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

5 reasons couples fail at sticking to their wedding budget

With the cost of living on everyone's minds, budget expert Isabel Smith, offers some insight into how couples can set (and stick to!) their wedding budget. The number of couples who are going overbudget on their wedding is dropping, from around 2/3 in 2018 to somewhere around 50% this year. This may be due to savvier couples setting more realistic budgets, or people simply refusing spend a penny more than planned owing to future financial uncertainty, but either way, I am all for it! I've never been an advocate for getting in debt over your big day, no matter how special you want it to be.

The perfect couples advent calendar

Couples looking for that x-factor idea to get them in the Christmassy mood this festive season need look no further than A Twist Of Date's personalised couples' advent calendar. This personalised QR-code collection of romantic, fun and creative couples' activities adds a spark of magic that is sure to make 2023 a December to remember. Perfect for long-term busy couples looking to reconnect through heart-warming moments, it's a no-brainer alternative to the typical chocolate-filled Christmas countdown. Whether it's an impromptu trip to your local ice rink, engaging in an act of kindness together or writing each other a romantic letter to be opened on Christmas, each day brings something new and exciting to share together.

How to master taking the perfect engagement ring photo

Proposals are often one of the most memorable, special and magical moments in a couples life, so it's only natural they want to share this joyous news with their friends, family and colleagues. In 2023, one of the most common ways for couples to share the news of their engagement is through social media. Couples often post gorgeous pictures in real time of themselves along with the dazzling engagement ring. Sharing the news via social media is a quick and easy way of telling your loved ones the news without having to individually call everyone, which can be overwhelming and time consuming. However, taking the perfect photo can be a bit of a challenge. Whilst it's not a competition to see who has the biggest ring and whose ring sparkles the most, a lot of people want their ring to look as desirable and shimmering as possible.

Cornwall's St Moritz Hotel announces new Wild Spa in December

Cornwall's St Moritz Hotel + Cowshed Spa has announced a new hot and cold contrast therapy 'Wild Spa' which will open on 1st December 2023. The luxury inside/outside elemental spa, set in Trebetherick, between Rock and Polzeath, will provide the invigorating, energising benefits of cold water exposure alongside the restorative, warming effects of heat therapy. Nestled into the secluded North Cornwall cliffside, with fire pits and a full rejuvenation programme, hotel and day guests will find there's no better way to embrace the elements this winter. The St Moritz Wild Spa is an exciting collaboration with Cornwall-based Water and Stone - the leading experts in hot and cold contrast therapy in the South West. Together the team has designed an original Nordic outdoor spa, all within the beautifully landscaped gardens at the hotel.

Sober hen parties are on the rise

While hen parties are often characterised by celebratory cocktails, drinking games and wild night outs, the hen-do could soon be shrugging off its booze-fueled persona. Global searches for 'sober hen do ideas' have doubled over the past year while 'sober bachelorette party games' has also seen a 50% increase. On TikTok, #soberliving has seen a surge in popularity, with videos including the hashtag boasting over 650 million views. If you're a bride-to-be looking to celebrate your 'last night of freedom' tee-total-style, party planning expert, Amy Greenshields at cardfactory has shared her four top tips.

The Farmers Arms at The Collective at Woolsery offers new dining concept

If you're dreaming of an autumn or winter staycation filled with country strolls, roaring fires and hearty pub lunches look no further than The Collective at Woolsery. Located off the beaten track in a stunning part of North Devon, this is the perfect place to escape for truly sumptuous and cosy weekends in the country. After a walk along the South West Coast Path or in the surrounding countryside, snuggle up in one of The Collective at Woolsery's design-led rooms or suites, with super soft beds, sofas and soft furnishings. The Collective at Woolsery offers a collection of three cottages, two suites, and two rooms within the village, each showcasing its unique character.

Is lasting love magic, logic or luck?

Does it matter how a couple met? Contented Couples, a new guide to long-term relationships, features candid, intimate interviews with eighteen couples, based in the UK and USA. Each pair tell of how they met, how they formed a relationship and how they've thrived to become a truly happy union. One couple met and married within a month, whilst another two were thrown together repeatedly by a matchmaker who refused to give up - and it is not only guy meets girl either. The couples speak from an array of circumstance, culture and sexual orientations, including arranged marriage, friends-to-lovers and dating apps.

The five best weather apps to keep your eye on it leading up to the big day

Wedding jewellery experts Austen & Blake have listed some of the best weather apps to keep an eye on in the lead-up to your big day. The UK weather has been anything but predictable lately, with September set to be a particularly rainy and unsettled month, according to The Met Office. Top-rated apps help to track and plan your wedding day accordingly. Weather apps are invaluable when it comes to planning your nuptials, but sometimes there's no avoiding the inevitable. That's why, along with listing the best apps for tracking grey skies, the jewellery experts have teamed up with a professional wedding photographer to provide tips on how to get the best rainy snaps.

Even when the weather's a washout, it doesn't mean your wedding photos have to be! Here are some of the best weather apps to keep an eye on and how to strike the perfect pose if rain is predicted:

Harefield Barn launches All Inclusive Package for 2024

The talented team at Devon's Harefield Barn have launched the All Inclusive Package for 2024. They've gathered the key elements of a wedding day and included them in this all-inclusive deal, which offers couples significant savings and gives them a better idea of what the cost will be. The offer can be booked on any available date in 2024 and includes exclusive use of the venue from 8 am on the day of the wedding until half past midnight. Cars may be left overnight and items can be collected the following day. There's access from 1 pm until 5 pm the day before to decorate plus four drinks per adult, a delicious wedding breakfast and evening food.

Don’t like your engagement ring? Relationship experts reveal what you need to do!

A marriage proposal is filled with an overwhelming amount of emotion and is a moment both you and your partner will remember forever. But once the initial rush fades, what if you come to terms with the fact that the ring placed on your finger isn't what you envisioned it to look like? Leading diamond jewellers, Diamonds Factory, teamed up with relationship experts Georgia Sturmer and Sharin Shafer, who have shared their top 3 tips on how to handle this delicate situation in the best way possible.

Enjoy a Time to Golf break at Devon's Bovey Castle

Needing a bit of time out together from all the wedding planning? Then head to Bovey Castle, part of the collection of PoB Hotels this autumn for a 'Time to Golf' break priced from £464 per person, based upon two people sharing a classic room. Set in an unrivalled position within a 275-acre estate on Dartmoor National Park, Bovey Castle is a luxurious retreat of the highest standard. The curated 'Time to Golf' Breaks package includes two rounds of golf per person on a championship golf course; accommodation for two nights and a full English breakfast. Guests can rest and relax between games with the one-night 'Golf and Spa Package' which pairs one round of golf with a special spa treatment and daily breakfast.

Fraser Hart launches its stunning lab-grown diamond collection

Fraser Hart, one of the UK's leading purveyors of fine jewellery, is redefining affordable luxury with the launch of its Born Lab Grown Diamonds collection in 10 new stores nationwide. Optically, physically and chemically identical to an earth-grown diamond, here cutting-edge technology is used to create timeless diamonds in a laboratory setting. Blending craftsmanship with innovation, Born Lab Grown Diamonds are breathtaking in their clarity, delivering the same sparkling wow-factor as traditionally mined gems, but with a more accessible price tag. The Born collection includes a stunning choice of "buy now, treasure forever" heirloom jewellery pieces. With exquisite diamond rings starting at just £799, diamond and white gold stud earrings from £799, classic diamond encrusted tennis bracelets from £5,250, and diamond pendant necklaces from £850, investing in luxurious, exceptional quality and utterly timeless diamond jewellery pieces has never been more attractive.

The wellness journals from Lovendu you need in your life

With Mental Health Awareness day falling in October, and as we approach the end of the year, take positive steps to improve your wellbeing in 2024 through journaling. The benefits of daily journaling are huge, from reducing stress and improving your mental health to boosting productivity and providing an opportunity to get in sync with your emotions. It's the ultimate act of self-care – and Lovendu makes it easy to take control of your life and truly thrive.

Finest Retreats offers a dog-friendly Cornish escape this autumn

UK holiday let agency Finest Retreats reveals Bay Views in Widemouth Bay, Cornwall as a great dog-friendly retreat option for cosy stays this autumn. With the number of people owning dogs having risen significantly in the last three years, Finest Retreats has seen a significant increase in the number of dog-friendly properties within its portfolio. In 2019, the holiday let management company estimated that around 30% of the properties it managed accepted dogs, now approximately 60% of the portfolio is pet friendly. With autumn upon us, a visit to Bay Views in Widemouth Bay, Cornwall isn't to be missed! It sleeps up to four people and can be booked from £100 per night.

Getting married? Alcohol-free menu is the new must-have

Samantha Gilchrist, CEO of the UK's largest wedding venue collection, The Gilchrist Collection, conducted a survey of 2,000 UK adults to find out their wedding drinking habits. The study comes as the collection launches its new alcohol-free drinks menu, created in partnership with First Dates star bartender, Merlin Griffiths. The survey revealed that almost half (47%) of those who had attended a wedding in the last five years didn't drink alcohol during at least one of the events they had been to. Sober guests said they were often left feeling uncomfortable at weddings sipping an un-festive soft drink, as 35% of respondents said they are questioned on why they aren't having alcohol. Sadly, a quarter admitted to drinking alcohol at a wedding just to avoid awkward questions or having to share personal or medical information as an excuse.

Exeter Round Table’s annual firework extravaganza returns for its 40th anniversary

Exeter Round Table's annual firework extravaganza returns for its 40th anniversary, in support of Devon Air Ambulance, on Saturday 4th November 2023. Devon Air Ambulance is delighted that Exeter Round Table has once more chosen to support the charity with this popular event. This year, the spectacular pyrotechnical display will be synchronised to the music from The Greatest Showman when it returns to Westpoint Arena. The display, hosted by Radio Exe, will feature fireworks set to the popular musical by Sonic Fireworks, the 2022 British Champions! Not only that, but the spectacle also promises fun for the whole family with funfair rides, various catering outlets, and licensed bars. This event will support Devon Air Ambulance's lifesaving 365-day-a-year service by attracting visitors from the local area and beyond.

3 things no one tells you when it comes to setting your wedding budget

2024 is set to be a bumper year for weddings. In addition to the usual 275,000 or so which take place in the UK each year, the big day is finally coming around for a lot of couples who had to postpone because of the pandemic. Unfortunately, the cost of living crisis is squeezing all those couple's budgets tighter than ever so we've asked Isabel Smith, wedding industry veteran, to offer her advice on setting (and sticking to!) that spreadsheet. Today, Isabel let's us in on the things no-one ever tells you when you're setting your wedding budget...

The Top 10 Instagrammable Spas in the UK

With National Spa Week taking place between the 4th and 10th of November this year, it is time to book your favourite location to totally relax! Whether with the girls, in a couple, or even on your own, treating yourself to a weekend away at a spa can revive you. Maddie, Senior Marketing Exec at Pink Boutique, says: "Reset the everyday stress with a weekend away at a luxurious spa and hotel. From acres of woodland setting the picture-perfect backdrop to dipping into a pool worthy of Aphrodite, you deserve to look as good as you feel, and with these spas, there's no doubt your followers will be that little bit jealous."

Enjoy a taste of Italy this Autumn with Luscombe Sicilian Citrus Crush

Enjoy a taste of Italy this Autumn with Luscombe Sicilian Citrus Crush. This lightly sparkling citrus drink is crafted using organic Sicilian oranges and lemons grown in the volcanic soils of Mount Etna. Having spent nine years living in Sicily, Luscombe's founder Gabriel knows the long days of glorious sunshine give the fruit an intense sweetness to balance their natural acidity. At their home in Devon, Luscombe then expertly blends the juices with their own source of Dartmoor spring water, bringing a rounded depth to the zesty infusion of fresh citrus. Originally created in honour of Gabriel's grandmother's favourite non-alcoholic tipple of orange juice and bitter lemon, Sicilian Citrus Crush can be served over ice or mixed with premium spirits in cocktails.

5 engagement ring trends for 2024

With the festive season being the most popular time of year that couples choose to pop the question, it's no surprise that internet searches for 'engagement ring' have been steadily increasing the last six months as we head towards the new year. Luxury diamond jewellers, Diamonds Factory, have used Pinterest Trends data from the last six months (4th April 23' - 26th September 23') to find out which engagement ring styles are set to be big in 2024...