One of the fantastic things about being a celebrant in Cornwall, is that as well as meeting some incredible people, I get to visit some truly wonderful venues.
I wanted to share my thoughts on just a few of my favourite venues with you, but it’s actually been really tricky selecting just three! So I have plumped for three very different places, all of which I consider special and unique …
(Incidentally, no money changed hands in the writing of this blog! These raves are completely based on personal opinion and experience!)
First up, is The Alverton – a fabulous venue in our county town. This Grade II listed former manor house always strikes me as one of Truro’s hidden gems, and would definitely not look out of a place in a period drama. I love that it is brimming with character, elegance and charm, plus there is great flexibility with several different spaces for your ceremony, plus a gorgeous alfresco terrace and stunning private gardens should you wish to hold your celebrations outside. One of my favourite rooms has to be The Great Hall. This spectacular room was once the chapel, and still has many original features contributing to this incredible feeling of, well, ceremony! It’s a room which truly delivers the wow factor.
However what really sets The Alverton apart, is the staff. The team here are SUPERLATIVE. And yes, you do expect the staff to be on their A game when they are hosting your special event, but I have attended the Alverton many, many times, and the team is ALWAYS on it, going above and beyond to ensure your day runs smoothly, calmly and exactly as you want it to be. Every need is anticipated, nothing is too much trouble and everything is done with a genuine smile. So not only is the venue a showstopper, but so are the staff. A big shout out to wedding coordinator Helen, who is simply the best in the business.
Next, something a little different. Mount Pleasant Eco Park is, in my view, a completely unique venue located on the north coast at Porthtowan. And this is the place for you if you are planning a ceremony which you want to be dramatic but informal, gorgeous but natural, and above all, green and eco-friendly. Set on a hillside, this sustainable site of 42 acres offers you the chance to celebrate with the wild sea at your back and wild flowers and native-species rich fields ahead of you. The perfect location if you are passionate about ensuring your celebration leaves as little a mark on the world as possible.
There’s a choice of indoor and outdoor spaces for ceremonies, including a beautiful timber barn, a stunning oak atrium, and my personal favourite, a grass-covered amphitheatre with willow arch and open-sided shepherd’s hut if you prefer a covered ceremony. Then you have the chance to celebrate with friends and family under the Cornish stars with campfires, music and dancing until the small hours, before you retire to the wild campsite. And if you are looking for vegetarian or vegan catering, The Eco Park Kitchen specialises in seasonal, locally grown and freshly prepared dishes. A better green ceremony location you will not find.
And finally, well, I couldn’t write about Cornish ceremony venues without including a beach venue! So one of my top spots ever, as you might know from a previous blog, is Gwithian (my heart just did a little jump just thinking about it!). Now if you’re not brave enough to take your ceremony out onto the beach (although I will beg and plead with you to consider it) there is a wonderful venue set into the dunes that not many know of. The Rockpool is this place, and if you are looking for a stunning but simple beach venue, you’ve found it.
With a beautifully beach-themed private hire room, and the option to add a marquee to the lawn outside, you can make the most of this glorious location by hosting your ceremony down by the sea or back at the venue, bathed in cool winter light or warm summer sunshine. Either way, you can be assured of some wonderful hosting, excellent catering and the most special location for those all-important photographs. It’s boho beach-chic at its very best.
So there you go, three of my favourite ceremony spots! But if you’re out of area and need a little more inspiration, drop me a line and I’d be happy to share my thoughts.
Comments