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

Make Mother’s Day Extra Sweet with Flapjackery’s Indulgent Devon-Made Gifts

Baked in Tavistock on the edge of Dartmoor, Flapjackery is known for its thick, buttery, gluten-free flapjacks – generously layered, deeply indulgent and made using British oats and locally sourced ingredients. For Mother's Day, there's a collection of beautifully presented gift boxes and hampers designed to feel thoughtful, abundant and ready to share. These are not dainty slices. They're generous, comforting and made to be enjoyed properly – whether that's with a quiet cup of tea or shared around the table on Mother's Day. The Mother's Day Flapjack Trio (£19.50) includes three full-sized flapjacks in salted caramel fudge, chocolate fudge and white chocolate millionaire, finished with a raspberry chocolate-piped flower.

Best UK Venues for a Bridgerton-Style Wedding 

If your dream wedding leans into the romance, grandeur and timeless elegance of Bridgerton, then choosing the right venue is everything. Think Gothic Revival and Georgian architecture, sweeping lawns and deer-park vistas, dramatic ballrooms, and that effortless Regency charm that would make Lady Whistledown blush. Below, Nick from Country House Weddings has curated five fantastic UK venues, each perfect for a Bridgerton-inspired celebration, whether you're wanting dramatic ballrooms, actual sets from the show, or exquisite gardens for your big day.

2026 brides and groom told to remember one important thing

Couples are being warned to think ahead on possible disasters, and what they can do to protect their big day. Whether planning a destination wedding abroad or an intimate garden wedding at home, it is crucial for couples to understand the essential checklist and plan for what could go wrong. The research comes after a survey revealed 26% of those planning a wedding in the next three years would not take out wedding insurance.

South Devon’s Delamore Estate set to host Arts & Sculpture Exhibition

Throughout May, the beautiful Delamore Estate opens to the public for its much-anticipated annual art and sculpture exhibition. Open every day from the 1st to the 31st of the month including Bank Holidays, Delamore Arts in Ivybridge welcomes thousands of visitors each year to experience the largest Contemporary Art event in the South West. Set against the romantic Gothic architecture of Delamore House, more than 100 sculptures by British and international artists will be on show in the estate's formal gardens, situated amongst Delamore's spectacular floral borders, fountains, and specimen trees and shrubs. In the Main Gallery of the house, visitors can admire the elegant 19th-century interior, with its impressive floor-to-ceiling windows, whilst exploring a curated exhibition of painting and sculptural works.

The Old Quay House encourages travellers to book direct

A luxury, boutique hotel in Cornwall is aiming to re-educate travellers about the benefits of booking direct. With the continued rise of online travel agents (OTAs), many travellers are drawn to the perceived convenience of third-party booking platforms. However, commissions charged to accommodation providers often result in higher overall rates, meaning travellers may not always secure the best possible deal. The Old Quay House in the classically picturesque town of Fowey, Cornwall is encouraging guests to break from this modern booking habit and return to booking directly through the hotel's own channels, where the best rates and exclusive benefits are guaranteed.

The Instagram Effect on Wedding Venues: How Social Media Is Reshaping the Industry

In an era where a single photograph can reach millions of viewers within hours, wedding venues are experiencing a seismic shift in how they attract couples and showcase their spaces. Instagram has evolved from a simple photo-sharing app into the most powerful marketing tool the wedding industry has ever seen and it's fundamentally changing what couples look for in a venue. We spoke with Nick from Country House Weddings to explore how social media, particularly Instagram and TikTok is reshaping venue selection, design, and the entire wedding experience.

Ian Webber retains a Michelin star at Devon's Gidleigh Park

Ian Webber and Gidleigh Park have retained their Michelin star, with the news announced at the Michelin Guide Ceremony for Great Britain & Ireland 2026. The award continues Gidleigh Park's long heritage with the Michelin Guide. The Michelin Guide describes Gidleigh Park's restaurant as, "Situated inside a grand Edwardian mansion, this is the epitome of country house dining; the setting, both inside and out, is beautiful, while the cooking is underpinned by superb premium ingredients." Guests keen to taste Ian's menus for themselves are warmly invited to Gidleigh Park, with the restaurant open from Tuesday to Saturday for dinner, and with lunch served each Saturday and Sunday.

UGLY BUTTERFLY AWARDED MICHELIN STAR AS IT REOPENS AFTER MAJOR REFURBISHMENT

Ugly Butterfly by Adam Handling MBE has been awarded a Michelin star at the Michelin Guide Ceremony on 9th February 2026 in Dublin, marking Chef Adam Handling's second Michelin star, following the continued success of Frog by Adam Handling in Covent Garden (which was first awarded its Michelin star in 2022). The award comes as the restaurant just reopened following a major refurbishment, bringing together two defining milestones in the next chapter of the restaurant. The Michelin accolade recognises Ugly Butterfly's commitment to exceptional produce, creativity and immersive dining, while the refurbishment brings a reimagined use of the space with a new kitchen, bar, dedicated Afternoon Tea Lounge and an exciting new menu.

The Wedding Music Trends Couples Are Choosing for 2026

For couples planning 2026 weddings, music has moved beyond background noise - it's now a defining, intentional part of the overall experience. Beyond the first dance or the late-night party set, couples are curating soundtracks that reflect who they are, where they come from, and how they want their guests to feel. The result? A new era of wedding music that's immersive, personal, culturally rich, and joy-led. Few people have seen this evolution up close quite like DJ China L'One, founder of We Run the World, the UK's leading Black-owned, all-female DJ agency. Having performed at hundreds of weddings and private celebrations, China has noticed a clear shift - especially for January weddings - towards upbeat, celebratory sounds, genre-blending playlists, and DJs who bring both polish and personality.

The ultimate commitment: What couples must know before buying a home

For decades, the "gold standard" of commitment was a ring. Nowadays, many are opting to get on the ladder first, before considering a bigger wedding celebration. What's important to remember however is that while a wedding is a promise to each other, a mortgage is a legal commitment with your lender or bank. You aren't just responsible for your half of the loan; you are both legally liable for every penny of it. So, if you're planning to make the ultimate commitment this Valentine's Day, Ryan Etchells, Chief Commercial Officer at Together shares his top four tips for navigating the path to co-ownership:

Cornwall's Polhawn Fort sees a growing trend for the post-wedding mini-moon

Polhawn Fort in Torpoint reveals a growing number of couples are avoiding a traditional fly-away honeymoon and booking a post-wedding mini-moon instead. Slower travel, extended stays and wellness-led winding down are increasingly shaping how couples plan the days immediately after their wedding. For celebrations at Polhawn Fort, especially for mid-week weddings, couples like to arrive on a Monday, get married on a Tuesday, and then spend two days afterwards on the Wednesday and Thursday decompressing together once their guests have departed. Popular activities include swimming, using the sauna, walking to Rame Head, and settling into married life without the rush of travel.

Trending Stag Do Destinations for 2026

2026 looks set to be the year of the European stag weekend, with more guys looking at heading abroad than staying in the UK. Yes, according to one of the UK's leading stag do providers, a whopping 59% of stags are jetting off to celebrate in Europe with Benidorm, Albufeira, Prague and Lisbon all top choices for the groom's big send-off. "With the rise of budget air travel and comparatively cheaper costs abroad for food and drinks, it's no huge surprise more stags are looking at a weekend away over staying in the UK," said Jon Stainer, Creative Director at StagWeb.co.uk.

Celebrate love, friendship and forever at Prezzo Italian this Valentine’s week

Celebrate love, friendship and forever at Prezzo Italian this Valentine's week at restaurants in Devon, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire as well as nationwide. This February, Prezzo Italian is serving up the perfect excuse to celebrate love in all its forms with a series of irresistible Valentine's-inspired dining offers. From romantic date nights to Galentine's celebrations and any love worth toasting, guests are invited to indulge in Prezzo Italian's specially curated Valentine's Day Set Menu, with two courses from £24.95, and three courses from £29.95, while also enjoying exclusive, limited-time treats. Prezzo Italian's Valentines Day Set Menu includes classic dishes such as crab and lobster ravioli, 'Marry Me' chicken, tasty tiramisu and a delicious quadruple chocolate cookie dough.

I SA-y yes! How soon-to-be wedded couples and newlyweds can use their ISAs 

From venues and catering to the dress and rings, wedding expenses can quickly add up. With the average cost of a UK wedding now more than £20,000, and with so many other pressures on our finances, putting money aside for your special day can feel challenging. A Cash ISA can be an efficient way for couples to save for their big day. With the Personal Savings Allowance limited to £1,000 for basic rate taxpayers, the tax-free allowance in an ISA has the potential to help you reach your goals sooner. Chris Henderson, Save and Pay Director at Tesco Bank, shares his top tips on how couples can save for a wedding and beyond.

Married to your surname? 26% of women are planning on keeping theirs

Lots of people are ditching traditions when it comes to modern weddings and marriage - one of which quickly losing favour is the tradition of taking your partner's surname. In a recent survey carried out by Pandora UK, almost nine in ten (88%) women said they think that attitudes to married names are changing in 2026 ¹. When asked, over a quarter (26%) of unmarried women said they'd keep their last name if they got married, whilst less than half (45%) said they'd take their partner's name. This is indicative of the shift in opinion in recent years, as when married women were asked, only a sixth (17%) of women said they kept their maiden names when they got married, whilst the majority (78%) took their partner's surname, with just 4% choosing to double-barrel their last name with their significant other.

Cool Cornwall Launches as Insider's Guide to County's Best Experiences

Cool Cornwall has launched as the definitive insider's guide to the county's best experiences, positioning itself as the go-to resource for discovering authentic Cornwall beyond the tourist trail. The new digital platform provides visitors and residents with expertly curated recommendations for the coolest things to see, do, and experience across Cornwall's vibrant coastal destinations, arriving at a crucial time following the closure of VisitCornwall in October 2025. Unlike conventional tourism guides, Cool Cornwall showcases the hip, authentic side of the county that locals know and love. The platform cuts through tourist clichés to reveal beachside saunas, hip new cafés, independent boutiques, cutting-edge galleries, and seasonal pop-ups that casual visitors might never discover on their own.

Love is in the air: Eden Mill and COCO Chocolatier partner to create the perfect Valentine's bundle

Independent distiller, Eden Mill and Edinburgh-based artisan, COCO Chocolatier, have launched a limited-edition bundle just in time for Valentine's Day - featuring award-winning gin and a luxurious chocolate bar. The Love Gin & COCO Chocolatier Bundle pairs a bottle of Eden Mill's iconic Love Gin with a bespoke bar of Salted Caramel Milk Chocolate. Designed with gifting in mind, the chocolate is presented in stunning, custom packaging inspired by the Love Gin's romantic aesthetic, beautifully merging the two brands.

Exeter’s Super Sunday delivers top-class racing on the road to Cheltenham

Exeter Racecourse hosts one of the highlights of its jump racing season with Super Sunday on Sunday 8th February, a meeting that has firmly earned its reputation as a key stepping stone towards the Cheltenham Festival. The seven-race card regularly attracts high-calibre runners and a strong Irish challenge, reinforcing Exeter's standing as a serious proving ground at this crucial stage of the season. For racing fans across Devon, Super Sunday offers the chance to witness Festival-quality action on their doorstep. A highlight is the second running of the £40,000 Listed Agatha Christie Mares' Novices' Chase, a race that brings national racing interest together with deep local significance. The contest honours one of Devon's most celebrated figures, with the winner receiving The Mousetrap Cup, a historic trophy with longstanding ties to Exeter Racecourse.

Monty Bojangles' new White Rose Kit-Tin makes for a quirky wedding favour idea

Looking for a wedding memento that really stands out from the crowd? As wedding season comes back around, Monty Bojangles, the multi-award-winning UK confectionery brand, has unveiled a new addition to its hugely popular Cat Tin collection. Say hello to White Rose, the enchanting wedding Kit-Tin. Marking the brand's first foray into the wedding space, the elegant keepsake has been beautifully designed as the perfect wedding favour, whilst also serving as the sweetest engagement, bridesmaid or wedding gift.

Top cottages in Cornwall for 2026 revealed

Cornwall travel experts have curated a list of the top-performing holiday cottages in Cornwall that delighted guests in 2025 and why they loved them. Inday Harrison, regional marketing manager for Cornish Horizons tells us, "In Cornwall, we're seeing a mix of repeat visitors alongside guests who are visiting for the first time. Guests are loving these cottages due to their great locations, comfortable beds, astonishing views and cleanliness." Inday adds "Cornwall is a great place for many different types of travellers, such as multigenerational families, due to Cornwall's large array of family-friendly beaches within proximity to each other that are close to restaurants, cafes, and many attractions accessible by foot." These cottages range from luxury coastal properties with far-stretching sea views to cosy countryside cottages filled with traditional charm.