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

Tom Thumb cocktail bar in Newquay awarded prestigious Pinnacle Guide Star

Newquay's much-loved cocktail bar Tom Thumb has been officially recognised by the Pinnacle Guide, earning a coveted One Star Award for excellence — a significant achievement that places the venue among the UK's leading bars. The Pinnacle Guide, often described as the Michelin Guide of the drinks world, celebrates outstanding bars for their quality, consistency, sustainability, and service. Achieving a star involves a rigorous process, including mystery reviews and a detailed assessment of each venue's ethos and operational excellence. Owner Jamie, said: "We're absolutely thrilled to receive a Pinnacle Guide Star. It's a reflection of our team's dedication to quality, creativity, and the customer experience. From day one, our ethos has centred on exceptional service, sustainability, and serving drinks we're truly proud of."

FINDING YOUR SEASON

Whilst a summer wedding is traditionally considered the most popular time to tie the knot, there are many reasons why couples choose other seasons for their celebrations. For many, choosing a date comes down to a mix of budget, venue availability, work schedules and personal preferences. Whether you adore autumn's vibrant colours, the blossoms of early spring, or heartwarming winter celebrations, each season has unique charms to inspire your wedding plans. From selecting sun-kissed summer cakes and bespoke gifts, to arranging autumnal barn dances or finding local caterers with seasonal produce; this guide helps you host a wedding for all the seasons

Halloween Hen Party Ideas for 2025

Planning a hen party with a Halloween twist is the perfect way to add a cheeky, spooky edge to your celebrations. If your group is ready to ditch the usual tea and cake and dive into something a little more thrilling, there are plenty of unforgettable options to choose from. Leading hen party experts, The Foxy Hen, share their top tips for a spooktacular Halloween hen party, reminding us that the key is to mix fun, scares and creativity for a day or night that everyone will love..

Ashridge Great Barn in North Tawton hosting October Open Evening

Devon's Ashridge Great Barn, located in its own private valley in beautiful North Tawton, is hosting an Open Evening on the 18th of October between 4-8 pm. Couples searching for their dream wedding venue will be able to explore the beautiful barn and stunning Victorian gardens, home to the Magic Circle and the Secret Glade offering magical outdoor ceremony settings. A garden tour will set off at 4:30 pm; 5:30 pm and 6:30 pm and couples attending the Open Evening will be offered a complimentary glass of fizz on arrival, exclusive on-the-day discounts plus the opportunity to bid in the silent auction in aid of The Wedding wishing Well charity.

WoodWick® Introduces the Precious Metals Collection

Renowned home fragrance brand WoodWick® Candles, introduces the Precious Metals Collection, a new, luxury collection of crafted candles inspired by elemental beauty found deep within the Earth. Showcasing a trending metallic finish on the brand's signature jars, these rich, multi-layered scents offer multi-sensory experience perfect for the modern home. Each candle features WoodWick's patented Pluswick® technology, which creates a distinctive crackling sound reminiscent of a cozy fireside. Each candle in the Precious Metals Collection embodies the essence of gold, silver, bronze and other coveted materials.

Financial wedding gift ideas for the couple who has everything

After the excitement of a wedding invite, and planning the outfits, thoughts might turn to big-day gifting; what do you buy the couple who lives together and has everything? Money might feel impersonal, but Susan Hope, retirement expert at Scottish Widows advises on financial gifts for newlyweds. "Couples often look forward to receiving an abundance of beautiful gifts from friends, family and loved ones as part of their wedding day celebrations," says Susan. "But there are equally, and in some ways even more valuable, financial gifts that can be given and discussed between soon-to-be-wed couples too. Having clear and open conversations about money ahead of tying the knot is really important. It'll ensure you're both on the same financial page and can work towards shared goals once you are married."

Devon's Sandford Orchards' Red Zero Named Best No-Alcohol Cider In The World

Devon-based Sandford Orchards' Red Zero has recently won gold and been named Best Non-Alcoholic Cider at the World Cider Awards, less than a year after it was launched. This latest accolade follows gold awards from Taste of the West and The Farm Shop and Deli Awards, with undoubtedly more to come. Barny Butterfield, founder of Sandford Orchards comments: "We took our time creating Red Zero because we like to do things properly at Sandford Orchards. It was not the first non-alcoholic cider to market but we like to think that it is one of the best and it seems that the experts agree."

Treloyhan Manor Celebrates St Andrew’s Night with Historic House of Hazelwood Whisky Flight

A distinguished whisky experience is now open for booking at the luxurious Treloyhan Manor in St Ives, Cornwall presented in partnership with House of Hazelwood, for an exclusive one-night event on Sunday the 30th of November 2025. The experience features a whisky flight showcasing over 250 years of heritage, offering guests the rare opportunity to taste some of the oldest and most exclusive Scotch whiskies available in the UK. With 27 years in the industry, whisky expert Phil Keene from House of Hazelwood, will lead guests through an exciting exploration of whisky heritage, one delicious dram at a time. The impressive collection has been carefully built over seven decades by the renowned Gordon family.

Stay in a historic Devonshire house this autumn

Whether you're looking for wedding guest accommodation, or wanting to enjoy a staycation in Devon with friends this autumn, Premier Cottages offers the finest collection of 4- and 5-star historic properties across the UK with fantastic choices in Devon, perfect for every gathering, season and occasion. The Manor House in Cadhay is a Grade I listed Tudor house located near Ottery St Mary offering grand group accommodation for up to 22 guests. From its vast Georgian dining hall to four-poster chambers, it exudes atmosphere. Visitors can explore the medieval stew ponds, fountain and Bothy, or venture into the property's unique roof chamber, dating all the way back to 1430.

Bumper crops of pumpkins at National Trust gardens in Devon and Cornwall in time for Halloween

The National Trust has confirmed a bumper harvest at many of its gardens, including in Devon and Cornwall, with pumpkins promised for Halloween. Fruit and vegetable crops are ripening and ready for harvest weeks earlier than usual. Despite the UK experiencing a hot summer with drought conditions recorded in many places, gardeners are reporting an unusually abundant year for orchard fruit and pumpkins, thought to be the result of a combination of weather factors including last year's wet conditions, the warm and dry spring and plenty of sun. Experts at the National Trust have also advised how to care for pumpkins and apples on the lead-up to Halloween.

THE TOP HEN-DO LOCATIONS

Organising a memorable hen-party for any bride-to-be, is no easy task. There's so much to think about from setting a budget, choosing an accessible destination for everyone, curating activities, managing group logistics and so much more. Luckily, new research by immersive cocktail bar brand Alcotraz, has compiled the best and worst hen-do locations across the UK. The new league table analyses 25 major UK cities and ranks them on key party planning criteria such as safety, affordability, and hen-activity and nightlife options, and the results may surprise you.

Thrills and traditions sparkle at Exeter Racecourse this season

As the crisp autumn air sweeps across Haldon Hill in Devon, a palpable buzz is building at Exeter Racecourse. Devon's premier jumps track is gearing up for a season that promises to be nothing short of exhilarating, mixing centuries of racing tradition with a fresh, vibrant energy. "It's a fantastic day out, whether you're a seasoned racing fan or just looking for something truly special to do in Devon," says general manager Jack Parkinson. The jumps season bursts into life with an unmissable Season Opener on Thursday, October 9th. This highly anticipated return marks the official start of the new season at Exeter, promising a thrilling seven-race card.

The Swift Effect: Why Cushion-Cut Diamonds Are About to Have Their Moment

Taylor Swift's engagement is driving more than just headlines - it's inspiring UK couples to rethink their dream rings! Fans have watched her trade 'Blank Space' for a love that's truly ring-worthy, and now her cushion-cut sparkler is reshaping the engagement ring market! Want the inside scoop on how pop culture is shaping Britain's "dream ring" moment? Iconic UK Jewellery brand Abbott Lyon has created the full breakdown of the hottest styles, shapes, and regional trends — and it's sparkling with star appeal

Chef Adam Handling launches AHC Food Festival at The Tartan Fox, Newquay, this October

Chef Adam Handling MBE is breaking new ground with his first-ever Food Festival. To end the summer months on a high and to say thank you to the local community for all their support over the past year, the festival will be on Saturday the 4th and Sunday the 5th of October at The Tartan Fox - his luxury pub in the picturesque countryside between Truro and Newquay in Cornwall. This inaugural event will showcase the best of the Adam Handling Collection (AHC), bringing the restaurants, pubs and bars together for the very first time for diners to enjoy.

Pre-wedding aesthetic treatment must-haves

Everyone wants to look their best on their wedding day, but what can you do before the makeup artist arrives to make sure you're glowing as you walk down the aisle? With the rise of the 'quiet luxury' trend and the 'old money' aesthetic, most nearlyweds want to look like themselves, just more elevated. Dr Barbara Kubicka, founder of Clinicbe® in London, shares the top five most requested treatments her brides and grooms are booking right now.

Guests say "I don’t" to wedding traditions

When it comes to cost, celebrating love doesn't come cheaply, as Brits say they spend an average of £219.65 per wedding. In fact, only a quarter (25%) say they spend less than £100. As a result, more than one in five (22%) admit they've had to decline an invite for financial reasons. Top of guests' wish lists? A wedding that puts people first. Almost half (49%) said making guests feel welcome and relaxed is the most important part of any wedding, far ahead of food (16%), music (17%) or even the schedule (18%).

Beyond Summer: Discover the South West’s Secret Season with Harbour Hotels

With domestic travel booming and travellers seeking slower, wellness-led escapes, Harbour Hotels, the UK's leading independent luxury hotel group, is championing Britain's coastline as the ultimate out-of-season destination. According to VisitBritain's latest Domestic Sentiment Tracker (July 2025), 77 per cent of UK adults plan to take an overnight domestic trip in the next 12 months, with more than a third now more likely to choose a UK break over going abroad. Against this backdrop, Harbour Hotels is positioning autumn and winter as the South West's "Secret Season" – a time where empty beaches, wild swimming, spa rituals, and fireside dining create a new rhythm of travel beyond summer.

Presence over presents: Brits ditch wedding gifts

Karin Haglund, Head of Consumer Insights at Klarna said: "Destination weddings tap into Brits' love of travel and shared experiences, but our research shows that cost remains a concern when celebrating love abroad. For those who want more flexibility, Klarna offers interest-free payment options and budgeting tools in the app that help support smarter planning — whether that's by booking travel early to secure a better deal or keeping track of costs along the way."

Engaged couples invited to rehearse big day at Devon's Bovey Castle

Engaged couples are being invited to rehearse their own big day at a five-star Devon resort. Bovey Castle located in North Bovey is hosting Cocktails at the castle: The Alternative Wedding Showcase on 21st September between 6 pm and 7.30 pm. The free one-night event is being held in response to rising demand for interactive experiences and personal storytelling during couples' wedding days. Guests will be greeted on arrival with complimentary cocktails and canapes before touring three of the property's indoor wedding ceremony spaces – including the 120-capacity Cathedral Room which played host to British Olympian Tom Daley's wedding to Dustin Lance Black in 2017.

The top wedding trends for Autumn and Winter 2025

As summer weddings start to take a step back, a new wave of seasonal trends are emerging. According to Pinterest Trends, searches for 'wedding inspiration' have surged by 10,000% over the past month, with terms like 'October wedding', and 'autumn wedding cake' dominating mood boards. Nicola Barker, Head of Buying at Suit Direct, shares her insights on the standout trends set to shape autumn and winter weddings this season. From elegant romantic draping and on-trend semi-naked cakes to rich, moody colour palettes, couples are embracing celebrations that feel warm, inviting, and romantic.