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

From casual to formal, here’s how to plan your picture-perfect engagement party

Firsty, congratulations! You're getting married! After a proposal, there are so many things to think about, but before preparing for the big day itself, an engagement party is a great way to share your exciting news and get your nearest and dearest together to celebrate. Pinterest trends1 revealed the largest peak in searches for 'engagement party ideas' were in January last year, now is the time to get the ball rolling and start planning for the prelude of the main event. Whether you're planning an intimate gathering or a lavish affair, party planning expert at Ginger Ray, Jess Martin, shares 10 tips for your celebration, no matter how big or small:

That's so Fetch: 10 Ideas for the ultimate Mean Girls-themed hen party

It's time to channel your inner Regina George and party like it's October 3rd! To celebrate the release of the new Mean Girls movie on 19th January 2024, Fizzbox has the rundown on Mean Girls themed hen party ideas that are so fetch! In a world where wearing pink on Wednesdays isn't just a choice but a lifestyle, this is the ultimate way to celebrate your upcoming nuptials in style, whether you're an aspiring Spring Fling Queen or a Mathlete. So break out the Burn Book and dust off your Plastics-approved heels. Get in loser, we're going on a hen do!

Escape this Valentine's Day to the Scarlet Hotel in Cornwall

Escape this Valentine's Day to the adult-only Scarlet Hotel, set within the rugged Cornish clifftops of Mawgan Porth. This romantic hotel seamlessly brings the outdoors in with a simple design aesthetic and tall glass walls showcasing the wild natural surroundings. Scarlet's "Two Night Spend Time Together" package is the perfect pick this Valentine's Day. Guests can choose between the iconic cliff-top hot tub, the calming seaweed copper tub and a seasonal scrub or a hammam with coffee scrub. Scarlet's "Seasonal Wine Down Two-Night Break" is the perfect solution for couples looking to learn something new. The package includes a seven-course taster menu with five paired wines and a one-hour wine-tasting session with the in-house sommelier, as well as a 30-minute cliff-top hot tub session.

The wedding gifts couples in 2024 really want...

When it comes to wedding planning, there is so much to think about, the same goes for wedding gift lists & etiquette. Gifting Guru at The Wedding Shop, Liza Baucher, answers you everything you need to know about wedding registries... In short, we advise adding 2-3 gifts per wedding guest invited. Adding a variety of gifts to your wedding list caters to the differing budgets and preferences of your guests. It's a thoughtful approach to include a wide range of items, from smaller, more affordable pieces to a few higher-end gifts. The key is balance and variety. Typically, having slightly more gifts than the number of guests or households invited allows for enough choice without overwhelming your guests.

Send 'I love You' flapjacks this Valentine's Day with Flapjackery

Famous for its gluten-free flapjacks, West Devon-based Flapjackery has a standout collection this Valentine's Day iced with I Love You. Created by Flapjackery in their kitchens on the edge of Dartmoor, these mouth-watering, gluten-free treats are laden in golden syrup and packed full of the finest British oats. With a shelf life of up to two months and packed in a recyclable box to pop through the letterbox, these are the perfect gift for your loved one. The personalised 'Love You' and 'Be My Valentine's' flapjacks come in boxes of eight or 12 giant flapjacks priced from £34 per box.

Wedding ring trends 2024 according to Queensmith

Symbolising unconditional love, devotion and commitment, wedding rings represent the union of marriage between two people and unlike engagement rings, they are worn by both. Often, wedding rings tend to be more simple and minimalist, but there are still so many different choices you can make from the metal colour, style and bandwidth. As such, experts at engagement and wedding ring jeweller, Queensmith, have released exclusive internal data to help guide couples on what wedding rings will be popular in 2024.

2024 wedding trend: cocktails to serve at 70s-inspired weddings!

Pinterest has launched its Pinterest Predicts report and '70s-inspired weddings are set to be huge in 2024, with searches for 'groovy wedding' increasing 170% and 'retro wedding theme' spiking 80%. Experts at NIO Cocktails have shared popular cocktails from the 1970s that you should serve at your retro wedding: "The era that brought us the rise of disco music, retro prints and bell bottom trousers also brought us a resurgence in classic cocktails and new ones, too! There were many cocktails that were popular in the 1970s and if you're wanting to throw the perfect '70s-inspired wedding, we'd definitely advise including our top three '70s cocktail picks in your wedding."

Devon-based Owens Coffee opens Perfect Waves Café

Devon-based coffee roaster Owens Coffee has announced the opening of Perfect Waves Café within The Roastery at Ivybridge which is open from Monday to Friday, 8.30 am until 4 pm and Saturdays from 9 am until 4 pm. Four-legged friends are welcome inside the new café and in the existing outdoor seating area. It's a stylish new space serving sustainably sourced coffee freshly roasted on-site, beautifully brewed tea and delicious local produce. Lorraine Bridden, managing director of Owens Coffee, says: "We've opened Perfect Waves Café to allow our passionate team to showcase everything we do, from our organic and Fairtrade coffee to our expertly brewed teas and locally sourced produce."

2024 food and drink trends predicted by the experts

From flexitarianism and the rise of sharing plates, to higher demand for whiskies and the rise in under-loved species of fish; here, renowned chefs and drink experts predict what will be the food and drink trends to take 2024 by storm - inspiration for your big-day catering too, with so much choice it will be hard to pick your favourite trend!

Al fresco Dome dining experience arrives at Fowey Hall in Cornwall this winter

Until late March, Fowey Hall, the flagship of the Luxury Family Hotel group has recently announced the return of its Domes, positioned on the front terrace overlooking the twinkling lights of the Fowey estuary, with an alpine-inspired dining experience on offer. The four Domes provide an exclusive private dining experience, with heating and cosy blankets. The Fondue-Only menu aims to bring the magic of the Alps to Fowey, with an authentic alpine cheese fondue, served with rustic bread, new potatoes, crudites and a charcuterie board. Fowey Hall's excellent wine selection guarantees guests will find the perfect pairing, with local options from Knightor Winery, including a local Cornish fizz. The delicious menu finishes with an indulgent chocolate fondue dessert, served with marshmallows, fresh fruit and pretzels.

Celebrate your wedding day with Niche Cocktails

If you want to serve amazing cocktails on the big day, then Niche Cocktails has you covered with its premium ready-to-drink canned cocktails. Perfect for kick-starting the celebrations, Niche Cocktails' range of all-natural cocktails taste just as good (if not better) than the ones you'd make from scratch, meaning that cocktail-loving couples can serve their favourite combos on their wedding day - why not enjoy your favourite tipples on your hen/stag or sten do too! Pre-mixed to ensure there's one less thing to worry about, you and your guests can enjoy a tasty tipple with Niche's delicious range that is so simple to serve. Each can can be poured straight into a glass or into a shaker with ice, allowing your guests more time for mingling.

Should I get a prenup ahead of my wedding?

Should I get a prenup ahead of my wedding? If you're planning your wedding, it's likely you're experiencing a whole mix of emotions! On the one hand, you'll be on cloud nine and feeling so excited. On the other, the stress can often get the better of you, no matter how in love you are. The planning, the preparation and the pressure can be overwhelming at times. In amongst all of this, you may not be thinking about putting measures in place to protect yourself in the event of the relationship one day breaking down. Whilst not the most romantic of things to be thinking about, an ever-growing number of couples are turning to prenuptial agreements ('prenups') to safeguard their money and assets before they begin their marriage and post nuptial agreements thereafter. At Stowe Family Law, we have seen enquiries for prenups increase by a quarter in the last year.

Beat the January blues with Harbour Hotels

The only blues this January should be with Harbour Hotels - think blue seas, skies and ocean-inspired interiors. Harbour Hotels is a collection of 13 luxury properties positioned in some of Devon and Cornwall's most iconic and desirable locations. This January, the hotel group is offering a limited-time January Blues package, including dinner, bed, breakfast, and either a £25 HarSPA credit or Cornish Cream tea, starting from just £195 per night, at any of their coastal properties. Relax at HarSPA with a dip in the hydrotherapy pool or swim a leisurely length or two. As the sun sets, choose a window seat for dinner with an amazing sea or estuary view.

Most popular day for marriage proposals revealed

New research has revealed the most common dates for marriage proposals in the UK, with Christmas Day, New Year's Eve and Valentine's Day taking the top three spots. In order to delve into engagement trends, a UK wedding venue has conducted a survey of married, engaged and single people... More than 2,700 people aged 18 and over took part in the research, 76% of whom were married or engaged and 24% of whom had not been engaged yet. Respondents answered questions about their past proposals, or what they would want from a proposal in future. Wedding venue Hensol Castle first of all asked what date of the year anyone who was or had been engaged was asked for their hand in marriage (or did the asking), which revealed the following top five dates to be the most popular of the year:

Offers from St Michaels Resort in Gyllyngvase Beach, Cornwall

St Michaels Resort is one of Cornwall's leading independent hotels, offering an unparalleled wellness retreat right next to the shores of Gyllyngvase Beach and the South West Coastal Path. It's home to a luxury spa featuring the largest hydrothermal pool in the southwest, a state-of-the-art health club and an exciting programme of events that celebrates the local community in Falmouth and the Cornish identity. Led by executive chef Darren Millgate, the AA rosette-winning Brasserie on the Bay serves up the best of Cornwall's farms, fields and waters, while more laid-back dining with sparkling sea views can be found at their second eatery, the Garden Kitchen.

2024 wedding trends from the experts

Emma Gold, founder of GSP Events, an events production agency responsible for some of the most iconic weddings of the last 27 years, unveils the 2024 wedding trends along with other experts in the industry..."Another trend we are seeing more and more of – the hotel buyout; guests are keen for total exclusivity and privacy for their guests. It is no longer enough to simply take a few rooms or the events spaces for the day or the weekend. Going forward, guests are taking over entire hotels. Clients of ours this year had the Maybourne Riviera for the weekend. One event was hosted there, with best friends and family all accommodated in the hotel. It means the celebrations never stop, and it allows guests to spend good quality down time together too. From a logistical perspective, it's hugely helpful in ensuring guests are at the right place at the right time; but also, what a dream to be able to have all your loved ones in one place."

20 things to get us through January according to Brits

With Christmas over, and the most depressing month of the year in full swing researchers asked Brits to vote for the things which we love about the colder months, with snuggling up with a blanket the top choice! The research, conducted by luxury ski resorts Club Med, also revealed a Sunday roast helps us get through the chilliest days, as over a quarter (27 per cent) love the smell of a roast dinner wafting through the house.

The best alcohol-free drinks to serve at weddings?

Discover the delightful range of award-winning non-alcoholic beverages from Mocktails which will make the perfect accompaniment to alcohol-free weddings and hen/stag dos! The ready-to-drink beverages are perfect for those looking to embrace the benefits of alcohol-free without compromising on flavour. Mocktails offer a delectable collection of flavours, each carefully crafted with the finest ingredients, spices, and botanicals sourced from around the world. Mixology-inspired and uniquely crafted, drinks include Mockarita, Sansgria, Mockscow Mule, Mockapolitan and Espress0% Martini. Mocktails' beverages are made with real fruit juices, exotic and natural flavours, and pure cane sugar.

1 in 7 couples buy wedding insurance at short notice

Christmas and New Year is the most popular time to get engaged* but research from wedding insurance specialist, CoverMyWedding.co.uk, reveals that couples might not be financially protecting all their purchases. One in seven (16%)** couples buy wedding insurance within 100 days of their wedding, according to CoverMyWedding.co.uk, leaving them potentially missing out on protection if they have already started putting down deposits and making payments. Wedding insurance often only covers items booked and bought after it is purchased, so it is important to buy it as soon as possible and before any big bookings or purchases are made, as depending on your insurer, they may not be included.

Sustainable wedding wrapping paper from Curlicue

Curlicue, a British-made, female-founded company, has a delightful range of love-themed gift wrap - perfect for wedding gifting or Valentine's Day! All wrap is on 100% FSC-certified recycled and recyclable paper, plastic-free, and made with vegetable-based ink. The company uses a waterless and chemical-free printing process to be kinder to the environment, and use a UK printer for its paper to keep its carbon footprint as low as possible - from making to shipping its plastic-free!