When choosing a wedding venue, some venues impress you. Others don’t feel quite right. And once in a while, you walk into a space and feel something shift, a quiet sense of belonging, and that this might be the one. That’s when you know you’ve found it. At Pynes...
Journal
Real weddings, inspiration, planning advice and more…
10 Questions Every Couple Should Ask Their Wedding Venue (And Our Answers at Pynes House)
Choosing your wedding venue is one of the most meaningful decisions you'll make as you begin planning your big day. The venue sets the tone, defines the flow, and becomes the backdrop for the memories you’ll treasure forever. But how do you know if a venue is truly...
What is a Civil Ceremony?
A Simple Guide for Elegant Weddings If you're in the early stages of wedding planning, you've probably heard the term "civil ceremony" more than once – but what exactly does it mean? And how does it compare to other types of ceremonies? At our beautiful country house...
The Charm of a Classic English Country Wedding at Pynes House
There’s something effortlessly romantic about a classic English country wedding. The timeless elegance of a heritage house, the gentle rustle of leaves in the garden breeze, and the golden afternoon light that softens everything it touches. At Pynes House, nestled in...
Everything You Need to Know About Our Wedding Venue with Onsite Accommodation: The Wedding Suite and Bedrooms
The next addition to the Everything You Need to Know About Pynes House series, we’re excited to dive into the wedding suite and bedrooms at our wedding venue with onsite accommodation. So, if you’re on the hunt for a wedding venue with onsite accommodation that exudes...
A Charming English Scottish Fusion Wedding at Pynes House
Style: Minimalist, Fresh, Seasonal Season: Autumn Ceremony Location: Drawing Room at Pynes House Reception Location: The Rose Garden and Ballroom at Pynes House Entertainment: Scottish Ceilidh and Disco Extra Touches: Scottish Fusion; Bagpipers, Scottish Tablet...
Everything You Need To Know About Pynes House: The Wedding Reception
It’s time to talk about the wedding reception! The second in our blogging series on everything you need to know about Pynes House (see our tips and tricks for the wedding breakfast here), we’ve packed together some useful information and all our best advice gathered...
Supplier Spotlight: Luxuriously distinctive Wedding Planning and Co-Ordination with Katrina Otter Weddings
We’ve had the pleasure of working with Kat from Katrina Otter Weddings here at Pynes House over the years and it’s always lovely to see her beautiful curations and meticulous planning in action. Specialising in full-service wedding planning and on-the-day...
Everything You Need To Know About Pynes House: The Wedding Breakfast
We’re excited to kick off the 'Everything You Need to Know About Pynes House' series with our insights on the all-important wedding breakfast and the various options available here at Pynes House. From décor inspiration to layout ideas and stunning locations, we’ve...
A Black-Tie English-Swedish Fusion Wedding – Filippa and Sam
Style: Black Tie with Candles and Red Roses, Minimalist, English-Swedish Theme Season: Autumn Ceremony Location: The Drawing Room at Pynes House Reception Location: Outdoors on the Rose Terrace at Pynes House Entertainment: Ceremony Violinist, Evening DJ Extra...
Our 10 Favourite Ideas for a Decadent and Luxurious Bridgerton-Inspired Wedding
From overflowing urns of soft, ethereal florals to refined regency glamour in gilded state rooms and decadent details set amongst soft, ethereal hues of the powder blue and blush, it’s no secret that a Bridgerton-inspired wedding can be truly enchanting. Having seen a...
Local Supplier Spotlight – Bespoke Watercolour Wedding Stationery by De Winton Paper Co
We’re very excited to feature de Winton Paper Co, a local bespoke watercolour wedding stationery supplier. Launched by Harriet seven years ago, the de Winton Paper Co stationery studio is all about creating bespoke stationery suites, which use personal touches and...
Wedding Venues Exeter – Pynes House Stately Home Venue
Whether you’re searching through the wedding venues Exeter has to offer or scouting up and down the country for a venue which fits your wedding vision, there are a multitude of beautiful venues and locations around the UK. As lovely as this is, it can also prove a...
Great British Blooms – Sustainable Wedding Floristry
It’s time to talk about sustainable wedding floristry! One of our lovely recommended suppliers, Emma Hewlett Floral Design, offers a sustainability focused British wedding flowers package and we thought it was only right to speak a bit more about what it’s all about,...
Our Romantic Winter Wedding Venue in Devon – Pynes House
As lovely as a summer wedding can be with its long, balmy evenings and flowers in bloom, there’s something to be said for the winter months of the year and the sumptuous, atmospheric beauty that they bring to wedding celebrations. As we’re lucky enough to see a number...
A Festive Winter Wedding in Devon – Matt & Fiona
Colour Scheme: Forest Green and White Style: Festive, Decadent, Warm Season: Winter Ceremony Location: St Michaels and All Angels Mount Dinham, Exeter Reception Location: Pynes House Entertainment: DJ Extra Touches: Past Family Wedding Photos Placed Around Pynes...
Elegant and Bespoke Wedding Cakes – A Q&A With Peboryon Wedding Cakes
We’re excited to start featuring some more of our recommended suppliers and we thought we’d start off with Peboryon, a bespoke wedding cakes supplier run by Claire and based in North Cornwall. Priding herself on incorporating the individuality of each client into...
Your Complete Wedding Planning Checklist
Just engaged or in the midst of wedding planning? From budgets to guest lists, venues and stationary details, chances are you’ll have quite a few decisions coming your way. As we know it can be a little tricky knowing just where to start, we’ve decided to put together...
Nancy & Jacob’s Bright and Colourful Spring Wedding
Colour Scheme: Colourful Spring Wedding Sunset Colours - Pinks, Oranges, Yellows Style: Bright, Colourful, Elegant Season: Spring Ceremony Location: Drawing Room at Pynes House Reception Location: Rose Terrace at Pynes House Entertainment: Acoustic Band During Drinks...
Our 5 Favourite Autumn Wedding Ideas for a Warm and Atmospheric Celebration
As the leaves turn auburn and the air grows crisp, we thought it was a good time to share 5 of our favourite autumn wedding ideas for a memorable and atmospheric celebration. From warm, eye-catching colour palette combinations to earthy décor looks and hearty seasonal...
Cassie and Mike’s Vintage Chic Wedding in Devon
Colour Scheme: Duck Egg Blue & Gold Style: Vintage Chic Wedding, Elegant Season: Spring Ceremony Location: Crediton Church Reception Location: Pynes House Entertainment: Harpist, Swing Band Extra Touches: Vintage Jane Austen Books and Flowers Made from Old Novels...
10 Fresh and Memorable Wedding Entertainment Ideas
From live painters to roaming bands and advice cards, we thought it was time to share 10 of our favourite fresh and memorable wedding entertainment ideas. A lovely addition not only for guests but for yourselves as the newlyweds too, wedding entertainment can be the...
Chrissie & Brandon’s Romantic UK Destination Wedding
It’s always lovely to see when couples and their guests travel to Pynes House from overseas and Chrissie and Brandon’s UK destination wedding was absolutely no exception. Travelling from Colorado, they celebrated the most beautiful quintessentially English wedding at...
Country House Wedding Styling – An Ultimate Guide
From tumbling, statement florals to ambient candlelit stairways and grand reception tableware, we’ve put together some of our favourite styling ideas for a country house wedding. So whether you’re getting married at our Georgian stately home wedding venue or a...
A Chic Modern Wedding at Pynes House – Suzie & Andy
If you’re after some chic, modern wedding inspiration then you’re in the right place! Both creatives themselves, Suzie and Andy created the most beautiful stately home affair for their celebrations at Pynes House last July. From their handmade decorations of silk...
5 of Our Favourite Wedding Readings from Children’s Books
For those who love the idea of the little ones playing a speaking role in the wedding ceremony, we’ve put together five of our favourite wedding readings from children's books. From well-loved children’s stories which you might remember from your childhood to sweet...
A Stylish Modern Romance: A Monet Inspired Wedding Editorial
It’s time to start featuring some of our gorgeous recent editorials on the Pynes House blog and what better way to start than with this ethereal Monet inspired wedding shoot. Inspired by Monet's water lilies and full of light and love, this luxurious editorial...
5 Reasons to Choose a Devon Wedding Venue with Accommodation
It’s no secret that when it comes to booking a wedding venue, you’ve got quite a few choices out there. Whether you’ve already been thinking about whether to choose a wedding venue with guest accommodation or have just come across the concept, we’ve put together some...
A Classic Minimalist Wedding – Josh & Sarah
Colour Scheme: Soft Cream and Pale Pink Style: Neutral, Minimalist, Classic Season: Autumn Ceremony Location: Front Courtyard of Pynes House Reception Location: Rose Terrace of Pynes House Entertainment: Saxophonist throughout the day Extra Touches: Pizza Party and...
Lush Summer Wedding Inspiration – 10 Gorgeous Décor and Planning Ideas
As the days draw longer and we make our way towards the summer months, we can’t help but get a little bit excited about what’s to come and we thought it was only right to start off the summer period with some lush summer wedding inspiration. From outdoor ceremonies to...
An English Country Garden Wedding in Spring – Elisa & Rich
Colour Scheme: Rose Dusted Pink Style: Minimalist, Fresh Season: Spring Ceremony Location: The Drawing Room at Pynes House Reception Location: The Rose Gardens and Front Courtyard at Pynes House Entertainment: Afternoon Acoustic Guitarist, Live Evening Band Extra...
Outdoor Wedding Venue Inspiration – Pynes House
Whether you’re opting for an outdoor ceremony, trying out some lawn games or enjoying some late afternoon drinks in the open air, an outdoor wedding venue can be pretty incredible. So, from sparklers to outdoor ceremonies, cocktail hours and afternoon croquet, we've...
A Classic Pynes House Wedding – Chris & Ann
Colour Scheme: All White and Cream with a Touch of Blue Style: Classic Stately Home Pynes House Wedding Season: Summer Ceremony Location: The Drawing Room at Pynes House Reception Location: The Rose Gardens at Pynes House Entertainment: Acoustic Guitarist for...
Choosing a Weekend Wedding Venue – Your Ultimate Guide
Wedding weekends are becoming increasingly popular and we can absolutely see why – when you’re surrounded by some of your closest friends and family in a beautiful location, what’s not to love about extending the festivities just a little. So, as a weekend wedding...
A Stylish Autumn Country House Wedding
Colour Scheme: Earthy; warm, neutral tones with a hint of muted blue Style: Warm, Elegant Season: Autumn Ceremony Location: Pynes House - Drawing Room Reception Location: Pynes House - Rose Gardens Entertainment: Band Extra Touches: Asymmetrical Floral Displays,...
5 Reasons to Choose a Manor House Wedding Venue
We may be biased, but a manor house wedding venue can be pretty special. If you’re not already convinced, we’ve put together five reasons to choose a manor house wedding venue. From rooms brimming with history to Bridgerton-style aesthetics and peaceful seclusion, we...
An Intimate Bridgerton-Style Wedding – Nick & Brandy
Forced to postpone their original wedding after Brandy had to undergo an emergency open-heart surgery just a week before they were meant to fly over from America for the wedding, it’s hard to put into words just how special it was to see Nick and Brandy able to...
A Room Tour of Our Exclusive Use Wedding Venue with Accommodation
We thought it was time to give a room tour of our exclusive use wedding venue with accommodation. If you're wondering what an 'exclusive use' wedding venue entails, it means that our couples and their guests enjoy full use of our extensive gardens, state rooms and our...
An Elegant Country House Wedding in Spring – Nancy & Andy
As Nancy is a wedding planner herself, we knew that this elegant country house wedding was going to be pretty incredible. And sure enough, it was a beautiful celebration from start to end. Characterised by an elegant, minimalist aesthetic, Nancy and Andy also chose to...
A Look Back at Our Time as a Family Run Wedding Venue
As the year draws to an end and we have celebrated our last wedding of 2023, we find ourselves in a reflective mode. 2023 marks ten years of weddings since our very first wedding in 2013 and whilst it seems like a blink of an eye, it is quite...
Seasonal Creative Floral Design with South West Wedding Florist, The Good Florist
We’re so excited to be featuring South West wedding florist, The Good Florist. Centred around creative floral design, Roberta and her team work to build beautiful bespoke creations, based upon seasonality and self-expression. We’ve had the pleasure of working with The...
10 Gorgeous Ways to Style a Warm and Abundant Country House Winter Wedding
As the promise of twinkling lights, warm fireplaces and cosy winter nights around the fire draw near, we thought it was time to talk about our favourite 10 ways to style a warm and abundant country house winter wedding. From candlelit feasting tables to fresh...
Pynes House Guide: Everything You Need To Know About Planning A Marquee Wedding
Weddings are personal, an embodiment of your love story, and there's nothing quite like a marquee wedding that offers both flexibility and a romantic canvas to bring your vision to life. However, with plenty of logistical and planning considerations, marquee weddings...
Why We Believe In Wedding Weekends
The charm of a wedding often lies in those fleeting moments that stay etched in memory. After months, sometimes even years of meticulous planning, the day comes and goes in what feels like the blink of an eye. But what if you could prolong the magic? What if you could...
A Country House Military Wedding in the Summertime – Becca & Owen
Colour Scheme: Sage Green and White Florals Style: Minimalist, Elegant Season: Summer Ceremony Location: Drawing Room at Pynes House Reception Location: Rose Terrace at Pynes House Entertainment: Saxophone Player (Drinks Reception), DJ (Evening) Extra Touches:...
How To Choose The Perfect Wedding Venue?
The Pynes House Guide: Choosing Your Wedding Venue Choosing your wedding venue is undeniably one of the most important decisions you’ll face in your wedding planning journey, sitting at the top of your wedding to-do list. It's the setting to celebrate your love story...
A Vibrant English & Indian Fusion Wedding – Serena & Mark
This week we’re excited to be featuring Serena & Mark’s English and Indian fusion wedding. With the Saturday spent in a quintessentially classic English style, the Sunday was all about bright, vivid colours and Indian celebrations. From start to end, this two-day...
Memorable Literary Wedding Readings
With Pynes House believed to have been the inspiration for Barton Park in Jane Austen’s Sense and Sensibility, we thought it was only right to write about some of our favourite literary wedding readings. Because after all, there’s something quite magical about hearing...
Design-Led Florals with Devon Wedding Florist Miranda Hackett Flowers
This week we have the pleasure of featuring design-led Devon wedding florist, Miranda Hackett Flowers. With an artistic and natural style which is centred around sustainability and seasonality, Miranda’s creations are always pretty spectacular and we’ve loved seeing...
An Intimate Wedding of Ethereal Elegance – Sophie & Sam
Sophie and Sam celebrated their intimate wedding of ethereal elegance in October last year and we couldn’t be more excited to feature it here on the blog. From the flash-mob style saxophonist during the wedding breakfast to the abundant florals adorning the...
Your Ultimate Guide to Planning an Outdoor Ceremony
We’ve seen many an outdoor ceremony over the last few months. And, for good reason – what’s not to love about saying your vows in the open air, surrounded by your loved ones and incredible views. So, with the rise in popularity of an outdoor ceremony and all that it...
Wedding Florist Spotlight – Season-Led Floristry with Flowers by Sophie Millington
For this week's supplier spotlight, we have the pleasure of featuring Flowers by Sophie Millington, a wedding florist who we've worked with for a while now. With a background in fashion design and retail merchandising, Sophie’s creations always bring a beautiful...
Our Favourite Locations for a Civil Ceremony at Pynes House
This week we’re talking all about civil ceremony locations. Your wedding ceremony is often one of the most poignant parts of your wedding day. As such, the location should be one where you can truly appreciate the special event which is unfolding. Following...
A Strikingly English Literary Themed Wedding – Phoebe & Rob
If the likes of a literary themed wedding embellished with dark peacock blue and rose gold tones takes your fancy, then you’re going to love Phoebe & Rob’s English country house celebration. From Phoebe’s arrival in a horse and carriage to the string quartet which...
6 Reasons to Choose an English Country House Wedding
We may be biased, but we think that country house weddings can be quite incredible. A breath of fresh air set amongst idyllic surroundings, a stately home affair can be the perfect getaway from busy city life, with your closest friends and family by your side. So, if...
A Black Tie Stately Home Wedding – Lauren & Adam
If you love the idea of a black tie wedding at a stately home, then this real wedding feature is for you. From the classic contemporary colour scheme of pastels and sage green to the fragrant florals draped around the interiors of Pynes House, Lauren & Adam’s...
6 Impactful Children’s Wedding Ceremony Readings
We’ve got quite a bit on the blog about wedding ceremony readings and vows (see some of the best non-religious wedding ceremony readings here), but we thought it was time to delve into the world of children’s wedding ceremony readings. It’s always a pretty special...
Luxury Wedding Floristry with The Rose Shed
This week we’re excited to feature a supplier spotlight with one of our favourite wedding floristry suppliers – The Rose Shed. Characterised by a romantic, stylish elegance and a focus on using beautiful seasonal blooms and foliage, The Rose Shed is a luxury wedding...
Choosing an Unplugged Wedding Ceremony – Your Comprehensive Guide
The concept of an unplugged wedding ceremony has recently taken the spotlight in the wedding industry, and we can understand why. Put simply, an unplugged ceremony involves asking guests to put away their phones and all technology, for the duration of the ceremony....
A Bespoke Devon Wedding of Abundant Florals and Dusty Pink Hues – Megan & Gareth
From the beautiful blooms adorning our front steps to a miniature pink and white sweet stand, Megan & Gareth’s bespoke Devon wedding is packed with plenty of wedding planning inspiration. One of the many things we loved about this wedding was their choice to host...
2023 Wedding Trends in the UK – A Pocket Guide
The UK wedding season of 2023 has begun and we couldn't be more excited for what's to come! From bold colour schemes to outdoor wedding ceremonies and sustainability, this year is set to be a different and perhaps more unconventional year for the wedding industry,...
A Contemporary Classic English Wedding – Olivia & Seb
Together since they were 15, Oliva & Seb have an epic love story and their contemporary classic English wedding was no exception. With a gorgeous floral arch (done by the one and only Emma Hewlett Floral Design) and a quintessential English wedding palette of...
Just Engaged? Here’s What Comes Next
It’s that time of the year… engagement season! If you’ve just popped the question or said a big yes to your partner, then a huge congratulations to you both – there’s nothing quite like that just engaged feeling! But what now? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered with...
Wedding Vows – Everything You Need to Know
Recently engaged? You've probably got a few questions about your wedding ceremony. But don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. From differentiating between religious and civil ceremony vows to tips for choosing your vows, we’ve got everything you need to know about...
A Modern Fairytale Wedding – Abbie & Josh
Think gold candlesticks, tall white tapered candles and blush floral arrangements with hints of champagne gold. It’s true to say that there’s plenty of real wedding inspiration in Abbie & Josh’s modern fairytale wedding. From jazz piano renditions on the rose...
The 12 Days of Christmas – Pynes House Edition
It’s that time of the year! In true Christmas spirit, we thought it was only right to do a Christmas themed blog post – and what better way to do it than the 12 Days of Christmas - Pynes House Edition! Over the past few weeks, we’ve been busy thinking up 12 different...
How to Approach a Wedding Venue Viewing – Your Ultimate Guide
We thought it was time to talk about how to approach a wedding venue viewing. Got a viewing coming up but not sure what to expect? Or trying to think of some good questions to ask when you’re at the venue? Whatever stage you’re at in your wedding venue search, we’ve...
A Minimalist Wedding – Chelsey & Matt
Chelsey & Matt celebrated their minimalist wedding at Pynes House last October. Their trailing floral decoration and candles adorning the grand staircases made for a beautiful aesthetic. They also decided to do things a little differently to the ‘traditional’...
Our Historical Devon Wedding Venue
From Jane Austen to Queen Victoria, our Devon wedding venue has a fascinating history. So, we thought it was time to tell you a little bit more about Pynes House and how it came to be. We’re so excited to share some of our favourite stories with you and we hope you...
An Elegant English Country House Wedding – Charlotte & Adam
From a double decker bus to masquerade singing waiters and a string quartet, Charlotte & Adam’s elegant English country house wedding was truly memorable. With a minimalist style and colour scheme of soft, dusty pink and white, they worked with the ornate stately...
Why We Love a Winter Wedding
Twinkling lights, warm fireplaces and rich colours – just some of the reasons why we love a winter wedding here at Pynes House. While the golden glow of autumn is beautiful, there’s something to be said for the magic of a winter wedding. So as the promise of warm,...
A Lush Spring Wedding – Ellie & Emilio
Having just celebrated their six month wedding anniversary, we thought it was a great time to feature Ellie and Emilio’s fresh spring wedding. Their neutral colour palette entwined with hints of pink beautifully complimented the classic décor of Pynes House. We have...
Outdoor Wedding Entertainment Ideas
Following our recent blog post on ways to truly enhance your wedding day (find it here), we wanted to give you some of our favourite ideas for memorable outdoor wedding entertainment. Having outdoor entertainment options can be a great way to fully utilise the...
A Romantic Bridgerton Inspired Wedding – Rebecca & Ben
Rebecca & Ben celebrated a beautifully romantic Bridgerton inspired wedding last May. It’s hard not to love their elegant, timeless theme which encapsulated the regal Bridgerton blue colour scheme throughout. Their careful attention to detail and focus on classic...
Your Ultimate Guide to Writing a Groom Speech
Today we’re talking about the groom speech. Whether you’re a groom looking for last minute inspiration or already have a plan of action for your speech, we’ve put together some of our top groom speech tips to help you out. Keep reading for an ultimate guide to writing...
A Gorgeous Spring Wedding of Pastels and Peonies – Laura & Tom
Think pastel colour palettes, pink peonies and romantic elegance. From an open top vintage car to tug of war and sack races, Laura & Tom crafted a beautifully bespoke spring wedding. Their wedding also recently featured in the Tatler magazine's June 2021 British...
Non-Religious Wedding Ceremony Readings
Non-religious wedding ceremony readings can be a great way to add personalisation and atmosphere to a civil ceremony. This being said, it can be incredibly hard to decide on the right special and meaningful readings. So, although we’ve already done a blog article on...
Wedding Floristry with Emma Hewlett Floral Design
This week we're talking about wedding floristry and we couldn't be happier to feature one of our recommended wedding florists, Emma Hewlett Floral Design. Starting eleven years ago from Emma’s garden studio, the floral design business incorporates a hopelessly...
Real Weddings at Pynes House
Over the last year, we’ve had the pleasure of featuring some of our most memorable real weddings here on the blog. Not only are they beautiful to look over, but they can also provide some useful unique ideas and tips for wedding planning. After all, it’s hard to beat...
A Modern Take on a Classic English Wedding – Andrew & Ursula
Andrew & Ursula’s modern take on a classic English wedding is always a pleasure to look back on. Taking place on a warm and atmospheric autumnal day, they were lucky enough to play croquet in the sunshine and enjoy canapés and champagne in our vibrant rose...
Everything You Need to Know about Creating a More Sustainable Wedding Day
From food waste to throwaway décor and plastic packaging, it’s no secret that weddings can create a lot of waste. So, we thought it was time to share our top tips for creating a more sustainable wedding day. Whether you’re looking to go the full mile and have an...
A Festive Winter Wedding – Abi & Rob
After covid lockdowns postponed their original spring wedding, Abi & Rob managed to celebrate their festive winter wedding just a week before Christmas last year. Using a sage green and rose gold colour theme, they adapted their wedding to create a sumptuously...
The Different Types of Wedding Suppliers
We recently released our ultimate guide to choosing wedding suppliers on our blog (see it here), but we thought it was equally important to share our knowledge on the different types of wedding suppliers. From caterers to videographers and wedding planners, the world...
Fifteen Ways to Truly Enhance Your Wedding Day
How can you truly enhance your wedding day? If you’re planning a wedding, you’re sure to have asked yourself this question at least a few dozen times. To give you a helping hand in your decision making, we’ve put together a list of fifteen easy and effective ways to...
A Classic English Wedding of Elegance and Modern Romance – Olivia & James
More than a year after the original date, Olivia and James tied the knot last October with a beautifully classic English wedding of elegance and modern romance. With a colour scheme of sage/eucalyptus green, pinks and gold details, they perfectly captured a...
Your Ultimate Guide to Choosing Wedding Suppliers
We thought it was time to give you an ultimate guide to choosing wedding suppliers. Choosing your wedding suppliers can be as much as a chore as it is exciting. So, we’ve put together all the information you’ll need, as well as some top tips for your search. Whatever...
A Bespoke Country House Wedding of Understated Elegance – Ben & Charlotte
From a cheese wedding cake to sloe gin favours, Ben & Charlotte’s Country House Wedding of understated elegance was perfectly crafted to encapsulate what mattered most to them. Using a colour scheme of blush pink with golden hues, they built on the natural...
Some of our favourite Wedding Cake Suppliers in the South West
We know that the task of choosing a wedding cake and supplier can appear daunting, especially when added to the long to-do list before your big day. We’ve been lucky enough to work with some of the best wedding cake suppliers in the South West over the years, so here...
An Autumnal English Country Garden Wedding – Ben & Frankie
Ben and Frankie’s autumnal wedding was the epitome of effortless elegance and romantic simplicity. They chose a natural theme to complement the soft colours of Pynes House and its rural setting. Read on to hear more about how they used seasonal flowers and foliage to...
Our Favourite Wedding Dress Boutiques in the South West
Finding a wedding dress boutique which has your perfect dress can be surprisingly challenging. Whether you’re after a traditional ballgown or a wedding dress with a modern twist, we know how important it is to find exactly what you want. So, we’ve done some of the...
A Lush Country House Wedding with a Floral Focus – Alice & Tom
Alice and Tom’s lush summertime wedding is sure to give you some #realweddinginspo. With a delicately neutral colour palette of whites, pale pinks and pale blues, they created a beautiful floral focus throughout the day. Read on to hear more about Alice and Tom’s...
Your Civil Wedding Ceremony Guide
The flexibility and extra freedom that comes with a civil wedding ceremony can be very appealing. With greater venue options and opportunities for personalisation, it can be a great alternative to a religious ceremony. If you’re trying to work out if a civil wedding...
A Classic Summer Wedding with a Scottish Twist – Jodie & Josh
Jodie and Josh’s gloriously sunny summer wedding at Pynes House was as beautiful as the weather itself. With a simplistic, classic theme encapsulating a navy, blush, gold and white colour palette, they created a day of understated elegance and excitement. Read on if...
Traditional Religious Wedding Vows
Traditional religious wedding vows or not, we know there can be a lot of pressure to say the right thing on your wedding day. But don't worry, we've written this ultimate guide on traditional religious wedding vows to help you to decide if they're the vows for you. A...
An Italian Inspired Country House Wedding – Jen & Henry
We couldn’t be more excited to kickstart our real weddings series with Jen and Henry’s beautiful Italian inspired country house celebration in June. With a Chinese tea ceremony and simply elegant style, Jen and Henry created a wedding day that reflected their story as...
The Night Before Your Wedding
Just imagine the night before your wedding at Pynes House. Your friends and family have arrived, everything is set-up just as you planned and the house is ready for your wedding day. It’s an exciting time but why not make it even more special by planning a little get...
Meet the Team: Wedding Coordinator Jo Royal
We thought it was time to shine the spotlight on one of our wonderfully talented on-site Wedding Coordinators, Jo Royal. Working from behind the scenes, Jo collaborates with our couples from day one to the wedding day itself to create their perfect Pynes House Wedding...
Colour Scheme Inspiration for a Pynes House Wedding
A luxury country house wedding venue in Devon, Pynes House offers an elegant blank canvas where we encourage our couples to style it as you please. Whether you want something simple and understated or something with a little bit of drama, you can be sure that Pynes...
How to use luxury floral design at your wedding
We’ve worked with some amazing florists over the years here at Pynes House (in fact, you can check out a few of them right here) and it’s been an absolute joy seeing how floral design can transform a space, with each and every wedding offering something slightly...
Wedding Catering: Getting to know Pickle Shack
Food is a huge part of any wedding – it brings together your closest friends and family to celebrate your love story over a delicious feast – which is why we love nothing more than working with the team at Pickle Shack. Underpinned by a team of Michelin trained chefs,...
Find out why Pynes House is the perfect wedding venue for all seasons
Planning a wedding comes with a huge amount of decision making, from choosing your venue to scouting out the perfect suppliers. You will also need to consider the time of year that you’re planning on saying, ‘I Do’, as each season has something different to offer you...
Everything you need to know about Pynes House
Discover our country house wedding venue in Devon... Tucked away at the end of a majestic tree-lined drive amongst the rolling Devonshire hills, you’ll find Pynes House. Our country house wedding venue is the epitome of elegance with a warm welcome that makes you feel...
The 2020 Wedding Planning Checklist
If you’re newly engaged and you’re about to embark on your planning journey, we offer you a huge welcome to the wonderful world of weddings. Although it can be one of the most exciting experiences that you’ll ever be a part of, it’s not uncommon to find wedding...
Why Pynes House Was The Only Venue Choice For Me
We're over the moon to welcome Charlotte Argyrou to the Pynes House blog today. A Botanical Illustrator in London, Charlotte chose our country house wedding venue as the backdrop for her wedding business photoshoot. Keep reading to find out more about Charlotte's...
The Pynes House Guide: Non-Religious Wedding Readings for your Ceremony
Your ceremony is a key part of your wedding day, with each and every element signifying the union of your marriage. The readings that take place through your ceremony offer the chance to share some truly special words between your friends and family, reflecting your...
The Pynes House Guide To Choosing Your Wedding Suppliers
Choosing your wedding suppliers is a huge part of the wedding planning process and will not only take up a large amount of your time, it's what your budget will revolve around. It can be nerve-wracking, exciting and often rather puzzling, especially if you are only...
10 Reasons You’ll Fall In Love With Pynes House in Devon
Choosing your wedding venue should be at the top of your wedding to-do-list. It means you can set the date, choose your suppliers and start imagining your special day. Pynes House has hosted hundreds of weddings to couples from all over the country and even across the...
Everything You Need To Know About Pynes House: The Wedding Ceremony
You may have spotted our recent blog post all about "The Bridal Suite & Accommodation at Pynes House. In our latest instalment in the 'Everything You Need To Know About Pynes House' blog series, we will be walking you through the various ceremony options available...
12 Wedding Photographs You Need To Capture On Your Special Day
Choosing a wedding photographer is one of the most important decisions you'll make during your planning journey and it's certainly a supplier you don't want to scrimp on. They'll be there throughout the whole day to capture every magical moment, meaning you've got...
You’re Engaged! The Ultimate Wedding Planning Checklist
Congratulations if you're newly engaged and you're now the proud owner of a gorgeous, sparkling ring on your finger, and welcome to the wonderful world of weddings - you're in for an absolute treat. The romantic blur of being engaged is guaranteed to be one of the...
How To Create A Natural & Organic Wedding Theme
Pynes House offers a truly elegant setting for your special day, so it of course needs a colour palette to match. We are huge fans of a nude and neutral-inspired colour scheme and we think it works perfectly with the surroundings of our country house wedding venue in...
Be Inspired – Fun Ideas For Your Wedding Food Station
Deciding on the food you’re going to serve your guests on your special day is one of the biggest aspects of wedding planning and it’s definitely one of the most delicious! It can take a long time to make that all-important decision and of course, you want to get it...
20 Easy Ways To Create An Unforgettable Wedding Day
Your wedding day is one of the most important days of your life, right? Understandably, you want it to make it utterly incredible for both you and your wedding guests. Your big day is an opportunity to spoil all of your guests with lots of lovely treats and we just...
The Ultimate Guide For Choosing Your Wedding Music
Choosing your wedding music for the big day is one of the biggest jobs when planning your wedding, but many brides and grooms don’t realise what a huge task it can be and how much time it can take. But don’t fret, as we’ve created the ultimate guide for choosing your...
15 Fun Ways To Use Wedding Signs At Your Big Day
Wedding signs add personality, fun and style to your special day and they’re a fab way of decorating your wedding venue. They can also be totally personal to your style and occasion and it can’t get any more romantic than that. They can be used anywhere around your...
The Prettiest Inspiration for a Modern Autumn Wedding
What thoughts and feelings does Autumn conjure up for you? Perhaps it’s the crisp leaves crunching beneath your feet, the darker chillier evenings or perhaps the range of delightful colour palettes. From burnt orange, warm brown and luxurious red, there are so many...
Beautiful Ways to Decorate your Wedding Getaway Car
Newlyweds never want their wedding celebrations to end unless they’re jetting off on a luxurious honeymoon in the sunshine! So, why not leave the party in style by opting for an ultra-stylish wedding getaway car. This is your last chance to wow your wedding guests and...
How to Pull Off a Fine Art Wedding Theme
Here at Pynes House, we can’t think of anything more stylish than a fine art wedding theme. The epitome of elegance, a fine art wedding is a wonderful fusion of luxury, romance and beauty. In fact, we think it’s the perfect match for a wedding venue like Pynes House,...
Enchanting Secret Garden Wedding Inspiration: Pink, Green and Ivory Colour Palette
This week on the Pynes House Blog we’re offering you some seriously swoon-worthy wedding inspiration. We’ll be showing you how you can effortlessly create an enchanting secret garden wedding theme using the prettiest of colour palettes: pink, green and ivory. This...
Fun and Fabulous Ways to Make the Most of an Outdoor Wedding
Summer is now in full swing and we are thoroughly enjoying the glorious sunshine at Pynes House. You may have spotted our recent blog post about aisle decorations for an outdoor wedding ceremony, so we thought we’d offer you further inspiration if you’re planning an...
10 of the Most Stylish Wedding Table Plans
Show your wedding guests to their seats in style with our choice of fabulous wedding table plans. Whether you want something simple and understated, or elaborate and creative, we’ve found a seating plan that will suit every theme, colour scheme and couple. 10 of the...
9 Must-Have Decorations for an Outdoor Wedding Ceremony
As you may know, Pynes House is surrounded by the most breath-taking views of the Devonshire countryside, as well as beautiful lawns and gardens. It’s no wonder that many brides & grooms opt for a romantic outdoor wedding ceremony in the sunshine to make the most...
Gatsby Glamour! A Roaring 1920s Wedding Theme
A 1920s wedding is the perfect choice for a celebration at Pynes House. The Exeter-based wedding venue lends itself beautifully to a dash of Gatsby Glamour, so it’s no wonder that it’s such a popular choice of wedding themes for couples. It’s a chance to create a...
Delicious Inspiration for Beautiful Floral Wedding Cakes
As you may know, the gardens at Pynes House are brimming with beautiful blooms aplenty. Inspired by the abundance of flowers, we’ve picked out our favourite ideas for scrumptious floral wedding cakes. Floral wedding cakes are extremely versatile, so it’s no wonder...
Beany and Noah’s Beautiful Wedding at Pynes House
Beany and Noah tied the knot at Sacred Heart in Exeter, followed by an elegant reception at Pynes House. The newlyweds opted for a marquee wedding with a blush pink, white and pale green colour scheme - so romantic! Keep reading to find out more about Beany and Noah's...
Stunning Spring Inspiration for a Marquee Wedding
We just love hosting a marquee wedding here at Pynes House. Couples are spoilt with glorious views of the rolling Devon countryside. Spring is a wonderful time for a marquee wedding as the garden is also bursting with colourful blooms and lots of life – what's not to...
The Morning of your Wedding Day at Pynes House
The big day has finally arrived and in just a matter of hours you'll be making your way down the aisle to become a 'Mrs'. Could it get anymore exciting or nerve-wracking?! Today we'll be sharing our top tips on what you should do on the morning of your wedding day....
Wonderful Ideas for a Vintage Wedding at Pynes House
Cushioned in the rolling hills of the Devon countryside with an abundance of history, Pynes House lends itself beautifully to a vintage wedding theme. Thought to be the inspiration for Barton House in Jane Austen’s Sense and Sensibility, you can read more about the...
3 Colour Schemes for a Spring Wedding at Pynes House
A Spring wedding offers plenty of inspiration when it comes to colour schemes, wedding themes and venue decoration. Today we're treating you to three different colour schemes that are the perfect fit for a Spring wedding at Pynes House. So if you're in need of some...
8 reasons to have a Spring wedding at Pynes House
The long, dark nights and freezing temperatures are now behind us, and we are embracing the new colours, blooms and delights of Spring. There are a number of reasons as to why a Spring wedding is a glorious choice. Pair it with a wedding venue like Pynes House and...
A Very Merry Christmas
Well, we’ve hung up our wedding hats for 2016 and are getting ready for a "quiet" family Christmas, although we are not sure this could ever be the case with some seriously excited small children. However, we are taking a moment (a very brief one - we still have...
5 years on
This month marks 5 years since we moved to Pynes House. We’re often asked how we came to take on the house and grounds and the truth is it started on a whim. A pretty big whim. Looking to move nearer Exeter to be close to family, we were looking at houses all over...
I only have eyes for you
For anyone booking an event at Pynes House, I have decided to offer a competition. I will offer a bottle of wine to any bride or groom who can find 30 or more faces around the house and gardens at Pynes House (not actual human faces though, that would be too easy!)....
Knock knock…..
By my reckoning, there are 135 doors at Pynes House and they all work beautifully, as a door should. All except this one, in the basement, which we can’t open. We’ve tried to open it many times, but have always come up short. Part of me wonders if we’re a little...
Wind in the Pynes House willows
We’re always fascinated by the personal touches each couple brings to their wedding. One of this year’s grooms flew the wedding rings in by hawk. Birds of prey can be seen at Pynes House (outside!), but happily they keep to themselves most of the time. Apart from our...
The new bedrooms are here!
We are so excited (finally!) to announce that we can now offer an extra six bedrooms for weddings and events at Pynes House. When we first took on the house, it would be fair to say the top floor needed a little TLC, not having been occupied since the servants left...
Top 5 places to buy a mens wedding suit in Exeter
With its beautiful Devonshire skies and surrounding countryside, yet still having a busy vibe of its own, Exeter is the perfect place to get married. There are many things for the groom to take into account when planning a wedding, but often (not always) there are...
Bride Guide to the Perfect Wedding Day
You’ve just become engaged to the love of your life and you’re eager to prepare your planning - the best day of your life must run smoothly and you don’t want to forget a thing. Depending on the type of wedding you’re dreaming of, whether that’s a small ceremony or a...
5 steps to find a good wedding band
Once the ceremony is over, the reception is where the celebrations can begin. A DJ is a cost-effective and simple solution to keep your guests entertained once the food is finished, but a solid live band could take your special day to the next level. Unless you’ve...
Five quirks for your country wedding
Country house weddings are elegant affairs where - at Pynes House at least - guests are surrounded by historical features, romantic views and grand decor that wouldn’t look out of place in a Jane Austen novel. Planning a wedding can be very stressful and it’s all too...
Father of the Bride Guide
The day he thought would never come: his little girl is getting married! Your engagement has undoubtedly caused much excitement among your family and friends, but spare a sensitive thought for the father who has to give his daughter away (both metaphorically and...
A very happy New Year from all of us at Pynes House…
Well, what a year 2015 was for Pynes House. From photoshoots to birthdays, charity dinners and, of course, weddings it has been a fantastically busy year. By our reckoning, several thousand guests have passed through the doors of Pynes House this year. We’ve watched...
Smile for the camera!
It’s the first facial expression we develop and babies are known to smile while still in the womb. What’s more, it’s a universally acknowledged indication of happiness. There are some 19 different types of smile, from polite to overjoyed. In recent years, scientists...
Perfect Winter Wedding Venue in Devon
It might seem the logical choice to hold your wedding during the summer - beautiful weather, flowers in bloom and long, balmy evenings for you and your guests to celebrate in the open air. As we all know, though, you can’t always rely on the UK to deliver on those...
8 essential tips for preparing your wedding music
For many couples, preparing music for a wedding comes low in the list of things to prepare – an afterthought to booking the most picturesque wedding venue in Devon identifying the perfect colour scheme and fine-tuning those politically-charged seating arrangements....
History of traditional wedding vows
If you're thinking of tying the knot, then one of the things likely to be on your mind is your wedding vows. Where do they come from, what do they mean and just what, exactly, are you letting yourself in for? Wedding ceremonies, and therefore vows, vary wildly from...
Top five wedding dress shops in Exeter
Exeter is the perfect place to arrange a wedding, with plenty of specialist suppliers in the area for everything you need, from wedding cakes and cars to photography and flowers. It’s easy to find an idyllic wedding venue for your big day and brides looking for a...
The ultimate guide to the groom’s wedding speech
In among all the planning and build up to the big day, all the way from looking at wedding venues to final suit fittings, it is quite common for the groom to overlook his wedding speech until the last minute. Yet while the speech is fairly straightforward, it is an...
Picking the Perfect Wedding Flowers
Although choosing your wedding flowers initially seems a miniscule task compared to everything else, it can really make a difference to your wedding. We at Pynes House are well aware of their importance and have put together the perfect guide to picking the most...
6 fun games to play at weddings
Your wedding is the most important day of your life. It should be centred around what you want, and the memories that you want to make, more than anything else. However, if you are going to fill a room with the people that you love, then it is important that you make...
Mother of the Bride Guide
He’s popped the question, your parents love him and the wedding planning is in full swing. If there was ever a time to ask close family and friends for help and advice it would be now. This is your big day, so don’t neglect the mother of the bride or else you could...
Choosing Your Exeter Wedding Cake and Supplier
Now you've set a date and have chosen your wedding venue in Devon for the big day, you can put all of your energies into the long list of smaller, yet still incredibly important, tasks at hand in planning your wedding. You may have already checked off the dress, or...
Romantic outdoor wedding themes for 2015
If you're looking for a romantic theme for your outdoor wedding, you've come to the right place. Many people never consider incorporating a theme into their outdoor wedding, and they miss out on the beautiful effect a theme can have. Relying on the beauty of nature is...
An unconventional bar
Earlier this year we welcomed a group from across the pond to stay with us. Our bride, Kelly, hails from the US and had chosen to marry local boy Alex at Pynes House. Alex’s parents have farmed the land around Pynes House for over 50 years, so it was just perfect for...
Thank you for the music…
What kind of dancing would you prefer at your wedding? In recent weeks, the Ballroom at Pynes House has hosted a disco and our first ceilidh. The two could not have been more different, but the guests at both danced all night. Here at Pynes House we do have a weakness...
Picking a Wedding Theme
Planning a wedding can be a daunting task. It’s your big day and will be one you will remember for the rest of your life – of course you want it to be perfect. You want the venue to look beautiful, the seating plan to be a success, the decorations to look effortless...
The perks of a summer wedding.
Setting a date for the big day is an important decision. You want all your closest family and friends to be there to share in your happiness, but how can you begin to think about setting a date when you haven’t yet chosen a season? You can create equally wonderful,...
New Roof
When we moved in, we knew the house needed a new roof. As you can see from the photos on the House gallery page, Pynes House does not have an ordinary roof! An 18 month game of cat and mouse followed, as we ran around the house battling to keep the water out while the...
Getting Married at Pynes House
So, you’ve got the ring, you’ve fixed a date and can’t wait to start organising. There’s plenty to think about, but one thing you should consider early on is where it will all happen. Here are a few of our thoughts on some of the less obvious things to consider before...
Welcome to the Pynes House website!
Pynes House is a beautiful 18th century country house mansion set in the picturesque Exe Valley, just past Exeter University in Devon. The four owners - Geoff, Heather, Jon and Kate - have spent three years bringing the house back to life and we are all very excited...























































































































































