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

Tregenna Castle Resort continues its sustainability initiative, TREGREENER’

As Tregenna Castle Resort commemorates 250 years of timeless hospitality and scenic beauty, it proudly announces its latest endeavour in sustainability with a Tree Planting Celebration. In alignment with its commitment to environmental stewardship, the resort will be planting an additional 250 trees across its sprawling 72-acre resort. This initiative, part of the Tregenna 250 anniversary celebration this year, symbolises the resort's dedication to leaving a lasting impact for generations to come. By introducing a diverse range of tree species including English Oak, Field Maple, Hornbeam, Beech, Silver Birch, Crab Apple, Cherry and Lime, Tregenna aims to enhance the natural landscape while reaping the numerous ecological benefits that trees provide.

New research reveals biggest wedding trends of 2024, and some will surprise you

The wedding themes of 2024? Expect them to be smaller and more intimate, more informal and just generally more fun! That's according to a new study which was commissioned by high street jewellers, F.Hinds. They asked 2,000 UK couples for their thoughts on which wedding traditions are still important (and which aren't), and what new trends will be incorporated into wedding day plans for 2024. They also spoke to a wedding expert for her views. Their research revealed that the 'big day' traditions that remain in favour include the bride walking walked down the aisle (53%), having wedding rings (52%), cutting the cake (49%), having a best man (44%), and the bride being given away by a family member (43%).

Dog-friendly Woofstock music festival celebrates it tenth year

Paw-sitively amazing! Dog-friendly Woofstock music festival celebrates its tenth year at Powderham Castle from Friday 14th to Sunday 16th June. The UK's only award-winning, two-night/three-day dog-and-family-friendly music festival - is back and bigger than ever, celebrating its tenth anniversary in 2024 with a stellar lineup. Crowd-pleasing tribute acts including Dua Lipa, Taylor Swift, Elton John and Dolly Parton covers will be taking to the stage and pooches are more than welcome - and will be well-catered for with activities, demonstrations including police and gun dog displays and contests during which your pup can show off their agility, flyball skills and obedience. They can even paint with their owners in the Pawcasso tent, and tuck into dog ice cream.

Having a multicultural wedding? Make sure everyone is include with these tips from Speechy

'The Speech Surgery' with Heidi Ellert McDermott, Founder of Speechy & author of The Modern Couple's Guide to Wedding Speeches. My groom's family is Italian and some of them don't speak any English. How do we ensure they feel included during the speeches? This is becoming an issue for more and more couples as relationships become increasingly international. Bringing two cultures together at a wedding can be wonderful but it's not without its challenges, the prime example being the speeches.

Top tips on moving in together for the first time

Making the big decision to move in together can be an exciting, yet daunting time! Whether you've been living apart due to distance, financial constraints or other circumstances, deciding to take the next step in your relationship can help strengthen your bond and progress it further. Whilst being around each other 24/7 has its benefits, it's important not to overlook the potential issues that could arise as a result. Property experts at Essential Living have teamed up with Dr Becky Spelman, Psychologist and Founder at Private Therapy Clinic to reveal some of the issues the couples might experience and her top tips on what to keep in mind before taking the big step.

Wedding venue Huntsham Court offer outdoor ceremony choices

A stunning example of Victorian architecture, Huntsham Court, a stately country manor house is built in stone with huge ham stone windows flooding the house with light. French doors open onto large terraces bordered with deep and vibrant flower beds and the beautiful, traditional garden with its ancient mature trees is home to the licenced Dovecote set against views of Devon's rolling hills. Outdoor ceremonies can take place under the old oak Dovecote, under the tipi positioned in the meadow garden, on the upper lawn against a backdrop of rolling hills or under the canopy of the giant ancient trees. Inside, the décor is classic country house chic – eclectic yet homely. The offers the best of both - modern comfort married with timeless style.

Wedding menu guide from Papier

A wedding day is an unparalleled occasion, filled with unforgettable moments and cherished memories. Best-selling British stationery brand Papier understand the importance of every detail on this special day, especially when it comes to creating a memorable dining experience for the happy couple and their guests. Food is a huge part of your wedding day. Whether it's a meal guests have chosen or a set menu, informing your loved ones about what's ahead gets them excited to sit down and tuck in

Watersmeet in North Devon opens for the season and offers spring deal

Regarded as North Devon's premier coastal escape, with its wildly romantic views, Watersmeet Hotel & Restaurant has now reopened for the season. The winter months have certainly been busy for this stunning Edwardian property, which saw Watersmeet add yet another trophy to its cabinet - Condé Nast Johansen's hugely prestigious Best Waterside Hotel for UK and Ireland 2024. Watersmeet has also enjoyed some internal refurbishment, spearheaded by the luxurious and spacious Combesgate Room with its breathtaking coastal vistas. Other highlights include the creation of a multipurpose area on the lawn for informal and formal alfresco dining and smaller wedding ceremonies and private parties.

Worried about your dad's wedding speech? Here's some top advice from Speechy

'The Speech Surgery' with Heidi Ellert McDermott, founder of Speechy & author of 'The Modern Couple's Guide to Wedding Speeches. At Speechy, we believe that all great speeches have good story-telling at the heart of them. So instead of hunting down one-liners, encourage your dad to simply tell his favourite stories. Remind him that he can call on your mum or siblings for help with content and constructive feedback, and send him links to lots of various speech examples to get his brain thinking.

The Garden Café Newquay launches sunflower growing competition with seed giveaway

The Garden Café Newquay is thrilled to announce the launch of its inaugural Sunflower Growing Competition 'Reach for the Sun'. As part of its ongoing commitment to fostering community engagement and celebrating nature, The Garden Cafe will be distributing free sunflower seeds to eager participants with every purchase, inviting them to cultivate their very own vibrant blooms. A prize of a special treat at the cafe for the most impressive sunflower posted on their social media will be given over the summer. Participants can collect their complimentary sunflower seeds during open hours from The Garden Café in Trenance Gardens Newquay with the competition running through into summer.

The best place in the UK for a springtime wedding

A new study has revealed the areas in the UK with the best vendors and venues for spring wedding ceremonies, with Essex being crowned top for both. The research conducted by photo wall art creator StoryBoards analyzed data from a popular wedding planning site, to identify the UK regions with the highest quantity of top-rated vendors and venues, including vineyards, cake companies, and stationery brands. Most brides and grooms will agree that planning a wedding is stressful, as trying to pull off an event that feels unique to the couple while managing expectations, budget, and family can be difficult at times. Thankfully, beautiful venues exist to help make the whole process easier.

The National Pub & Bar Awards 2024 announce winners

Pubs and bars from across the UK are celebrating after being named the best in their respective regions. The award wins are part of the 2024 National Pub & Bar Awards, which each year crowns nearly 100 County Winners from England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, giving each site a unique platform to promote themselves and increase guest footfall from locals and visitors alike. These hospitality operators have demonstrated excellence across several elements including design, service, style of offer, marketing and investment. The venues now have more than two months in which to trade off their win, before making their way to the National Pub & Bar Awards grand final on 26 June.

Does your mum need help with her wedding speech? Read these tips from Speechy

The Speech Surgery with Heidi Ellert McDermott, founder of Speechy & author of The Modern Couple's Guide to Wedding Speeches. Firstly, reassure your mum that we work with lots of mothers (both of the bride, and increasingly, the groom's) so it's no longer unusual to see a mum on the mic. Whether your mum is standing in for your father, speaking in addition to him or your dad isn't part of the picture, we generally find mothers have a lot to say! In terms of getting your mum excited at the prospect of delivering a speech, rather than dreading it, send her a few blog posts to show her how simple writing her speech can be.

Your ultimate hen do survival guide by SilkFred

With April being the most popular month for hen do's, and online fashion destination SilkFred finding that 625 people will be attending at least one hen do this 'hen do season' (with 93 of respondents attending 3+ hen do's)*, we've sat down with Georgie Mitchell, Wedding Planner, Coordinator and Wedding Expert at Silkfred and Head Stylist Megan Watkins, who have shared their ultimate 'Hen Do Survival Hacks' to manage everything from budgets and schedules to styling tips and mastering the art of saying "no".

Five myths about Champagne

For centuries, great occasions in life have been punctuated with Champagne. However, there are several myths surrounding the drinking, storing and essence of Champagne. As a result, the Champagne Bureau UK* wanted to bust those myths to separate fact from fiction and demonstrate how best to enjoy the pinnacle of sparkling wine, as well as ensure that you aren't fooled by some of the most common Champagne myths. Myth: Pop the cork and spray Champagne in times of celebrations. The blunt pop of the cork and the fizz of the fine bubbles – instantly reminiscent of celebration – is a sparkling start to any special occasion.

Mark Rothko’s Seagram Murals come to Tate St Ives

Mark Rothko's Seagram Murals are pivotal works in the history of modern art and are among the most celebrated paintings in Tate's collection. For the first time, five of these works will go on show at Tate St Ives in a new display opening on 25 May 2024. These mural-sized canvases were originally commissioned for the fashionable Four Seasons restaurant in New York's Seagram building, designed by Mies van der Rohe. They marked a shift away from the bright colours of his earlier paintings towards maroon, dark red and black. Rothko wished to create a deep connection between the viewer and his works, stating: "I am interested only in expressing basic human emotions – tragedy, ecstasy, doom, and so on."

Moonpig reveals weddings cards are the hardest to write

Greeting cards have been a popular way to express celebrations and affection for our loved ones. We're used to purchasing cards for milestones from birthdays, weddings, new jobs and more, but how often do we struggle with what to write in a card? With the recent growth in popularity of AI models like ChatGPT, Moonpig has launched its "Smart Text" tool, a feature which uses generative AI as a writing assistant for customers who need help in those moments where they don't know what to put in a card to their loved ones.

The Falmouth Hotel set to host Spring Wedding Fair

The Falmouth Hotel in Cornwall is set to host a Spring Wedding Fair on Sunday 21st April from 11 am until 2:30 pm with free entry. This iconic hotel is the perfect location for a wedding ceremony that couples and their guests will remember forever. Visitors are invited to visualise how their special day could be at this landmark wedding venue. The Falmouth Hotel offers beautifully appointed ceremony rooms for intimate and large-scale weddings and events. There are 71 individually styled bedrooms, five acres of beautiful gardens overlooking Castle Beach and delicious food served at the Castle Beach Restaurant.

Thinking of doing a joint wedding speech? Read Speechy's top tips

The Speech Surgery' with Heidi Ellert McDermott, Founder of Speechy & author of 'The Modern Couple's Guide to Wedding Speeches. A joint speech follows the same etiquette principles as your standard bride and groom speech but allows you to present it as a team and play up to your relationship dynamic. But, despite the two voices, be careful not to make the speech double the length! No more than 1,500 words maximum. When it comes to writing a joint speech, it all comes down to your ability to collaborate, discuss and bounce ideas off each other.

Things to consider when booking your big-day musicians

As the UK's largest and most sustainable musician bookings platform, musicians for weddings account for around 50% of Encore's bookings. As such, the company is well-versed in the most cost-effective ways to cut down on one of the more expensive aspects of a wedding. Please see below some best tips to help you save the most money when booking your wedding entertainment. On average, couples book musicians for their wedding seven and a half months in advance, but if your big day falls on a Saturday during peak season, you should book your musicians at least nine months in advance.