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

The best of English sparkling wine, with Amelia Singer this National Champagne Week (1-7th October)

There's the New World of wine, and then the New New World: English Sparkling Wine is on the rise. This National Champagne Week, wine expert, Amelia Singer selects her favourite bubbles from our own green pastures... Which country comes to mind if you think of "wine"? For most, I imagine France, Italy, or perhaps even the USA these days, probably dominates. We all know, however, that the world is a-changing and so should our concept of wine and where it comes from. English wines are on the rise, and it's my opinion, along with a fair few of the worlds top wine experts, that they are the new frontier of wine making – even beating out top champagne houses in sparkling wine competitions.

Personalised wedding gifts from Pen Heaven

Find beautifully crafted, meaningful, and personalised wedding gifts to cherish forever with Pen Heaven. A master of exquisite stationary design, Pen Heaven was founded in 2008 and offer a comprehensive range of luxury writing instruments, leather journals and gifts. Specialists in classic brands such as Parker, Cross and Lamy, Pen Heaven also boast some more unusual and hard-to-find items such as the Japanese hand painted Platinum range, Italian calligraphy sets and the design focused Worther brand. Offering an in-house, by-hand engraving and embossing service, Pen Heaven are the ultimate destination for meaningful gifts with a personal touch perfect for big-day gifting.

PoB Hotels unveils collaboration with Madeleine Shaw

PoB Hotels unveils a new collaboration with Madeleine Shaw for a new wellness experience dedicated to skin health that's taking place across the portfolio of properties, including at Bovey Castle in Devon, Barnsley House in Gloucestershire and The Vineyard in Berkshire. This partnership offers guests an exclusive opportunity to glow, both inside and out through indulgent treatments and delectably nutritious dishes, all expertly crafted with fresh, seasonal ingredients to enhance overall skin health and well-being. Madeleine Shaw's exceptional expertise certifies these extraordinary treatments and delightful dishes, available at select PoB Hotels from September 2023 to March 2024. Madeleine has proudly partnered with PoB Hotels, sharing her 'Get the Glow' Philosophy. Madeleine Shaw boasts over a decade of unparalleled experience in the wellness industry.

County Wedding Magazines' readers share their prize win story!

Here at County Wedding Magazines HQ, we love nothing more than to hear from the winners of our competitions. In the crazy world of wedding planning, it's exciting for us to be able to offer our lovely readers some exciting giveaways and competitions which will hopefully give you a much-needed pick-me-up during on the countdown to your wedding day. In March 2023, CWM ran a competition, 'Win a minimoon in Northern Ireland!' and the winners were nearlyweds Jennifer and her partner.

Plymouth rounds off summer of fun along King Charles III England Coast Path

Two days of events at Plymouth Sound Marine Park will round off a summer of fun this weekend to celebrate some of England's most iconic scenery along the recently renamed King Charles III England Coast Path. Organised by Natural England, the Marine Park will host fun-packed activities from 10 am to 4 pm on Friday, 29 and Saturday, 30 September and are free for all to enjoy, enabling individuals and community groups to connect with nature and the King Charles III England Coast Path through a variety of activities. Some activities must be booked in advance. Taking in locations including Jennycliff, Mount Batten, The Barbican and Plymouth Hoe, day one will feature guided walks along the coast path, opportunities to learn about the history of areas around the path and to discover the city's wildlife.

Halloween hen party ideas for 2023

If you're looking to throw a hen party that's nothing short of magical, mysterious and oh-so-memorable, then you're in for a treat, not a trick, with a Halloween hen party! This bewitching night is filled with laughter, eerie enchantment and spine-tingling surprises. Halloween, with its unique blend of the spooky and the playful, makes for a perfect theme that'll have everyone howling with delight. And just think of the costumes! Leading hen party company, Fizzbox is our guide as we embark on a haunted journey through the land of Halloween hen party ideas that will make your last night of freedom the talk of the town.

Wedding day aesthetic according to your star sign

Jewellery brand Diamonds Factory, has spoken exclusively to celebrity psychic and astrologer Inbaal Honigman, who has shared her top tips on how to plan your wedding according to your zodiac. Vibrant Colours for Aries, known for their fiery and youthful nature, embrace the vibrant energy of red. This intense hue symbolises their passion and dynamism. To capture their directness, a bow and arrow motif, reminiscent of Greek deity Eros, perfectly embodies Aries' spirit on their special day.

Harbour House Cornish pub serving food has opened

Jeffrey Robinson, one of the UK's first chefs to have attained a green Michelin star, is heading up the new Cornish pub with food – Harbour House. Set on the waterfront in the historic village of Flushing, on the South Cornish coast, Harbour House heralds a core determination to create and achieve new levels of sustainability in the UK pub trade. The village of Flushing is set on the Penryn River, directly across from Falmouth. The idyllic location offers the perfect home for a sourcing system where an all-day pub business can thrive but be underpinned with not only environmental but social accountability. This is a foundation Jeffrey Robinson believes is essential if you wish to market yourself as 'sustainable'.

Let's talk about sleep - the importance of rest

A new nationwide study has revealed as many as 86 percent of us now regularly struggle to drift off - not good if you're wanting to look and feel your best physically and mentally in the run up to your wedding day and on-the-day itself! Research has revealed the top 20 natural sleep inducers in the modern age – and counting sheep or mugs of Horlicks did not make the cut. In fact, modern Brits are more likely to get intimate with their other half, listen to a true crime podcast, watch a comedy show, tidy their room from top to bottom, or cuddle up with their pet. But the survey shows, simply reading a book is the number one snooze inducing activity (23 percent), followed by scrolling through social media (22 percent), despite the consensus that looking at phones is bad for our sleep patterns.

Calling all newlyweds and nearlyweds - County Wedding Magazines need you!

Here at County Wedding Magazines HQ, there's nothing we love more than our real wedding features - and we couldn't do them without you! If you would like to see your wedding grace the pages of one of our County Wedding Magazine titles, then please do get in touch! Grand and big-budget extravaganzas, to small and intimate I dos, themed from beginning to end, or personalised with a sentimental touch - we want to hear about them all!

The Scarlet Hotel Launches Four Ayurvedic Journeys Inspired By The Cornish Coast

The Scarlet Hotel, an eco-inspired sanctuary nestled on the clifftops of Cornwall's Mawgan Porth, has launched four new well-being journeys inspired by Ayurvedic wellness principles. Each journey focuses on balance and rejuvenation, drawing from ancient practices to promote deep relaxation and healing. Available from two-, three- and four-night packages, and for solo travellers and couples alike, guests will be treated to a programme of whole-body therapies and rejuvenating treatments, complete with the Scarlet's nourishing seasonally inspired cuisine and sea-view accommodation. Inspired by its natural coastal setting, the Spa at Scarlet Hotel draws on the ancient healing power of Ayurveda – a 5,000-year-old natural science that offers pathways towards health and harmony. Set on the Cornish clifftops exposed to the five elements: fire (sun), water (Atlantic Ocean), air (sea-breeze), ether (great expanse of sky) and earth (dramatic clifftops), the Scarlet Spa expresses the wisdom of Ayurveda.

Enjoy fine dining at Da Kona at Wyndham Trenython Manor

Luxury hotel and lodge resort Wyndham Trenython Manor (part of IDILIQ Hotels & Resorts) recently elevated its dining offering with the opening of a fine dining restaurant, Da Kona. Set in a grand, characterful room panelled with carved oak walls said to date back to the 16th century, the ornate decor of the Da Kona restaurant immerses guests in history and sets the scene for a night of indulgence. The menu consists of locally sourced, fresh Cornish ingredients including crab, sea bass and Cornish-bred beef. Head chef Mauricio Zambrano is passionate about working with the best local suppliers, fishermen and farmers to provide the highest quality ingredients and dishes possible. Serving extensive breakfast, dinner and Sunday lunch menus, guests can enjoy a full Cornish-cooked breakfast paired with a Buck's Fizz, and there are also continental and children's breakfasts available.

Lympstone Manor unveils its first Classic Cuvée, harvested from its vineyard

Luxury Devon country house hotel Lympstone Manor is thrilled to announce the launch of its 2020 Classic Cuvée under its "Lympstone Manor Estate" label. Five years after chef and owner Michael Caines planted 17,500 vines in 2018, the long-anticipated launch marks the first sparkling wine produced from the hotel's vineyard, to sit alongside its award-winning 2020 Triassic Pinot Noir, launched in 2022. The estate will also launch a still Rosé Wine in addition to the Classic Cuvée, to be named "Isabeau" after Michael's daughter. This will be followed by further releases of wine including a barrel-aged Chardonnay next year to mark the 7th anniversary of the opening of the hotel.

Make the most of the heatwave with Harbour Hotels

Make the most of the heatwave this September by booking a last-minute staycation with Harbour Hotels in Devon and Cornwall. Located just a few hours on the train from London, Harbour Beach Club & Hotel in Salcombe, Devon offers panoramic views across the picture-perfect beach. Visitors looking for invigorating outdoor experiences can book wild sea swimming lessons with adventure wellness brand Wild Beings, complimentary water sports lessons, paddle boarding or paddle board yoga, kayaking and guided seal walks. Those looking for a slower pace can escape for early morning beachside yoga, guided meditation hikes or enjoy marine-inspired treatments at the spa. Guests can also pick up a picnic from the restaurant to take with them as they explore local coves along winding coastal paths or stroll along to the picturesque town of Salcombe for ice cream.

Newquay Harbour Festival set to take place on Saturday 16th September

On Saturday 16th September from 10 am until late, the bustling Newquay Harbour will celebrate all it has to offer with the inaugural Newquay Harbour Festival. From community-driven organizations like the Rowing Club and RNLI to year-round hospitality at the Boathouse and Harbour Fish and Grill, this festival will truly capture the spirit of Newquay with a day of fun-filled activities and entertainment for all ages, celebrating the rich history and vibrant culture of the iconic Newquay Harbour. The sound of music will fill the air as local bands and artists take to the stage, creating a lively and vibrant atmosphere throughout the day. From foot-tapping folk tunes to energizing rock beats, there will be something to suit every musical taste.

Four tips for storing your wedding dress after the big day

With September tipped to be the most popular month for weddings, when the big day is done deciding what to do with a wedding dress can be tricky. Whilst some people sell them or donate them so future brides can use them, others prefer to keep hold of them and preserve the memory of their wedding day. If you're looking to preserve your wedding dress after the big day, or pass it down to future generations, proper storage is essential in maintaining its pristine condition. With this in mind, Vlatka Lake, storage expert at Space Station shares four tips for storing your wedding dress to keep it in pristine condition. Vlatka adds: "Before putting your dress into storage, make sure you have it cleaned to remove any stains or marks that may have appeared from your wedding day. The most important thing to remember when putting your wedding gown into storage is that it shouldn't be stored in a plastic bag or hung on a hanger. "Plastic covers don't allow for humidity changes and can often let light in that will fade the material of your dress. Hanging your dress can also affect its shape by adding unnecessary stress on the seams or the fabric."

Unique gifts couples give each other on their wedding day

The team at hampers.com recently surveyed UK adults who have gotten married or attended a wedding in the past five years, with the goal of determining what the gifting landscape looks like for wedding season. In doing so, they spoke to almost 800 newlyweds from across the UK and a further 1,400 UK adults who have attended a wedding in the same time frame. Firstly, the study found that it's common for brides and grooms to buy each other a gift for the wedding day itself, with 65% stating they did this for their own wedding day. The average spend was found to be £115, with women most likely to purchase a pocket watch (24%) or a vintage bottle of alcohol (22%) and men most likely to purchase jewellery (37%) or personalised 'Mrs' clothing (19%)...

Big-day gifting ideas from Don't Buy Her Flowers

Gift company, Don't Buy Her Flowers, prides itself for having thoughtfulness at its core, with customers able to create a bespoke gift box that perfectly suits the person and occasion. Whether it's to celebrate, commiserate or offer someone some TLC during a tough time, Don't Buy Her Flowers offers a range of luxury British products from delicious treats, cashmere socks and bubble bath to the perfect G&T and a selection of great books. Each gift box is beautifully gift wrapped with the customer's personalised message handwritten on the gift tag, making it the perfect package for everyone from mothers, newlyweds, teachers and employees.

The Food Drink Devon Awards Unveils this Year's Outstanding Finalists

With the highly anticipated annual Food Drink Devon Awards taking place in October, Food Drink Devon is delighted to announce this year's finalists in the prestigious awards. Following the closure of entries in April, a distinguished panel of judges and industry experts embarked on assessing and judging an unprecedented number of entries. Including many of the county's most respected and influential artisan food and drink producers, more than 300 products were sampled, 95 hospitality establishments visited, 30 retail outlets scrutinised and eight Training School / Learning Experiences were participated in, to select Devon's finest. Winners will be announced during the organisation's glittering black tie award ceremony on Monday 2nd October 2023 at Sandy Park conference centre in Exeter, home of Premiership rugby team Exeter Chiefs.

Devon-based Bar Buoy launches bottled Espresso Martini

The team behind Bar Buoy premium bottled cocktails has teamed up with fellow Devon businesses, Owens Coffee and TORS vodka to reveal its deliciously decadent Espresso Martini (15% ABV). Bar Buoy's Espresso Martini is expertly crafted with Dartmoor-based TORS vodka, coffee liqueur, Owens organic cold brew espresso and sugar syrup. The tasty rich aroma captures the heady scent of freshly roasted coffee. It's punchy, bitter, sweet and smooth all at the same time. To serve, chill the Bar Buoy Espresso Martini in the fridge, give it a good shake in a cocktail shaker with plenty of ice to achieve a thick foam, strain into a martini glass and garnish with three coffee beans – which are said to represent health, wealth and happiness.