NEARLYWED NEWS

NEW AND IMPROVED Bryngarw House is located in the heart of more than 100 acres of award-winning country parkland. The wedding venue has recently transformed some of its overnight guest accommodation, including a new bridal suite overlooking the lawn and a self-contained Coach House.

Bryngarw House is one of the hospitality social enterprises operated by Awen Trading Limited, the wholly-owned trading subsidiary of registered charity Awen Cultural Trust. Its chief executive, Richard Hughes, tells us: “Our vision was to develop Bryngarw House, a venue with an impressive history, as a luxury Welsh brand and high-end destination for the wedding market, whilst diversifying the business for conferences, weekend retreats, and special occasions. This, in turn, will boost the venue’s impact within the local community and create new and sustainable employment opportunities within hospitality and tourism industries which have been among the worst affected by the coronavirus pandemic. Through our refurbishment plans, we will celebrate the beautiful Welsh valley surroundings, promote the language, cultural and environmental heritage, and offer the very best from local producers and suppliers.”

For more information, visit www.bryngarwhouse.com

NEWS Nearlywed

All the latest from around South Wales

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY

Made in Cymru is celebrating one year since its launch. In that time, the site has grown to include a vast array of jewellery, home décor, clothing, art and beauty products all made by local Welsh artisans. To celebrate its first anniversary, the site has partnered with local charity, St David’s Hospice to raise funds to support local people living with lifelimiting illnesses.

Made in Cymru are part of a new breed of online shopping platforms that champion and promote locally made products. The founders of Made in Cymru have carefully curated a selection of diverse makers catering to most shopping whims, including more than 2200 items by 500 different Walesbased makers.

Head over to www.madeincymru.com for more information. PETS AT WEDDINGS The Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama is set in the grounds of Cardiff Castle and borders one of the largest and most beautiful parks in the UK, Bute Park. The property has announced it will now allow dogs in all external areas of the venue. The new wedding officer, Aimee Daniel, tells us more: “We know how important it is to have your four-legged bestie at your side on your big day! We are fortunate enough to be nestled amongst Bute Park so couples and their photographers can get some stunning images of themselves with their canine companion in the relaxed park setting before joining the wedding party at the drinks reception in the Anthony Hopkins Centre Courtyard (which used to be the stables for Cardiff Castle) for some champagne and paw-secco.

“I am new to the role and am fortunate to be able to take it on while also still working as a freelance professional opera singer (having studied here at the college), and I’m loving every minute of meeting new couples and joining them on their wedding journey.”

To find out more, visit www.rwcmd.ac.uk or www.instagram.com/rwcmdweddings

CONGRATULATIONS!

Stacey Williams, a hairstylist in Swansea, has won gold at The British Hair and Beauty Awards for Best Bridal/Special Occasion Hair Styles of the Year.

We spoke to Stacey to find out more: “I started hairdressing almost 18 years ago at the age of 15 and have focused on weddings a lot more in the last nine years. I love everything about a wedding, from the first conversation with the bride to the morning of the big day. I try my best to make sure my bride is relaxed and stress-free about her hair. I stay until she’s ready to leave for the aisle or until she is happy that I’m no longer needed, I also help the bridesmaids into their dresses and help the bride get buttoned up.

“I truly wasn’t expecting to win the award, but it means the absolute world to me. I have genuinely never felt more proud of my achievements and my work. It shows how far I’ve come in the wedding industry and how much I have improved over the years. I take great pride in my designs, and I’m constantly trying new ways to better myself and create new looks for future brides. I have opened up a separate Instagram page to help my couples find my creations a lot easier called www.instagram.com/bridal_braids”

Visit www.facebook.com/staceyatnewimage for more information.

DANCE THE NIGHT AWAY SGDJ and SG Discos, a collective of professional DJs in Cardiff, have been nominated for Entertainer of the Year at The Welsh Wedding Awards. Established in 1999, the company offers a range of services, including entertainment for the ceremony, wedding breakfast, and evening celebration. Moving seamlessly through each part of the day, the team is dedicated to ensuring you have the perfect wedding.

Each of SGDJ and SG Disco’s packages can be customised to include a master of ceremonies, customisable background music for the meal, PA hire for the speeches, a recording of the speeches and vows, uplighting, dancefloors, and a selfie wizard.

Discover more at www.sgdjweddings.com WANT EVEN MORE INSPIRATION? Here at CWM HQ we’re literally never satisfied when it comes to providing our readers with enough wedspiration. Because, really, what is enough? We’d go on forever if we could. So, with that in mind, we’ve created our very own County Wedding Magazines YouTube channel, just for you.

It’s full of tons of big-day ideas from venue tours to dream dresses. Catch up on beauty reviews and how tos from our beauty editor and peek behind the scenes of styled shoots featured in our titles past and present. You can even be a fly on the wall at some real weddings – after all, if we’re honest, who doesn’t love being a bit nosey! And we haven’t stopped there, as you’ll also find local supplier interviews packed with tips and tricks.

We’re adding more content all the time, so why not hit subscribe so you never miss a thing? It’s your one-stop shop for wedding vid-spiration! Simply head to YouTube and search ’County Wedding Magazines’ or click here www.youtube.com/channel/ UCMAChACKNanShdZwI5QGXMQ

A LUXURIOUS STAY

Hensol Castle has launched 23 new design-led bedrooms, each of which blends contemporary opulence with the splendor and heritage of a listed castle. The beauty of the new accommodation is that no two rooms are the same – a deliberate design feature to make every guest’s stay that little more special. All rooms have large en suites furnished with freestanding baths for some indulgent pampering on either side of the wedding celebration, while others boast dressing rooms and separate lounges. Many have stunning views across the castle parkland and serpentine lake – ideal for those looking for a quiet space to retreat among the excitement of the occasion.

Stephanie Metson, the marketing manager, said: “Weddings are the most special of events and it’s really important that guests, as well as the happy couple, are well looked after and enjoy every moment. We are confident this sumptuous new accommodation will perfect our wedding package for couples who want to hire a venue exclusively and have everyone celebrating together in one location. We have spent a lot of time, care, and attention in creating something truly special that is both luxurious and sympathetic to the history of the castle.”

Check out www.hensolcastle.com for more information.

HILARY’S FLORAL DESIGN 01873 853 086 www.hilarysflowers.co.uk

STAG & HEN PARTIES

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Joe Clark Photography

Sacha Miller Photography The Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama is set in the grounds of Cardiff Castle and bordering one of the largest and most beautiful parks in the UK, Bute Park.

Our two unique venues form one of Cardiff’s most sought-after locations for your very special day. Our first is the stunning former Cardiff Castle stables with its historic courtyard and beautiful tree-lined entrance with the castle in view.

The second is our magnificent contemporary glass atrium with floor-to-ceiling windows and open-air terrace overlooking the park – a fabulous back-drop for your photographs and champagne reception – it is also a stunning location for your wedding breakfast and evening celebrations. This leads to an outstanding concert hall and theatre – perfect for a ceremony with a dramatic difference!

As a creative venue, we offer lots of flexibility so that your ceremony, drinks reception, wedding breakfast and evening celebrations suit your style and personalities – from traditional to theatrical, elegant to quirky. We can assist you in arranging a theatrical ceremony on a stage, a summer’s day wedding walk with your guests through the park, a reception with choirs, harpists, jazz trios and string quartets and special lighting and scenery for your evening party.

Whether your dream venue is historic or contemporary, the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama is a unique venue at the heart of Cardiff that is bespoke to you.

For enquiries, please contact our weddings officer via the email below or visit our Instagram: weddings@rwcmd.ac.uk - @RWCMDweddings