Bath is quite arguably one of the most beautiful places to get married in the country. Rich in picture-perfect backdrops, whether you choose mellow Georgian architecture or rolling lush valleys, it’s brimming with idyllic locations. And, of course all those fabulous venues and services offering everything you could need for the perfect wedding day.
Once you’ve decided to become engaged, there are often those paradoxical feelings of absolute elation mixed with horror and dread. Planning a wedding can seem a complete nightmare – but the key to a successful day, and a stress-free year’s planning, is preparation and thoughtful organisation.
This season’s Bath Life Wedding Guide includes plenty of useful tips and advice to keep things running smoothly, as well as a guide to some of the best businesses. We have the ultimate countdown to the big day, giving month-by-month advice. After all that planning, and the ceremony itself, you will deserve, and need, a good party, and our guide to organising the reception will ensure you can boogie the night away without any stress or worries.
When it comes to the details, such as the wedding outfits, we can tell you what’s hot and what’s not for your body shape, and whether peach meringues are really the best choice for your bridesmaids. We also have plenty of advice on flowers, photographs and even the honeymoon – so everything will be taken care of.
And, if you are stuck for ideas for potential wedding gifts Bath Life has just launched its very own online shop – full of interesting and local gift ideas, with everything from books to bouquets and clutch bags to champagne cruises. Take a look for yourself at www.bathlifemag.co.uk.
We’ve done all the hard work for you and found the best of the best, so flick through at your leisure and look forward to your big day.
Enjoy
Deri
Eat, drink and be merry
Another year is past, and we have an even wider choice of eateries and wine bars to tempt us. And – oh fortunate Bath Life editors! – we’ve been busily sampling some of the best of them.
This is our sixth restaurant guide, and this time we’re paying attention both to eating and drinking in the city – as well as looking forward to the second Taste festival in the summer.
It is official: Bath has become the foodie capital of the South West, and local diners and drinkers expect nothing less than the finest, organic, locally-sourced meals and drinks from their British and European restaurants, as well as having their pick of exotic cuisine from all corners of the globe.
Either way we are spoiled for choice – now all you have to do is pick from the selection!
Deri
Not that most of you need any persuasion to grab your handbags and get shopping, nevertheless, we have taken the trouble of compiling the best of Bath’s independent retailers, high street favourites and beautiful boutiques, to make sure your next shopping trip is as relaxed, carefree and productive as possible.
And, it is the perfect time of year to do so. Christmas is looming and, let’s face it, there is always that one person in our lives for whom we can never seem to find the perfect gift. But in Bath we’re spoilt for choice – a choice that’s ever growing, thanks now to Milsom Place and the new Southgate development.
Not only do we have a variety of shops to suit all different budgets
and tastes, but we also have one of the most glorious backdrops for
them, making Bath not just one of the best cities for shopping in the
country, but one of the prettiest to walk around too. (Talking of
which, we also have a handy map on page 59, just to make sure you don’t
get lost.) So next time you fancy popping into the city centre for a browse, grab your guide and get shopping!
Deri

Our very first Kids’ Guide has a distinctly summery feel – from our designer Bernie’s great pop art cover to the listings pages of things to do and places to visit during the coming months. We’ve broken the listings sections down into six main categories, with easy-to-navigate tabs – even kids will find it fun to use.
We haven’t aimed to be comprehensive; we’ll leave that to the Yellow Pages. Instead, we’ve concentrated on those places and businesses that have either been approved by our own children, or recommended to us by friends, colleagues and local schools – a special thank-you to St Stephen’s children for their input.
We’re always delighted to hear back from our readers, so if you’ve been impressed by a service or visitor attraction, or just have a great idea you’d like to share, do please email me on
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– I’d love to hear from you.
In the meantime, have a great summer with your kids,
Deri
Schools
From nurseries to secondary school
Kids’ clubs
Stave off holiday boredom, while teaching them a new skill
Days out
Where to go and what to do, from parks to museums to grand days out
Eating out
The most child-friendly eateries in town
Shopping
From cool clothes to beautifully made toys and games
Parties
We’ve moved on from party games and jelly and ice cream