UkWeddingInfo.com - Wales becoming the Winter Wedding destination?

Is Wales becoming the venue of choice for English couples looking to tie the festive knot? Attracted by historic hotels and a warm cozy atmosphere, more and more couples are heading to the Welsh Valleys for their winter wedding. (click read more!)

From ic Wales website:
(the original article is here!)
by Catrin Pascoe, Western Mail

WALES is fast becoming the capital of winter weddings.

More and more couples from England are choosing to tie the knot here in a bid to capture a taste of the nation's cosy romantic settings.

From London, Manchester and the border counties, they are taking over historic hotels with idyllic settings and fine Welsh food for their big days.

Llangoed Hall, in the Wye Valley near Brecon will be hosting a record 15 weddings this month, including two held between Christmas and the New Year, when champagne will compete with mulled wine. Five weddings have been booked there by London couples alone and several are holding their complete ceremony, reception and evening party at the hall, owned by Sir Bernard Ashley.

The five-star hotel is also attracting festive romantics from Herefordshire, Shropshire and Cheshire by providing themed weddings.

Lynn Tonkin, events manager, said, "Winter weddings have become very fashionable and one couple have asked for a snowflake theme this year."

She said the hotel's reputation as a winter marriage venue has been aided by a leading London florist who once provided flowers for a ceremony there.

Ms Tonkin added, "The florist told a couple about this 'wonderful place for a wedding in Mid Wales' and they went away and found our details on the internet and arranged to come and visit us."

Richard Morgan-Price, proprietor of Egerton Grey Hotel in Barry, has also been inundated with bookings from couples from all over the UK and abroad who are drawn to the 17th Century manor house that was a rectory in Victorian times.

He said, "Christmas weddings are extremely popular now and I've just been speaking to a couple from London who want to book their wedding with us.

"We have one or two weddings every weekend until Christmas and we have one ceremony booked on New Year's Eve, which is wonderful.

"One couple opted for a festive red berries theme last weekend and the whole hotel was adorned with red candles and there were lanterns in the trees and fireworks at night."

Michael Greenow, of Wales Tourist Board, calls it "Wales' growing winter wedding phenomenon".

He said, "More and more people are travelling to Wales to get married because there are so many private places of outstanding beauty and historical interest that have licences to conduct civil ceremonies. Powis Castle at Welshpool provides a wonderful setting for example. It's the whole ambience that counts nowadays for couples and their families."

Glenn Edwards, a Cardiff-based photographer, said Christmas weddings were definitely more popular in Wales than ever. He is looking forward to capturing a Boxing Day wedding this year.

He said, "Lots of 'ex-pats' who have moved to London come back to Wales to get married. I'm happy to work over Christmas, although the winter darkness can make photography a little difficult."

Andrea Power, deputy editor of Wedding and Home magazine, said Christmas ceremonies were a great option because they were easy to organise.

She said, "Because the more traditional months to get married in are between May and August, you're more likely to secure the venue you want in winter and it's likely to be a good deal cheaper as well.

"Many couples now choose a winter wedding because of the festive theme ideas this offers - crackers as favours, mulled wine and Christmas carols at the service.

"Winter is a great time to go on honeymoon to the popular Caribbean, Indian Ocean destinations, which is again a real draw for couples thinking about when to get married."