Bride's Tip Archives

What to expect from the Oldwalls Collection Spring Fayre

11th March 2020/in Bride's Tip /by oldwall_admin01

As leading venue specialist in South Wales, we strive for perfection. Your engagement is likely to be one of the most exciting times of your life and at The Oldwalls Collection we understand the importance of supporting you along the wedding journey every step of the way. That’s why we’ve launched our bi-annual wedding fayres, aimed exclusively at our Oldwalls Collection couples.

In 2019 we launched our very first fayre designed to spark you with wedding ideas and inspiration. We introduced our happy couples to some of Wales’ leading wedding suppliers, offered samples from our lavish buffet menu, hosted Q&A’s with the wedding experts, live entertainment and wine tasting. To say it was a success was an understatement, so without further ado we’re proud to announce our 2020 Spring Fayre!

To give you a taste of what to expect here’s a throwback to last year’s Spring Fayre. What’s more, in true Oldwalls style our Spring Fayre is set to be even more decadent.

Top 10 tips to make the most of the Spring Fayre

The perfect opportunity to catch up with your wedding co-ordinator
Make use of the Oldwalls Collection discounts and offers available on the day
Talk to all suppliers and keep an open mind
Pick your décor theme! It’s a great opportunity to speak to stationary suppliers and florists and choose a colour scheme.
Sample the food and wine available
Take your family (between 2-4 people) so you can bounce ideas around
Be organised – Take a note book so you can make sure you don’t miss on any details from your day
Perfect excuse to visit your venue and fall in love, again.
Enjoy the entertainment that’s provided and get some inspiration for your evening fun!
Turn up on time!

Expect the ultimate planning inspiration, be dazzled by our experienced wedding team, enjoy luxury goodie bags and exclusive offers, along with food and wine tasting and of course, marvel in the extraordinary Welsh talent of our hand-picked exhibitors.

Be prepared to fully experience the Oldwalls Collection.

What To Expect From Beaujolais Day In South Wales

20th November 2019/in Bride's Tip /by oldwall_admin01

Whilst the world might be counting down the days until December 25^th, everyone in South Wales has been counting down to November 21^st: Beaujolais Day! Whether you’re celebrating in Swansea or Cardiff, plenty of great bars have got some wonderful events on. As one of the best wedding venues in South Wales, we certainly know the best local places to celebrate!

Wherever you choose to spend Beaujolais Day in South Wales, one thing’s for sure, this is a day that never goes quite as expected. We’ve already looked at the history of Beaujolais Day, and it’s fair to say that nowhere celebrates the day quite like we do in South Wales. Often referred to as the corporate equivalent of New Year’s Eve, it’s normally spent indulging in a few too many glasses of wine. After a slightly angry Swansea resident complained that the event is purely for “pretentious people in shirts and ties who wouldn’t know red wine from a blackcurrant and lemonade”, we thought we’d take a look at how today could potentially unfold…

The day will begin with good intentions, with Beaujolais on the beach

Sorry, Beaujolias on the beach? Where else in the world would you essentially party in celebration of a wine? On. The. Beach.

The Secret Beach Bar and Kitchen will begin to fill with the usual crowd of glamorously dressed women, pleasantries will be exchanged and glasses of Beaujolais will be raised to toast the country’s favourite day. Acquaintances and friends alike will laugh and say, “No, I’m having a civilised one today – not like last year!” They will be mistaken, and those words will haunt them in just 24 short hours when the flashbacks of drinking wine from the bottle in Morgan’s Hotel commence.

Somebody will get lost in Swansea

Everyone in Swansea is excited to experience the different events taking place in the city. However, after a boozy lunch in The Secret, someone will inevitably suggest stumbling ‘into town’. You will start in Old Havana and wind up with new friends on the dance floor in Flickering Light. (You’ve lost your friends). The worry of being on your lonesome will subside when your new friend hands you another glass of Beaujolais. You’ll also wake up to a handful of photos in ‘that pose’ on the floor.

Meanwhile in Cardiff… There’ll be a flawed attempt to be sensible

The iconic Angel Hotel will be hosting two of the most ‘sophisticated’ events in the City, for Velindre and Woco Woko.

People will put a cork in the wine consumption in a tactical effort to avoid the wine hangover and head to Mocka Lounge. They will insist they are going home after this cocktail. Alas, the great taste and easy drinkability will mean that eight are consumed at an impressive yet alarming rate, and all good intentions will disappear as rapidly as the liquid in their glass.

All sophistication will finally fall to the wayside as the city embraces the newly coined “freshers for adults”
The night will grow dark, belated Halloween scenes will be recreated as Beaujolais-filled zombies stumble towards Chippy Lane, mumbling the words “chunky chips” in a monotonous unison. Alas, they will find Dorothy’s full to the brim. Sanctuary will be found in Charleston’s where you will spend the equivalent of a mortgage on a chewy steak, but the cauliflower in batter will be worth it.

We’re big fans of Beaujolais Day at Oldwalls, and bigger fans of the wine (But definitely not Beaujolais, we all know that tastes like ****) Just remember to drink (somewhat) responsibly, folks! Enjoy!

A marriage is for life, a wedding is for Christmas

5th November 2019/in Bride's Tip /by oldwall_admin01

Picture this. A crisp winter’s day. Mulled wine in hand and all of your close family and friends enjoying the ultimate fairy tale experience at Oldwalls Gower.

Come rain, sun or SNOW, nestled within 50 acres of beautiful Welsh countryside, Oldwalls is the perfect place for a romantic winter wedding setting.

Our Oakroom is especially designed to host your ceremony and is equipped with underfloor heating to ensure you and your guests are nice and toasty during the wedding ceremony.

Feast on a lavish five course wedding breakfast, lovingly prepared using the finest local ingredients from the comfort of our purpose built, state of the art marquee. Our fully heated marquee offers breath taking panoramic views of the icy lakes and frosted grounds so you’ll feel like you’re in your magical winter wonderland setting.

Imagine toasted marshmallows, fire pits and fireworks lighting up a clear winters sky – MAG-I-CAL.

With a selection of key winter dates available for 2020 why compromise on your dream wedding venue?

Our winter wedding packages include:-

Exclusive use of Oldwalls Gower
Heated marquee including dance floor, start lights, PA system and DJ
The Oakroom – Ideal for civil ceremonies and drinks receptions
Private bar marquee including use of our baby grand piano
Magnificent fireworks display
Stylish wedding décor
Civil ceremony set up (if required) including dressed ceremony and signing table
All linen, chair covers, white bows and table name holders
All crockery, cutlery, plates and glassware, including cake table and cake knife
Exclusive use of our award winning accommodation
Rose honeymoon suite with private garden, balcony, hot tub and sauna
Red carpet entrance with canopy (optional)
Private off road car park

If Oldwalls Gower is on your Christmas list and you want to find out more information about our winter wedding dates for 2020, get in touch with the team or visit us on our next showcase.

Oldwalls Gower Ultimate Wedding Checklist

30th October 2019/in Bride's Tip /by oldwall_admin01

You’re engaged, congratulations! Your journey is just about to begin.

Planning a wedding can be stressful but most importantly it should be FUN! If you love a list then you’re at the right place.

We are here to guide you through every step of the way with our ultimate wedding checklist.

We’ve had brides who have organised their whole wedding in just 15 weeks and others in three years.

From managing your budget, to picking the perfect wedding dress, to sorting through your RSVP list, here’s everything you need to know from the best wedding venue in Wales.

So, sit back and relax as we take you through the ultimate checklist for planning your dream wedding at Oldwalls Gower.

The Best Wedding Checklist

12 – 24 months before the big day

Set your budget – It’s so easy to get excited and go over budget!
Guest List – Who’s going to make it onto the guest list? You’ll need a rough idea of numbers to help with those budgets
Choose your potential wedding date.
Do your research! What wedding venues would you like to visit? (Obviously Oldwalls Gower and Fairyhill by Oldwalls are on the top of the list)
Visit and book your venue (Some venues are booked two years in advance so it’s best to get this sorted ASAP to avoid disappointment)
Legalities – make sure your registrar or priest/ religious celebrant are aware of timings/ date/ location etc.
Search your favourite wedding suppliers: Photographer, videographer, florist, cake, invitations, band, DJ, hair and make up. You don’t want to be disappointed if the photographer you had in mind is already booked up.
Wedding insurance options – As soon as you’ve set your wedding date and booked your venue get your wedding insurance sorted.
Entertainment – Don’t forget that with Oldwalls your DJ is part of the package so you only need to look for a band, if you wanted one.

Book your photographer
Book your videographer
Venue décor – Have you thought about colour schemes?

Wedding dress shopping (This has to be the best bit… right?)
Save the date cards
Choose your bridesmaids (Ask those who’ll ensure your hen is one to remember…)
Book your band
Look at additional accommodation if needed. Check out our rustic retreats for the perfect night before and night after celebration extension!

Book that honeymoon – flights, accommodation, transport to and from the airport
Sort your wedding cake

Do you need a pre-marriage course? (Check if this is required by your church or celebrant)
Order your wedding dress – check with your boutique their deadlines on ordering as you don’t want to be stung with a ‘rush order’ fee.
Have you thought about ceremony musicians such as a harpist or string quartet?

Passports are all in date ready for your honeymoon (You don’t want to leave the groom behind…)
Arrange hen/ stag do – This is a job for your bridesmaids/ best men so make sure they’re on the case.
Choose your bridesmaid dresses
Wedding invitations
Wedding stationery/ favours
If you’re having a Catholic ceremony you’ll need to attend pre-marriage counselling
Meet your florist – choose your flowers, colours, bouquet
Grooms suit

Ushers formalwear
Travel if necessary for you (wedding cars)

Travel for your guests – do you need to put on a coach?
RSVP list – who’s coming/ who’s not
Hair trail and book your hair stylist
Make up trail and book your make up artist
Send out your invitations to your guests
Dress fittings
Choose and order your wedding rings
Organize gifts for parents, bridesmaids, groomsmen and your other half
Wedding shoes, accessories, hair pieces, bow ties

Flower girl/ page boy outfits
Menu tasting – The thought of this is making our mouths water already!

The big day is almost here… The last-minute checklist

Final wedding dress fitting

Last minute tweaks with any suppliers
Order of mass booklets/ order of ceremony – final details
Wedding DIY projects you’ve been working on – Get these finished
Review final RSVP list and chase any guests who haven’t yet responded.
Once you have final numbers, give this to your wedding venue. They will need the final head count
Potential shot list for your photographer

Who makes the cut? Who do you want in your wedding photos.
Table plan
Hair cut and coloured
Ivory wedding umbrellas – Incase the weather takes a turn for the worse
Give your wedding coordinator a list of supplier requests; Band set up, space for florist to set up
Place cards – names on table
Contact wedding suppliers to confirm arrangements – timetable for the day
Ceremony and reception will need a schedule of supplier set up times, plus contact numbers for any emergencies
PAMPER TIME – Get all your ‘prep work’ sorted; manicure, massage, waxing
Full wedding dress rehearsal from underwear to veil
Overnight bag for the reception
Pack for honey moon (If it’s pretty soon after the wedding)
Check you are happy with the table plan
Grooms – final fitting
Ushers – pick up formalwear
Confirm pick up times with wedding car company
Running order for the day
Sort payment for any final balances to be paid

The Day Before The Big Day Checklist

One sleep to go until the big day…

Drop off place cards, table cards, menus, favours, table plan to your wedding coordinator

Send contact details to your suppliers
Cake is on track to be delivered
Ceremony rehearsals
Early night and good night’s sleep!

The Wedding Day Checklist…

If you’ve bought gifts for certain people give these to the best man/ bridesmaid for after the speeches
Flowers delivered to where the bride is getting ready and buttonholes for the guys
Wedding bands to the best man – he’ll look after these during the ceremony
Meet and greet – introduce your coordinator to your bridesmaids and best man for and questions throughout the day

The day after…

Return any rentals
Dry clean wedding dress/ suit – or return if rented
Thank you notes to your guest for their attendance and gifts
Collect your wedding certificate

Once upon a time…

3rd October 2019/in Bride's Tip /by oldwall_admin01

We are privileged to host a handful of exclusive events throughout the year, including the unforgettable Cash for kids ball, organised by The Wave and Swansea Sound radio stations.

Oldwalls transformed it’s south wales wedding venue into a fairytail charity ball, as we have done for the past five years proudly sponsoring the event, helping to raise over £50,000 for local children’s charities.

Host Kevin Johns MBE with singer Shellyann, winner of the BBC show, All Together Now

What Does The Charity Do?

The Cash for kids appeal provides support for local children’s charities in Neath, Port Talbot, Swansea and the Carmarthenshire areas.

Over the past 24 years, Cash for kids has raised over £700,000 pounds for charities such as NSPCC Cymru, The kids cancer charity and Children’s wards to name just a few.

After last years Greatest Showman themed ball, we didn’t think anything could top it. Until this year.

Princesses at the Party

On 26^thSeptember, we transformed our award winning wedding venue into a magical kingdom. The Disney themed, once upon a time ball was out of this world!

With guests such as Cinderella, Ariel and Aurora, it was set to be a night to remember.

Our guests were treated to a fun-filled evening of live entertainment, with the perfect touch of Disney and Oldwalls magic combined!

This year the Cash for kids ball was raising money for Ysgol Crug Glas who are a special needs school based in the heart of Swansea.

The school provides for 57 pupils aged between 3 and 19 years old who have profound and multiple, or severe and complex learning difficulties.

A Fairytale Ending

We were hoping to raise £12,000 for the cash for kids appeal and we’re hugely proud to confirm we raised an incredible £15,000 by the end of the night for Ysgol Crug Glas.

Incase You Missed Our Other Exciting News

It’s been an exciting few weeks at Oldwalls, and the fun just doesn’t stop!

Scooping two wins at the Swansea Life Awards at the beginning of September.

Announcing our initiative to become plastic free by 2023 and hosting the incredible cash for kids ball, there is certainly no rest for the wicked.

If you’d like to experience the magic of the best wedding venue in Swansea, book your private tour or attend our next wedding showcase.

Oldwalls Gower's managerial team at the swansea life awards recieving their award for best venue in swansea.

Simply the best…

19th September 2019/in Bride's Tip /by oldwall_admin01

On Friday 13^thSeptember, we attended Swansea’s red carpet event of the year, The Swansea Life Awards, which was held at the Brangwyn Hall.

The Swansea Life Awards is an annual event which rewards business and individuals with outstanding quality, customer service and innovation.

It’s always a fabulous evening with entertainment booming and the champagne flowing – The perfect Oldwalls Collection night out!

This years theme was African, the colours were popping in the Brangwyn and everyone was looking fabulous! With a sea of reds, oranges and yellows, it was a great excuse for our team and Swansea to dress up and have some fun!

After scooping multiple awards over the past decade, last year we decided to take a break from entering to focus on our development, expansion and of course, delivering the very best wedding service to our happy couples.

Award-Winning

This year we thought, why not give it another go, and we are so proud to announce that we were recognised as the Best Wedding Venue in Swansea at the Swansea Life awards. Not only that, we then scooped the ultimate accolade too, Business Of The Year!

And it’s thanks to you, our wonderful couples who along with their wedding parties vote for us year after year because they believe our wedding experience is unrivalled.

Our Amazing Team

We are always committed to delivering first class luxury weddings in Wales and we wouldn’t be able to do it without our amazing team who work tirelessly to ensure Oldwalls’ reputation as one of the best wedding venues in Wales continues.

Oldwalls’ popularity as a luxury, exclusive wedding destination continues to soar despite being at the helm for over a decade now. That’s thanks to our unsung heroes who deliver our five star standards and work with us to ensure Oldwalls remains fresh and exciting.

If you’d like to experience the best wedding venue in Wales, visit one of our wedding showcases, or book your late night private tour today.

Plastic free by 2023

19th September 2019/in Bride's Tip /by oldwall_admin01

Over 70 Oldwalls Collection staff headed to Llangennith beach on Gower with a mission to collect litter.

Our incredible volunteers, all employees at Oldwalls Gower and Fairyhill, the award-winning exclusive Gower wedding venues, collected over 40 bags of rubbish weighing over 100 kilos.

This was our first ever-organised beach clean and we plan to make this a regular initiative as part of our commitment to develop corporate social responsibility for our people, community and environment we live in.

Dan our head of bar at Fairyhill had his very own Cinderella moment when he came across a lost shoe in the dunes…

The beach clean marks the launch of our pledge to be plastic free by 2023. Our employees will be encouraged to form committees in order to solve the companies pledge to reduce plastic consumption to next to nothing.

The next generation of Oldwalls employees were even on hand to help as three of our heavily pregnant ladies joined us for the beach clean.

We are proud to be situated at the heart of Britain’s 1^stdesignated area of outstanding beauty with our Welsh wedding venues just a stone’s throw away from these gorgeous beaches!

As a wedding venue near the beach, our newlywed’s often escape the wedding celebrations to capture epic photographs at Three Cliffs Bay, Rhossili or Llangennith.

Oldwalls also scooped two awards on Friday, Best Wedding Venue in Swansea and Best Business at the Swansea Life awards, as voted by the public.

Love is Love

25th August 2019/in Bride's Tip /by oldwall_admin01

In July 2013 Legislation allowed same sex marriage in England and Wales. This Legislation was passed by the United Kingdom Parliament and came into force on 13^th March 2014 allowing same sex marriage to take place from 29^th March 2014.

Just eight days after the bill was passed, Mark and Simon tied the knot at Oldwalls on 6^th April 2014. In true Oldwalls style we were one of the first to host a same sex marriage in Wales.

Being the leading wedding specialist in Wales and renowned throughout the UK as a leading wedding brand it was only fitting that Mark and Simon chose to have their celebrations at Oldwalls. Our focus is delivering dream weddings. Not only are we exclusive but we are INCLUSIVE of race, age, sexuality and religion because ultimately we are weddings!

Simon from Llandaff North, Cardiff said: “It was the most magical day of our lives, Oldwalls pulled out all the stops to make it special. We booked in September 2013 in anticipation of the law change and the planning process (we booked the whirlwind package so had 8 months to sort everything!) couldn’t have been made simpler thanks to Oldwalls’ expert wedding team. It’s their dedication to service that has made Oldwalls truly great.

Calling Mark my husband is the greatest honour of all. The acceptance in society is continuing to progress and we stand proud as one of the first gay couples to take the plunge, leading the way for others to follow in our footsteps.”

This weekend pride celebrates its 20^th Anniversary and for the same sex marriage law and Mark and Simon it marks a 5^th anniversary!

Starting in 1999, Pride Cymru is one of Wales’ leading LGBT+ charities. Their work challenges homophobia, biphobia and transphobia discrimination. Prides mission is for communities to accept diversity and to put a stop to hate crime, discrimination and prejudice.

We look forward to welcoming all our LGBT+ couples who are looking to get married with us in the future and we raise a glass to our past couples who chose Oldwalls as their dream wedding venue in Wales.

Seasonal Wedding Awards by The Oldwalls Collection

14th August 2019/in Bride's Tip /by oldwall_admin01

The wedding season is truly upon us with the sun shining, the smell of the fresh Gower countryside in the air, and those glorious Rhossili sunflowers in full bloom.

Our couples have some serious style and browsing through their wedding albums leaves us with all the feels;

Being one of Wales’ leading wedding specialists and having scooped a few awards ourselves (blushes), we felt now was the perfect time to launch our very own awards. So without further ado we’re proud to present the prestigious, Seasonal Wedding Awards by The Oldwalls Collection. Each season we will encourage our ‘happy couples’ alumni to send us in their favourite photos that captured the essence of their special day.

We launched the awards with the Winter instalment and the number of entries blew us away! Our team had the tough and very important decision of picking just three incredible happy couples to make our finalist shortlist. It was then down to the public vote to choose their favourite ‘winter wedding vibe’.

With over 2,000 votes (Yes, we had to count them all individually) we were pleased to announce our winners Leah and Josh had won an exclusive stay at one of our rustic retreat cottages.

And not forgetting our very worthy runners up, just check out how cool these Winter Weddings were…

We go again

It’s now time for the Spring edition!

Any couple who has got married between March, April and May 2019 at Oldwalls is in with a chance of winning that luxurious Rustic stay worth up to £850. We’d love to swoon over your photos. Your beautiful day surely deserves to be shared, right?

All you need to do, is simply send us your favourite photos. That. Is. It.

Anyone can enter a couple. Hey, if it was your daughter, son or friend that got married, enter on their behalf and if they win, surely they’d bring you along? Our rustic retreats sleep up to 11 guests… It would be rude not too…

Plus, if you fancied making it into a UK mini break with the family you can get 50% off a consecutive night in 2019 which will apply to your complimentary package too. (T&C’s apply)

Send us your magical moments here. We just need the couples name, date of their wedding and (if you know it) their photographer name.

Good luck!

The 2019 Autumn Fayre by Oldwalls Collection

3rd July 2019/in Bride's Tip /by oldwall_admin01

What To Expect From This Years Autumn Fayre By Oldwalls Collection

As leading wedding venue specialists in South Wales, we strive for perfection. Your engagement is likely to be one of the most exciting times of your life and at Oldwalls we understand the importance of supporting you along the wedding journey, every step of the way. That’s why we’ve launched our bi-annual wedding fayres, aimed exclusively at our Oldwalls Collection couples.

In March 2019 we launched our very first Spring fayre designed to spark you with wedding ideas and inspiration. We introduced our happy couples to some of Wales’ leading wedding suppliers, offered samples from our lavish buffet menu, hosted Q&A’s with wedding experts, live entertainment and wine tasting. To say it was a success was an understatement, so without further ado we’re proud to announce our Autumn date!

As the event is complimentary and exclusive to couples who have said ‘I do’ to Oldwalls Gower or Fairyhill, RSVP is essential as there are limited spaces available. Please click here to confirm. The event will also be open to anyone that books an Oldwalls or Fairyhill wedding between now and September 2019.

To give you a taste of what to expect here’s a throwback to our Spring Fayre. What’s more, in true Oldwalls style our autumn fayre is set to be even more decadent.

Top 10 tips to make the most of the Autumn Fayre

The perfect opportunity to catch up with your wedding co-ordinator
Make use of the exclusive discounts and offers available on the day
Talk to all suppliers and keep an open mind
Pick your décor! It’s a great opportunity to choose what centre pieces you love
Sample the food and wine available
Take your family (between 2-4 people) so you can bounce ideas around
Be organised – Take a note book so you can make sure you don’t miss on any ideas from your day
Perfect excuse to visit your venue and fall in love, again.
Enjoy the entertainment that’s provided and get some inspiration for your evening fun!
Turn up on time!