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

Devon-based Claire's Kitchen in Kingsbridge offers delicious barbecue menus

Devon-based Claire's Kitchen in Kingsbridge offers delicious barbecue menus including vegetarian options for local weddings, large and small. With more than 30 years of experience behind her, owner Claire Wallace and the talented team ensure every detail is well organised for each wedding celebration, whether the couple book a barbecue, a spit roast or another delicious wedding menu choice. Claire has developed her own spit roast and barbecue equipment designed to cook over hardwood and charcoal. This authentic way creates wonderful aromas and most importantly, it captures that tasty barbecued flavour, apart from being a spectacle for wedding guests at summer celebrations.

HOW MUCH SHOULD YOU REALLY GIFT AT WEDDINGS IN 2025?

Wedding season is fast approaching – and while many Brits are busy outfit-hunting or booking hotels, there's one part of the big day that continues to cause confusion - how much money should you actually spend on the happy couple? It's a question thousands of guests are turning to the internet for. In fact, Google searches for 'how much money should you give for a wedding gift' have soared by a whopping 5,000% over the past month*, proving just how panicked Brits are about getting it right.

PoB Hotels Launch 'Pride & Joy', a New Collection of Family PoB Breaks in the South West

In an age where family time feels increasingly precious, PoB Hotels, the collection of Britain's finest independent stays, launches 'Pride & Joy' showcasing its new Family PoB Breaks, championing the art of multi-generational travel that creates lasting memories, not just fleeting moments. A celebration of slow travel, PoB Breaks form the cornerstone of PoB Hotels, designed as immersive experiences that showcase the very best of each destination. The new family collection spans eight distinct regions across Britain, from the literary landscapes of the Lake District to the dramatic coastlines of Cornwall. Whether families have three nights or ten, each break is crafted to spark curiosity, encourage exploration, and create those precious moments when devices are forgotten.

Jewellery expert debunks the most common engagement myths

When it comes to engagements, traditions run deep – but not all of them hold up today. From outdated rules about who should propose to the history behind getting down on one knee, there are plenty of myths which may not reflect how couples approach engagements today. Lorna Haddon, Head of Diamonds and Jewellery at Beaverbrooks, said: "Getting engaged can be one of the most exciting life experiences for those in love – but it can sometimes be a nervous experience for those doing the proposing, with so many traditions to remember.

Enjoy a summer stay in the Sea Angel vintage beach chalet in St Ives, Cornwall.

Enjoy a summer staycation in the Sea Angel vintage beach chalet in St Ives, Cornwall, pictured, with Beachhuts.com. New figures show that demand for holiday lets soared last year, with bookings in coastal areas of Cornwall reaching record highs. Cornwall was the peak August destination and the second most in demand throughout the year. Lily Smith, a leading travel expert from BeachHuts.com, says: "'Fortunately, many seaside areas of Cornwall boast beach huts that are a great alternative to holiday lets and expensive hotels. What's more, they won't deprive locals of a home. Thousands of these are dotted around many of Britain's favourite seaside resorts. They provide the perfect ethical alternative to holiday lets and hotels."

The 2025 Hen Party Trends - According to TikTok

Whether you're jetting off to Mykonos, booking out a villa in Spain, or hosting a garden party at home, 2025's hen dos are all about creating unforgettable moments — and capturing them in style. With TikTok leading the charge in how Gen Z and Millennials plan pre-wedding celebration and searches for 'hen party' up +118%, jewellery brand Abbott Lyon scrolled through the feeds, trends and reels to bring you the ultimate hen party playbook. From must-have themes to viral activities, this is your go-to guide for planning a hen party that you'll never forget.

Enjoy Deer Park walks at Devon's Bovey Castle

Set within 275 acres of breathtaking Dartmoor countryside, Bovey Castle offers the perfect base for walking enthusiasts. A highlight is the exclusive Deer Park Tour where expert rangers guide guests through expansive grounds to observe the resident deer herd in their natural habitat. These walks wind through serene landscapes while sharing insights into local wildlife and conservation efforts. Beyond the deer encounters, the estate provides endless walking opportunities across moorland terrain with stunning vistas at every turn. Afterwards, guests can unwind in sumptuous accommodations, the tranquil spa, or enjoy exquisite dining featuring local ingredients. Whether soaking in panoramic moorland views from the terrace or relaxing in cosy drawing rooms, Bovey Castle blends walking adventures with luxurious comfort.

Enjoy elopements and intimate tree top weddings at Millbrook Estate in Devon

Enjoy elopements and intimate tree top weddings at Millbrook Estate in North Devon with nature trails, wild swimming, alpacas and a summer and barbecue house on-site. This beautifully scenic 32-acre private country estate in North Devon offers the perfect backdrop for an intimate wedding. The summer house is licensed for romantic elopement weddings, as well as small ceremonies with up to four guests. During the winter months, it's warmed by a log fire and surrounded by candlelight creating a wonderfully atmospheric and cosy space to say, "I do!" Opportunities for peaceful moments in nature are around every corner – from wildflower meadows and a lantern-lit woodland walk, to a hot tub cabin, a secluded wood-fired sauna, and two private lakes (including one ideal for wild swimming).

Nearly half of newlyweds will experience post-wedding blues this year

As we quickly approach the start of wedding season, many brides and grooms will be amping up for the best day of their lives. While the happiness of wedding days is well explored, the lull that comes afterwards is barely spoken about and not a feeling newlyweds are warned of, leading to potential feelings of isolation. Exclusive data from engagement and wedding ring experts at Queensmith has revealed that 40% of recently married couples experience some form of post-wedding blues. An experience of sadness, letdown, or emptiness that is often the first thing to hit couples after their honeymoon - a hangover from the heady highs of wedding planning.

Unique wedding trends 2025: Film photography surges 50%

Three in five couples plan to incorporate unique elements into their wedding, and with the world of choice at the end of our fingertips, inspiration is flying in from all angles. But which of the net's most loved delights have seen the most significant interest surges since last summer? To find out, the team at Aura Print scoured social media platforms to discover what's been hot, and gathered Pinterest and Google Trends data to reveal their most adored trends that have shot up since last summer.

Unplugged Adds Second Rainforest Retreat with Cabilla Cornwall this September

Due to popular demand, Unplugged, the UK's leading digital detox escape in nature has added a second date to host its second rainforest offline retreat in partnership with Cabilla Cornwall. Nestled in 300 acres of ancient temperate rainforest on Bodmin Moor - one of the UK's most breathtaking and peaceful landscapes - the three-night retreat offers guests a rare chance to truly switch off. It combines Unplugged's signature tech-free experience with the transformational, magical energy of Cabilla's wild, restorative surroundings. From forest bathing, cold plunges in the river, a guided rainforest tour, morning yoga and sound healing to stargazing and sauna sessions, the retreat is a slow-paced immersion in nature - designed to ground guests, restore energy, and deepen connections.

Happily ever after - making plans for the future

As nearlyweds, you may not be thinking about what happens beyond the end of your natural lives together - that's not the exciting bit - Katharine Bundell, a barrister at 4PB shares advice in this article that could make your loved ones' lives a lot easier if anything happens to you. Death and taxes remain fairly inevitable. On 16th May 2025 the Law Commission published its recommendations on wills and proposed a new statute. This is the first significant reconsideration since the Wills Act 1837 which is still effective today. Life was quite different in 1837. Queen Victoria ascended the throne aged 18 years old. Any property owned by a women on marriage was transferred automatically to her husband. It would be 40 years before Thomas Edison lit up the first electric lightbulb.

Cornish-based wedding catering business Naughty Nonnas reveals new summer dishes

Cornish-based wedding catering business Naughty Nonnas in Truro reveals delicious new summer dishes for weddings this season using seasonal local produce. These include fun grazing tables guaranteed to get guests talking with seasonal vegetable crudités, a tasty green summer vegetable lasagne served with cavolo nero, kale, peas, ricotta and spinach plus elevated Turkish kebabs. Owner Jade Berry loves to add summer produce to the wedding tablescapes which always looks fantastic and has also unveiled a mouthwatering selection of summery desserts to complement these main courses. These include seasonal baked fruit salad served with pink pickled onions, capers, and baked peaches or apricots.

Why the bar at your wedding shouldn’t be an afterthought

In the grand orchestration of a wedding, couples often obsess over floral arrangements, lighting design and detailed seating charts. The dress, the photographer, the five-course dinner - each element is painstakingly curated. And yet, one of the most powerful forces behind a wedding's success is consistently left until the eleventh hour: the bar! Let's be honest, it's not often you hear a couple say: "First things first, let's lock in a great bar team." But maybe they should. "You can spend months working on the seating plan or deciding the perfect shade of napkin, but if the bar's giving bored function-room energy, it can all quickly lose its magic," says Luke Shelton-Sharp, co-founder of room two, the London-based cocktail studio and event planner.

The Number Wedding Etiquette Mistakes Guests Make, According To Expert

Picture this: you're scrolling through a friend's wedding photos and spot someone in flip-flops at a black-tie garden party, or worse, a guest in head-to-toe white stealing focus from the bride. Sound familiar? These fashion faux pas happen more often than you'd think at summer weddings. Thanks to outdoor ceremonies and relaxed vibes, many guests assume summer weddings mean anything goes. But according to wedding specialist Nick Bramer from Country House Weddings, a family-run business specialising in exclusive-use wedding venues across the UK, this casual approach often backfires spectacularly.

Hen Party Treats- Big Day Cakes

To begin planning your hen party you need to set a budget first so you can make sure you'll still have enough money to spend on your actual wedding. Once that's decided you need to choose a theme and factor in the cost of the decorations and other things you may buy. You'll also have to create a guest list consisting of only your closest friends before moving onto picking the date, location and some activities to do. In need of some inspiration for what to do at your hen party? There is a variety of options to choose that will fit your fancy venturing from whether you want to do something adventurous like rock climbing or canyoning or perhaps you'd prefer to spend the day calming down and doing something relaxing such as having a spa day or afternoon tea.

How Much Should You Really Gift At Weddings In 2025?

Many people are unsure of how much money to give when they attend a wedding, statistics showed Google searches for 'how much money should you give for a wedding gift' soared by a whopping 5,000% in April of 2025 alone and 11% of guests go into debt just to attend a wedding, with the average spend hitting £451. Anita Naik, Savings Expert at VoucherCodes, has broken down exactly what you should spend based on your relationship to the couple, plus clever tricks to make your gift feel luxe on a budget.

Ugly Butterfly 2.0 to Open on July 9th at The Headland, Newquay

Award-winning chef and restaurateur Adam Handling MBE has confirmed that Ugly Butterfly 2.0 - his bold new vision for sustainable British luxury - will be opening on schedule on July 9th at The Headland in Newquay. Ahead of the opening, he has revealed a little more of what guests can expect. He says, "We're really letting the natural surroundings take the lead - from the seasonal ingredients on the menu to how we've designed the space. Even the sunsets you can see from every window have played a part in shaping the look and feel of the place." Local artist Olly Howe has created a mural, which covers the restaurant exterior, capturing the sapphire, ruby and gold colours of the Ugly Butterfly logo.

Breast Fest Comes to Newquay with a Day of Music, Movement & Meaning on August 2nd

This summer, Newquay's iconic KillaCourt will come alive with sound, colour, and community spirit as Breast Fest takes over on Saturday 2nd August. More than just a festival, Breast Fest is a heartfelt celebration and a fundraiser created to raise awareness about breast cancer and generate support for the Cornwall Cancer Research Charity Fund, a cause close to the organisers' hearts. The day will be packed with live music, a kids' workout, drinks, dancing, and a charity auction and raffle featuring incredible prizes donated by generous local businesses. Attendees can expect a joyful atmosphere full of solidarity, fun, and purpose.

How to Beat the Heat: Tips for a Comfortable Summer Wedding

A summer wedding sounds like a dream, and it often is. Long days and gorgeous sunshine can make your big day truly unforgettable. But there's one little guest that always turns up uninvited during summer: the heat. No one wants to be a sweaty mess in their wedding photos but luckily with a bit of planning, you can keep everyone cool and comfortable from start to finish. Leading wedding experts, The Foxy Hen explains how. If you're going for a full-day celebration, think about having the ceremony indoors or under cover, then move the party outside once the sun starts to ease off.