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

The Garden Café Newquay Picks Up National Good Food Award for Second Year Running

The Garden Café, based at the Heritage Cottages in Newquay's stunning Trenance Gardens has picked up a National Good Food Award for the second year running. After the delight of the first win in 2023 the café has worked hard throughout 2024 and through its customer service and value for money heritage menu has again been selected for the award. A spokesperson for the Good Food Awards said, "We celebrate top-notch food, service, and value, basing our awards on what matters most: customer opinion. By using customer feedback/online reviews/nominations/votes, we ensure our awards reflect genuine dining experiences. Many awardees continue to shine by maintaining the high standards that first earned them recognition."

Padstow Distilling recently won Gold, Silver and Bronze medals

Cornish distillers, Padstow Distilling recently triumphed at the International Wine and Spirit Competition (IWSC), earning four awards: Gold, Silver and two Bronze medals. Specialising in crafting spirits with ingredients farmed and foraged on the North Cornwall coast, Padstow Distilling has gained a reputation for its small-batch spirits. Founder David McWilliams and his team use Cornish barley grown one mile away from the distillery to create their base, with the process taking three weeks to ensure the highest quality of provenance for the distillery's spirits. Wins for Padstow Distilling include a Gold award for its vodka Padstow Vodka Gun Point, a Silver award for its gin Padstow Gin St George's Well and Bronze awards for Padstow Rose Gin Hawker's Cove and Navy Strength Gin Stepper Point.

Seasonal style

As seasons change, it's important to be aware of how the weather affects the wedding. Editorial Assistant Millicent Garton takes you through some suggestions of how to embrace the chill and celebrate the sun. Much like seasons, it's only natural that weddings and their themes flow and evolve with changing year. From the cake and catering to the dress and décor, all elements of the big day can be influenced by the time of year, so it's only fitting that special attention should be given to those minor details.

Luxury Lodges offer pet-friendly accommodation in Cornwall

With 34% of UK households now owning a pet dog, the demand for pet-friendly accommodation has unsurprisingly rocketed. Luxury Lodges are meeting this demand head-on with the addition of multiple, new pet-friendly lodges across their sites, located in Britain's most loved holiday destinations. These are perfect for wedding guests who want to travel with their four-legged friends. Luxury Lodges' beautiful North Cornwall site, Bude Coastal Resort, as well as its stunning South Cornwall site, Clowance, are surrounded by nature and coastline, offering the perfect base for guests and their furry friends to explore the stunning surrounding scenery and nearby beaches.

PoB Hotels launches new Experience Gift Vouchers

Just in time for the gifting season, PoB Hotels, with properties in Devon and Cornwall, has unveiled a collection of new experience gift voucher offerings. These include Seasoned to Perfection, Pampers Paradise and Time for Tea. Each gift voucher allows visitors to experience any of the hotels across the PoB Hotels collection. With choices ranging from £100 to £200, the Seasoned to Perfection experience voucher can be used at any of the collection's hotels, whether for a relaxed lunch or a memorable dinner. The Pampers Paradise experience voucher can also be used at any of the collection's spa hotels, including a soothing spa day, a bespoke treatment or a refreshing wellness class. There's also the Time for Tea £50 or £75 voucher.

Devon hotel Bovey Castle wins top HR award for approach to wellbeing

A boutique hotel in Devon has landed a national award for the way it looks after its workforce – including a scientific approach that aims to promote happy chemicals. The Eden Hotel Collection – which runs five-star Bovey Castle on Dartmoor – collected the Excellence in Reward & Recognition Award at the Annual Awards for Excellence in HR, which is organised by the association HR in Hospitality. It comes nine months after Bovey Castle refreshed its recognition strategy, including the introduction of the Happy Hub, which is a programme focusing on activities that help to generate the four key hormones that drive positive mental health – dopamine, oxytocin, serotonin and endorphins.

Celebrate Great British Game Week with the Adam Handling Collection

Known for his commitment to sustainability and zero waste, Chef Adam Handling MBE is celebrating Great British Game Week at the Adam Handling Collection by showcasing the most sustainable of game meats, wild venison, at his pubs The Loch & the Tyne, in Old Windsor, and The Tartan Fox, in Newquay. Guests are encouraged to try the traditional dishes with a delicious twist, such as venison scotch egg, tartare sauce, venison and apple croquettes, venison burger, cheddar cheese, caramelised onion, and grilled venison haunch at The Loch and the Tyne in Berkshire. Roast loin of venison, celeriac, girolles, brambles will be served at their latest opening, The Tartan Fox, which launched in June of this year in Cornwall.

New premium holiday cottage provider, Devon Hideaways launches

The Hideaways Holiday group has announced the launch of Devon Hideaways, a portfolio of cottages spanning the North, East, Central and West Devon, along with South Hams, Torbay and Dartmoor. Devon Hideaways is the Hideaway Holiday Group's ninth regional brand and follows the success of its neighbouring brands, Cornwall Hideaways and Dorset Hideaways perfect for honeymoons. Predominantly rural, with rolling hills and huge, open skies, Devon is most popular for Dartmoor and its quiet seaside villages and towns. Devon Hideaways' collection of idyllic holiday cottages means it's never been easier to escape for a honeymoon, mini-moon or staycation and the growing selection of properties ranges from rustic thatched cottages and elegant family manors to lighthouse keepers cottages.

New Cornish beauty brand Belle Natural unveils new range

Founded in Cornwall, family-run business Belle Natural has introduced a new range of seven innovative products for natural beauty and well-being with more to be launched soon in the coming months. Belle Natural provides a trustworthy alternative for a more natural approach to personal care. Founder Freddie Latham says, "Belle Natural seeks to meet our client's skin and hair care needs with natural solutions which are effective yet feel indulgent. All products are crafted with entirely plant-based ingredients and are free from harmful chemicals. The range includes a variety of products for skin and hair - for women and men alike."

Make sure your wedding day is protected! 

When you're planning a wedding, getting insured is important to protect yourself against anything that could go awry just before, or on the big day. For those aiming to tie the knot this year, Alex Cross, Insurance Director at Tesco Bank shares his top tips on things to consider for your wedding day and make sure you're covered so things can run as smoothly as possible. Weddings can be a pricey affair, with the average cost of a UK wedding in 2024 coming in at around £20,755. Knowing the total cost of your wedding and how much you're spending on each element of your big day is crucial before choosing your insurance policy. Identifying any big-ticket expenses that you'll want covered should anything go wrong, such as venues, caterers, photographers, or dresses is also key. This can also help you decide if standard insurance policies will be enough or if you'll need something more specific or customised.

Enjoy idyllic self-catering lodges in Cornwall this season

Enjoy idyllic self-catering lodges for couples, families and groups in Cornwall this season with the Luxury Lodge Collection that offers stylish, five-star, self-catering resorts across the UK, located in some of Britain's most popular holiday destinations. These resorts provide the ultimate autumn retreat and are the ideal choice for mini-moons, family-moons and wedding guest accommodation. Guests can immerse themselves in the beauty of the season, surrounded by stunning parklands, while enjoying absolute luxury at Clowance Estate in South Cornwall, or Bude Coastal Resort in North Cornwall. Best for outdoor enthusiasts - Bude Coastal Resort (Glass House Lodge) provides guests with a truly idyllic coastal getaway in Cornwall.

LYMPSTONE MANOR IN DEVON RECEIVES SUITE OF AWARDS

Devon's Lympstone Manor has announced award wins following the first Michelin Hotel Awards and the AA Hospitality Awards. Lympstone Manor retained 5 AA Rosettes at this year's AA Hospitality Awards. Honoured for their culinary excellence, the award places Lympstone Manor amongst just 19 other restaurants in the UK to hold 5 AA Rosettes. The hotel was also acknowledged in the AA Notable Wine List, making it one of only 298 establishments awarded the AA Notable Wine List Award. Following from the first inaugural awards ceremony on October 1st; Lympstone Manor was awarded Two Keys in the newly launched Michelin Hotel Awards.

How to avoid pre-nups becoming a wedding alarm bell

As one of the most popular seasons for wedding proposals approaches, couples are being reminded to factor pre-nuptials into their plans well ahead of the big day. No longer associated with the rich and famous, people from all walks of life and finance levels are entering into nuptial agreements. And often it's not the couples themselves who initiate the idea to enter into a nuptial agreement, it can often be suggested by their parents. "It's becoming more common for couples to take out an agreement because their parents have helped them financially more than perhaps, they did 5 to 10 years ago," said Sally Ward, a Senior Associate solicitor in Family Law at leading law firm, Ellisons Solicitors.

Salcombe Gin partners with Fortnum & Mason

Salcombe Gin, renowned for its craftsmanship and distinctive flavour profiles, has partnered with Fortnum & Mason to create Salcombe Gin x Fortnum & Mason Moscatel Cask Aged Gin 2024 Release, the iconic British retailer's first single cask aged gin. The special new release, which is exclusive to Fortnum & Mason, is available from all Fortnum & Mason stores and online. The single cask aged gin is £69.50 and available in a 50cl bottle, ABV: 46%. Inspired by Salcombe Gin's love of adventure, the exceptional single cask aged gin showcases a unique approach to cask ageing of cask first, liquid second. Working with world famous Fortnum & Mason, known for its extraordinary food and drink experiences, the new release started its journey in Portugal.

Donations instead of wedding gifts - support VOW for Girls

From unconventional venues to unique attire choices, modern couples are redefining what it means to celebrate love. But what if one of these unique touches could mean helping change the lives of millions of girls around the world? This is where VOW for Girls steps in. Founded by Princess Mabel van Orange of the Netherlands, a serial entrepreneur for social change and founder of VOW for Girls, this unique charity aims to tackle the urgent issue of child marriage through a creative and powerful funding method. Instead of the usual wedding day traditions, VOW for Girls invites couples to use their special day as a force for good. By saying 'I do,' couples can empower millions of young girls to say 'I do' to a brighter future.

Experience a Magical Cornish Christmas at Scarlet Hotel

Experience a magical Cornish Christmas at the stunning Scarlet Hotel in Mawgan Porth where the Xmas break is all about relaxation and wellness. Couples can unwind in peaceful lounges admiring stunning clifftop views, take tranquil walks on the beach, and enjoy leisurely days of rest while evenings are filled with exceptional food. Christmas Day begins with a refreshing clementine fizz breakfast, followed by a four-course lunch. The curated menu, created by head chef Jack Clayton and his team, showcases the finest locally sourced ingredients that the Cornish coast has to offer. On Boxing Day, guests are invited for an invigorating dip in the ocean, followed by a choice between a relaxing Clifftop Hot Tub or a peaceful Candlelit Copper Tub experience for two.

Winter wedding colour trends set to dominate 2024 & 2025

The date has been set, the invitations are out. Have you planned a winter wedding for this season and are still looking for inspiration for your decorations? Trend expert Ella Citron-Thompkins from Diamonds Factory tells us which five colour schemes are ideal...Ice Princess: silver, white, blue, grey: For those who prefer classic elegance, the "Ice Princess" colour scheme is perfect. The cool colour palette of silver, white, blue and grey creates an elegant, frosty look and adds a touch of fairytale magic to your winter wedding. Crystal clear accents such as ice crystals, sparkling fairy lights and shimmering decorations fit perfectly and create a magical, almost arctic atmosphere.

Great Taste awards reveal Cornwall’s best food and drink in 2024

The Guild of Fine Food has released the results for Great Taste 2024 and Cornwall has won 27 awards, including 17 1-star, nine 2-star and one 3-star, the highest accolade available at this level. Nearly 3,500 companies from 115 countries around the world entered Great Taste this year, between them offering 13,672 products for review. The UK entered 8,008 products from 2,528 companies. Each entry was meticulously blind-tasted by the Guild's expert judging panel of more than 500 food critics, chefs, recipe creators, buyers, retailers, and other specialists in the field of food and drink. Entries were analysed across 92 judging days, each receiving detailed feedback, on whether or not they obtained an award.

St Michaels Resort, Falmouth to host Oyster Weekend in November

St Michaels Resort, Falmouth has been the proud sponsor of the Falmouth Oyster Festival for more than twenty years – a tradition that runs deep in the local area. Due to rising costs, the festival has been cancelled this year, but the team at St Michaels has confirmed that a community event will be held to fill the void at the resort. The weekend-long event from the 15th until the 17th of November will celebrate the famed local delicacy, as well as the Falmouth community and will mark the beginning of the oyster dredging season this autumn in beautiful Cornwall.

Top tips for a happy marriage

Victoria Walker, family lawyer and partner at Moore Barlow gives her top tips for a happy marriage! A happy marriage is built on a foundation of effective communication, love and mutual respect. Here are my essential tips to strengthen your partnership and foster lasting happiness. Wishing you all the best for your hopefully happy ever after. Before getting married... Don't rush! Take your time to really get to know the person. Ensuring that you both share similar or complementary aspirations is key. I've encountered couples where one person desired early retirement or to work overseas while the other was not in agreement, leading to irreconcilable differences and the end of the relationship. There have also been instances where one partner was satisfied with a simple and less demanding lifestyle, while the other was not. Qualities that were initially endearing might become sources of frustration later on.