When searching for a wedding venue, you will encounter the term exclusive use often enough that it can start to feel like background noise. It appears on venue websites, in brochures, and across listing directories with enough frequency that its meaning begins to...
Few decisions shape a wedding more than the venue. It becomes the backdrop to every conversation, every shared meal, and every moment that will be remembered long after the celebration has ended. For couples considering a country house wedding, the choice often goes...
The most memorable weddings are rarely the ones where everything was timed to the minute. They are the ones where guests felt genuinely looked after, where the day had room to breathe, and where the couple themselves were present enough to remember it clearly the...
There is something about Devon that slows you down. The roads narrow, the hedgerows rise on either side, and somewhere between leaving the motorway and arriving at wherever you are going, the noise of ordinary life starts to fall away. For couples thinking seriously...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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,...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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:...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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’...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
Wedding signs add personality, fun and style to your special day, and they’re a fab way of decorating your wedding venue. Whether playful, romantic or practical, they can be tailored to reflect your personality as a couple. From ceremony to reception, here are our 15...
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...
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...
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,...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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 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...
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 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....
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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!)....
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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,...
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...
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...
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...