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

10 things wedding guests really care

Whether it's an open bar, live band or fireworks, choosing the best elements to add to your wedding day could really make or break your big day, new research reveals. Wedding experts Queensmith analysed thousands of comments from Reddit to reveal the things that really matter to guests when attending a wedding. Unsurprisingly, an open bar is a consistent success with guests at a wedding, however, it seems seating charts and a late-night snack are just as important.

Your wedding playlist, according to DJ experts

Now that we have entered peak wedding season, (May-October), DJing experts from CD Pool have provided the ultimate wedding playlists for your reception that is guaranteed to keep the dance floor hopping with happy guests. CD Pool analysed Spotify API data, exploring 2117 playlists with the keyword "wedding" to compile four playlists that reflect the atmosphere at different stages of the wedding reception. The suggested No. 1 song to include in your wedding playlist is I Wanna Dance With Somebody by Whitney Houston, a guaranteed floorfiller that appeared in over 320 playlists on Spotify, making it the most popular wedding-related track.

Top wedding travel tips for big-day guests

Anita Naik, Savings Expert at VoucherCodes.co.uk provides her top tips on how to manage journey costs, when travelling to attend a wedding. "Wedding ceremonies are well known for placing financial strain upon guests, ranging from the cost associated with your gift, to a new outfit, and even – your transport. Whether the ceremony is being held in the UK, or further afield, consumers will likely have to travel to attend a loved one's big day. I've pulled together my top tips to help you cut costs and ensure you can enjoy your family and friend's nuptials without worrying about your finances.

The Falmouth Cringe Festival in Cornwall begins

The Falmouth Cringe Festival begins in Falmouth today and excitement is building for the arrival of well-known comedians and actors, such as Tim Key and Shappi Khorsandi. Tim Key (Alan Partridge, The Witchfinder) will be playing to a sold-out crowd at The Poly Theatre, in what will be his final performance of his wildly successful Mulberry tour. Other shows in The Poly include BAFTA award-winning actor Spencer Jones who is bringing his absurdist WIP show down to Falmouth for one night only. Joining him in The Poly will be well-known comedian Josh Berry who rose to fame on BBC Radio 4 Extras Newsjack and Radio 4's Deadringers and French Tiktok star Tatty Mcleoud. Flying the flag for Cornish comedians, Tamsyn Kelly will perform her hit show 'Crying in TKMAXX' – a hilarious show about meeting her estranged father in the popular discount store.

Save Your Spending as a Wedding Guest!

Weddings are one of the most joyous occasions to attend, however the cost of simply being a guest can add up quickly. Here are NetVoucherCodes' top tips to save money when attending a wedding.

Pinterest’s wedding trends we love this summer

Wedding supply experts at Aura Print have served up the top 10 summer wedding trends we need to know about, as loved by Pinterest. From disco balls, to Barbie-core, upcycling to anti-bridal - get ready to see these wedding trends everywhere! You can never have too much sparkle at your wedding, and we love the playful, retro feel to it. The trend started to pick up steam in 2020, when glitter balls and 80s playlists became a great DIY option to add some retro-meets-modern fabulousness to the big day. The trend is going nowhere this summer, with over 32k Pinterest pins and a 7400% global increase in searches since January. So get your groove on and be ready to dance the night away!

Here’s how to include your dog in your big day

Wedding days are often filled with celebrations with the ones you love the most, so it's understandable that for many people it simply wouldn't feel right to celebrate their special day without their faithful furry companion. "From a 'dog of honour' to a ring bearer, the possibilities of including your pet at your wedding are endless," explains PDSA Vet Nurse Nina Downing. "While bringing your dog along to your wedding can be rewarding, it can also add some complexity so there's lots to think about to make it work." Nina has pulled together her top tips and some things to consider before saying yes to involving your pet on your big day!

Trewithen Dairy presents Wimbledon-inspired English cream tea

Immerse yourself in the true essence of Wimbledon, whether you're captivated by the on-court action or enjoying the tournament from the comfort of your sofa, with the perfect serving of strawberries and cream. Cornish-based Trewithen Dairy is offering an exclusive limited-edition summer hamper, designed to delight all aficionados of a quintessentially English cream tea. With the rich heritage of Cornwall woven into each product, this is a true celebration of English culinary traditions. Inside the carefully curated hamper, there's a selection of premium products including Trewithen Dairy's award-winning golden crusted clotted cream, four scones (plain, fruit or gluten-free), a pot of Cornish strawberry jam, The Cornish Tea Company's tea bags or Cornish ground coffee and two cans of Pimms. Extra Pimms cans and a special Wimbledon Guest Towel can also be purchased as optional additions.

7 wedding moments to capture in photos

Wedding photographers will have their own photos they will capture on the day with important ones including the first kiss, first dance and the bride walking down the aisle. However, couples should also have an idea of the kinds of photos they'd like to have and suggest these to their photographer if they haven't discussed them already. Matt Dahan from ParrotPrint.com says, "Your wedding happens once and you want to capture as much as you can so you have some really lovely memories to look back on. As a couple it's always a good idea to sit down with your wedding photographer and talk about how you want your pictures to look and the kinds of images you want captured.

Keep your wedding scheme alive at home

It's no surprise couples often suffer from the wedding blues after their nuptials, but with peak wedding season around the corner, to help those wondering how they can relive their special day, Stephanie King, Colour Expert & Creative Lead at Dulux, is sharing her savvy tips to help. Stephanie says, "Not only will utilising elements from your wedding help you save money when re-decorating, but recreating your wedding theme at home can help couples create a more meaningful space that brings personality and happy memories into the home. Weddings are full of sentimental value, so creating a space which reflects a shared experience and sense of nostalgia will act as a constant reminder of your beautiful moment and love for each other every day."

Say I do with these 5 tips on saving for a wedding

Your wedding is likely to be one of the most important days of your life. While the day itself should be as relaxed as possible, a lot of time, money and effort goes in to making sure that is possible. The cost of living is impacting prices across the board, and wedding suppliers are no exception. For those gearing up for their wedding day, Emma Watson, Head of Financial Planning at Rathbones Group Plc, shares her top tips for anyone putting a budget together for that important day.

Brits are spending nearly £1k attending a friend's hen party!

It's always exciting news when you find out your close friend is getting married, but have you ever stopped to consider how much the wedding is going to cost you? Life insurance broker, Reassured polled 1,500 people to reveal the costs of attending a hen party. To be exact, you'll be out of pocket by nearly £979 for attending the hen party!

The Tropical Pressure Festival returns to Cornwall this July

Cornwall is set to come alive to the sounds, colours and tastes of Latin American, African and Caribbean cultures in July as the Tropical Pressure Festival returns. Taking place from the 14th to the 16th of July, the unmissable three-day event is brimming with a diverse line-up of music, food, workshops, and much more. From captivating performances by renowned musicians to immersive workshops celebrating the rich traditions of these regions, the Tropical Pressure Festival offers guests an opportunity to experience the diversity of global cultures without leaving Cornwall.

Pre-wedding wellbeing

Lovendu was created to help people improve their mental wellbeing and become the best version of themselves. In the lead up to a wedding, it's also important to manage your wellbeing. The brand's new Romanticising Your Life Journal provides daily gratitude reminders, mindfulness activities and motivational quotes, you will be encouraged to live in the present moment and notice the beauty in life. With the Romanticising Your Life Journal, you will have space for 14 weeks of daily journalling- your perfect accompaniment for pre-wedding preparations.

Sweet-scented celebrations

After a wedding, creating a calming atmosphere is important to beginning a new chapter in your lives. A Yankee candle provides the perfect mood for unforgettable moments. The wide range of soft, bright, cool and warm tones fit into any colour scheme, while the hand-drawn illustrations effortlessly enhance a room. There is a candle for each unique taste, whether you like fruity and floral, or earthy and spicy notes, each candle holds a long-lasting scent that can be enjoyed time and time again.

Spabreaks.com reveal 10% discount for all things wedding

Whether it's a hen do, mini moon, wedding gift or honeymoon, there's lots of reasons to visit the spa in and around your wedding day and Spabreaks.com have you covered. Spabreaks.com, Europe's leading spa booking and experience agency, is offering 10% discount on gift vouchers between the 26th and 30th June using code WEDDING. Whether you need some time out from wedding planning or simply want to get away before the big day, Spabreaks.com have a range of bridal spa packages bookable instantly for the perfect pre-wedding pamper.

Make way for the Barbie-themed hen party

Following the upcoming release of new movie Barbie, 21st July 2023, featuring Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling - match made in Barbie heaven - unsurprisingly it's all about the Barbie hen party theme right now! Step forward, Team Hen, we're talking hot pink accessories as far as the eye can see. Luckily, for all the bride tribes out there looking to nail the trend these bride-worthy accessories and decor details will be an instagram hit channeling the coveted barbie-inspired vibe!

Think pink ring shot glasses, hot pink bride squad t-shirts, handbag-sized lip balms, balloon arch kits and sunglasses-shaped balloons - all Barbie style.

Cornwall-based theatre company Wildworks sees its show hit cinemas this summer

Couples heading to Cornwall for their honeymoon this summer shouldn't miss seeing the stunning landscapes in the internationally renowned, Cornwall-based theatre company Wildworks' show I AM KEVIN which has been reimagined for film. It will receive its world premiere on Sunday 9th July in Truro's Plaza Cinema from 6 pm, followed by screenings in cinemas across Cornwall until Saturday, July 29th. Captured during its dramatic live performances on Cornwall's Carlyon Beach during the summer of 2022 but with added extras, I AM KEVIN is a genre-defying, theatre/film hybrid. Described as 'dark, humorous, fiery and honest', it is ultimately a moving story about imagination and grief - about being lost in the dark, and realising you are not alone. Through 'I AM KEVIN' the film, cinemagoers will be invited to let their imaginations run wild on a journey of impossibility, joining a young boy on his eventful quest to find the light in the darkness.

Cakes and gifts for summer wedding season

French pâtissier Ladurée, expert in providing luxury macarons and table favours, has a gorgeous selection of sweet gifts, cakes and macaron towers that would make the most gorgeous addition to any wedding celebration this summer. The story of the Ladurée macaron starts in the middle of the 20th century with Pierre Desfontaines , who had the idea of sticking two macaron shells together and filling them with a delicious ganache. Since then, the recipe remains unchanged.

How to plan your finances for marriage

Wedding season is now in full swing as couples prepare for their big day. For those planning to tie the knot, wedding preparations are not the only things that need careful planning. Taking the right steps to prepare financially for marriage can help to prevent unexpected surprises as couples embark on their new life together. Weddings are magical moments but they also require a level of practicality, to ensure that you get your partnership off to the right start. So, what can couples do to make sure they are perfectly aligned before they say their vows?