SPOTLIGHT ON

Spotlight on... TRURO TO PLYMOUTH

ELFORDLEIGH HOTEL, PLYMOUTH, DEVON

Steeped in 120 acres of stunning park woodland on the edge of Dartmoor enjoying unspoilt views sits the Elfordleigh hotel which is a hidden gem. It combines the feel of an English country house with the warmth, ease and charm of a privately owned hotel.

The property has three licensed rooms and can also offer outdoor ceremonies on the southerly facing Reynolds Terrace located outside the Reynolds Suite. This elegant Reynolds Suite is suitable for ceremonies for up to 100 guests and wedding breakfasts seating up to 70 loved ones. It boasts a wooden floor and high Edwardian ceilings plus period features and a contemporary colour scheme.

The contemporary Langmead Suite offers a spacious chapel-like feel that can comfortably seat up to 70 guests for a ceremony. The suite adjoins the Elite Suite making it suitable for larger gatherings. Understated and minimal, the Elite Suite can be styled to suit most themes.

The Churchill’s Conservatory is ideal for intimate ceremonies of up to 72 people. This light and airy space offers sunlit seating without being subjected to the elements. Beautifully decorated, it has a drape-lined ceiling and crystal chandelier.

The Elite Suite is the largest function area at the hotel, accommodating up to 200 guests. The spacious room with high ceilings can be dressed with ceiling drapery to create an opulent feel. The suite features a raised stage area for a band or DJ with an adjacent dancefloor. Golf buggies are available to take newlyweds down to the lake for their portrait photographs or against the backdrop of the golf course and surrounding woodland.

Ceremony licence? Yes Contact: 01752 336 428, www.elfordleigh.co.uk

 We love... that the team offer the Honeymoon Suite to the newly married couple on the night of the wedding plus a discount on their first-anniversary stay.

MOUNT EDGCUMBE HOUSE, TORPOINT

Mount Edgcumbe House and its surrounding buildings is an exclusive wedding venue that lies at the heart of the Cornish peninsula opposite the city of Plymouth in Grade 1 listed landscape that's home to ancient barrows, mystical woodland, forts and chapels dotted along a remote coastline above secret beaches and smugglers' coves.

A sweeping avenue leads down to the formal Earl's Gardens and a sheltered shoreline. The grounds are home to self-catering holiday properties with guest accommodation ranging from one-bedroom to four-bedroom cottages plus beautiful glamping options set in a tranquil location.

This fully licensed wedding venue that can accommodate from two to 200 guests offers flexible, affordable packages to accommodate most budgets. There's an in-house wedding coordinator to help couples tailor their special day. Receptions can be held in the Earl's Garden Marquee, a semi-permanent structure nestled in the two-acre private garden. Couples can choose their suppliers.

Ceremony licence? Yes Contact: 01752 822 236, www.mountedgcumbe.gov.uk

 We love... that the venue has partnered with Plymouth Boat Trips allowing couples and their guests to travel across Plymouth Sound and reach Mount Edgcumbe in just 15 minutes taking in the spectacular scenery along the way.

THE GRAND HOTEL, TORQUAY, DEVON

Experience coastal luxury at this award-winning, iconic hotel that was built in 1881 and to this day, respectfully pays homage to more than a century of history with its striking Victorian architecture, elegant interiors, and its commanding seafront location.

It has been designed with large open interior spaces that provide a light and airy feel decorated with classic furnishings. With its four-star facilities, prime position by the beach and picturesque views stretching across one of the most charming bays on the South Devonshire coastline, it provides a stunning backdrop for weddings.

The Devonshire Suite is a spacious room with an ornate ceiling and a statement glass chandelier. With its own bar and staged area, this room is perfect for exclusive private functions. The suite can seat up to 180 guests for a civil ceremony, and 140 guests for the wedding breakfast and it can host up to 250 guests for the evening reception.

Alternatively, The Cavendish is a bright suite which opens up on to the terrace boasting stunning sea views. It offers the ideal setting for civil ceremonies or wedding breakfasts for up to 60 guests. There’s also Restaurant 1881 for another reception option.

Ceremony licence? Yes Contact: 01803 296677, https://richardsonhotels.co.uk/the-grand-hotel

 We love... that the wedding packages offer something for everyone. There are set packages or personalised ones that can be tailored to each couple’s requirements. They include, but are not limited to, various dining options, decorations, a red-carpet arrival and welcome drinks with canapés.

THE DUKE OF CORNWALL HOTEL, PLYMOUTH, DEVON

This magnificent hotel, Plymouth’s first luxury one, is positioned on the fringe of Britain’s Ocean City adjacent to Millbay Park which offers a fantastic green space perfect for big-day photographs. A short stroll from the hotel is another wonderful photographic opportunity at Plymouth Hoe, which offers sensational ocean views across Plymouth Sound.

The Gothic Grade 11 listed building with feature windows, towers and turrets dates back to 1863 and boasts a canopy entrance, ornate architectural features and revolving entrance doors. The interior offers a wealth of historic features, with grand rooms and hallways, glittering chandeliers, period columns and a stunning Grade II listed sweeping staircase.

Weddings take place in a variety of stylish function rooms to suit a range of party sizes, from 10 to 300. The options include the stately Ballroom, a grand space with atmospheric lighting, a fixed stage for entertainment, a private bar and a dancefloor, or the grand Dining Room with its spectacular domed ceiling and chandelier. There’s also the more intimate Millbay Suite, a sophisticated setting for a smaller celebration boasting a feature fireplace and last but not least, the chic Hayward Room, a magnificent space featuring beautiful bay windows showcasing superb views over King Point Marina.

THE ARUNDELL, LIFTON

This historic hotel is located in the centre of the Devonshire village of Lifton in the heart of the rolling countryside of West Devon easily accessible to Plymouth, Exeter and Truro. It’s a former coaching inn home to 21 bedrooms plus a three-bedroom and two-bedroom cottage. The Coach House rooms have been built in the converted stables with views of the quintessential English terraced garden brimming with pretty roses and lavender. In the centre of the garden sits the old Cockpit, one of the only remaining original cock-fighting pits in England.

Ceremonies take place in Lifton Church, a beautiful setting in the centre of the village situated just 100 yards from the hotel. Back at the hotel, the lawn provides the perfect spot for a champagne reception (weather permitting) and is large enough to accommodate a small marquee. Receptions take place in the stunning rococo-style restaurant for up to 90 guests with its high ornate ceiling, statement glass chandelier and wood flooring. There’s a separate cosy bar area with an open fire that can seat up to 30 people and a spacious lounge with a wood burner. Use of the restaurant, bar and lounge can be combined to host a buffet for up to 200 guests. There’s also The Tamar Room which can seat up to 80 people and provides the ideal space for entertaining small children.

Ceremony licence? No Contact: 01566 784 666, www.thearundell.com Ceremony licence? Yes Contact: 01752 275 850, www.thedukeofcornwall.co.uk

 We love... the choice of four fantastic wedding packages on offer with the option for couples to create a bespoke package based on their requirements.

THE ALVERTON TRURO

This award-winning hotel is a historic Grade 11 listed building, surrounded by rolling lawns and manicured gardens with an outdoor terrace providing a picturesque spot for arrival drinks and canapés. The surrounding manicured grounds provide a breathtaking backdrop for wedding photographs.

Steeped in history, the exterior boasts many original features including stained-glass windows, curved archways uncovering hidden hideaways, ivy-clad exposed brick walls and a bell tower. The interior is bursting with character and Cornish charm, featuring a stately wooden staircase, mullion windows and candlelit corridors.

The Alverton can host events from as small as two people up to 140. Ceremonies are held in a choice of four stylish spaces including in The Great Hall, along with the wedding breakfast. Catering is tailored to each couple's requests and the hotel has been awarded two AA Rosettes. For the evening reception, this magnificent space can hold up to 180 guests.

Ceremony licence? Yes Contact: 01872 276 633, www.thealverton.co.uk