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

Avalen Country Weddings in Lanivet set to host a Summer Wedding Fair

Avalen Country Weddings in Lanivet, Cornwall is set to host a Summer Wedding Fair on Sunday August the 11th 2024. This collection of traditional barns centred around a courtyard is located in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Four generations of a local farming family have been involved in the two-year project to transform the historic barns, which were formerly part of the Lanhydrock estate, into an unforgettable family-run wedding venue. On Sunday the 11th of August, the talented team are hosting a Summer Wedding Fair where couples looking to get married at the venue can see it beautifully styled and meet a selection of local wedding suppliers.

Elope in style - expert advice

Couples are rewriting the script on what it means to say "I do". Over the past 12 months, searches for 'elopement weddings UK' are up +83%, 'elopement wedding packages UK' increased by +85%, and 'intimate weddings UK' have grown by +89%¹. This has highlighted a clear demand amongst couples for intimate weddings. To find out what has motivated this trend, wedding decoration experts at Ginger Ray have conducted a survey of those engaged and in the midst of planning an elopement to see what their special day will look like. Why are elopements becoming more popular? Topping the list of factors driving couples towards intimate weddings is the quest to manage expenses. More than a third (32%) of respondents highlighted financial constraints as the primary factor influencing their decision to opt for a smaller celebration.

Say yes to saving for the big day - Top tips from Rathbones

Top tips from Kindar Brown, Senior Financial Planner at Rathbones Group Plc on budgeting together for the important day. A wedding is the beginning of a new chapter and likely one of the most important days of your life. While the day itself should be full of joy and stress free, a lot of our time and money goes into pre-wedding planning, to make sure this is the case. The cost of living crisis and sticky inflation are impacting prices across the board and wedding suppliers are no exception. For those gearing up for their wedding day, Kindar shares her top tips for anyone putting a budget together for that important day.

The Ultimate Seaside Gathering For Friends and Family at Bedruthan Hotel & Spa, Cornwall

A Scandi-inspired retreat on the picturesque Cornish cliff tops, Bedruthan Hotel & Spa has been bringing people together since 1959, with a history of making memories for generations. The hotel's new two- and three-night break, 'The Gathering, is designed for unforgettable seaside experiences and creating lasting memories with loved ones. Catering to both groups of friends and families of up to 16 people, guests are invited to escape to the Cornish coastline with access to the hotel's exclusive and private facilities for an intimate home-from-home experience. Bedruthan is designed with its environment in mind, featuring a Sensory Spa Garden that reconnects guests with nature, relaxation lounges, and swimming pools. Bedruthan also boasts two dining venues: Ogo and Wild Café.

Most popular TikTok wedding car revealed

Gone are the days of a horse-drawn carriage or a Rolls Royce pulling up to the wedding chapel, now it's all about modern cars! Couples across the UK are planning their dream weddings, with a twist. Searches for 'modern wedding cars' have surged by 60% in the last month according to Google Trends, signalling a shift from traditional vintage choices to sleek, contemporary vehicles that add a touch of modern elegance to the special day. ATS Euromaster, the tyre, MOT and vehicle services provider, has analysed TikTok hashtags and trends to reveal the changing popularity of wedding cars, both vintage and modern. Additionally, ATS has estimated rental costs for three-hour periods to help couples choose the perfect car for their special day.

PoB Hotels Presents Get Set, and Go - Tailored Breaks Inspired by Britain’s Favourite Sports

PoB Hotels, with properties in Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Cornwall and Devon presents Get Set, and Go - tailored breaks inspired by Britain's favourite sports. Ahead of an exciting summer of sport, PoB Hotels is encouraging guests to plan their own athletic staycation, pursuing their favourite British sport, or trying their hand at something new. 'Get Set, and Go' from PoB Hotels features a variety of PoB Breaks predominantly centred around Britain's five most-loved sports, inspiring guests to embrace their inner sportsman or woman in idyllic locations across the country, staying at some of the finest independent hotels around the British Isles.

National Art Pass - perfect wedding gift for culture lovers

A National Art Pass is a great way to enjoy time at hundreds of museums, galleries and historic places across the UK, and the Double Membership makes the perfect wedding gift for any culture lovers! Annual membership is only £88.50* and lets the happy couple enjoy free entry to hundreds of cultural destinations, plus 50% off major exhibitions, and special shop and café discounts. What's more, two cards will be issued for the happy couple!

Say 'I do' to shared planning - wedding expert shares tips for involving family and friends

Amy Greenshields, wedding expert at Card Factory has shared 7 tips to help you let your loved ones contribute.

Asking for help can be hard but getting friends and family involved in wedding planning can not only lighten the load but will also make them feel included and valued. Wedding planning contains many different elements, from table designs and seating charts to your floral bouquet, everything must be accounted for. A bride normally has the most influence over everything wedding-related, leading to as state of overwhelming stress. Why not share out the responsibilities – even the little ones can have a job!

Darts Farm’s Flagship Restaurant, The Farm Table, receives outstanding rating from Trencherman's Guide

Darts Farm has announced that its restaurant, The Farm Table has been awarded 'higher member' status by The Trencherman's Guide following their first visit. This fantastic accolade, which is only given to restaurants scoring over 87%, follows hot on the heels of an AA Rosette, which was awarded at the end of last year. Michael Dart, who runs Darts Farm alongside his two brothers, James and Paul, comments: "We are absolutely thrilled with the review that The Farm Table has received from The Trencherman's Guide. To be featured in the guide is one thing, but to receive higher membership is incredible."

Ginger Ray - An Introvert's Guide to surviving a hen party

So, you've got a hen party on the horizon, but the thought of navigating through a sea of social interactions is making you break into a cold sweat. Fear not introverts, we've got your back! Follow these top tips to make sure that you don't bring down the mood at the hen party and instead boost the atmosphere of the event. Hen parties are a chance to celebrate the lucky soon-to-be bride so make it a night she'll never forget! Jess Martin, Hen Party expert at Ginger Ray has shared 6 strategies to ensure that you not only survive, but actually enjoy the festivities:

Dive into the world of muted colour palettes

Rebecca Brennan-Brown, founder of GetWed, a team of wedding experts based in London, helping couples achieve dreamy, fun, and unpretentious weddings, dives into the world of muted colour palettes and shares her top tips and advice for channeling this aesthetic...In a world of Instagram algorithms and Pinterest boards that feed you new inspiration every five minutes, it can be tricky to choose a colour palette for your wedding, let alone stick to one. Do you go for classic, whimsical whites and greens? Or perhaps something bolder and more fun? Or maybe you've always envisioned a summery pastel palette. The options are endless.

The Victoria Hotel in Sidmouth Unveils New Rejuvenating Spa Day Packages

The Victoria Hotel in Sidmouth has unveiled its exclusive spa day packages at its newly opened Source Spa with state-of-the-art facilities. Designed to provide the ultimate relaxation and rejuvenation, they are perfect for those seeking a luxurious escape by the sea. The Source Spa at Sidmouth's four-star Victorian seaside landmark offers a sanctuary of calm where guests can enjoy a range of bespoke treatments including aromatherapy massage and a bespoke Source facial, using its own brand Source Spa products, along with the use of first-class facilities such as an aromatherapy sauna and a hydrotherapy spa bath. Whether it's a full day of pampering or a peaceful afternoon escape, the new spa day packages are designed to refresh and revitalise.

Sten dos are on the rise

Stag and hen experts, Adventure Connections, say it is the 'Sten do' that takes traditional trends down! A mash-up of the separate parties, the Sten do provides a popular new way for the future bride and groom to be united before the big day. Rumoured to have been recreated by Harry and Megan, Sten dos prove to be the hottest way to party. Founder of Adventure Connections, Justin Sayers mentions that "things are changing when it comes to pre-wedding parties", so why not give it a try? Sten dos offer a cost-effective and inclusive solution to those separate gatherings, perfect for those with a large number of guests. Those shared memories are sure to be irreplaceable. Reduce your stress and make it a rave to remember!

Personalisation is IN for 2024

Crafty Brewing and Lola and Luna's collaboration reveals how personalisation is being brought to the forefront of 2024 weddings. The concept of personalisation is holding a key part in redefining 'tradition' and incorporating new captivating trends in every aspect of your magical event. Aimee, a wedding expert from a wedding planning and styling company says that "Over the past few years, weddings have increasingly started steering away from the same old conventions, and opting for bespoke options more frequently." From table plans set on where the couple first met, to embroidered napkins there are so many opportunities to add a personal touch on your big day.

Scentscape your wedding day with Yankee Candle

Scentscaping your wedding day is a trend that's going nowhere! Finding the right fragrance to shape the atmosphere of your wedding is an exciting part of the wedding planning journey you can do together - beats the wedmin too! Yankee Candle, and sister brand WoodWick, boast a wide collection of candles in all shapes, colours and sizes that would work perfectly for your nuptials, reception and big-day gifting. Imagine walking into you ceremony with the scent of pink cherry and vanilla surrounding you, or at your winter reception Pumpkin Cinnamon Swirl from Yankee's new collection will certainly set the tone of the proceedings and reflect the time of year. Once you've found your favourite candle, it's also something you can purchase time and again to evoke memories of the special event, alternatively gifting loved ones who supported you on your wedding day with a candle to the big-day fragrance will be a gift where guests can reminisce too!

Paperchase unveils wedding and hen party products collection

The beloved brand Paperchase has recently launched an exclusive collection of wedding and hen party products. The new range features a wide selection of unique and sophisticated wedding staples and novelty hen products for great value prices, from stationery to decorative accessories. It is perfect for those tying the knot this year or planning a spectacular hen do. Looking for luxurious wedding invitations? but want to keep costs down? Well, the Ginger Ray Wedding Invitations with Envelopes (10pack with envelopes) with a classic cream finish they combine style with affordability for those looking to advertise their big day with a stunning opening number.

Olympic haul for Padstow Distilling as it scores Gold, Silver and Bronze

Local Cornish distillers, Padstow Distilling have triumphed at the International Wine and Spirit Competition (IWSC), earning four prestigious awards - they won a Gold, Silver and two Bronze medals. Specialising in crafting spirits with ingredients farmed and foraged on the North Cornwall coast, Padstow Distilling has been gaining a reputation for its fantastic small-batch spirits. Founder David McWilliams and his team use Cornish barley grown just one mile away from the distillery to create their own base, with the process taking three weeks to ensure the highest quality of provenance for the distillery's spirits. The IWSC celebrates the finest wines and spirits globally, highlighting undiscovered talent worldwide.

Planning for the night ahead – wedding nightwear from Chelsea Peers

West London based designer brand Chelsea Peers has an glamorous array of wedding nightwear for any bride on their special day, to complement the bride's style and luxurious taste. When wedding planning, you mainly focus on the particulars of the actual ceremony and the events of the day, however what about your first night as husband and wife? With Chelsea Peers, the elegant draping allows the bride to maintain an effortless silhouette while adding just a touch of splendour. For a spectacular wedding night, consider the chic and comfortable Satin Fringe Trim Long Pyjama Set – Ivory, that features a swishy flared shape that has plenty of movement, combined with smooth, lustrous satin.

Cornwall's St Moritz Hotel + Cowshed Spa undergoes a spa upgrade

St Moritz Hotel + Cowshed Spa, based in Trebetherick in Cornwall has opened its multi-million pound upgraded leisure facilities, re-instating the Cornish hotel as the optimum wellness destination in the south west. The result of this refurbishment project will be a complete rework of the hotel's entire pool area into a new, slick and modern wellness space. Reimagining the immersive spa experience, the new wellness centre will feature a high-tech outdoor hydro pool, a spacious new steam room and a sauna alongside elemental ice fountains and multiple sensory showers. The well-balanced design has been managed by Steve Coombe of 3idog who has been briefed to create a timelessly stylish space with a focus on the ultimate wellness experience. It will be both inviting and sophisticated.

The Speech Surgery: modern day etiquette with Heidi Ellert McDermott, founder of Speechy

The Speech Surgery: modern day etiquette with Heidi Ellert McDermott, founder of Speechy, and author of The Modern Couple's Guide to Wedding Speeches: Some say addressing guests as 'ladies and gentlemen' is a mistake these days... what is the Modern newlywed speech etiquette? Let's start by saying (again) there are no wedding speech rules. When it comes to etiquette, it's simply a case of common sense and being polite. Honestly, that's it. When it comes to addressing your audience, 'Ladies and gentlemen' is becoming less common for two reasons.