Tucked away in the South West of England is a place like no other. Often mistaken as a Mediterranean country in the summer thanks to its golden sand beaches, and home to some of the most breathtaking landscapes year-round, Cornwall has a little something for everyone. That’s why I’ve created this ultimate guide to getting married in Cornwall.

Get comfy, grab a cup of tea, and let me help you plan your ideal wedding in Cornwall!

Why Get Married In Cornwall?

Cornwall truly has the right to be at the top of any wedding destination list, but what makes this location so favourable amongst happy couples? Despite it being one of the most aesthetically pleasing, Pinterest-friendly places on earth, it’s also perfect for people who want to travel abroad but aren’t able to. 

Sometimes there might be a personal reason for this, or other times it may be more of a logistical one. Either way, it doesn’t have to ruin your dream wedding. It’s possible to stay in this country but still have your wedding in one of the most beautiful places on Earth. It’s so distinctly different from anywhere else that you very quickly feel as though you’ve escaped the toil of everyday life and entered into your own romantic fairytale. Perfect for a wedding!

Cornwall is also still very much in touch with its historically traditional industries like fishing, farming and thatching. As we’ll find out later, this means there are a whole host of options to choose from for your Cornwall Wedding & elopement photography (and every part of your wedding day)!

When Is The Best Time Of Year To Get Married In Cornwall?

With some of the most beautiful photo locations in Cornwall at your fingertips, it’s a place that just seems to do each season perfectly. Of course, some people may prefer one season over another for your wedding, and that’s great! But I’m here to tell you that you can have a beautifully memorable wedding in Cornwall at any point during the year.

That said, there are a few important tips to keep in mind when deciding the best time of year for getting married in Cornwall. 

Rain Or Sun?

Cornwall summer weddings are incredibly popular, but they’re not the only option. Of course, most people will always opt for the sun, but you can still have a fantastic time and get some incredible photos if it’s raining. At the end of the day, it’s all about your mindset – personally, I absolutely love photographing in the rain!

If you do choose to have your wedding at the height of summer, you need to keep in mind that any beach locations will be extremely busy during the day, and potentially most of the evening as well. Please don’t let that put you off, though. Cornwall beach weddings are famous for a reason. 

In fact, even if you don’t choose to have your wedding on or near a beach, you still need to go and see one! Two of my personal recommendations are Godrevy and Crantock, which are both absolutely stunning.

The Time Of Day

We’ve just talked about how many beaches will likely be busy during the day, so what about a little later? Well, depending on the season you plan for, they still might be. But having your wedding just as the sun goes down (or comes up!) – aka “golden hour” – provides the most beautiful backdrop for photos. 

The orange, red and yellow hues that light up the sky make it the perfect time to capture a wedding. This might not suit all tastes, but keep it in mind if you’re after something a little special!

The Landscape

Last, but by no means least, is the landscape. Cornwall wedding venues are second to none, and the seasons reflect that. That’s why getting married in Cornwall is just THE BEST!

The biggest difference you’ll notice when choosing a time of year to get married in Cornwall is how the landscape around you looks. The leaves, the trees, the sky and the flora are all at the mercy of the changing seasons. 

Remember: it’s not just the memories you’ll have of the day, it’s also the style of photos you’ll come away with.

My Favourite Wedding Locations In Cornwall

Wondering where to get married in Cornwall? I’ve put together a list of some of my absolute favourite venues for Cornish weddings that I’m sure you’re going to love!

1. Treseren

First up, we have perhaps the cosiest and most intimate wedding location on our list: Treseren. It’s the perfect place for a smaller wedding, but it still oozes charm and character. 

You could choose to have your special day under a 200-year-old walnut tree, on the lower terrace, or perhaps inside if the weather decides to rain (don’t think that’s a lesser option – it’s just as beautiful inside as it is out). The two-acre garden provides ample opportunity for curious folks to wander, and is the perfect backdrop for an understated, bohemian-style wedding. It’s the kind of place that could quite easily have inspired Frances Hodgson Burnett’s The Secret Garden!

As if that wasn’t enough, the staff really understand how personal this day is for you, and will happily go the extra mile to accommodate your requests. And even better still, Crantock Beach is only a short drive away. Bliss!

2. Cornish Tipi

If you’re looking for the epitome of an “escapism” wedding, this is the place for you! Built from their experience of running a tipi campsite, Cornish Tipi started from the very basics and slowly worked their way into weddings. It’s this slow transition that truly makes them shine for Cornwall forest weddings. You can be damn sure they won’t see your day as just another wedding, but as a beautiful occasion where they take pride in every single moment. 

Whether the style of your wedding takes the form of boho or festival, these guys have the place to make your own. In fact, they even have a private lake where you can go rowing after. (As a photographer, I get to go in one too, which makes for some fantastic photos!)

If all that wasn’t enough to convince you, there are also two small beaches fairly close by (Port Isaac and Port Gaverne) which usually tend to be quieter – a fantastic way to round off your day. This is one of the most picturesque places in Cornwall that also lets you get back to basics and focus on the only real thing that matters: the two of you. 

3. Trevenna

Not too far from Bodmin Moor sits a stunning barn wedding venue called Trevenna. Surrounded by 142 acres of countryside, this Cornish barn is the ideal location for those who want a secluded yet fully fledged wedding day. With space to accommodate up to 40 overnight guests, this venue can truly deliver a day and night to remember.

Your wedding day feast will be complemented by locally sourced produce, and should you let the in-house hosting team plan your entire day, you’ll be supporting their vision to “provide a lasting positive environmental footprint for Cornwall”. Never a bad thing! 

Wedding Vendor Recommendations

Next up, it’s time to talk about wedding vendors. From my extensive experience as a Cornwall wedding photographer, I know how overwhelming it can be to choose your vendors. So let me give you a hand!

Cornwall is well known for its thriving independent businesses, so you can rest assured the intimate wedding you had planned can stay that way. No major corporations in sight!

Makeup: Balance of Beautee 

Anna Murray is an award-winning freelance makeup artist who covers all of Cornwall. She specialises in bridal makeup, and whether you want a natural style or full-on glamour, she’s got you covered!

Hair: Hair By Emma C

Another award-winning vendor, Emma is a pro at crafting bespoke hairstyles for her brides. Having trained with bridal hairdressers Ulyana Aster and Patrick Cameron, there’s no vision that Emma can’t pull off.

Video: Blooming Moments Films

These days, no wedding is complete without a video of your special day. Blooming Moments Films provides many different bespoke packages to capture your wedding and bring your vision to life. That includes drone footage, teaser trailers, cinematic films and music.

Music: The Swing Kings

When the sun begins to fall and the dance floor lights up, you’ll need awesome entertainment long into the night. Enter the Swing Kings. Perhaps one of the most unique singing acts you can hire for your wedding, these boys specialise in a classic swing style with a modern twist. And don’t worry – your favourite feel-good tunes and wedding bangers will still be included!

Music: Scenic Route

If your wedding would be complimented better by something more acoustic, Scenic Route Music are your best bet. Professional singer-songwriter couple Jenna Bailey and Steve Harris want nothing more than to share their love of melodic ballads and help you achieve the emotional connection your wedding deserves.

Flowers (Fresh): Three Acre Blooms

With the vast majority of weddings in Cornwall celebrating our love for the outdoors, attention is always in the detail. Emily from Three Acre Blooms keeps her fresh flowers focused on seasonality and sustainability, the perfect combination to keep your wedding as authentic as possible.

Flowers (Dried): Bird and Bear Blooms

If you’d prefer dried flowers instead of (or perhaps in addition to!) fresh florals, let me tell you about Bird and Bear Blooms. As a Boho Bride Guide approved supplier, these guys know their stuff. If you feel like your wedding could do with just that little extra touch, Jenna can sort you out with any number of dried flower accessories.

Stylist: Emily Rose Events

If you’d prefer that someone sorted your perfect day out for you, look no further than Emma of Emily Rose Events. Specialising in artificial bouquets and venue decoration, Emma will make sure your wedding is exactly how you envisioned it. Plus, it will take out some of the potential stress that comes with planning!

DJ: SoundOne

Is it even a wedding if you don’t have a DJ?! Fortunately, SoundOne offers a highly professional, friendly and reliable service for your big day. Whatever vibe you’re after, these guys should absolutely be able to accommodate you.

Entertainment: Crowne Entertainment

Sometimes trying to get everything to line up perfectly is a logistical nightmare. That’s why Crowne Entertainment makes your day as stress-free as possible by offering DJs, photo booths, dance floors, live entertainment and more, all under one roof!

Caterers (Pizza): Kernow Forno

Pizza at your wedding? Great choice! Kernow Forno offers authentic wood-fired pizzas – up to 70 of them every hour. There’s something idyllic about having a wood-fired pizza at one of the beautiful outdoor wedding venues in Cornwall. They complement each other so well!

Caterers (Hog Roast): The Spitting Pig

A roast is an absolute classic wedding meal, and no one does it better than The Spitting Pig. With over 20 years of experience, no wedding is too big or too small. Mouth-wateringly good food at a great price – what’s not to love?!

Caterers (Ice Cream): Cornish Ice Trike

Finally, we get to talk about ice cream! Served from a vintage tricycle, Cornish Ice Trike will be on theme with even the most intimate of weddings. Not only do they serve much-loved Cornish ice cream, but they even offer vegan options so everyone can enjoy dessert together.

Well, there you have it: my ultimate guide to getting married in Cornwall. Filled to the brim with small independent businesses that are all more than ready to make your dream wedding vision come true. But you might notice I left one crucial part out of my article… photography! 

Specialising in Cornwall wedding photography, I offer a few different packages because I know how important it is to be able to personalise the service I offer for your dream day. No matter who you are, where you’re from or what sort of photography you’re after, I’m here to make that a reality.

Ready to make some memories? Get in touch today and we can get started on crafting the ideal photography plan for you and your big day. I can’t wait to work with you!