18 minute read
BRIDAL BUZZ
Editor
Rebecca Matthews
Deputy editor
Lucy Higgins
Chief features writer
Hannah May
Contributors
Elizabeth Chester, Becci Clubb, Rebecca Green, Jessica Kearney, Hazel Parsons, Sophie Walker
Design
Matt Sanwell, Design UNLTD
Advertising and Management
Brendan Sleeman
Distribution Jenna Matthews
Finance
Morwenna Matthews
Publisher
Wed Magazine 28 Reens Crescent Heamoor Penzance Cornwall TR18 3HW 01736 331456 wed@wedmagazine.co.uk wedmagazine.co.uk
Deltor Communications Ltd
Cover image
Photography Liam Arthur liamarthur.com Venue Polstrong Manor instagram. com/polstrong_manor_cornwall Styling & make-up Suzi Winter suziwinter.co.uk Hair Dukes & Dames dukesanddames.com Dress Made With Love, St Ives Bridal Boutique stivesbridalboutique.co.uk Headband The Lucky Sixpence X Ness Bridal theluckysixpence.co.uk instagram.com/nessbridal Model Tessa Maye
TRULY, MADLY, DEEPLY
Boasting one of the most iconic views in Cornwall and beyond, The Godolphin gazes directly at the world-famous St Michael’s Mount, making a wedding here as unforgettable as it is breathtakingly beautiful. Teetering on the water’s edge in Marazion overlooking the causeway, castle and sweeping Mount’s Bay, the beachfront boutique hotel stakes prime position for panoramas that whisper pure magic.
With three exclusive-use packages available for weddings up to 50-100 guests, you’re assured a dream blend of stylish interiors, sumptuous food and top-notch service in this incredibly scenic location. The Chapel Rock package comes with a Seaview room on the eve of the wedding and all hotel rooms on the Saturday night, together with a choice of ceremony rooms, drinks and canapés, a wedding breakfast, reception room and evening buffet. Choose the St Michael’s package for all this as well as the 10 hotel rooms on the night before and night of the wedding, exclusive use of the venue from the Saturday morning and a £500 bar allowance in Craby’s Restaurant. And, with the Kings Cove package, you can enjoy extras such as exclusive use of the venue from 3pm the day before the wedding until your departure the day after, and, for the Friday night, a dinner in Craby’s Restaurant and a £500 bar allowance.
Stage a ceremony on the terrace, with the castle and blue-green sea as your backdrop, before taking a stroll on the sands and soaking up the relaxed ambience over cocktails on the terrace. Enjoy a delicious wedding feast packed with local produce and bursting with flavour and kick off an evening of festivities as the sun slips behind Mount’s Bay. Complete with stylish accommodation overlooking the sands, The Godolphin is the ultimate setting for a dream water’s edge wedding in Cornwall.
© wed magazine. All rights reserved. Nothing in this magazine may be published without written permission. While reasonable steps are taken to check the accuracy of the content within this publication, wed magazine cannot take any responsibility for any mistakes or omissions or the views of our contributors or advertisers. All views expressed in wed are not necessarily those of wed magazine. thegodolphin.com
Adam Sargent Nick Walker Photography Adam Sargent
Will Patrick
SMALL WONDER
Dreaming of an elopement or an intimate wedding in a tucked-away valley in the Cornish countryside? Renowned for its beautiful weddings combining rolling landscape, charm-filled spaces and delicious, seasonal food, Nancarrow Farm is launching a special elopement package for a very limited number of dates in 2023.
Flanked by open grassy spaces and fruit orchards, the intimate ceremonies will take place in the idyllic setting of Nancarrow’s salad garden alongside the recently renovated greenhouse, where you may choose to take your vows alone or with up to 18 guests present.
Opening onto the garden, the Chicken Suite makes a perfect space for the pre-wedding preparations, while the salad garden is a gorgeous spot to mingle with guests after the vows over drinks and canapés made with the freshest of ingredients picked by the in-house kitchen team. As night falls, you’ll have the option of joining a Nancarrow Farm supper or throwing a bespoke feast in the greenhouse for up to 18 guests. An overnight stay in the venue’s luxury accommodation is the perfect way to round off a day packed with natural beauty, sumptuous flavours and wild romance.
The available dates for this package are 11th May, 18th May, 10th August, 17th August, 14th September and 21st September 2023. Get in touch to find out more.
nancarrowfarm.co.uk
WEDDING SUPERSTITION
It is believed to be good luck for a bride to cry on her wedding day as it symbolises that all her tears have been shed and she will not have any to shed during her married life.
STYLE
18. THE COLOUR OF LOVE Embrace shades of red for an oh-so romantic wedding look
20. SHE’S THE ONE Spin a modern fairytale in gowns of chiffon and tulle
32. LOVE STRUCK Stylish inspiration for a modern country house wedding
38. WED’S WISH LIST Dream dresses and head-turning accessories
42. THE TOP TRENDS OF 2023 The looks to love, from bold bows to micro minis
50. WED’S BOUDOIR Bridal beauty tips and top products
52. BE JEWELLED Gorgeous jewels to complete your bridal look
56. A DESIGN FOR LIFE Expert advice for sourcing a forever-worthy ring
67. SUIT YOURSELF The leading looks for the man of the moment
71. DRESSED TO IMPRESS Style-savvy grooms give the lowdown on their W-day attire
78. MEDITERRANEAN DREAMS A garden wedding bursting with the scents and shades of summer
84. SHORE THING Warm coral hues and luxe boho vibes for a seaside wedding
FEATURES
62. HERE COME THE GIRLS! 25 key roles for your bride squad
77. WED’S HIP LIST Fresh, fun and fabulous ways to add a unique touch to your day
90. ASK THE WEDDING PLANNERS The experts solve your wedding planning dilemmas
95. THE TREND REPORT Our favourite wedding trends for 2023
100. NEW ORDER Mix up your W-day timeline for a standout celebration
105. SIGNED, SEALED, DELIVERED! Stunning stationery to set the scene for your big day
109. THE GENERATION GAMES Keep all ages entertained with these crowd-pleasing ideas
144. CEREMONIALLY SPEAKING A rundown on the various options for formalising your union
146. A NEW WEDDINGS LAW? Nicola Le Couteur Bisson looks at the possible future for weddings in England
REGULARS
6. BRIDAL BUZZ What’s new, what’s hot, what’s on
113. WED’S VENUES GUIDE The ultimate guide to Cornwall’s finest wedding venues
153. GOT WED Newly-weds share a glimpse of their day
194. NOTES ON A WEDDING Top tips for your planning pleasure
bridalbuzzregular | BRIDAL BUZZ Katie Goff PhotographyKatie Goff Photography
GARDEN PARTY
Nestled in 12 acres of idyllic gardens in the chocolate-box village of Mawnan Smith near Cornwall’s south coast, Carwinion House redefines the term ‘country escape’. The 18th century house can be found in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty just a few miles from the maritime capital of Falmouth, offering a picturesque rural locale with sandy beaches and subtropical gardens nearby.
The exclusive-use wedding venue offers couples a secluded setting to celebrate their love in a series of scenic spaces, from the landscaped gardens and sprawling grounds to the stunning Raj marquee in the bloom-filled walled garden. Whether you wish to hold a small legal ceremony and celebratory drinks on the terrace or a larger event with full professional coordination, a package will be tailored to suit your vision. There’s even accommodation for six in the Gardeners Cottage, which is set in the heart of the garden overlooking the ponds and ceremony area.
Fully licensed for ceremonies that can take place either inside the historic house or outside in an incredibly pretty setting flanked by flowers and the still waters of the pond, flexibility and exclusivity are the keynotes of a Carwinion wedding for couples dreaming of a country romance with a dreamy difference.
As well as lower deposits and flexible payment terms, the venue is currently offering 20% off all available 2023/24 wedding packages booked before 30th April 2023. Get in touch to find out more.
carwinionhouse.co.uk
WORDS OF LOVE…
“A successful marriage requires falling in love many times, always with the same person.” Mignon McLaughlin
WSD Productions
STRETCH YOUR IMAGINATION
Dreaming of a wedding under canvas in a scenic location? Make your vision manifest with the help of Skybar Weddings. Armed with years of experience in the hospitality industry and with numerous weddings and events successfully under their belt, the team offers a range of services for all types and sizes of marquee wedding.
Whether you’re in need of a location scout, stretch tent hire, layout advice or interior styling and equipment hire, they’ll be on expert hand to deliver your dream wedding with idiosyncratic flair. Their topof-the-range stretch tents are tailored to suit all types of celebrations, from intimate affairs to large-scale parties. Beautifully blending form and function, the safe and secure tents can weather any storm and can be adapted to suit a host of settings. So whether you envision a summertime clifftop shindig with an open-sided tent revealing the ocean beyond, a cosy winter wedding with warmth and magical ambience or a sprawling festival-style celebration via the tents’ modular, interlocking design – Skybar will create it with flourish.
And let’s not forget the interior. Couples can hire a range of lighting, flooring and furnishings such as tables, chairs and chesterfield sofas, along with various staging, sound, PA and entertainment options to ensure that every element is taken care of in unique and oh-so ‘you’ style.
bridalbuzzregular | BRIDAL BUZZ RURAL CHARM
Set in over 300 acres of rolling Cornish countryside just three miles from the north coast, Pengenna Manor offers a series of spaces for a private and personality-packed wedding in a secluded wooded valley.
Your wedding celebrations can play out however you wish across the exclusive-use venue, from the 800-year-old manor house and the summerhouse, an idyllic spot for outdoor ceremonies with sweeping valley views, to the Cowyard Barn, a 200-year-old rustic setting for wedding feasts and evening receptions.
A charm-filled room in the original stable block dating back some 200 years, the Stables is popular with couples seeking an intimate and atmospheric space for ceremonies and reception dinners. Over recent months, the space has been upgraded with new flooring, doors, windows, lighting and heating so that it can now host small receptions for up to 32 guests as well as wedding ceremonies for up to 60 guests. Its beams and timeworn walls bedecked in festoon lighting and lit with candles, it makes a seriously special setting for a wedding rich in rustic romance.
pengennamanor.co.uk
Katie Goff Photography
HOUSE OF LOVE
Blending timeless elegance with ambient spaces and views across acres of rolling countryside, new wedding venue Polstrong Manor offers immeasurable romance for couples seeking an intimate and gorgeously individual wedding.
Having recently undergone extensive restoration, the Grade II listed manor house in Roseworthy boasts a series of stunningly styled spaces, from the drawing room, a luxe and ambient setting with snug sofas, a striking fireplace and valley views, to the conservatory, a breathtaking, light-filled space for ceremonies, drinks receptions and evening parties.
Flooded with natural light and styled with exquisite wallpaper and a sink-into-me bathtub, the bridal suite is a serene sanctuary for the pre-wedding preparations – it also made the perfect setting for our bridal fashion story She’s the One (see p.22). The timeless romance continues in the gardens where a walled garden makes a secluded and scenic spot to host marquee receptions and al fresco ceremonies.
Available on an exclusive-use basis, Polstrong Manor strikes the perfect balance between country house elegance and a comfortable home-fromhome feel, making a stirringly beautiful setting for the house party of your life.
bridalbuzzregular | BRIDAL BUZZ PARADISE FOUND
Beautiful, unique and enchanting, The Lost Gardens of Heligan offers an extraordinarily romantic setting for your wedding. Located in Pentewan, close to Cornwall’s south coast, the estate had been lost amidst the brambles of time since the outbreak of the First World War until the discovery of a hidden door which led to Europe’s largest garden restoration project. Today, the award-winning 200-acre site is an earthly paradise – as peaceful as it is picturesque – where bamboo meets majestic tree ferns, meandering pathways weave through camellias and rhododendrons, the historical walled gardens, lamb-filled paddocks and the sound of birdsong.
The gardens are spectacular during all seasons, ensuring the most magical wedding experience. Hosting intimate ceremonies and receptions for up to 60 guests in a choice of indoor and outdoor event spaces, your wedding day can play out in the most beautiful of settings.
What’s more, for couples planning a wedding with sustainability in mind, approximately 85% of the produce used in Heligan’s menus comes directly from the estate – a mere 157 yards from garden to plate. Paired with a bespoke drinks menu of Cornish wines and spirits, your wedding breakfast of fresh, seasonal produce could feature everything from fresh fruit and vegetables to Heligan’s own rare breed livestock. Whether you opt for a sit-down dinner or a relaxed al fresco barbecue, you’re assured a feast with a minimal carbon footprint, all coordinated by the dedicated wedding team.
Armed with a passion for creating weddings reflective of each couple’s style and story, The Lost Gardens of Heligan promises a beautifully memorable celebration in a unique setting.
heligan.com/events/weddings
Photography: Chris Goodman Photography, Brian Robinson Photography Bridal wear: Coastal Bridal
PLANNED TO PERFECTION
If the prospect of planning your entire wedding from scratch feels overwhelming, then allow us to introduce you to Out of the Ordinary Weddings by Hazel Parsons.
Event planning involves much more than mood boards. Designing, sourcing, budgeting, problem solving, coordination and logistics and are just a few of the considerations to ensure a smooth, stress-free and successful wedding, which is where Hazel and her team can expertly help.
Armed with two decades of industry experience, Hazel utilises her passion, professionalism, attention to detail and insider knowledge to personally support couples every step of the way and make their vision beautifully manifest – minus the hitches. Specialising in weekend wedding management and on-the-day coordination, the service is perfect for couples planning weddings in marquees and exclusive hire venues. Choose from a comprehensive wedding planning package alongside styling (with sister company, Keeping It Vintage), pre-wedding set up and the big tidy up, allowing you to kick back and relax in the knowledge that, come one of the most important days of your lives, everything will fall into place.
outoftheordinaryweddings.com
Katie Goff Photography
WORDS OF LOVE…
bridalbuzzregular | BRIDAL BUZZ SHORE THING
Situated in a private cove just outside Newquay on Cornwall’s north coast, Lusty Glaze offers a heady blend of mesmerising seascapes, dramatic cliffs and fiery sunsets, making it an irresistible wedding venue for sea-loving souls. Roam between beach deck, beach lounge (complete with driftwood bar, sandy floor and dreamy ocean views) and the beach itself – or opt for an elopement ceremony inside one of the beach huts.
Discover the venue’s unique blend of beachside romance for yourselves when Lusty Glaze opens its doors on Sunday 26th March 2023 (10am–2pm) for its open house day. You’ll be able to meet the team and discuss your ideas with a selection of suppliers as you enjoy a cocktail and canapé hour within touching distance of the shoreline.
The event will reveal the sublime venue in all its sea-gazing glory as you’re given exclusive access and insider knowledge of all that’s in store for the wedding season ahead. For couples dreaming of a beach wedding, it’s difficult to imagine a more romantic than this spectacular corner of the Cornish coast, from the sun-kissed sands of summer to the wave-lashed shores of winter.
Clare Kinchin Photography lustyglaze.co.uk
PHOTO FINISH
Choosing your wedding photographer is one of the most important decisions of your day. Why? Because they’ll be your shadow throughout, so you’ll want someone that you – and your guests – can connect with and relax around to be your authentic selves and create the very best images.
Verity Westcott is all about staying true to who you are and how you want your wedding to play out, shooting every unique one accordingly. “I love to break away from the norm, breaking traditions, rules and not working from a list,” she says. “I shoot with Fuji cameras that are small and silent, not to interrupt any part of your day. I am not a traditional or formal photographer. I aim to capture all the raw emotions of your day, with you hardly noticing I am there.”
Her creative, fun and engaging approach produces albums that convey the personality of each couple while capturing the people and places involved with honesty and beauty. Offering micro wedding and elopement packages with a minimum two hours coverage, you can also book ‘The Ultimate Photography Package’ that features 10 hours coverage as well as a pre-wedding shoot, fine art prints, framed Polaroid image, online gallery and unlimited downloads. Get in touch for stunning storytelling photography you’ll treasure for a lifetime.
bridalbuzzregular | BRIDAL BUZZ LOVE ON THE LIZARD
Verity Westcott Photography Travers & Brown Photography
Lee Searle Photography
Perfectly positioned on a clifftop on the Lizard peninsula, Polurrian on the Lizard offers the most stunning panoramas across Mount’s Bay. Together with its contemporary interiors and super-luxe private villas and light spacious hotel rooms, this ever-changing canvas of sea and sky makes for a spectacular backdrop for a wedding.
The venue offers a series of options, combining the expertise of the dedicated wedding team with delicious food and drink and a highly bespoke approach. You might dream of tying the knot and partying the night away in the Vista Lounge with its panoramic bay views, DJ booth and state-of-the-art sound system; or perhaps you envisage a more intimate affair in The Cove View Suite, a dedicated ‘blank canvas’ with private bar and outdoor terrace.
Discover the potential of the venue for yourself by visiting the wedding fair on Saturday 11th February from 12noon-3pm. With bubbles and canapés on arrival, you’ll be free to wander the various ceremony and celebration spaces while browsing the services of a range of wedding suppliers. Anyone who books their wedding on the day and pays a deposit will receive free venue hire. To attend this free event, please register by emailing events@polurrianhotel.com or call 01326 240421.
You might even decide to make the most of the venue’s Valentine’s package, which starts at £149 for an overnight stay including a three-course meal and full Cornish breakfast – all served before those breathtaking ocean views.
polurrianhotel.com
WHERE COAST MEETS COUNTRY
Tucked into a secluded Cornish cove with Porthluney Beach on one side and stunning wooded gardens on the other, Caerhays Estate is immersed in natural beauty – an oasis for couples seeking a palpably away-from-it-all feel for their wedding day.
Wild, romantic and exclusively yours, pick from a plethora of spaces to take your vows and celebrate, from a ceremony in the sea-gazing Coastguard’s Lookout or The Vean to a reception in the Beach Meadow or Castle Field (also available for celebrantled ceremonies), which present prime territory for a marquee wedding overlooking sprawling seascapes.
The Vean is Caerhays’ private Georgian country house retreat offering luxe accommodation for up to 16 people, while Caerhays Holidays boasts a dozen properties ranging from a wing of the castle to a barn conversion for a stay (almost) as sublime as the wedding day itself.
Discover more about weddings here whilst roaming the estate during Caerhays Wedding Open Day on Saturday 25th February, which will coincide with the spring opening of the gardens. Meet a selection of suppliers, drink in the views and discuss your ideas with the events team as you envisage your own celebration in this beguiling corner of Cornwall.
caerhays.co.uk
Nick Bailey Photography
WORDS OF LOVE…
