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March/April 2025 |
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With Easter now upon us, this feels like it’s going to be an egg-cellent year! Not only can we look forward to this spring break (and all the tasty treats that it offers), but we also have the ones coming up in May, too.
If you’re searching for stylish mother-of-the-bride wedding outfits then turn to our dressing the bridal feature on page 46 for inspiration for your leading lady.
If you’re planning a wedding in a hotel venue, turn to page 15 to read about some of the chicest properties in both regions. Any good wedding needs great music and entertainment so fun-filled ideas are revealed on page 41.
For those of you dreaming of sun-drenched shores and turquoise waters, our fabulous honeymoon section starting on page 68 won’t disappoint and don’t forget to take advantage of our special offer with World Class Travel on page 13.
That’s not all – there’s also new-season bridal fashion, brilliant beauty buys, news, venues and more. If you’ve just started your wedding planning journey then enjoy the ride and I’ll see you next issue!
Claire x |
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| Image credit: Ivy House Photography |
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| Spotlight on... East and Mid Devon |
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Ashridge Great Barn
Ashridge Great Barn is rustic and characterful with parts dating back to the Middle Ages. Stone and cob walls combine to create a warm and inviting ambience while wooden beams decked in fairylights provide the opportunity to add festive and whimsical touches. The large wooden double doors and plentiful windows maintain a connection with the lush green surroundings outside and help keep the interior light and airy plus there’s an outdoor seating area with wooden tables and chairs along with a firepit that’s set up beside the barn, shaded by canvas canopies.
A short walk from the barn, which is perched in a charming and serene countryside setting, is the semi-formal Victorian gardens and arboretum with majestic trees providing a patchwork of shade on the extensive manicured lawns. The Magic Circle is an outdoor room featuring Acer trees and a small pavilion which creates a natural, intimate enclosure for ceremonies with no limit on the number of guests. The Secret Glade is a natural opening in mixed woodland providing a spectacular backdrop for al fresco woodland ceremonies. With power and water provided, it offers the perfect mix of indoor amenities with a stunning backdrop. There’s the option to weatherproof this area with a stretch tent or marquee.
Also within the formal Victorian gardens is the Secret Glade hosting up to 80 people for a ceremony. It’s a natural opening in mixed woodland providing a spectacular backdrop surrounded by mature trees and natural regrowth including bluebells in season.
Indoor ceremonies take place inside Ashridge Great Barn for up to 120 guests. With opportunities for hanging installations and a selection of backdrop accessories, every beautiful wedding is different. When it comes to the wedding reception, the extensive reception lawns offer no limit on capacity – and they’re home to a Victorian tennis court that’s shaded by mature conifer trees. There’s space here for lawn games, drinks, and nibbles, as well as a game of croquet or cricket for the more energetic!
Ashridge Great Barn can accommodate up to 140 guests seated or up to 200 loved ones with a flexible seating plan. There’s a sprung dancefloor and the option to have an indoor or outdoor bar. The adjacent outdoor space is easily accessible through two double doors providing a flow between the indoor seating area and dancefloor and the outdoor firepit with a log supply. The snug provides a quieter space to retreat to complete with cosy furniture.
The scenic lawn space next to the barn allows guests to spill outside. Surrounded by greenery while still being close to the barn, this provides a great area for additional seating or entertainment whilst maintaining connection with the main party.
Highlights at the venue include The Snug, a quiet space for guests to relax in a comfortable armchair and take part in board games or under a cosy blanket at the end of the evening. The Walled Garden, with stunning views across the valley, is a wedding photographer’s favourite spot which can also provide a private space for couples to retreat away from the spotlight. The Woods located just a short stroll from the gardens is a small area of mixed woodland and a larch plantation which provides an interesting backdrop for couples’ photographs, or a scenic walk as a newly married couple.
Included in the standard hire is three nights of accommodation for up to nine people with complimentary camping for up to 20 guests. Custom glamping and camping packages are also available with vintage crockery and cutlery and a prop collection including backdrop and floristry accessories. There’s also the option to collect foliage from the surrounding area and casual furniture can be provided for the drinks reception. Outdoor furniture and rustic formal furniture can also be hired for the ceremony and wedding breakfast.
Ashridge Great Barn is a dry hire venue which provides individual planning support and coordination for couples to put together their dream bespoke wedding day. Set on a regenerative working farm, producing pasture-fed beef on conservation grassland and forestry products from woodland (which supports vulnerable species of mammals and red-listed birds) sustainability is at the heart of everything the team do. From support for suppliers and the recycling and reduction of food waste to providing vintage crockery, cutlery and a wide range of reusable decorative touches for couples to use, the team are passionate about helping couples host a beautiful celebration that’s kind to the planet. To allow for larger numbers of guests to stay on-site, a new water-saving toilet and shower block are being installed so that facilities don’t need to be hired in.
Visit: www.ashridgegreatbarn.co.uk
Check out more local venues on page 20 of the current issue available now: www.yourdevoncornwall.wedding/free-download |
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| Everything you need to know about pre-nups |
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While pre-nups were once seen as only for the wealthy, they are becoming increasingly popular as a way to provide financial clarity and peace of mind, especially if you are a business owner, have inheritance or assets acquired prior to the marriage. In my view, prenuptial agreements should be seen like car or wedding insurance, arranged in the event that something should happen, but not with the expectation that it is needed.
Read more...... |
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| 5 Changes to Your Skincare You Need to Make This Spring |
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The change form bitter Winter to humid Summer can have a lasting impact on your skin, but how can we combat this? Ryan Porter, skincare expert at Fat Cow Skincare unpacks the best way to help your skin this Spring. From lighter moisturisers to gentle exfoliation, Porter explains why certain habits are making our skin look tired and overwhelmed. Are you following the golden skincare rules? Or is this your wake up call to the glowing side of life. Listen to your skin the same way your listen to your body and find out what it's calling for.
Read more...... |
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| Muscat moments |
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A cultural melting pot offering honeymoon experiences to last a lifetime, Louise Prance discovers why Oman is the jewel in the Middle East's crown
Read more...... |
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| Forthcoming Events |
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Please note: All dates are subject to changes, contact organisers for more information before making arrangements. To view more events, please visit the events page on our website...
27 Apr 2025 - The Quirky Wedding Fayre at Hawke Barn
Hawke Barn Wedding and Special Events Venue, Thorne Farm, Stoodleigh, EX16 9QG
www.eventbrite.co.uk
Are you a venue or show organiser hosting your own wedding event, open day or showcase? Then submit your event details here now: www.county.wedding/events-add |
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| Read the latest issue of Your Devon and Cornwall Wedding for FREE! |
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Full of wedding ideas, expert advice and talented local suppliers, Your Devon and Cornwall Wedding is now available for free – simply follow this link to download the latest issue. For even more inspiration, you can also check out our previous issues.
Interested in areas outside of Devon and Cornwall? You can read any of our other 18 regional wedding magazines here.
Happy planning! |
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