The buzzword when it comes to the 2020s wedding is without doubt “personality.” Couples are seeking to reflect their characters in every inch of their special day, making it a unique experience for them and their guests, as well as an all-out celebration of their love. And rightly so!
One aspect you can use to achieve this with aplomb is your cake. In fact, today’s big-day bakes are works of art – showstopping centrepieces. You get to have a say on everything from the flavour to the topper, so have fun and go wild! We talked to the region’s experts to get you started on your journey to sweet success.
"We love to personalise our cakes by copying the lace detail in a bride's dress, or making delicate sugar flowers that replicate the bridal bouquet." – Alison Roberts, Alison Loves to Bake
"With modern wedding cakes, it really is anything goes - you can break all the rules!" – Kate Tynan, Little Button Bakery.
"Use your wedding stationery as a base for your cake's design. Add a personalised monogram, hand paint some details from the invitation or add colour and textural elements to bring everything together." – Kate, Little Button Bakery
"For couples who want to express their fun-loving sides, without losing the elegance of the design, we love to hide objects such as potion bottles, pet figurines or monopoly pieces amongst the sugar flowers or to include badges and logos in piped lacework." – Alison, Alison Loves to Bake
"Extra tall tiers are set to be a top trend. Square tiers have also made a comeback and incorporating textural elements to mimic natural material, such as stone and marble, is becoming huge." – Kate, Little Button Bakery
"Try to tie the season into your cake's flavours. Fruity, fresh choices for spring and summer weddings or more warming, rich flavours work brilliantly for autumn and winter nuptials." – Kate, Little Button Bakery
"Your wedding cake can be a fantastic opportunity to tie together multiple elements of your wedding day. Think theme colours and sugar flowers that replicate those in your bouquets or button holes." – Nicola Thomas, Boutique Bakery
"Wedding cakes don't have to be iced in white or pastel hues anymore. Try adding some bold colours or metallics to your design." – Kate, Little Button Bakery
"In the last few years more and more couples are choosing a fully-themed wedding cake, reflecting books, films and hobbies. If you're brave enough to adorn every tier with themed imagery, you can be sure that people will still be talking about your cake in years to come." – Alison, Alison Loves to Bake
"A deep midnight blue or even black cake is the perfect choice for the couple looking to achieve a wow factor. Metallics are also popular, with a shift back to more traditional gold and silver tones, which are particularly elegant for winter dates." – Nicola Thomas, Boutique Bakery
The Wedding Music Trends Couples Are Choosing for 2026
For couples planning 2026 weddings, music has moved beyond background noise - it's now a defining, intentional part of the overall experience. Beyond the first dance or the late-night party set, couples are curating soundtracks that reflect who they are, where they come from, and how they want their guests to feel. The result? A new era of wedding music that's immersive, personal, culturally rich, and joy-led. Few people have seen this evolution up close quite like DJ China L'One, founder of We Run the World, the UK's leading Black-owned, all-female DJ agency. Having performed at hundreds of weddings and private celebrations, China has noticed a clear shift - especially for January weddings - towards upbeat, celebratory sounds, genre-blending playlists, and DJs who bring both polish and personality.
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Luxury coastal wellness and spa escape at The Quay Hotel & Spa with Conwy Castle views in North Wales
Set on the picturesque Conwy estuary overlooking Conwy Castle, The Quay Hotel & Spa is a sought-after North Wales retreat. Embracing the wellness trend championed by stars including Gwyneth Paltrow and Sabrina Carpenter, the spa features a state-of-the-art infrared sauna that heats the body directly to support better sleep, detoxification and muscle recovery. The extensive wellness suite also includes a large swimming and hydrotherapy pool with heated day beds, Himalayan salt sauna, traditional sauna, aromatic steam room, experience shower and foot bath area. Guests can also explore the breathtaking landscapes of Snowdonia National Park and the charming coastal towns of Llandudno and Conwy nearby.
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The ultimate commitment: What couples must know before buying a home
For decades, the "gold standard" of commitment was a ring. Nowadays, many are opting to get on the ladder first, before considering a bigger wedding celebration. What's important to remember however is that while a wedding is a promise to each other, a mortgage is a legal commitment with your lender or bank. You aren't just responsible for your half of the loan; you are both legally liable for every penny of it. So, if you're planning to make the ultimate commitment this Valentine's Day, Ryan Etchells, Chief Commercial Officer at Together shares his top four tips for navigating the path to co-ownership:
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Trending Stag Do Destinations for 2026
2026 looks set to be the year of the European stag weekend, with more guys looking at heading abroad than staying in the UK. Yes, according to one of the UK's leading stag do providers, a whopping 59% of stags are jetting off to celebrate in Europe with Benidorm, Albufeira, Prague and Lisbon all top choices for the groom's big send-off. "With the rise of budget air travel and comparatively cheaper costs abroad for food and drinks, it's no huge surprise more stags are looking at a weekend away over staying in the UK," said Jon Stainer, Creative Director at StagWeb.co.uk.
