The phrase “spectacular venue” doesn’t come even close when describing Porth-en-Alls in Prussia Cove, Cornwall. Prussia cove itself consists of several private beaches, coves, sands and inlets all surrounded by unspoiled houses, cottages and almost touching the shoreline with its walled gardens Porth-en-Alls house. It rings of ancient smuggling stories around an open log fires in the winter and long sunny days on the beach in the summer. All of this during some baking March sun was to be the location of our latest Cornish wedding.

Porth-en-Alls House- a stunning Cornish wedding venue

Jonathan and Shirley are a couple that makes my heart melt, they are so happily in tune with one another it’s hard to believe that they weren’t yet married. They arrived early in their 1970’s VW camper “Mrs T” (which by the way they had just spent the last 7 years lovingly restoring together) and after settling in to their new grand surroundings were as active as the guests in preparing for the big day ahead.

Now it’s March, on teh cornish coast and the sun is shining like a balmy day in July, the beer barrels and sound systems arrive, delivered by friends. The large, bright dining hall is laid out in ivory and green with candles and favours as ‘The Round Kitchen’ caterers set up and fill the room with mouth watering smells. Val, the grooms mother (and respected artist) buzzed around creating and hanging ornamental paper balls, preparing her home made wedding cake, flower arranging and sign making. Jon’s sister Lucy (who also illustrated the invites, menus and order of the day) and musician extraordinaire Alex Chapman were to be found under the stone arches in the garden practicing their sax and guitar duet. The best men and ushers were ‘testing’ the beer and honing their ‘Hacky sack’ skills on the grass overlooking the sea. This was the day before the wedding and I was already overwhelmed by just how personal to Jon and Shirley the wedding was and just how much talent there was present (apart from the Hacky sack that is!).

Bright and early, the long anticipated wedding morning came. The groom’s party was to be found washing and preening with glasses of champagne as they donned their suits. Yet again the groom’s mother had applied her artistic talents and created ties and handkerchiefs from the same material that Shirley’s mum had made the fantastic favours. The boys looked exceptionally dapper.

The Master of Ceremonies prepares on the wedding morning (he was also a stag!)

Back in the ‘girls room’ Shirley had emerged in curlers and the bridesmaids set about preparing her and themselves in almost military (if not a chaotic military) fashion. Once hair and makeup had been perfected Shirley was tied into her dress by her mother- she looked amazing. At the same time Jon and the chaps waited patiently/ nervously with the guests in the warming sun of the walled garden.

The bride's boquet with the gorgeous bride in curlers!

The Groom has his tie adjusted by one of the best men

Bridesmaids take a peak at the arriving wedding guests

Beautiful bride being tied into her dress

Shirl looking particuarly stunning as she prepares for her wedding day

John waits for Shirl and the bridal party in the Cornish sun

Shirley’s father arrived to collect the girls and his face said it all- they all looked incredible (and were running early!).

As the MC’s bell announced the start of the ceremony Shirley, her father and her bride’s maids eloquently swept down from the upper house and garden, around the costal walkway and into the walled garden through a huge oak door. They had all been practicing their walks earlier in the morning and carried it off beautifully, Jon was a little lost for words when Shirley joined him in front of the registrar- I don’t blame him; she did look amazing.

Wedding ceremony in the sun in the walled garden

After readings by the groom’s older sister and father, everyone had a jolly good sing along and Jon and Shirley were officially married in the sun by the sea. The drinks reception then started.

Now I have to mention the food, ‘The round kitchen’ catering had outdone themselves, mini fish and chips, mini Cornish pasties, mini Yorkshire puddings and mini scotch eggs were the tastiest compliment to champagne and Pims by the sea.

We quickly arranged the group photographs, so efficiently that I even had time to take the bride and groom for a quick walk before the wedding breakfast was called.

John and the chaps looking cool by the sea

The wedding party by the sea

Just Married- Yes they were!

Time out for the bride and groom

Now as wedding photographers we’ve seen a lot of wedding speeches and I’ve even written a few myself but even these were a first for me. The father of the bride and groom’s speeches was so lovely and truly heartfelt that I welled up behind the camera and the best men’s speeches, delivered by all four best men had myself and the entire room in stitches.

Wedding toasts during the breakfast

Again the caterers outdid themselves; mouth watering food, beautifully presented was served whilst Alex Chapman entertained. As the sun set, turning the sky a fiery crimson, the smell of scrummy food and sounds of music and happy chatter from the dining hall were caught on the wind and blown down to the local bay, further round the coast.

After the breakfast the barrels of beer were ‘officially’ opened, evening guests arrived and the cake was cut by a very happy looking bride and groom.

A relaxing minute for the bride

Alex was on particularly good form playing guitar to the first dance, for which Jon and Shirley had been secretly learning the waltz. The stunned faces and whooping from guests showed just how surprised they were and once the guests joined them on the dance floor the night’s partying kicked off.

The first dance - John and Shirl on the dancefloor

I feel I should take some time to describe Alex Chapman and just how a ‘one man band’ can entertain at a wedding. Now when I initially looked at Jon and Shirley’s booking information I almost expected the stereotypical old man with a large drum on his back blowing into a harmonica whilst playing guitar with cymbals on his knees! On the contrary Alex was using some seriously modern (and seriously expensive) electronic kit to complement his spectacular musical ability. He was tapping out beats, sampling vocals, percussion and guitar rifts to layer entire tracks that he would then play and sing over to get the whole dance floor shaking. He also doubled as a DJ during his breaks- It’s very rare that we will meet anyone who works for so long and as hard as we do at a wedding, but was I wearing one I would have definitely taken my hat off to Alex.

Now this would be the point that my review would end, however Jon and Shirley had decided to extend their coverage. So we spent then next day in the sunshine on the local private beach, picnicking, dog walking, kite surfing, rock pooling and the least successful attempt at sea kayaking I’ve ever seen! In true British style this was all rounded off by a huge BBQ with all guests contributing to some part of the meal, preparation of cooking.

An hour before the sun set we headed off to Sennen cove in Jon and Shirley’s van, ‘Mrs T’ and during the golden hour of the evening captured some spectacular shots of them with the van,  barefoot on the beach and rocks. As with every bride and groom they were initially a little shy about the shoot but as soon as the camera started they loved the experience, dancing down the sun in the sand and surf!

John and Shirl take some time out on the beach

On the beach at sunset

John and Shirl in 'Mrs T' by the sea

This has to have been one of the most heart warming weddings I have been to; packed full of personal details and touches; packed full of close family and friends. Not just a photographer’s but a bride’s dream wedding!