Porth en Alls Wedding at Prussia Cove in Cornwall
The phrase “spectacular venue” doesn’t come even close when a describing Porth en Alls wedding 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 wedding venue stands as a unique jaw-dropping venue.
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.
Jonathan and Shirley are a couple that makes my heart melt, they are so happy 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).
Porth en Alls Wedding Morning Preparation Photographs
After settling into their new grand surroundings were as active as the guests in preparing for the big day ahead.
Now it’s March, on the 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 was laid out in ivory and green with candles and favours.
‘The Round Kitchen’ caterers set up and fill the room with mouth-watering smells. Val, the groom’s mother (and respected artist) buzzed around creating and hanging ornamental paper balls, preparing her homemade 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 stood under the stone arches in the garden practising 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 the wedding was. There was so much talent present (apart from the Hacky sack that is!).
Porth en Alls Wedding Morning Preparations
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.
Back in the ‘girls room’ Shirley had emerged in curlers. The bridesmaids set about preparing her and themselves in almost military fashion. After hair and make-up 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 with the guests in the warming sun of the walled garden.
Shirley’s father arrived to collect the girls and his face said it all. They all looked incredible (and were running early!).
Porth en Alls Outdoor Wedding Ceremony Photographs
As the MC’s bell announced the start of the Porth en Alls wedding ceremony Shirley. Her father and her bridesmaids eloquently swept down from the upper house and garden. Around the coastal walkway and into the walled garden through a huge oak door. They had all been practising 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.
After readings by the groom’s older sister and father, everyone had a jolly good sing along. Jon and Shirley were officially married in the sun by the sea. The Porth en Alls wedding drinks reception then started.
Porth en Alls Wedding Drinks Reception Photographs
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 complement 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.
Porth en Alls Wedding Breakfast Photographs
Now as wedding photographers we’ve seen a lot of wedding speeches. 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. The best men’s speeches, delivered by all four best men had the entire room in stitches.
Again the caterers went beyond expectation. Mouthwatering food, beautifully presented was served whilst Alex Chapman entertained. The sun set behind the Porth en Alls wedding celebrations, turning the sky a fiery crimson. The smell of scrummy food and sounds of music and happy chatter from the dining hall was caught on the wind and blown down to the local bay and round the coast.
Porth en Alls Wedding Evening Photographs
After the wedding breakfast, the barrels of beer were ‘officially’ opened. Evening guests arrived and the cake was cut by a very happy looking bride and groom.
Alex was on particularly good form playing the 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. Once the guests joined them on the dance floor the night’s partying kicked off.
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 the guitar with cymbals on his knees! On the contrary, Alex was using some seriously modern electronic kit to complement his spectacular musical ability. He was tapping out beats, sampling vocals, percussion and guitar rifts to layer entire tracks. Alex 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 hard as we do at a wedding. If I was wearing one I would have definitely taken my hat off to Alex.
Porth en Alls Wedding Extended Photographic Coverage
Now, this would be the point that my review would end, however, Jon and Shirley had decided to extend their coverage. We spent the 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, a huge BBQ rounded off events 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”. During the golden hour of the evening captured some spectacular shots with the van, barefoot on the beach and rocks. As with every bride and groom, they were initially a little shy about the shoot. As soon as the camera started they loved the experience, dancing down the sun in the sand and surf!
This has to have been one of the most heartwarming weddings I have been to. A Porth en Alls wedding 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!
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