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Korea Herald
6 days ago
- Business
- Korea Herald
Seegene Unveils CURECA™ and STAgora™ at ADLM 2025, Advancing the Next Stage of Diagnostics
SEOUL, South Korea, Aug. 5, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Seegene Inc., a global leader in molecular diagnostics, unveiled two new technologies at ADLM 2025 in Chicago (July 29–31) designed to advance laboratory automation and data-driven infectious disease monitoring. The company introduced CURECA™, world's first fully unattended PCR automation system, and STAgora™, a real-time data analytics platform intended to support earlier detection and precision care. Chairman Highlights Next Step in Molecular Diagnostics "With CURECA™ and STAgora™, we are taking an important step toward the future of diagnostics," said Dr. Jong-Yoon Chun, Chairman and CEO of Seegene, during a press conference with U.S. and global media on July 30. "Our goal is to enable laboratories worldwide to automate complex testing workflows and use diagnostic data more effectively, ultimately helping advance global efforts toward a world free from diseases." Today, most molecular testing systems remain only partially automated, dependent on skilled personnel for repetitive manual steps and fixed workflows that limit efficiency and scalability. CURECA™ Breaks the Limits of Automation to Reshape Global Diagnostics CURECA™ is the first system in the diagnostics industry designed to fully automate every step of PCR testing, including the traditionally manual pre-treatment stage. Seegene notes that achieving true full automation in diagnostics requires three key conditions: operation without highly trained professionals, continuous 24-hour processing, and uninterrupted specimen input. CURECA™ is designed to meet all three. Its dedicated module, CURECA™ Prep, processes a wide range of specimen types such as urine, blood, sputum, and stool, addressing one of the most persistent barriers to automation. With the module handling diverse specimen pre-treatment, the full CURECA™ system completes the entire PCR workflow from sample loading through nucleic acid extraction, amplification, and result analysis without manual intervention. The system is engineered for continuous 24-hour operation, aiming to minimize human error, improve workflow efficiency, and allow laboratories to allocate skilled staff to higher-value activities. Full automation has long been a challenge in diagnostics due to specimen variability and the reliance on trained personnel for repetitive pre-processing tasks. CURECA™ is intended to help laboratories overcome these constraints by providing a scalable and adaptable system that can be configured to fit different lab sizes and workflows. CURECA™ Prep could also potentially extend to other testing fields, such as clinical chemistry and immunodiagnostics, as Seegene continues to explore broader automation solutions. STAgora™ Transforms Diagnostic Data into Real-Time Clinical Intelligence STAgora™ is Seegene's latest platform, designed to collect and analyze PCR testing data in real time, providing laboratories with broader context to inform diagnostic workflows. The platform includes more than 40 analytical tools, offering functions such as infection trend tracking, hospital-level positivity monitoring, and multi-pathogen co-infection pattern analysis. Rather than serving as a simple data repository, STAgora™ is built as an integrated platform intended to help laboratories derive meaningful, aggregated insights from testing data. Today, individual test results often provide limited information without broader reference points. STAgora™ is designed to address this by enabling hospitals to build their own statistical datasets and compare aggregated data across institutions, helping them detect infection patterns faster and support more informed decision-making. The data shared through the platform is de-identified and formatted according to each institution's requirements, supporting secure, real-time exchange at local, national, or global levels. Advancing Toward a World Free from All Diseases Dr. Chun reiterated Seegene's long-term vision of building "a world free from diseases" noting that the introduction of CURECA™ and STAgora™ completes the company's five core technology pillars. These include Seegene's proprietary PCR technology, the SGDDS (Seegene Digitalized Development System) for automated assay development, its global Technology-Sharing Initiative, and now the addition of fully automated PCR testing and real-time data analytics capabilities. Industry experts at ADLM 2025 expressed strong interest in Seegene's new technologies. Jamel Giuma, President and CEO of Miami based laboratory IT consulting firm JTG Consulting Group, said, "I've attended many ADLM conferences over the years, and CURECA™ is one of the most innovative solutions I have seen so far. I believe it has the potential to simplify laboratory workflows, reduce the burden on lab personnel, and greatly enhance overall operational efficiency." "With CURECA™ and STAgora™, we're addressing long-standing barriers in molecular diagnostics," Dr. Chun added. "Just as smartphones and electric vehicles transformed their industries, we believe these technologies will redefine what is possible in diagnostic testing, helping laboratories worldwide achieve true automation, unlock the value of diagnostic data, and ultimately contribute to building a world free from diseases." Disclaimer CURECA™ and STAgora™ demonstrated at ADLM 2025 are pre-commercial technologies under development, not commercially available, and are not currently cleared for clinical diagnostic use in any jurisdiction.
Chicago Tribune
04-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Chicago Tribune
Heidi Stevens: On long list of things being cut, art may seem inconsequential. It's not
In the past few months I've traveled to an extravagant, loveless wedding on the coast of Rhode Island, a midsize prep school outside Boston, a long, awful, gorgeous goodbye between two soulmates inside Graceful Shepherd Hospice, a retirement community in Maine, a beach-town rental on Cape Cod and a whole bunch of spots in Los Angeles, both gritty and glamorous. Not in person, obviously. All of my actual travel revolves, happily, gratefully, around my son's lacrosse team and my daughter's college schedule. My mind, on the other hand, travels (also happily, gratefully) in books. 'The Wedding People' by Alison Espach; 'Prep' by Curtis Sittenfeld (an oldie I was late to); 'We All Want Impossible Things' by Catherine Newman (one of the best books I've ever read); 'Tell Me Everything' by Elizabeth Strout; 'Sandwich' also by Catherine Newman; and 'The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo' by Taylor Jenkins Reid, most recently. Stories are magic. They introduce me to new people and let me live in their heads and learn from their heartbreak and humor and terrible decisions and wisdom and fears and triumphs. Stories make my world bigger. They complicate easy narratives. They shrink my blind spots. They remind me to hope. 'The Sum of Us' by Heather McGhee taught me more about the United States than a lifetime of history classes. 'Mercy Street' by Jennifer Haigh gave me an entirely new lens through which to view reproductive rights. I think about 'A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius' by Dave Eggers at least once a week. Books do that. Art does that. And it is, like so many things that sustain us, under attack right now. Hundreds of arts groups across the country received notice that their National Endowment for the Arts grants were being withdrawn or terminated in May, the same day President Donald Trump called for eliminating the NEA altogether, as well as the National Endowment for the Humanities and the Institute of Library and Museum Services. It would be tempting to write this off as a minor outrage in the grand scheme of outrages unfolding right now. The budget bill that passed Thursday slashes Medicaid, Affordable Care Act and rural hospital funding, earmarks $45 billion for migrant detention facility beds, rolls back clean energy projects and adds at least $3.3 trillion to the national debt over the next decade. Among other things. But if the first six months of this administration have taught us anything, it's that we can be appalled by more than one thing simultaneously. And a society that doesn't cultivate and support and sustain art is an appalling thought. Art matters. It connects us. It softens us. It moves us. 'Everyone — no matter their belief system or politics — deserves art,' Anne Helen Peterson wrote in her July 2 newsletter. 'You deserve art you love and you deserve art that pisses you off and you deserve art that makes you think. 'We also deserve art,' she continued, 'that's not subject to the whims of capitalism or individual taste; if we only fund art that's pleasing or inoffensive, we end up with a bleak art world composed of Justin Timberlake's 'Can't Stop the Feeling' from the 'Trolls' soundtrack on repeat forever.' Which would not only be deeply unpleasant, it would stunt our growth. Rebecca Makkai, author of the phenomenal, Pulitzer Prize finalist 'The Great Believers,' wrote a stirring defense of the arts on the same day as the $40 million, taxpayer funded military parade in Washington, D.C. It was headlined, 'Your Kid's Art Class is Paying for This Parade.' 'It's not as if there's a trail of crumbs straight from the NEA cuts to this parade,' Makkai wrote. 'But when your priority is to defund the things that give people a voice and to fund the things that scare people into silence, it's hard not to see them as two sides of one coin.' Precisely. Makkai, as it happens, is one of the authors whose name appeared on an AI-generated summer reading list published in a handful of major newspapers recently. The list, which had no byline, recommended 15 new titles, only five of which actually exist. My book- and newspaper-loving heart shattered a little bit that day. There's an awful lot working against our humanity right now. But there are so many reasons to defend it. There are so many reasons not to give in — to cruelty, to fear, to lazy thinking, to shortcuts that take us to dark places. Art narrates those reasons. Art illuminates those reasons. Art creates empathy. And it's hard to think of a more precious, endangered resource than empathy right now.
Boston Globe
14-06-2025
- Sport
- Boston Globe
St. John's Prep emerges from epic OT battle with BC High with fifth straight Division 1 boys' lacrosse title
Related : Advertisement BC High (19-4) took a 3-0 lead through four minutes, but Prep (22-1) shut down a prolific offense over the next 26 minutes, 31 seconds, with Ryan McCarthy, Madden McGowan, Bo Minogue, Josh Haarmann, and Mac Crawford scoring during a 6-0 response in the second quarter. Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up 'Our offense is super balanced and our defense is super deep,' said Prep senior captain Sam Wilmot. 'I just love this team so much because we do it together. We really embody what team means.' St Johns Prep's Cam McCarthy (9) celebrates the Division 1 championship with a kiss. Heather Diehl for the Boston Glo Junior goalie Mattheus Du Plessis produced 16 saves behind stellar play from Wilmot, Jack Weissenburger, and Nick Schibli, but Prep's offense stalled down the stretch, as top-seeded BC High clawed back with a pair of dramatic goals from Murphy Belvin and Nick Emsing (3 goals) in the final minute to force overtime. Advertisement After All-American FOGO Will Crawford won the opening draw, and McGowan and McCarthy had their shots denied by BC High goalie TJ Emsing (13 saves), Kelly was able to seal the deal. 'It's always dogfights with [BC High],' said Kelly, whose Prep team won a 7-6 overtime battle in the regular season. 'It's just a battle of attrition, who is going to grind it out, and I think that showed today.' St Johns Prep's Charlie Angell hoists the trophy. Heather Diehl for the Boston Glo Both Kelly and Wilmot had older brothers star for Prep during a dynastic run that now includes 53 straight wins against in-state competition. Both seniors and Pynchon credited members of the 2020 and 2021 classes for setting the foundation that allows the program to dominate annually. Like Kelly's brother, Mike, and Sam Wilmot's brother, Charlie, both graduated in 2021, winning title as seniors 'From day one, this is our goal,' said Wilmot, who is committed to Richmond. 'Obviously we take it one step at a time, but we try to max out the days every year. We remember how good this feels and that's why we work all year for it.' BC High and St. John's Prep couldn't have been closer this season, twice going to overtime. Heather Diehl for the Boston Glo BC High midfielder Charlie Clair takes a shot on St. John's Prep goalie Mattheus Du Plessis. Heather Diehl for the Boston Glo St. John's Prep teammates Luke Kelly (25) and Owen White (15) enjoyed the title at Mass. Maritime. Heather Diehl for the Boston Glo Nate Weitzer can be reached at
Boston Globe
12-06-2025
- Sport
- Boston Globe
No. 2 St. John's Prep continues to roll, defeating Lincoln-Sudbury to earn shot at fifth straight Division 1 title
'Every year is a new season,' said Prep coach John Pynchon. 'In high school sports, there is no repeating from last year. You have to start over, and this year, we've learned that in some awkward ways with some stuff that we were trying to do that we needed to rethink.' Senior FOGO Will Crawford (16 for 19 on faceoffs) set the table by winning seven of the first nine faceoffs, and Prep's ride and defense limited the Warriors (15-5) on offense with sophomore Mattheus Du Plessis making six saves during a 7-1 first half. Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up Prep already up 3-0 mid Q1. L-S has not gained possession. Latest Prep goal here Jack Quigley off pass from Luke Kelly. — Nate Weitzer (@nweitzer7) Advertisement The Eagles expanded their lead to 9-2 in the third quarter with Beckett Lee (3 goals) and Luke Kelly (goal, 3 assists) leading the charge, and 10 players logged points for a program that has reached an unparalleled level of depth. 'If a guy wants to show up and be committed to what we're doing, then we're going to make a commitment to having him here, and that's been a core part of our success,' Pynchon said. 'We have a massive bench because these guys put the work in. They work. They earn it. And I wish I had more uniforms.' Advertisement St. John' Prep's Cam McCarthy holds possession as Owen Vona of Lincoln-Sudbury defends. Danielle Parhizkaran/Globe Staff BC High 14, Acton-Boxborough 11 — There is only one hill left for Marcus Craigwell and BC High to climb, but it's quite a mountain. The top-seeded Eagles (19-3) held serve Wednesday night at Burlington High with a 14-11 win over fifth-seeded Acton-Boxboro (17-4) in the Division 1 semifinals, setting up yet another matchup with Catholic Conference rival St. John's Prep (21-1) for the state championship (Saturday at Mass Maritime). BC High's David Leahy of BC High celebrates his goal against Acton-Boxborough. Danielle Parhizkaran/Globe Staff Prep has beaten BC High in 13 of their past 15 meetings, including thrice in the state finals from 2021-2023, and in the semifinals last June. 'There's no pressure on us,' Craigwell said about the impending matchup. 'We just have to play our game, play with confidence, and execute what we've done in practice.' End 3: BC High 11, Acton-Boxboro 8. Will Cronin scored twice in the final mins including here off the rebound, keeping A-B within striking distance. — Nate Weitzer (@nweitzer7) 'We haven't finished the job, so that's always in the back of our minds. Playing Prep is like playing a conference opponent in [the NFL]. Regardless of the [records], everyone shows up, and it can go either way.' BC High took an early 5-0 lead and held off multiple runs from A-B in the semifinals. The Revolution won the second quarter and tied the third when Will Cronin (3 goals) scored twice in the final minutes of the frame, but they could not close a three-goal gap. Acton-Boxborough's Nick Argento of Acton-Boxborough (left) knocks the ball out as defenders surround BC High's Murphy Belvin. Danielle Parhizkaran/Globe Staff The Eagles high-powered offense proved too much, as Luke Allen (3 goals, assist), Joe Leach (4 goals, assist), and Nick Emsing (3 goals, 2 assists) dazzled with several highlight goals and deft connections to beat the Revolution defense. 'We couldn't ask for a better team to prepare us for the final game,' said Craigwell. 'A-B is well coached, they weren't going to give up, so it was the best preparation we could have. Our offense needed to win the game and our offense did.' Advertisement Christian Maranian with a rocket on the man-up and :21 later Tristan Clayton scores to bring A-B within 7-5 in the final minute of 1H — Nate Weitzer (@nweitzer7) Division 2 State Reading 10, Westwood 9 — In a game where neither team led by more than one goal, the sixth-seeded Rockets made sure the hat trick tally of senior Nate Mulvey stood as the winner. Sophomore attack Connor Wicken scored four goals to compliment Mulvey's trick as Reading (19-3) managed two minutes of keep-away to put away the 10th-seeded Wolverines (16-8) at Weston High. They kept possession the last two minutes and — AJ (@aj_traub) The Rockets, in pursuit of their third state title after winning in 2018 and 2023, will face the winner of the semifinal between top-seeded Billerica and fifth-seeded Mansfield in the state championship final at Mass Maritime Academy. 'They're a good team, but you knew we could do it,' Mulvey said. 'We knew we could win from the jump, so that's all we had to do.' Wicken said the team treats him like anyone else even though he's a sophomore, and he played like it. He sniped a thin angle shot to tie it, 1-1, and scored the last goal of the first half and first of the second to help the Rockets surge to a 9-8 lead. 'It's an awesome feeling,' Wicken said. 'We worked so hard all season for this, and that's a great team that we just punched in the mouth so many times. They punched back so many times.' Related : Freshman goaltender Charlie Webberly made 11 saves, junior midfielder Nick Casarano deposited two goals, and senior attack Cullen Granara scored another. Senior midfielder Tomaso DeLuca was key on faceoffs. 'We play a lot off of our fuel and our energy and our emotion,' said Reading coach Rob Parkin. 'I'm okay with them playing a little bit up, but… just take a deep breath, enjoy the moment.' Advertisement Billerica 10, Mansfield 7 — Daniel Venezia, who scored three goals, broke a 6-6 tie midway through the third quarter with a firecracker into the back of the net to ignite the top-seeded Indians (21-1). In its three previous playoff victories, Billerica had scored 19 goals, 21 goals, and 11 goals. So when its attack slowed midway through the semifinal against fifth-seeded Mansfield (20-2), there didn't appear to be any concern. Billerica's Daniel Venezia attempts to get around a Mansfield defender during a Division 3 semifinal win. Evan Walsh The Indians knew they would get in the rhythm again. Venezia provided the spark at Assabet High in Marlborough to send Billerica to its first title game appearance since 2001. 'We've been battle-tested all year. We knew we were going to be in for a fight. Watching Mansfield on film, they were good, man – really, really good,' said Billerica coach Ryan Nickerson. 'We knew we were in for a battle, and it wasn't going to be an easy one. We knew the offense was going to break through, and it just took until the fourth.' Billerica's Daniel Venezia celebrates a goal with two teammates. Evan Walsh Division 3 State Scituate 11, Medfield 9 — Junior midfielder Luke Spaulding scored four goals to lead the fifth-seeded Sailors (18-5) in an upset of the defending champion and top-seeded Warriors (18-3). Haunted by a 13-4 loss against Medfield in last year's state tournament, Scituate coach Mark Puzzangara trusted his players were capable of defying the odds and competing against a well-organized and powerful Warriors team. Advertisement 'We didn't have any credit or any chance to beat this team,' said Puzzangara, whose team will face fifth-seeded Falmouth in the Division 3 state championship at Mass Maritime Academy. 'We just locked down, had a great defensive game plan in place, and just executed. We weren't going to be intimidated….They're a great team, but we know that we're a great team as well. We put it all together tonight.' Although Medfield's game plan was to shut down star senior Willy Robinson (2 goals), Scituate's supporting cast stepped up under the lights, including Spaulding, senior Owen Hofford (3 goals, 3 assists), junior Owen Quinn (2 goals), and senior draw specialist Leo Anthony who went toe-to-toe with Medfield's Johnny Olenik. 'He didn't allow [Olenik] to hurt us,' Puzzangara said. 'When he did win the draws, just defensively, we were so on-point with everything, with our slides, with our assignments, with our coverages. If we did have a little breakdown, [goaltender] Lydon O'Brien was there to bail us out with big saves.' Puzzangara and the Sailors return to the championship game with plenty of veterans who were a part of the squad that finished runner-up last year. 'I couldn't be more proud of how we played as a team,' Puzzangara said of Scituate's semifinal upset of Medfield. 'That's really what it came down to, [us] playing as a team.' Falmouth 14, Nauset 3 — At Barnstable, Travis Smith and Jamison Murphy each scored four goals. Jackson Smith added three, the first coming 80 seconds into the game. 'When we start strong and start fast, it gives us a ton of confidence' said Falmouth head coach Rory Morse. Advertisement Sophomore Gavin Powderly made 10 saves for the Clippers. Senior captain Jacob Porkka was key to the Clippers dominant defensive effort. Nauset was without star midfielder Logan Smith, a one-time Vermont lacrosse commit, who was attending the United States Hockey League camp in Wisconsin. The Clippers (18-5) will play fifth-seeded Scituate for the Division 3 state championship at Mass Maritime Academy. Division 4 State Cohasset 11, Nantucket 2 — junior captain Gus Greene scored three goals to pace the top-seeded Skippers (20-2) in a semifinal at Barnstable High. In total, four players netted multiple goals. Michael Wildfire was sound defensively. Senior captain Lincoln Pattison made timely saves in the third quarter as Cohasset smothered the fourth-seeded Whalers (15-6) with 10 combined goals in a blowout second and third quarters to reach the state championship game at Mass Maritime Academy. The Skippers, who will be making their first title game appearance since 2023, will face third-seeded Norwell in the championship. After battling to a 1-1 tie in the first 12 minutes, the Skippers controlled the game in the middle two quarters, outscoring the defending champions, 10-0, in that span. 'We've got some great athletes on [defense],' said Cohasset coach Steve Rotondi. 'I thought the kids did a great job today going out and doing everything we worked on.' Norwell 15, Manchester Essex 6 — Dictating the tempo from start to finish, the third-seeded Clippers (16-6) coasted to a state semifinal victory over the seventh-seeded Hornets(17-5) at Watertown. From the opening draw, Norwell was in complete control, opening with a 5-0 run in the first five minutes before the Hornets scored their first goal. The second quarter saw an exchange of runs, with the Clippers' fire-at-will attack producing a pair of goals for a 7-1 lead. The Hornets answered with three goals to pull within 7-4, but Norwell pulled away by erupting for three more goals for a 10-4 lead. 'These guys did a great job stepping up, taking away what [Norwell] wanted to do, and moving the ball quickly on offense,' said coach Josh Stolp. Norwell dominated the second half, outscoring the Hornets, 5-2, to seal the victory. Norwell back-to-back Division 3 championships in 2022 and 2023, and is making its first Division 4 title game appearance. Captains Jake McGuirk and Oliver Rice notched multi-goal games to relishanother ride to the state title game against a familiar foe in top-seeded Cohasset. '[Cohasset's] a good team, so we're looking forward to it,' said McGuirk, recalling how the Clippers suffered a 12-11 loss to Cohasset May 17. 'We're definitely hungry, but we know what we have ahead of us.' Correspondents Nate Weitzer reported from Burlington, Tyler Amaral from Barnstable, Joe Eachus from Watertown, AJ Traub from Weston and Evan Walsh from Marlborough. Nate Weitzer can be reached at
Wales Online
30-05-2025
- Wales Online
9 enchanting wedding venues in Wales to book in 2025
All of the following businesses have paid to feature in this article. When it comes to wedding planning, the venue is arguably the most important element. Luckily, Wales is blessed with an abundance of incredible options - from historic manors nestled in lush landscapes to more modern spaces with panoramic views. We've put together a handy guide of places that can help you hold your dream wedding in Wales, whether it's a grand celebration or an intimate gathering. Take a look below to discover the perfect backdrop for your special day… Manor Park Country House (Image: Manor Park Country House) Grade II-listed building Manor Park Country House seamlessly blends traditional elegance with modern style, offering all the features and amenities needed for an unforgettable wedding celebration. Enveloped by 12 acres of beautifully landscaped gardens and showcasing exquisite architecture, it can provide the ideal setting for your special day. The dedicated team at Manor Park ensures every detail of your wedding is meticulously handled from start to finish, offering comprehensive planning services for both indoor and outdoor ceremonies. With extensive experience in hosting multicultural weddings, the team are well-versed in various customs and traditions, ensuring the smooth execution of Hindu, Sikh, Muslim, and other cultural ceremonies. Get in touch to discover how Manor Park Country House can make your wedding dreams come true. Where to go: Clydach, Swansea, SA6 5NR Find out more: Visit or call 01792 846 999 Llechwen Hall (Image: Llechwen Hall) Nestled in six acres of stunning hilltop countryside, Llechwen Hall is a real romantic retreat, offering magnificent panoramic views of the Cynon valley below for those all-important wedding photographs. The hotel has something for everyone with multiple event spaces, 44 beautiful bedrooms, delicious food, and an experienced wedding team ready to guide you every step of the way. Enjoy the views from the incredible glass-panelled Garden Marquee, and don't forget to check out the beautiful 'Jail House' with its stone walls, original oak beams, and full wraparound balcony for a unique ceremony experience. Where to go: Llanfabon, Nelson, Pontypridd, CF37 4HP Find out more: Call 01443 742 050 or visit De Courceys Manor (Image: De Courceys Manor/Morgan James Media Ltd) Imagine saying 'I do' at De Courceys, an exclusive country haven in South Wales where romance meets five‑star flair. Host your ceremony in the beautiful Secret Garden, relax in the chic gin lounge, and dine on handcrafted menus bursting with seasonal flavour from outstanding 'foodie' chefs. The night before, unwind with your closest friends in the Pamper and Prep Suite - hot tub bubbling, champagne chilling - and wake just steps away from the aisle. With boutique cottages for guests and a family team famed for perfection, every moment is uniquely yours. Dates vanish quickly; book your private tour today and claim the setting your love story deserves. Where to go: Tyla Morris Avenue, Pentyrch, Cardiff, CF15 9QN Find out more: Visit Fairyhill (Image: Fairyhill) Hidden within the heart of Gower, Fairyhill is an iconic Georgian Grade II house that combines traditional charm with modern luxury. The exclusive wedding venue sits amongst 24 acres of breathtaking grounds, with rolling lawns, a terrace, and beautiful outdoor ceremony area. Fairyhill is completed by the spectacular modern glass K Room reception space - the name of which was inspired by the kaleidoscope effect the room creates - with uninterrupted views of the woodland estate. With accommodation for up to 70 people, Fairyhill also hosts regular weekend showcase events so you can discover its wonders for yourself. Where to go: Reynoldston, Swansea, SA3 1BS Find out more: Visit or the Instagram page, call 01792 391468, or email enquiries@ Sant Ffraed House (Image: Sant Ffraed House) Set in the Usk valley, discover a Grade II listed country house contrasted by the modern design of the glass K Room, all nestled amidst a 14-acre grand estate. Sant Ffraed House has become renowned as one of the most exclusive and luxurious wedding venues in Wales. The exclusive, light-filled spaces boast unparalleled views of the countryside, accommodation for between 50-60 guests, a Mayfair style bar, outdoor terrace, and stunning ceremony room. Check the website for regular weekend showcase events, so you can discover the venue's magic with your own eyes. Where to go: Llanvihangel Gobion, Abergavenny NP7 9BA Find out more: Visit or the Instagram page, call 01792 391468, or email enquiries@ Pencoed House Estate (Image: Pencoed House) As you journey down the tree-lined drive and arrive at Pencoed House's striking arched entrance, it's clear you've reached somewhere truly special. Once home to royal descendants, this historic estate dates back to the early 1400s, built by Welsh noble Jevan ap David. Some believe its pointed Gothic arch hints at monastic origins. Today, it stands as one of Glamorgan's oldest properties, nestled in the tranquil South Wales countryside. Pencoed House Estate offers a magical, bespoke setting for your wedding day - perfect for those who've always dreamed of a fairytale celebration in a timeless and enchanting location. Where to go: Llantrisant Road, Capel Llanilltern, Cardiff, CF5 6JR Find out more: Visit The Maes Manor Hotel (Image: The Maes Manor Hotel) Situated in the heart of the Welsh Valleys, high on Maesrudded Hill, The Maes Manor Hotel boasts spectacular views of the surrounding countryside. If you're dreaming of hosting your wedding in a venue which will provide memories for you to cherish forever, the Maes Manor Hotel prides itself on being a hotel with a personal touch, alongside its beautiful ballroom which holds up to 180 guests. The team also have the style and expertise needed to help make your special day unforgettable. To start planning your dream wedding, get in touch - your enchanted journey begins here. Where to go: Maesrudded Lane, Blackwood, NP12 0AG Find out more: Visit or call 01495 220011 Ty Newydd Country Hotel (Image: Ty Newydd Country Hotel) Nestled within three acres of beautifully landscaped gardens on the edge of the Brecon Beacons, The Ty Newydd Country Hotel offers a serene and secluded setting. Surrounded by breathtaking mountain views, the hotel possesses a tranquil country ambience, blending natural beauty with timeless charm - making it an idyllic place to hold your wedding. It offers bespoke, competitively priced wedding packages designed to suit your requirements, alongside lovely photo opportunities, including a secluded footbridge, a traditional swing, and a picturesque wishing well - perfect for those unforgettable moments. In addition to private function rooms and a restaurant, the 28-bedroom hotel has a private bridal room available for added convenience and comfort on the special day. Where to go: Penderyn Road, Hirwaun, Aberdare, CF44 9SX Find out more: Visit Tall John's House (Image: Tall John's House) Set in the beautiful Brecon Beacons, Tall John's House is a breathtaking 'blank canvas' wedding venue. Offering exclusive weddings for up to three days, the historic manor provides a stunning backdrop for both grand celebrations and intimate ceremonies. Exchange vows in romantic gardens or the magical stone barn, tailored to your vision, and enjoy luxurious accommodation including the Manor House, B&B, and charming self-catering cottages which ensure a memorable stay for you and loved ones. With no corkage packages and personalised service, every detail is crafted to perfection. Where to go: Off B4560 Llangasty Tal-y-llyn, Brecon Beacons National Park, Brecon, LD3 7PX
