EDITOR’S LETTER

EDITORIAL 01376 535 611 Claire Ridley | Editor clairer@county.wedding Danielle Harvey | Managing Editor Kelly Andrews | Deputy Managing Editor and Beauty Editor Melissa Cullen | Senior Editor, Grooms and Travel Editor Claire Ridley | Fashion Editor

DESIGN 01376 535 616 artwork@county.wedding Graphic Designers | Stephanie Hodder | Vicky O’Connor Artwork & Content Coordinator Lorna Butcher Digital Marketing Coordinator Katie Laley

Web Development Manager Stuart Weatherley

ADVERTISING Sales & Events Director Sarah Ellis | 01376 538 490 sarahe@county.wedding Account Managers Ruth Swallow | 01376 538 568 ruth.swallow@county.wedding

Subscriptions 01376 514 000 subscriptions@county.wedding

ACCOUNTS 01376 535 616 accounts@county.wedding Accounting Manager | Derrick James

@YourGlosWiltsWedding

@CWM_YGWW

@countyweddingmagazines

Visit us online at county.wedding and countyweddingevents.com

Your Glos & Wilts Wedding is solely owned, published and designed by KD Media Publishing. Whilst every effort was made to ensure the information in this magazine was correct at the time of going to press, the publishers cannot accept legal responsibility for any errors or omissions, nor can they accept responsibility for advert content, or of the standing of advertisers or by the editorial contributions. The views expressed do not necessarily reflect those of the publisher. Your Glos & Wilts Wedding is published six times a year.

Ho, ho, ho

Yes, it’s that magical time of the year once again! I don’t know about you but this year has passed by quickly for me, and luckily it has been a wonderful one. We’ve celebrated my mum and dad’s Golden Wedding Anniversary, we’re looking forward to welcoming our Australian relatives to the UK this Christmas and my brother and sister-in-law are having their first baby this December which is the best present ever! I also managed to take a couple of sun-drenched trips this year, including to Oia in Santorini where I stayed at the fabulous Villa Mellow, booked through The Greek Villas (https://thegreekvillas.com/destinations/santorini-villas/ oia/mellow) and to Athens where I was very spoilt in the rooftop 501 Milos Terrace Suite at boutique hotel xenodocheio Milos (https://xenodocheiomilos.com). Read all about these wonderful properties, perfect for honeymooners in my Greece is the word review on page 84.

To celebrate the festive period, we’ve compiled a seasonal issue for you to enjoy. There’s everything from summery-themed real weddings and elegantly styled shoots for couples planning their nuptials next year to snow-capped venues perfect for winter weddings. Don’t miss the latest news, offers, fashion, beauty and honeymoon destinations plus there are handmade ideas for those planning a DIY wedding, and advice about big-day photography and videography.

For those of you getting married soon then I wish you many congratulations and for those not taking the plunge until 2023, I’ll see you next issue.

Happy Christmas!

Claire x

Claire Ridley, Editor One of the shoots selected exclusively for this issue photographed by Gem Hicks Photography showcases a wonderful woodland setting inspiring couples planning an outdoor wedding next year. See it in full on page 49.

Manor by the Lake in Gloucestershire is one of my favourite wedding venues in the region and the stunning images by Capturing Senses Photography from our French Fancy shoot on page 43 promise to add a little something blue to your special day.

I’ve always been a fan of actress Sarah Jessica Parker, especially her Manolo Blahnikloving character Carrie Bradshaw so being the fashion editor across the County Wedding brand is my dream job! When I selected the accessories for our fashion section starting on page 64, I added them all to my Christmas wish list, especially this pale pink babydoll trimmed with marabou feathers from https://gildapearl.co.uk Look how romantic the new Cotswolds-based retreat The Lakes by YOO look here, perfect for a honeymoon. I can’t wait to visit this property! Turn to page nine where all will be revealed.

Berry colours are some of my favourite shades so I fell in lust with the finer details in this photo from Ambience Venue Styling. See more of their work on page 55. How elegant is the Orangery at De Vere Tortworth Court in Gloucestershire? Paris and Elijah chose this dream venue for their summer celebration photographed by Adam Bird Photography. Read all about it on page 24.

Thanks to the local award-winning, Gloucestershire-based Daylesford Organics for the delicious tea samples that they recently sent to me in time for the festive season – it’s easy to see why their products were awarded at the recent Tiptree World Bread Awards with Brook Food. Read all about it on page 55. Anyone who knows me well will tell you how much I love anything that glitters! So when the images from Etiquette Events’ third birthday celebrations landed in my inbox, photographed by the talented Clem Stevens Photography, I fell in love with the disco balls and neon! Turn to page 55 to see more. Wow! I love black and white photography so compiling the winter and Christmas-themed photography feature for this issue was so enjoyable! I’m a big fan of the talented Gloucestershire-based photographer Daniella Marinos who captured these beautiful images. More is revealed on page 52.