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

Leaders at Bovey Castle featured in hospitality power list

Mark Chambers, managing director of the Eden Hotel Collection - which runs Bovey Castle in Dartmoor - has been recognised in The Boutique Hotelier Power List 2025. Mark was named in the 'Business Leader' category, while people director Lisa Redding has been recognised in the 'Hidden Heroes' category after the hospitality market was invited to nominate individuals. The recognition comes as Mark gears up to celebrate 20 years with the business in 2026, during which he has overseen Eden Hotel Collection twice being named Small Hotel Group of the Year by the AA, as well as personally being awarded Master Innholder status, which acknowledges the attainment of the highest international standards in hotel management.

Why August 23rd Could Be the Most Romantic Day of the Decade

Celebration vacations are on the rise, as more people swap parties for passport stamps to mark life's biggest milestones. From weddings and retirements to birthdays and new jobs, searches for 'anniversary holidays' are soaring at 585k monthly, 'birthday trip ideas for couples' have doubled year-over-year, and 'celebration vacations' is up 57% in the last month alone. A new survey of 1,000 UK travellers, commissioned by Citalia, found that over half (56%) believe celebrating a major milestone abroad turns their trip into a once-in-a-lifetime story, whilst 47% say travel makes milestone moments truly unforgettable.

Tickets are now on sale for THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride at the South Devon Railway

PNP Events, South Devon Railway, Rail Events Inc. and Warner Bros. are excited to announce that tickets are now on sale for THE POLAR EXPRESS Train Ride at South Devon Railway in Buckfastleigh with departures between the 28th of November and the 23rd of December 2025. This much-loved family Christmas experience, a great idea for those celebrating a family-moon in the region, welcomed more than 1.5 million riders across 54 locations in the UK, US, Canada, and Australia in 2024, and it's back to spread festive cheer in Devon once again this winter. Popular dates sell out very quickly, so customers are encouraged to book soon via the website.

Devon's Gidleigh Park named Best Luxury Hotel in the UK

Tripadvisor, the world's leading travel review platform recently revealed the winners of its annual 'Travellers Choice Awards: Best of the Best Hotels', and has named Gidleigh Park in Devon as the UK's top luxury hotel as well as fifth best luxury hotel in the world. Celebrating the highest level of excellence and awarded according to reviews and ratings submitted over the last year, the travel platform analysed 12 months of review data for over eight million hotel listings. Fewer than 1% achieved 'The Travellers' Choice: Best of the Best' award badge and the top ten winners span 10 worldwide and regional categories including Top Hotels, All-Inclusive, B&Bs and Inns, Family-Friendly, Small and Boutique and Luxury.

Expert shares how to preserve your wedding bouquet

From weddings and anniversaries to special birthdays and proms, there are some occasions where flowers just mean more and are hard to let go of. Whether you want to decorate your home, create a framed keepsake, or make your own potpourri, drying your flowers is the perfect way to hold on to beautiful memories. The flower experts at Bloom & Wild have shared three easy and effective ways to dry your bouquet at home with no special tools or floristry training required.

Renowned matcha brand PerfectTed launches wedding initiative

If there's one thing every wedding needs, it's energy and lots of it. From early-morning prep to late-night dancing, it's a full- day marathon of emotions, celebrations and unforgettable moments. That's why PerfectTed – Europe's #1 matcha brand – has launched PerfectWed, a new nationwide sampling initiative offering free matcha drinks to selected UK couples tying the knot. As part of the campaign, PerfectTed will send selected couples a curated selection of matcha drinks, including the brand's Healthy Energy cans and matcha lattes for wedding guests to enjoy. The couples will also have the chance to have their wedding speeches professionally filmed and featured in the brand's upcoming Speech Series

Wedprint Pro include AR on its gift cards

Cornwall-based wedding photographer Thomas Frost has founded Wedprint Pro to allow couples to order photographer-approved, customisable thank-you cards and save-the-date cards for their big day. Additionally, the cards feature the photographers' branding on the back with direct links via QR codes to their websites and the full wedding gallery. Recently, Wedprint Pro has evolved to include Augmented Reality (AR) on all of its gift cards. This innovation allows couples to share their wedding highlight videos or a special surprise message for their guests alongside their professional photos. Wedprint Pro are the only AR-ready and fully customisable card company in the UK.

Post-Big Day Renovation with BHS

The confetti has settled, the thank-you notes are being written, and the whirlwind of wedding planning is finally over. Now that the excitement of your big day has passed, it's the perfect time to turn your attention to another beautiful chapter: making your shared home truly bespoke to you. Whether you've been living together for years or are just settling into a new rhythm, this post-wedding period is ideal for refreshing your space and infusing it with your combined style as a married couple. And when it comes to affordable yet high-quality lighting and home accessories, BHS is here to help you create the perfect sanctuary.

Inhabit Hotels and Byway offer train travel experience to Cornwall

Two trailblazers in B Corp travel, Inhabit Hotels and Byway have curated 100% flight-free trips beginning and ending at Inhabit Hotels in Southwick Street and Queen's Gardens, London with routes including to Cornwall, Scotland and the Netherlands. With a shared commitment to wellness, environmental impact, and community-conscious experiences, the partnership offers three new bespoke itineraries that explore hidden gems, powered by Byway's pioneering routing technology. Travellers can follow the winding railways of Cornwall, visiting St Ives, St Erth, Padstow and Bodmin. These towns are framed by rugged coastlines providing the perfect pick for honeymooners and mini-mooners wanting to avoid air travel.

STAUB Unveils its NEW Sorbet Rose Colourway

Renowned cast iron specialist, STAUB has introduced a new Sorbet Rose colourway to its premium collection of cookware - a soft, elegant shade that reflects the enduring popularity of pink in the kitchen. As homeowners continue to embrace pink-toned cabinetry, small appliances and accessories, Sorbet Rose is a natural addition to STAUB's carefully curated colour range. Bringing a gentle touch of charm to both kitchen and table, Sorbet Rose is perfect for everything from alfresco summer suppers to Valentine's Day brunches. Inspired by the subtle hues of blush pink, this calming, nurturing colour complements a wide variety of palettes - pairing beautifully with natural woods, muted greys, crisp whites, and earthy greens. Its versatile appeal suits both contemporary minimalist kitchens and traditional farmhouse settings, making it a timeless choice for any home.

How I Planned My Wedding Without Losing My Mind (or My Fiancé)

With a whopping 84% admitting they felt overwhelmed in the run-up to the big day, and over a quarter calling it the most stressful time of their lives, it's no wonder many brides hit breaking point before they even walk down the aisle. But help is at hand! Jewellery brand Abbott Lyon spoke to real brides Jacky and Annabelle, who share the wedding day hacks that helped them stay cool, calm, and collected through meltdowns, menu dramas, and mother-in-law madness—proving that bridal bliss is possible, even when the pressure's on.

The Dreamboys are coming to Plymouth on 19th September 2025

The world-famous Dreamboys are coming to the Plymouth Pavilions in Devon as part of their World Tour on Friday the 19th of September 2025 from 7 pm, the perfect night out for a fun-fuelled hen (or stag) celebration. Guests can expect heart-pounding choreography, feel-good anthems, and just the right amount of cheeky fun at these high-energy, jaw-dropping performances as the Dreamboys take to the stage. From the moment the music starts to the final encore, the night promises a rollercoaster of laughter, awe, and excitement. At every show there is a chance to meet-and-greet the cast for a photo opportunity.

Warning to Hen and Stag Parties: Avoid These Common Mistakes

Your wedding is one of the most important days of your life, that's why The Wedding Travel Company has partnered with a former BA flight attendant to give their top tips on travelling for your destination wedding this summer. "Destination weddings are continuing to grow in popularity, with more and more people looking to escape the UK for weddings abroad in areas such as Greece, Italy, Spain and Cyprus. Though planning your wedding can sometimes be demanding, you should be able to enjoy the lead up, feeling as stress-free as possible", explains Kim Deller, Concierge Executive at The Wedding Travel Company.

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.