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

David Alpert named British Underwater Photographer of the Year 2025 with photo from Lundy Island

David Alpert is named British Underwater Photographer of the Year 2025 with 'The Curious Seal' photo from Lundy Island in North Devon, a remote and unique spot for honeymooners to explore. The award-winning underwater and wildlife photographer and co-founder and managing director of International Institute for Active Ageing (iiaa) has won the highly prestigious title in the global photography contest, which attracted 6750 underwater pictures. Being regularly based in Devon, his image 'The Curious Seal' was taken from Lundy Island and challenges the misconceptions that British waters are murky and lifeless. It was selected from thousands of entries with the international winners announced in an awards ceremony in central London.

Say I Do with Chelsea Peers

Chelsea Peers have made the morning of the wedding even more stylish than before. You and your bridal party can now get ready in soft satin and lace trimmed nightwear, bringing together the joys of wedding morning excitement and the wow factor for your photo album. Why not have your bridesmaids in matching pyjamas? The bridal collection caters to the whole wedding party and would make those getting ready photos all that more special.

Cornish brand Helen Round unveil Mother's Day gift sets

Sustainable Cornish brand Helen Round have unveiled their most sought-after items to create lovely, themed, boxed gifts, perfect for Mother's Day. Beautifully packed in bee tissue paper and protected in a recyclable cardboard box, these sustainable gifts are all made in Cornwall. Three bestsellers include the eco cleansing gift set, £32, which offers three presents in one with a handy bamboo headband, ten soft bamboo make-up pads and a fragrant citrus and sea salt soap packed neatly in a recyclable box. This is a plastic-free, soft and sustainable approach to cleansing. Another bestseller is the brand's linen make-up bag gift set and the eco hair care gift set.

Three cheers for mum!

Mother's Day is fast approaching, and with this comes the worry of buying the right present. Mum does so much, how can we possibly repay her? For many mothers, they'll be sat there thinking they don't want the fuss, maybe just a cup of tea and a lay in. However, it's important we show them that they're worth the extra day of love and affection. The mother of the bride is a special role, and I'm sure one all mums look forward to. The extra support we get from our mums on our wedding day is three-fold, so let's unpack them and remind ourselves why we should be treating them on the 30th of Mach 2025.

Caerhays Estate Weddings launches new, immersive elopement experience

Cornwall has always been a popular destination for couples wanting to marry somewhere magical, and Caerhays Estate Weddings has responded to the rising interest in elopements by launching a new immersive wedding experience at The Vean, a beautifully restored Georgian country house on the estate, which has been tailored specifically for smaller elopement and micro weddings. Jen Polkinghorn, wedding Co-ordinator at Caerhays Estate Weddings, says, "We're noticing increasingly that couples are placing a higher value on privacy, personalisation and breaking away from norms and expectations on their special day, and this is making elopement and micro weddings a more appealing option for many newly engaged couples". Censuswide research conducted for Ginger Ray in 2024 reported that Google searches for Elopement Weddings increased by 83%.

The Most popular Wedding Gifts and Their Impact Post-Wedding

You've received your invitation, you've picked out your outfit, now you just need to select your gift! A simple task that can bring reality crashing in "what on earth can I get them?" Here's Not on the Highstreets most popular wedding gifts, along with expert insights from their exclusive interview with multi-award-winning relationship coach Gemma Nice on how these gifts can strengthen relationships and keep the connection alive long after the wedding day.

Celebrate Mother's Day with the Adam Handling Group at The Tartan Fox

Treat the mother figure in your life to Sunday lunch this Mother's Day with the Adam Handling Collection, at Newquay's The Tartan Fox. There is also a range of gifts on offer for mums, including gift vouchers, Adam's Limited Edition Boxset of cookbooks, and a selection of Adam Handling Own Label English Sparkling Wines. For pre-Mother's Day delivery of these gifts, please order before 26th March and gift vouchers by 23rd March. Nestled in the picturesque countryside between Newquay and Truro is the enchanting Tartan Fox, chef Adam's first Cornish pub venture, which will be serving up a selection of outstanding pub roasts including a half-roast chicken with lemon thyme, hot smoked wagyu sirloin and BBQ cauliflower with beans, capers.

The Ultimate Mother’s Day Gift Guide!

It's time to get our purses out and to spoil mum. Rituals is a luxurious brand that offers gorgeous gifts for affordable prices, which is one of the many reasons why they are a great place to start for Mother's Day. Rituals recognises that maternal love manifests in various forms and can come from unexpected sources, such as a caring neighbour or a trusted babysitter. Rituals' goal is to honour and celebrate all forms of love.

Celebrate Mother's Day at Ugly Butterfly by Adam Handling

Treat the mother figure in your life to a delicious afternoon tea this Mother's Day with the Adam Handling Collection, at Ugly Butterfly in Cornwall. Experience a Cornish dining experience with the wow factor, with seal and dolphin spotting opportunities at this chic seaside restaurant and bar with its floor-to-ceiling windows displaying panoramic views of the coastline. The Mother's Day Afternoon Tea and tasting menu uses the finest local and seasonal produce. The Afternoon Tea menu is priced at £45pp or £55pp with fizz and includes savouries such as Phillip Warren beef with horseradish and St. Ives smokehouse salmon with cream cheese. Desserts include Victoria sponge cake and Cornish scones with traditional Rodda's clotted cream and homemade jams, alongside eight varieties of local Tregothnan teas.

Quality Over Quantity: The Surge of Micro Weddings

The modern couple are ditching large lavish weddings and choosing a more intimate affair. A micro wedding is a wedding that has less than 50 guests and focuses more on the meaningfulness of the day rather than the spectacle. Diamonds Factory Ireland with expert wedding planner Akilah Atiba-Davies from With Akilah & Co, unpacks the surge of this trend and why more couples are leaning towards smaller events.

Make Mother’s Day extra sweet with a gift from Devon-based Flapjackery

This Mother's Day, Flapjackery, the artisan bakery located on the edge of Dartmoor, is helping people celebrate the incredible mums and mother figures in their lives with a gift that's as thoughtful, indulgent, and utterly delicious as they are. Known for their luxurious, gluten-free flapjacks and sweet treats, all handmade with love in Devon, Flapjackery is the go-to destination for a truly special Mother's Day gift. These aren't your average flapjacks. Flapjackery's creations are thick, buttery, and packed with British oats, each one handmade and bursting with deliciously decadent flavours whether the mother figure in your life loves rich chocolate, fruity bursts, or classic combinations.

Shetland Ponies To Steal the Show at Exeter Racecourse’s Family Raceday

Exeter Racecourse is set to host a day of action-packed family fun on Sunday 23 March as the pint-sized powerhouses of the equine world - Shetland ponies - take centre stage. These spirited little racers, born and bred in the rugged landscapes of the Shetland and Orkney Isles, are a true testament to their ancient heritage. Shetland ponies are one of the oldest and purest breeds in the world, dating back over 2000 years and they will steal the show as they storm up Haldon Hill in front of a packed grandstand. Twelve of these ponies will thunder down the home straight, ridden by future champion jockeys aged between eight and 13.

How to avoid overspending on your wedding budget

It is a special time for you and your partner, planning the perfect event to celebrate your love with friends and family. However, it can often become stressful as people try to fit such a big event into their budgets. With the average wedding for 2025 coming to a total of £20,822, getting everything from drinks to décor can be a chore. Lake District Country Hotels, providers of wedding venues in the Lake District, pair with James Beckett, financial coach and founder of MoneyStocker.com, to help you budget your way to your big day.

Flapjackery Triumphs at Taste of the West 2025 Awards with Eight Golds and One Silver

Devon-based Flapjackery, the renowned artisan producer of gluten-free flapjacks, is celebrating an extraordinary achievement at the prestigious Taste of the West 2025 Awards. The company has been awarded an impressive eight Gold awards and one Silver award, cementing its reputation as a leader in the South West's food and drink industry. This phenomenal success is a testament to the dedication and hard work of the team in the bakery who have consistently maintained the highest standards of quality and innovation. The Gold-winning products include the summer fruits crumble flapjack; the toffee apple crumble flapjack; the apple and blackcurrant flapjack; the lemon drizzle flapjack and more.

Devon-based Voyager Coffee’s Brew at Home Coffee Masterclass returns for 2025

Devon-based Voyager Coffee is excited to continue its Brew at Home Coffee Masterclass into 2025, offering coffee enthusiasts the chance to perfect their home brewing techniques with expert guidance. Following a successful launch in 2024, this hands-on experience is a must for those eager to develop their coffee-making skills. Held at the Brew Hub in Buckfastleigh, the three-and-a-half-hour course provides a comprehensive introduction to the world of coffee, covering everything from coffee fundamentals, brewing science and grinding techniques, practical experience with multiple brewing methods, milk steaming and drink-building skills. Participants will also receive a discount code to use on the Voyager website, enabling them to continue exploring and refining their new skills at home.

The hidden language of roses, revealed by expert

Chris Waugh, Florist at Bloom & Wild discusses the symbolism of roses and the bridal trends we can expect to see: "Roses are set to remain a popular choice for weddings in 2025, remaining as one of the most traditional parts of a bridal bouquet. While floriography, known as the language of flowers, was popular during the Victorian Era, the hidden language of roses is still more apparent than ever. Whether you want your guests to be enticed by a feeling of love and passion by incorporating dark red roses into your big day, or if you'd prefer a more delicate approach to love and gratitude by using pink roses, it's important to pick each colour wisely to ensure you're getting the most appropriate messaging across to your guests."

Game, Set, Relax: Top five cottages with tennis courts in Devon for World Tennis Day

As World Tennis Day approaches on Monday 3rd March, Marsdens Devon Cottages share their top five holiday cottages with private tennis courts. Whether you are a keen player or just love a casual rally, a getaway to a picturesque cottage with its private tennis court offers the ultimate blend of relaxation and recreation for a staycation, mini-moon or even a honeymoon. Riverview Farmhouse in the Tamar Valley sleeps up to 10 guests and two dogs. It's a uniquely crafted property surrounded by stunning countryside and has open living spaces, a games room, a tennis court, a large football field, a hot tub, a paddock, woodland access and much more.

Cornwall home to the best wild camping location in the UK

Cornwall has the best 'wild' camping spot in the UK, according to an independent study that has ranked hundreds of off-grid locations around the UK as holidaymakers plan their summer breaks. The inaugural Best Almost Wild Camping Index by Camplify UK, one of the largest and most trusted campervan and motorhome sharing communities globally, lists hundreds of off-grid locations around the UK to help holidaymakers embrace the outdoors and get closer to nature. The index exclusively analysed remote locations and their proximity to beaches, national parks, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), top attractions, as well as the functional facilities available on-site – allowing holidaymakers to ditch crowded campsites in favour of peace and tranquillity.

The Perfect Pairing: Champagne styles for every wedding

The Champagne Bureau UK* wanted to share some tips for couples who are planning to celebrate their big day with a sparkling touch; pairing the perfect Champagne styles with different wedding themes. Champagne has long been synonymous with celebration, and the versatility of its styles means there is a perfect style for every couple, no matter the wedding theme. If your wedding theme is classic and traditional Brut Champagne offers versatility, it is an excellent choice for celebrations where guests will feel part of the couple's love story. Brut Champagne makes up around 80% of Champagne shipments to the UK, beloved for its balanced structure and refreshing finish.

Devon-based Weaver Green unveil sustainable table linen collection

Join Devon-based Weaver Green in the movement for eco-friendly dining with their sustainable collection of table linens and aprons that make ideal wedding gifts. Created entirely from recycled plastic bottles, these incredible linens transform the dining experience with beautifully crafted, earth-friendly fabrics that feel as soft as natural linen yet are designed to be both recycled and recyclable. Every item in the Antibes collection is created using a unique process that reclaims discarded plastic bottles, which are then spun into yarns that mimic the luxurious texture of linen. Soft to the touch and rich in colour, the range features a lovely blanket stitch edging detail and simple tassels on the corners of the napkins.