress, and couples can meet some fantastic, recommended suppliers. The wedding team will be on hand to answer any questions you may have about the venue and available packages. Open from 11am, come and experience the magic for yourself, with no appointment or pre-booking necessary.

For more information, don’t hesitate to contact the team at events@bryngarwweddings.com or visit www.bryngarwhouse.com

www.lloydwilliamsphotography.com