All the latest wedding news for couples getting married in Devon or Cornwall, along with bridal fashion and beauty inspiration and honeymoon ideas.
Supergroup Claire Richards & Duncan James surprise couple on their wedding day
Pop royalty, Claire Richards and Duncan James, joined forces on Saturday 17th September, as the ultimate wedding band - Simply Wed - to surprise one lucky couple with a performance of poptastic floor-filling songs on their wedding day. Anna Novelli and Samuel Hold from Bournemouth were delighted when the power duo 'crashed the wedding' at the Larmer Street in Wiltshire, to surprise guests and the lucky couple with the performance of a lifetime. The couple - both Steps and Blue superfans - were overwhelmed with joy to have the newly minted wedding supergroup perform, having known all the routines to Claire and Duncan's biggest hits since childhood!
Posted: 26 September 2022
Sharp's Brewery releases new mango-infused brew for Cask Ale Week
To celebrate the upcoming Cask Ale Week, which runs from 22nd September to 2nd October 2022, an innovative team from Cornwall-based Sharp's Brewery has created Coaster Alfonso. This limited-edition brew is a contemporary reimagining of one of the first-ever of Sharp's brews, Coaster, with a refreshing mango twist. Sharp's constantly encourages development and creativity, and a fun in-house competition between the brewing teams helped to drive a new take on the classic Coaster recipe, resulting in a 4.1% pale ale that combines the latest brewing trends with a more traditional recipe in one glass. Coaster Alphonso represents the collaboration of six minds from one of the Sharp's Brewery teams: Stuart Blow, Mark Young, Warren Jackson, Imogen Tointon, Martin Shiers and Paddy Carter, who collectively make up Team Coaster (Sharp's have four brewing teams, each named after historic or existing Sharp's beers). The competition for Cask Ale Week reflects Sharp's commitment to honouring traditional cask ale production, with a contemporary mindset.
Posted: 22 September 2022
Top tips on how to save money on a hen-do
Hen-dos provide a great opportunity to bring together your nearest and dearest for pre-wedding celebration and excitement. However, with many brides now opting for more exotic or expensive locations for their celebrations, the cost of a hen-do can quickly add up. Anita Naik, Savings Expert at VoucherCodes.co.uk, has some great tips on how to make savings on your upcoming hen-party: Take advantage of drinks packages – Nightclubs are synonymous with hen-dos, however entry and drinks can get pretty pricey. Venues will often offer discounts on pre-purchased drinks packages so it's worth checking what deals you can strike before getting there.
Posted: 21 September 2022
New visual arts festival in Falmouth set to take place on 30th September
2022 marks the inaugural year of Form, a new annual visual arts festival in Falmouth, Cornwall from the 30th of September until the 2nd of October 2022, which celebrates the visual arts heritage and vibrant creative culture of the area. Form will run numerous exciting visual arts events across the town which will revolve around a free-to-visit three-day art fair at the landmark Princess Pavilion. The events, with something for all ages and many of which are free, include exhibitions; workshops featuring pottery, printing and crocheting; demonstrations, such as wood turning and Raku pottery firing; film screenings; life drawing classes; as well as an art trail of local school children's work - the future artists of Cornwall - in shop windows across Falmouth.
Posted: 20 September 2022
How to wear pink when attending weddings
With Breast Cancer Awareness month approaching, Cliff Bashforth, managing director of Colour Me Beautiful, shares his top tips on how to wear pink!
"The key to wearing pink is to ensure that it doesn't wear you, says Cliff, "Cooler skin tones look amazing in cerise or hot pinks, indeed most shades from dusty rose to bright fuchsia, whilst warmer skin tones will always look their best in coral or salmon pinks. Dark hair and bright eyes - opt for the boldest, brightest hues you can find. Hot pink (cool), mango (warm). If your eyes are dark choose a deeper shade such as fuchsia (cool) or salmon pink (warm).
Posted: 20 September 2022
The Photography Show & The Video Show is open today!
Multi award-winning wedding and portrait photographer Roberto Valenzuela, marine biologist and explorer Cristina Mittermeier and renowned landscape photographer Colin Prior are among the compelling line-up of global speakers at The Photography Show & The Video Show. They will be joined by Jack Harries, Christina Ebenezer, Kaylee Greer and Chase Jarvis among others, who all will share their expertise during this unmissable four-day event showcasing photography, taking place 17th to 20th September 2022 at Birmingham's NEC venue.
Posted: 17 September 2022
The Photography Show & The Video Show launches its First Ever Wedding Album of The Year competition
The Photography Show & The Video Show is launching its first ever Wedding Album of the Year competition to celebrate the best of the best from all around the country; showcasing the talent and craft of professional photographers and album makers in the UK and championing the power of print. There's nothing like a beautifully designed and presented wedding album to immortalise a couple's special day - a permanent and tangible reminder of those happy memories and moments, to be enjoyed for years to come. Wedding Album of the Year will celebrate these memories and the photographers that captured them.
Posted: 16 September 2022
Roberto Valenzuela - Super Stage speaker at The Photography Show this weekend!
At The Photography Show this weekend, Roberto Valenzuela - a photographer, author, and educator based in Beverly Hills, CA - will discuss and demonstrate what to do to transform your photography, and photography business, from average to remarkable. Roberto will share some powerful personal stories that propelled his business into the spotlight in the US and around the world and how to turn your business into a career you can rely on. As a member of the prestigious Canon Explorers of Light group, Roberto is one of the most influential photographers in the world. He's developed his unique teaching style by following the same rigorous regimen he developed as a professional concert classical guitarist and educator before becoming a photographer - he believes that it's not talent but deliberate practice that is at the core of skill and achievement!
Posted: 16 September 2022
The best ways to save money as a wedding guest
Attending a wedding can be one of the most joyous times of the year but it can also be one of the most expensive too, from things such as gifts to drinks. The frugal team at NetVoucherCodes.co.uk have explored special ways for wedding guests to enjoy the festivities without the worry of overspending. Taking on group initiatives such as splitting the taxi costs and getting a group gift can cut wedding expenses in half. Rebecca Bobbington, online consumer expert from NetVoucherCodes.co.uk said: "We wanted to give those attending a wedding some useful tricks to make the big day less of a financial burden....
Posted: 16 September 2022
New hot tub opens at Cornwall's Old Ferry Inn
Take the plunge at the Old Ferry Inn located in the picturesque village of Bodinnick, Cornwall where the hot tub is now open exclusively for residents (adults only) on the upstairs terrace of this historic former coaching inn set on the banks of the River Fowey. Guests can watch the stunning sunset over Fowey Harbour with a cocktail in hand and the upstairs terrace is open in all weathers for boat watching, perfect for mini-moons and low-key hen gatherings.
Posted: 15 September 2022
Your big day: six tablescaping trends to look out for in 2023
Your wedding day is such a big event, and you'll want the table to really look it's best. Here, Kate Cartwright from the tableware brand Burleigh Pottery offers some tips on the trends coming up in 2023, so you can gain some inspiration for your tablescape. Your wedding is one of the most important events of your life, and so you'll naturally want everything to be as close to perfect as possible. The tablescape is no exception — your wedding table is where everyone will sit down and celebrate together at your special day, so you'll want it to look beautiful, both for the meal itself and the photos you'll keep to look back on in years to come. Here, we'll go through some new trends in wedding tablescapes for 2023, so that you can get a range of new ideas for how you might design your ideal place settings for yourself and your guests.
Posted: 14 September 2022
Tolcarne Beach Village offers new rooms
Cornwall's family-run hotel Tolcarne Beach Village has added new rooms for 2022 which are home to private seafront hot tubs. Made up of a collection of beach huts and boutique hotel rooms set on a private beach on the Cornish Coast, the village is open all year round. Facilities available at the luxury destination include a dedicated surf school, an on-site award-winning restaurant, private hot tub suites and boat tours. The hotel is child-friendly, making it the ideal choice for a family-moon and dog-friendly rooms are also available.
Posted: 13 September 2022
Planning a Hen Do? Here are 6 ways to do it on a budget
With wedding traditions dying fast, modern couples are truly setting the bar for what's possible at contemporary nuptials. What will always be popular though, is the hen/stag or ('sten' if you're joining forces) do! Although, even these have altered in their format, gone are pub and nightclub crawls till the early morning, and in are wellness breaks, pottery and classes and the much-loved British Brunch! The UK's leading bottomless brunch platform, Bottomless Brunch, has compiled a list of ways you can save costs whilst planning an unforgettable hen party.
Posted: 12 September 2022
Wedding gift list ideas from designer Emma Britton
Decorative Glass Designer Emma Britton has launched a new glassware collection, Exotic Floral, which is proving very popular amongst guests looking for wedding day gifting ideas.Exotic Floral adds a touch tropical splendour to your table featuring dahlias, red hot pokers, canna lilies and digitalis firebird. This new floral design is inspired by the geometrics and structural beauty of these flowers and is etched on to various glassware items such as high balls, tumblers, wine glasses and champagne coupes - the latter is the perfect gift set of two for newlyweds.
Posted: 9 September 2022
Celebrate Roald Dahl Day on Tuesday 13th September
What better way to celebrate Roald Dahl Day than with a magical Matilda Afternoon Tea at one of five Luxury Family Hotels? In partnership with The Roald Dahl Story Company, Luxury Family Hotels has created a Matilda Afternoon Tea – a magical dining experience themed on the iconic children's story, and the perfect way for Roald Dahl fans of all ages to celebrate Roald Dahl Day on Tuesday 13th September 2022. To commemorate one of the best children's authors of all time, Roald Dahl Day is celebrated every year on his birthday – the 13th of September – to remember the magic that he brought and continues to bring to children all over the world. The Matilda Afternoon Tea is currently available at all five Luxury Family Hotels properties until April 2023: Fowey Hall in South Cornwall, Moonfleet Manor on the Jurassic Coast in Dorset, New Park Manor in the New Forest, The Ickworth near Bury-St-Edmunds and Woolley Grange in Wiltshire.
Posted: 9 September 2022
Enjoy Sober October with New London Light non-alcoholic spirits from the Salcombe Distilling Co
Sacrifice nothing this Sober October with New London Light, a bold collection of contemporary non-alcoholic spirits and aperitifs from the multi-award-winning distillers at Salcombe Distilling Co. Thanks to innovative flavour combinations and a pioneering production process, New London Light (NLL) is setting the global standard in taste for the fast-growing alcohol-free spirits category, ensuring that alcohol-free no longer means second best. Available in three expressions 'First Light', 'Aegean Sky' and 'Midnight Sun', New London Light can be enjoyed straight up, with tonic, or as part of a cocktail. New London Light 'Midnight Sun' is now also available to buy in selected Waitrose & Partners stores (RRP £27.50, 70cl, 0% ABV).
Posted: 6 September 2022
Top five wedding cars from Avis car hire
There's no better way to live up to the wedding excitement than making a grand entrance. With over 508K #weddingcar posts on Instagram, there are endless options for couples to be spoilt for choice when picking their dream wedding car. From vintage classics to chic campervans, Avis has analysed and rounded up the most Instagram-worthy cars for your wedding day. These top five wedding cars have also been carefully selected by celebrities to honour their big day, so they have the power to make the couples the 'talk of the town,' on their special day.
Posted: 5 September 2022
Pink Diesel, from the iconic Rosé region of Provence, France, has launched a bespoke label offering to help transform the wine selection on your big day. Personalised with a beautiful illustration these bottles will create a memory that can be cherished and shared with your family and friends. This one of a kind service is designed to help couples #FuelGoodTimes with magnum bottles of expertly crafted light rosé which serve 10 generous glasses for only £32.95 per bottle, plus a £70 design fee.
Posted: 2 September 2022
Food Drink Devon 2022 Awards announce finalists
With just over a month until the 11th Food Drink Devon Awards, the finalists, which include many of the region's most respected and influential artisan food and drink producers, have been revealed. Since entries closed in April, the esteemed panel of judges and industry experts have sampled, tasted and scored over 270 products, visited 80 hospitality establishments and scrutinised 30 retail outlets across Devon to select the finest. This year also saw the launch of their Sustainability Pioneer Award, designed to celebrate and promote sustainability, and shine a light on businesses going that extra mile in their endeavours to be environmentally friendly. Winners will be announced during the organisation's glittering black tie award ceremony on Monday 3rd October at the Crowne Plaza, Plymouth, overlooking Plymouth Hoe's beautiful coastline. The deserving winners will be announced by Tony Hawks, Devon-based comedian and author who regularly appears on BBC Radio Four panel shows Have I Got News For You, Just A Minute and I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue.
Posted: 1 September 2022
Visitors get closer to nature at Heddon Valley Bioblitz in Devon
The National Trust team in North Devon have teamed up with the Bumblebee Conservation Trust for a 24-hour BioBlitz at Heddon Valley on the west Exmoor coast. National Trust wildlife experts and the wider public worked together over this period to find as many species of plants, animals and fungi as they could, to create a snapshot of the variety of life found in Heddon Valley. In addition to bee, butterfly, river fly and insect identification and surveying, more than 100 visitors took part in activities such as family arts and crafts, moth trapping, ranger-led walks through the valley and a night walk with bat detectors. Maia Rhoads, National Trust ranger said: 'It was great to see so many people here for the Bioblitz. As well as being a great way to share and develop their enthusiasm for nature, the records collected during a BioBlitz form part of a genuine scientific survey of the area. We hope to make this an annual event going forward.'
Posted: 30 August 2022
Budget friendly ways to propose to your bridesmaids
Weddings are one of the costliest events in life which get more expensive year on year. Asking your besties to be your bridesmaids is undoubtedly one of the most exciting parts of the process, however, this can soon chip away at your budget when looking at personalised presents or expensive goodie bags to pop the question to them. To help save some costs, greetings card specialist thortful (thortful.com) has shared five budget-friendly, yet fun and creative ways, to ask your besties to be your bridesmaids. From having a spa day at home to custom fortune cookies, these bridesmaid proposal ideas are sure to get the reaction you want without breaking the bank.
Posted: 29 August 2022
Before I Do - the honeymoon must-have, you won't put it down!
Here at County Wedding Magazines HQ we do love a good book to get our teeth into - not literally of course, cake's great for that - and the description for this new novel Before I Do from Sophie Cousens already has us hooked! What would you do if the one that got away turned up the night before your wedding? Audrey is marrying Josh; steady, dependable Josh, the love of her life. They share a flat and a bank account, and it's the only relationship that Audrey's ever had that feels like something she can put her trust in. But romance should be full of fireworks, and as the big day approaches, Audrey's found herself wondering if Josh really is 'the one'. So, when Josh's sister Miranda arrives at their rehearsal dinner with Fred - Audrey's 'What If?' guy, the man she met six years ago and had one amazing day with but never saw again - Audrey can't help but see it as a sign.
Posted: 26 August 2022
Callum Mitchell’s first narrative short film, Mackling, set to shoot in Cornwall
Local filmmakers Callum Mitchell, Jonny Dry and Ella Turner are set to shoot their latest film – Mackling – this coming autumn in Penzance. Mitchell's recent audio drama-documentary, Solomon Browne, was broadcast on BBC Radio 4 last year to widespread acclaim and selected as Drama Of The Week. Working from a script by Mitchell, Jonny Dry is set to direct with Ella Turner producing for Studio Erma. The trio worked together on the set of BAFTA-winner Mark Jenkin's latest feature, Enys Men, and will be supported by Bosena CEO & producer Denzil Monk for Mackling - shooting throughout West Penwith this November with a range of local cast and crew. Set in a world of reclamation yards, house clearances and rural deprivation, Mackling is a social drama following the strange and off-kilter relationship between two men, Bud and Sully, as they prepare for a local funeral.
Posted: 25 August 2022
Brits would end a relationship if they're not engaged after five years
With a +360% increase in Brits searching for 'how to hint at an engagement' and a +215% increase for a 'dream wedding'* it seems many Brits are eagerly waiting for their partner to pop the big question – but how long do Brits wait? A new study by greetings card marketplace thortful.com, who polled 1,000 Brits who are either engaged or newly married, revealed just how long you might be waiting for a ring and the nation's true thoughts on everything to do with getting engaged.
The study showed that our partners are proposing 7 months too late as the preferred waiting time is just 2 years. And, on average, Brits would call time on a relationship if they're still not engaged after 5 years of being in a relationship.
Posted: 24 August 2022
Duke of Cornwall Hotel launches The Duke Mini Wedding Collection
The Duke of Cornwall Hotel, Plymouth's first luxury hotel established in 1863 has teamed up with Drakes Jewellers, a local family-run business to launch The Duke Mini Wedding Collection on Wednesday 21st September 2022 from 5 pm until 8 pm. The event is free to attend and will showcase the iconic hotel dressed to impress for a wedding along with a hand-picked selection of trusted suppliers to help couples create a magical and memorable day. There'll also be goodie bags and prizes to be won.
Posted: 23 August 2022