Your Devon and Cornwall Wedding news and ideas from around the area

Love takes a leap at Tregenna Castle Resort celebrating 250 years

Tregenna Castle Resort in St. Ives, Cornwall, is celebrating its 250th anniversary this year with 12 months' worth of events, community activities, environmental initiatives and special offers including a Leap Year Love Giveaway. The resort, set within 72 acres comprising hotel rooms, apartments, self-catering properties, an award-winning wedding venue, two restaurants, a golf course, an indoor and outdoor pool, tennis courts and investment properties was first built 250 years ago and proudly continues to operate to this day. In the spirit of Tregenna's 250th year, it's adding a touch of magic to Leap Day on the 29th of February. Couples choosing this extra-special day to pop the question stand a chance to win £250 towards their dream wedding at Tregenna which will be subtracted from the final wedding venue invoice.

Newly launched NimNik Glitter Tattoo Kit ideal for kids at weddings!

Boasting an impressive array of features, with 35 vibrant glitter colours, six fluorescent powders, 204 stencils, three adhesives, five brushes, and 215 rhinestones - the possibilities are limitless and will keep children happy for hours. This comprehensive set ensures that every user can unleash their imagination and bring their temporary tattoo visions to life. This glitter tattoo kit is not limited by age or gender; ideal for kids, girls, teens, men, women, and adults, it's perfect for occasions. The versatility of the kit allows users to explore different applications, such as eye shadow, body painting, DIY crafts, Christmas cards, birthday celebrations, or party decorations. The only limit is your creativity.

As the wedding season approaches, turn to Viners for a gift ideas

If you've been invited to a wedding and need some inspiration for what to give as a gift, we're sure you will find something within the Viners® range that the happy couple will enjoy for years to come. Opting for a cutlery set is a guaranteed hit. A sentimental and thoughtful gift to give your loved ones, a cutlery set will take care of any special dinner parties or occasions hosted by the newlyweds.

Expert insight on upcoming wedding trends in 2024

Georgie Mitchell, Wedding Planner and Wedding Expert for online fashion destination Silkfred, shares her expert insight on upcoming wedding trends in 2024. A beautiful white gown has been the norm for centuries, however, as Georgie explains, 2024 is set to change these traditional bridal tropes: "I think, in 2024, we'll see loads of individuality. Brides will be wearing different designs, colours, necklines with more of a focus on styles that not only make them look and feel good, but won't look like everyone else. I also think they will be very romantic, textured, patterned with touches of colour. Gone are the white dress brides."

Bloom & Wild's exclusive insights into this year’s most anticipated flower trends

Brace yourselves for a vibrant floral revolution as 2024 bids adieu to the serene luxury trends of 2023, welcoming back maximalism with open arms. Bold statement pieces and lively colours are reclaiming their spotlight in the realms of fashion, interiors, and floral arrangements, marking a dynamic shift in the aesthetic landscape. Jo Reason, Director of Brand & Range at Bloom & Wild, predicts a surge in hyper-colour bouquets featuring fuchsia and electric lilac flowers paired with lime yellow foliages.

Celebrate Mother’s Day with Salcombe Gin and Biscuiteers

For those searching for an extraordinary gift this Mother's Day, multi-award-winning Salcombe Gin and the UK's original hand-iced biscuit company, Biscuiteers have partnered to offer a delightful gift. Celebrating Mother's Day, Salcombe Gin offers a complimentary Biscuiteers luxury Salcombe Gin biscuit worth £13.95 with every order of their highly awarded Salcombe Gin 'Rosé Sainte Marie' (70cl). Beautifully balanced, it boasts fragrant notes of fresh lemon peel and Provence herbs with a natural sweetness of red fruit and a distinct perfume of white flowers and orange blossom. The perfect partnership, Biscuiteers' bespoke lemon Salcombe Gin biscuit reflects Salcombe Gin's 'Rosé Sainte Marie' and is packaged in a hand-illustrated Biscuiteers gift box.

Wedding trends and tablescaping predictions for 2024

We've seen a number of popular wedding trends take centre stage over the past few years, from the soaring popularity of micro weddings to cosy and intimate sweetheart tables for the happy couple. As we step into 2024, the world of weddings is evolving even further, with couples embracing new and exciting trends and reimagining the art of tablescaping. So, what exactly are the latest nuptial trends, and how can brides and grooms emulate them in their own ceremonies and wedding tablescapes? The tableware experts from Burleigh Pottery are here to share their wedding and tablescaping trend predictions for 2024 to give you the inspiration you need ahead of the big day.

Expert reveals wedding planning tips for newly engaged couples

Samantha Gilchrist, the owner of The Gilchrist Collection, has had the pleasure of working with thousands of married-couples-to-be, across 12 venues in total including three US, making her the expert when it comes to wedding planning: "Valentine's Day is an incredibly popular day for proposals, in fact the search for 'Valentine's Day proposal' is currently up 40% globally!" I love working with newly-engaged couples; but I always encourage them not to wait too long, as they may miss out on getting the best venues, photographers or even end up with key guests of honour unable to attend the big day as they have left sending 'save-the-dates' out until the last minute."

Midlife Retreat launches at Cornwall's St Moritz Hotel + Cowshed Spa

Former glossy magazine editors, Lorraine Candy and Trish Halpin, the women behind the chart-topping Postcards from Midlife podcast, have just launched their inaugural midlife retreat at the St Moritz Hotel + Cowshed Spa in Rock, Cornwall. The two-day long retreat (running from the 15th until the 17th of March) will be limited in numbers and packed with energising talks, friendship walks, and activities including cold water dips, sound baths, nourishing food and wellness workshops. The successful Postcards from Midlife podcast strives to help women make the most of their magnificent midlife and to change society's outdated narrative of what it means to be a peri and post-menopausal woman now.

Savvy couples request money over wedding gifts amid cost of living crisis

Savvy couples are looking to use wedding gifts to invest in savings amid the cost-of-living crisis, new national research has revealed. The survey, conducted by Coventry Building Society discovered almost a quarter of newlyweds (24%) put money received as a wedding gift straight into a savings account, with more than one in ten couples (15%) using money to pay off wedding debt straight away. What's more, over half of respondents (57%) just want money as their wedding gift, opting for financial safety over traditional gift giving (43%).

The Speech Surgery part three - the father-of-the-bride gets the spotlight

The Speech Surgery part three, Heidi Ellert McDermott shares her tips for the father of the bride and how to delivery the ultimate speech. The wedding speech tradition is as prevalent as ever and is still very much one of the key parts of the day. For some, public speaking comes quite naturally, and they wouldn't think twice about standing up and 'performing' on cue, while for others it may cause sleepless nights and anxiety but the pressure of pleasing a loved one means you can't say no! Fear not, whether you're a pro and want to heighten your speech, or a novice and you need some advice on how to settle those nerves, Heidi is here to answer your all-important questions...

Wellness Retreats launch at Soar Mill Cove Hotel in South Devon

Offering the epitome of comfort and luxury against the staggering backdrop of the South Devon coast, Soar Mill Cove Hotel has announced the introduction of a series of new wellness retreats with its first Winter Wellness Day taking place on Sunday, February 25th. Set in a quiet valley at the end of a lane, just a short walk from a hidden and secluded beach and the South West Coast Path, Soar Mill Cove Hotel offers one of the most idyllic spots for an unforgettable restorative retreat immersed in Devon's awe-inspiring scenery. With only the sound of the waves and birdsong, this privately owned hotel is a place for those who love the peace and tranquillity of a stunning location.

Planning an engagement party? Here’s a 6-step-guide from a party planner

So you've said the easiest yes of your life and now is the time to celebrate your new status with an engagement party, but where do you even start? From budget to dates to invites, the list can seem endless and overwhelming at first, but there are a few simple considerations that can ease the process from the offset, making this exciting phase of your life enjoyable, memorable and personal to you both. To help with your engagement party checklist, party planning expert at Ginger Ray, Jess Martin, shares six fool-proof etiquette tips to avoid those stressful preparations:

Beauty and wellbeing brand Rituals opens Cornish store

Beauty and wellbeing brand Rituals has just opened a new store in Truro, Cornwall. Alun Jones, Truro BID manager tells us, "We have recently had an encouraging number of new businesses opening in Truro, so we are thrilled that Rituals has opened in the city centre." Alan adds, "We welcome Rituals to Truro, as the national luxury home and body cosmetics brand will help to entice customers to the high street, and will be a great addition to the city's current mix of national and independent shops in Cornwall's retail capital." Annemarie Forsyth, managing director, of Rituals Cosmetics (UK & Ireland), says: The new Rituals store will help customers to achieve a sense of well-being by finding the perfect products."

Lab-grown diamonds dominating the market in 2024

In 2023, rather than reassessing their budget, many couples have started to become more conscious of their spending habits and switching to gemstones rather than diamonds and opting for lab-grown diamonds. According to exclusive internal data from Queensmith, lab-grown diamonds have continued to dominate the market due to their lower cost per carat, resulting in more affordable prices. These highly sought-after diamonds have enabled couples to still find the perfect engagement ring, without inflating their budget. The affordable option, at 60-80% cheaper than natural diamonds, accounted for nearly 80% of Queensmith's diamond engagement rings sold in 2023. Not only can consumers expect larger carat weights and higher quality diamonds, but also a more environmentally friendly and sustainably sourced alternative to mined diamonds.

Love letters are all but lost

Once the staple currency of every romance, the simple art of writing a love letter has been all but lost, in an age of Snapchat and WhatsApp. A new study has revealed that nearly half of young Brits in relationships (45 percent) aged between 18 and 35, have never written their sweetheart a love letter, while 71 percent say they would rather send a romantic WhatsApp, DM or Snap. In fact, 88 percent say that traditional displays of affection such as love letters and flowers are old fashioned. Young lovers admit that they wouldn't know what to say in a letter (37 percent), with a third (29 percent) confessing they would feel silly, according to the poll by Bird & Blend Tea Co. who have created a Swizzels Love Hearts Tea.

The Speech Surgery part two - icebreakers and tips for the best man

The Speech Surgery part two, Heidi Ellert McDermott shares her tips on icebreakers and advice for the best man. The wedding speech tradition is as prevalent as ever and is still very much one of the key parts of the day. For some, public speaking comes quite naturally, and they wouldn't think twice about standing up and 'performing' on cue, while for others it may cause sleepless nights and anxiety but the pressure of pleasing a loved one means you can't say no! Fear not, whether you're a pro and want to heighten your speech, or a novice and you need some advice on how to settle those nerves, Heidi is here to answer your all-important questions...

The worst Valentine’s Day presents ever gifted

With Valentine's Day fast approaching, many people in relationships will be facing one of the toughest questions of the year - "What do I buy my other half?". There have already been 43,000 online searches for "Valentine's Day gifts" as people look for inspiration and whilst some people might receive extravagant and romantic presents, some people are less fortunate. With this in mind, Ninja surveyed the nation to find out what the worst presents people had been given for Valentine's Day, and between a bag of crisps and cat food, the results will shock you

Embrace Romance with PoB Hotels at Bovey Castle This Valentine’s Day

Savour romance at Bovey Castle this February with the enchanting Valentine's Getaway package. Whether guests seek adventure exploring the scenic surroundings or prefer a tranquil retreat to cherish quality time together, the perfect Valentine's break awaits at Bovey Castle. The one-night Valentine's Getaway includes a host of exclusive offerings with luxurious accommodations including a bottle of champagne, a full English breakfast, and access to the indoor swimming pool and Elan Spa facilities, featuring a sauna, steam room, and gym. For an extra layer of pampering, guests can treat themselves to a Temple Spa treatment at the Elan Spa. This February, indulge in a Valentine's experience at Bovey Castle, where every moment is designed to create lasting memories.

Hen do and stag party tips 2024

Anita Naik, Savings Expert at VoucherCodes.co.uk provides her top tips on reducing the cost of a hen or stag do: "Many bridal and groom parties begin planning their respective hen and stag dos throughout the months of January and February. Taking the time to plan carefully is crucial, especially if you are planning on jetting off somewhere. "But, with rising living costs and foreign destinations being more expensive than ever, I've put together my top tips to help you have some pre-wedding fun without breaking the bank - either domestically, or abroad.