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

Five reasons why Champagne is the pinnacle of sparkling wine

The Champagne Bureau UK* have rounded up five reasons why Champagne is the long-standing pinnacle of sparkling wine. Firstly, Champagne only comes from Champagne. Champagne is a 100% French product - the Champagne region is located in France, approximately 90 miles east of Paris. It is a protected appellation (AOC). From 816 to 1825, France's royalty was crowned in Champagne's Reims Cathedral, where Champagne was said to flow freely at all the coronation banquets. Soon, highly prized for their taste and finesse, it became customary to gift these wines to any royalty visiting the region. This is how the Champagne came to be known as the wine of coronation and known in France as "the wine of Kings and the King of wines".

7 ways to ask your friends to be bridesmaids

Bridesmaid proposals are a special moment in any friendship so it's natural to want to put some thought behind popping the question. Personalising gifts such as photo frames or pyjamas are a great way to give friends something they can keep forever. The glass experts at MeandMyGlass.co.uk have shared some of the best bridesmaid proposal ideas to make the occasion memorable.John Cutts, founder of MeandMyGlass said, "Asking your friends and family to be bridesmaids is a special moment and should be done in a special way. "You can't go wrong with a personal touch which is why things like photo frames and pyjamas are a great way to show appreciation to your bridesmaids and you know they'll keep their gift.

Enjoy a sensational summer cocktail this bank holiday from Hattiers Rum

Enjoy a sensational summer cocktail this bank holiday weekend from Devon-based B Corp company Hattiers Rum. Sit back, relax and enjoy the sunshine while sipping on a refreshing Hattiers Rum cocktail. Sure to put you in a sunny mood, Hattiers Rum's Eminence Blended Aged White Rum is the essence of summer and quite simply delightful in cocktails at summer garden parties and picnics, savoured on a balmy summer's evening over ice, or enjoying neat poolside. The UK's first B Corp-certified rum, Hattiers has a fresh take on the traditional art of rum blending with an uncompromising approach to quality and sustainability. Sourcing finely aged rums from over 25 distilleries around the world, their versatile and accessible blends consist of carefully selected rums married together with pure Dartmoor water at their Devon blending house and distillery.

Wedding fragrance suggestions

Floral, citrus, or woody - and everything in between - wedding scents are becoming more popular as couples incorporate them into their day. They can provide an ideal way to remember the occasion, the trigger of a special memory when you come across that fragrance connected to it. What's more, key scents can also help control emotions according to psychologists. Yasmin Sharp, essential oils expert at Nikura, says, "With more than 12 million hashtag views on TikTok, wedding scents (#weddingscent) are becoming more and more popular

Cornwall and Devon's dog-friendly beaches take the top spot

Taking your dog on holiday can be one of the greatest joys of pet ownership. But it's not always as easy to plan a staycation with your pooch in tow, that's why the pet experts at PDSA Pet Insurance have pulled together their favourite dog-friendly beaches so you don't have to, with Cornwall and Devon topping the charts! "In the UK, we're lucky to be (literally) surrounded by amazing coastline and loads of beaches, which can be fun for us and our canine pals," explains PDSA Vet Nurse Nina Downing. "But not every beach is dog friendly, so before you go anywhere make sure you've researched the area first to make sure there are no restrictions in place.

Wedding ring mistakes to avoid!

Aimee Howlett, jewellery expert at Diamonds Factory, has shared how to choose and clean your wedding band. 'When choosing your wedding band, it's important to consider your lifestyle and daily activities. If you're someone with an active lifestyle you might want to go for a more durable material like platinum or tungsten that can withstand potential scratches and avoid a ring that has diamonds. With this in mind, it's worth visiting a jewellery store and trying on different styles of wedding bands, which can be really fun! Pay attention to comfort, fit, and how well it pairs with your engagement ring (if you have one).

Wedding gift inspiration from L'OR

Coffee brand L'OR provides the perfect machine which will ensure you capture the heart of any coffee-loving couple, whilst also providing a useful gift that lasts! With a unique double-spouted design that offers flexibility to adapt to different coffee preferences, the L'OR BARISTA is powered by Phillips technology and has become a much-loved coffee machine since its launch. What's more, the machine is not only compatible with L'OR pods, but also a wide range of alternative branded coffee capsules on the market*, providing maximum flexibility and choice.

L'OR BARISTA Sublime Coffee Machine (£104.99*) is available in Piano Noir, Satin Blanc and Sunset Rubis, while the L'OR BARISTA Original Latte Machines (£164.99*) is available in Piano Noir and includes built-in milk frother.

7 topics all couples should cover in a prenup

While a prenuptial agreement is unlikely to be on many people's wedding checklist, a family lawyer has urged couples who will be tying the knot in the coming months to consider making it a key priority. With research by the law firm revealing that Google searches for terms related to prenups including 'what is a prenup?', 'meaning of prenups' and 'prenups in the UK' have increased by 21% in the last three months compared to the three months previous, it is clear they are growing in popularity.

Ugly Butterfly in Cornwall unveils new luxury afternoon tea

Renowned Chef Adam Handling has launched a brand-new, luxury afternoon tea offering at his award-winning restaurant, Ugly Butterfly in St. Ives, with optional free-flowing bubbles that celebrates the history and tradition of the iconic British afternoon tea, whilst maintaining Ugly Butterfly's ethos of celebrating the very best of Cornish produce and reflecting the sustainable philosophy, for which the restaurant has become known. The afternoon tea has a selection of sandwiches, savouries and sweets that all use ingredients from local suppliers. The sandwich fillings include St. Ives smokehouse salmon with cream cheese on rye bread and St. Ewe egg mayonnaise with cress on malted bread.

Garden wedding ideas for the big day

Co-founder of Togather.com, Hugo Campbell, unveils garden wedding ideas for the big day. As wedding trends evolve, couples may be seeking unique ways to celebrate their special day. For those looking to embrace a laid-back atmosphere and the shabby chic aesthetic, from Ottolenghi-style dining and Aperol carts, to enchanting fairylights and the perfect venue. A festival theme: Many couples are looking for maximum flexibility and the ability to perfectly match their food to the vibe of the day. This summer Togather.com is seeing many couples opting for a festival feel for their food, hiring multiple different street food trucks and allowing their guests a choice of handheld food rather than a sit-down meal. This means they can cater to all sorts of dietary requirements and preferences as well as give their guests a more relaxed feel.

Devon's best food and drink experiences revealed for summer

Food Drink Devon, a membership of more than 350 food and drink producers, hospitality and retailer members, suggests some of the highlights from the county to enjoy this summer. Want to learn more about your favourite Devon food and drink, meet the producers, taste their creations, make your own and learn some new skills? Whatever your favourite tipple or pastime, there's a masterclass or guided tasting to suit everyone. Dip into chocolate making. Explore the spirit world. Get hands-on in the kitchen with some serious cookery skills. Dust down the barbecue and learn how to cook on fire or spend a family day planting seeds and exploring nature.

How Brits are spending and saving on weddings in 2023

New data from Barclays reveals how macro trends such as the cost-of-living crisis, inflation, and social media pressures are impacting weddings in 2023. The report combines proprietary spending data with a survey of 1,000 newlyweds and people engaged to be married to determine this year's top wedding trends and cost-saving behaviours. Two fifths (38 per cent) of newlyweds, and brides- and grooms-to-be are going over budget on their special day, with most of these couples citing the rising cost-of-living (51 per cent) and suppliers being more expensive than they anticipated (44 per cent) as the reasons for this increased spend.

Magnificent tall ships prepare to sail into Falmouth, Cornwall from 15th August

The historic port of Falmouth will host some of the world's finest tall ships for the start of the prestigious race, Magellan Elcano from the 15th until the 18th of August. This will be the sixth time that Falmouth has hosted this special occasion. The fleet includes five Class A ships, around 750 international captains and crew members, and tens of thousands of visitors who will be in Falmouth over four days.

Truffle Tablescapes Launches Luxury Tableware Rental Range

Truffle Tablescapes, a leading UK-based online tablescaping boutique, has launched its first range of rental tableware and accessories that is aimed at those wanting to decorate their lunch and supper parties, events or small weddings. Truffle has been helping at-home entertainers elevate their dinner party looks since it launched during the first lockdown in 2020. Founded by tablescaping expert and interiors lover Kate Fairlie, the brand has expanded again by launching an extensive, yet carefully curated, rental collection of luxury table linens and accessories.

Cornish hotel and spa Bedruthan partners with Oyogo to launch wellness retreats

Bedruthan hotel and spa in Cornwall, has partnered with London-based wellness consultancy Oyogo to launch three new immersive wellness retreats this summer. Focussing on movement, mindfulness and nature, participants can expect slow-paced days on the Cornish coast to rejuvenate and rebalance. Each of the retreats, available as day tickets or three-night programmes, is led by an expert team of practitioners, including leading performance wellbeing coach, podcast host and author, Adrienne Herbert and former Great Britain gymnast Lucy Sesto.

Sentimental gift ideas from Heads & Tails Jewellery

Heads & Tails Jewellery has been making personalised, beautifully designed jewellery for more than 10 years. The brand's innovative products can be treasured by your loved ones for years to come, making them ideal for wedding day gifting. Every handcrafted gift uses high-quality materials and is presented in a luxury gift bag or luxury gift box and comes with a 12 month warranty. Emma Pearson, owner of Heads & Tails Jewellery, shares her top advice for wedding day gifting.

Weatherproofing your UK Wedding

Outdoor weddings can create truly magical experiences, from fairytale forests to Bridgerton-style countryside escapes, being surrounded by the natural world, the sound of birdsong and a gentle breeze is a perfect day for some. We wish that were always the case, but no matter how meticulously you plan your wedding, the one thing that will always be beyond your control is the notoriously unpredictable Great British weather. Fulton Umbrellas have come up with a handy guide on how you can weatherproof your wedding.

Attending a wedding this summer - save on travel costs

Now that wedding season is upon us, a recent survey by Railcard has revealed that wedding guests spend on average a whopping £402.90 on each wedding they attend. With 31% of Brits having attended between one and three weddings in the past two years, these sometimes-overlooked expenses can quickly rack up. In fact, 59% of those surveyed admit that they would decline a wedding invitation if the costs of attending were too high, showing that cost-savings to any wedding expense can really make the difference for those who RSVP 'Yes' or a regretful 'No'.

BBC Two set to show the Ultimate Wedding Planner with Devon-based florist

This month, eight aspiring wedding planners will battle it out on BBC Two to become the Ultimate Wedding Planner, as six brave couples let them take control of their special day. Hailing from Plymouth is Yasmin, a talented local florist, plus other contestants from Powys, Belfast, Hull, Leicestershire, London, Kent and Luton - who will be crowned the Ultimate Wedding Planner?

Wedding speech pressure: top tips to nail it!

Whether the best man, the bride or a family member, giving a speech at a wedding naturally comes with pressure to perform. In fact Dr Chris Hartley, a sport and performance psychologist working with Insure4Sport, has likened it to the pressure faced by professional sportspeople in a major event like a penalty kick or break point. Here, he shares top tips on how to cope with the weight of expectation, fear of failure when giving a wedding speech, using sport psychology techniques he employs when working with top athletes.