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

How to avoid guests over indulging on alcoholic drinks on the big day

One in six (16 per cent) wedding guests admit to driving home the morning after a wedding, when they could still be over the alcohol limit, reveals new research1 from Direct Line Motor Insurance. In a bid to remind drivers about the risks of getting behind the wheel after celebratory drinking, a car was crashed into a three-metre-high wedding cake outside Blenheim Palace2, one of the UK's most instagramable wedding venues.

With one in five (20 per cent) guests saying they have been driven home by someone they thought was over the drink drive limit, the morning after celebrating nuptials, the smashed wedding cake highlights the risks involved with driving the morning after.

6 Star Wars cocktails for the ultimate Star Wars hen do

Calling all brides-to-be and their intergalactic squadrons! Prepare to elevate your hen party to new heights as leading hen party company Fizzbox teams up with magical tavern, The Cauldron, to concoct a range of Star Wars cocktails, perfect for celebrating the bride's journey to the galaxy of marriage! Set your blasters to fun as The Cauldron's mixologists transport you to a galaxy far, far away with their selection of otherworldly drinks inspired by the iconic saga. From Darth Vader-inspired concoctions to drinks that will have you feeling like you're partying on the Millennium Falcon, there's something to delight every Jedi bride and her entourage.

The most popular wedding cars of 2024 and how much they will cost

As we head into the Spring/Summer wedding season, many couples will be tying up the last elements of their weddings before the big day. Often left to the last minute is transport, with many couples wanting to arrive and leave their wedding venues in style. Nationwide Vehicle Contracts decided to investigate which cars are the most popular when it comes to wedding hire, and also how much hiring one will set you back. To work out the most popular wedding car of 2024, Nationwide Vehicle Contracts has analysed Google search volumes, Google search trends and TikTok data including the number of posts per model, monthly searches and the YoY search trend.

Wedding homeware from Addison Ross

The heart and soul of British luxury Addison Ross, is a family owned British brand started in 1978; from a small business, it has now grown into a global sensation with a vast offering including an exquisite range of luxury homeware essentials that create the ideal wedding tablescape or wedding gift. A recent collaboration with India Hicks, saw the launch of a beautiful new photo frame collection, which India (King Charles' Goddaughter) used for her own wedding photos. These wonderful frames can also be used to create special moments at weddings including framing seating charts or cocktail menus!

Rest and renew at Soar Mill Coves' Summer Wellness Retreat

Soar Mill Cove in South Devon is hosting its summer wellness retreat on Sunday 19th May, introducing systematic kinesiologist practitioner Ruth Derry to the event. The new element run by Ruth will allow guests to understand their health through understanding the body's communication. Guests will practice 'habits to create calm' to aid self-awareness and health empowerment through this natural and holistic approach. The day begins with coffee and a chat followed by a team-building session. Focusing on strength and conditioning, Kat Wallace (a personal trainer and fitness instructor) will incorporate a fun and teamwork ethos into her session. After healthy refreshments, there will be a group walk exploring the cove and taking in the breathtaking scenery of this part of South Devon.

Young Brits looking to get hitched face saving for 30 Months

Young couples are faced with saving for over 30 months to reach their wedding savings goals, according to new research from Nationwide that charts what Brits are saving for in 2024.One in six young people are currently putting money away for their dream wedding. On average, these love birds are aiming to save £17,000 in preparation for their wedding – although the costs will likely be higher as many will also benefit from contributions from family and friends. Based on average monthly individual savings of £282, it would take a typical couple saving a combined £564 around 31 months to reach their target.*

Spring Bank Holiday weekend is set to host second highest number of weddings for 2024

The team at hampers.com, who strive to bring joy and wholehearted togetherness through gifting, recently undertook a study to determine the most popular dates for weddings in 2024, surveying almost 2,300 UK adults who were set to get married this year. When asked what date they were getting married on, the most popular dates were found to be were these here...

The Duke of Cornwall hotel offers Perfectly Petite Package

As micro weddings continue to grow in popularity, The Duke of Cornwall hotel has launched the Perfectly Petite Package for up to 15 guests. More and more couples are looking to celebrate with an intimate gathering of guests, typically less than 50. Micro weddings still include a ceremony and reception but on a smaller, more affordable scale so that the couple can focus their budget on the areas most important to them. With its gothic architecture and views stretching over Plymouth Sounds, this hotel offers a choice of stunning rooms to marry in, a master of ceremonies, a three-course meal and overnight accommodation for the newlyweds in a four-poster suite.

Need a helping hand with your groom's speech? Check out these top 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 isn't naturally romantic. How can I help him with his speech without actually writing it for him? Well, no one will be expecting him to be reciting sonnets and he doesn't need to have a personality transplant, but it would be nice if he managed to deliver at least a few suitably sweet lines in his speech! Send him a few good blog posts (including this one) and encourage him to get the advice & feedback from his friends (ideally, married ones who have been through the speechwriting process before).

Indulge in Vera Wang x Chopin vodka this wedding season

With the 2024 wedding season fast approaching, brides and grooms-to-be are looking for ways to impart luxury to their special day. From elevating their drink offering with expertly crafted cocktails to creating a sophisticated monochrome look, the Vera Wang x Chopin vodka has all the assets to make one's celebration stylish and memorable. Vera Wang x Chopin vodka comes from a unique partnership blending the refined style of iconic fashion designer Vera Wang with the unparalleled craftsmanship of Chopin.

The UK’s top stately homes for Bridgerton-themed weddings

A recent study has revealed the UK's highest-rated stately homes for Bridgerton-themed weddings, with Pembroke Lodge, Surrey named the best. The research, conducted by photo wall art creator StoryBoards, analysed user-generated review data from a popular wedding planning site to identify the UK regions with the highest quantity of top-rated stately homes by creating an overall rating score. The study has revealed that Pembroke Lodge is the nation's most highly rated stately home. Located in Surrey, the grand wedding venue has over 1,100 five-star ratings and an overall perfect score of 10 out of 10.

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.