Beautiful Cornwall and Devon Beach Wedding Vibes

There are so many things to love about beach weddings! Just imagine saying ‘I do’ under the warm sun with a backdrop of turquoise sea and beautiful blue sky listening to wavs crashing on the shore. Then paddling romantically in the sea, stroll around the beach, watch the sunset with a cocktail in your hand and dance the night away, maybe even outdoors under the stars, festival style. If that sounds like your idea of a perfect wedding day, then beach weddings are for you. I have made a collection of some of my favourite coastal weddings around Cornwall and Devon from the last couple of years to get you inspired.

I have also put together a few planning tips for your wedding by the sea. Collected from feedback of past couples and my observations to help you plan your dream beach wedding.

Why choose a beach wedding…

If you want a relaxed, informal do, especially one that stretches over a few days, beach weddings are great. There can also be less planning involved for your decoration as the stunning backdrop often needs little to add. And they're easy to keep small and intimate. Couples often keep their beach weddings relatively small and intimate to give you the option to stay for a bit longer and you can have your wedding and honeymoon all rolled into one! Just make sure you send your Save The Dates out early so people have time to plan.

They are also perfect if you don’t want any guests at all. Many of my real brides opted for elopement weddings, a little romantic get away for just the two of you. There are some stunning elopement and small wedding venues here in Cornwall which also offer boutique accommodation for a truly romantic runaway wedding.

Dream Dresses for Beach Weddings

The bride’s dress should reflect the beach wedding’s relaxed and casual atmosphere. Lightweight and flowing fabrics like chiffon or tulle create a stunning beachy effect. Beach Weddings also lend themselves perfectly to an effortless boho look. Mos importantly a beach wedding dress should be relaxed and super easy to wear, especially if you're splashing in the sea or playing games on the sand.

For your accessories, an effortless ‘just pulled together’ look is amazing for a day on the beach. Accessories that work well can include a delicate headpiece, bohemian-styled jewelry, and a bouquet made of loosely arranged tropical flowers and greens.

Think a relaxed up do or a twisting hair vine with shell hair pins. Or go for the wavy beach hair look. If your ceremony is actually on the beach, a short and simple veil that won't trail in the sand is a good idea. Or skip the veil altogether. Regarding shoes, keep it comfortable and ditch the high heels, they are not the most practical shoes to wear on a sandy beach! Sandals, glamorous flip flops or even barefoot is the way to go. To be honest most of my brides ditched their shoes soon after the ceremony and ended up barefoot the rest of the day. Also tell your guests as sometimes people don’t plan their outfit accordingly.

For the guys, think relaxed linen suits or even just linen trousers or shorts with casual short sleeve shirts. It can be quite hot when it’s a sunny day, so avoid thick tweed suits etc. , the linen or any light fabrics will keep you cool in the summer breeze.

Tell your guests to keep it casual too and to bring sunscreen, hats and comfortable shoes with them

Sea inspired Decor

Another bonus of beach weddings is that your surroundings are so beautiful, you won’t need much decor. A colour theme incorporating the whites and blues of the scenery is lovely and add some loosely arranged local Cornish plants or integrate some tropical flowers and greens. You can so easily create your own DIY beach-themed wedding decor, such as driftwood centerpieces, conch-shell candle holders, and starfish garlands and sprinkle some shells on the tables.

Beach themed Cake

No wedding reception is complete without a cake, and for a beach wedding, the cake should reflect the seaside setting. Opt for a beach-themed cake, such seashells or or beach themed cake topping. You can even customize it to fit your colour palette.

Beach Games

Entertain your guests with beach games, like a game of Rounders, Giant Jenga, Limbo dancing, Pétanque…and think about the little ones, get some buckets and spates, so they can build sand castles.

Choose the right Photographer

When searching for a photographer, it’s crucial to find one who has a candid, natural style and experience in shooting beach weddings. Look through their portfolio and be sure to inquire about their experience with relaxed style weddings. This will give you confidence in their ability to capture your special day in the best possible light.

With your couple portraits, have fun with it and be playful! Walk hand-in-hand along the shoreline, take a dip in the ocean, or include a candid moment with your guests. Whatever you choose, your pictures will be sure to bring a smile to your face each time you look at them.

If you hate your photo taken, which most of my couples do to be honest. Consider adding an engagement shoot to your wedding photography package. This way you can get comfortable with your photographer and practice ahead of your big day. This will also help you get to know your photographer better and develop a relationship and trust, which can help you feel more at ease on the day of your wedding. Plus you get some extra shots you can use as invitations or integrate in your decoration.

If you would like to get some more inspiration from a Boho DIY details wedding at Pohawnfort, please visit RockMyWedding to view a feature of Katie & Alex beautiful relaxed day there, also featured on my blog

And if you are planning a coastal wedding any time soon, please don’t hesitate to contact me for availability. I get booked up very fast for the summer months, so be quick!

Lusty Glaze Beach Wedding Photographer // Sam & James

I’m super excited to present to you a preview of Sam and Jame’s fun filled beach wedding at Lusty Glaze in Cornwall. Voted best Coastal Wedding Venue in 2019’s UK Wedding Awards and for a reason: This little cove is one of the most romantic places in the Southwest, surrounded by dramatic cliffs and facing west it offers the best sunsets Cornwall has to offer and photo opportunities are plenty! It’s definitely one of my favourite local venues and you can hire it exclusively so the whole cove is yours for the day.

Sam and Jame’s special day was a picture book beach wedding, warm sunshine, turquoise sea, great music, singing waiters, a magician, an incoming tide for sea dips and lots of fun in the water and of course a magnificent sunset! What more would you desire from your special day on the beach! I loved this day, so many moments to capture that it was hard to make just a small selection to show to you guys.

A relaxed vibe day like this is the kind of wedding I specialise in and love capturing so much, so if you’re planning a beach wedding in Cornwall or even at Lusty Glaze, please contact me for some more information and availability, but be quick, 2024 is nearly fully booked and I have opened my 2025 diary now which is filling up super fast…

Venue: Lusty Glaze Beach Weddings // Date: 20. 08. 2023 // Makeup: Charlotte Albert Makeup // Hair: Melody Rose Hair Stylist // Flowers: Blossom and Kelp //Singing Waiters: Aston Dobson // Magician: Damien Surr, Ginger Magic // Videographer: Rich, I do Film and Photos

Beach Wedding Photography at Lusty Glaze in Cornwall // Lou & Kristan

Lou and Kristan got married on the 24th of September at Lusty Glaze. They had only booked me for my smallest 3 hour package, so I arrived just before the ceremony wait for the guys to arrive on scooters. Definitely a first for me and they looked super stylish cruising down the road to Lusty! Everyone arrived early to have some pre wedding drinks and the vibe was amazing, it definitely looked like it’s going to be a great party on the beach, I just wished I could have spend longer with them. Such a lovely pair and a great bunch of people…I’m sure they had a great day after I left. Here is a small preview of the little time I have spent with them…

Venue: Lusty Glaze // Date: 24.09.2021 // Makeup: Stacey Louise MUA // Dress: Elaine Rawlings // Hair: Jo Hills at Yoshimi // Flowers: Home at Nansledan

Wedding Photography Lusty Glaze Cornwall // Mel & Dez

Mel and Dez met on a sailing trip and have chosen Lustyglaze as their wedding venue because they have a special connection to the sea and wanted a relaxed vibes outdoor wedding on the beach.

When I emailed Mel about the photo list and she replied she doesn’t want any posed photos at all and just wanted me to ‘do my thing’ I knew straight way that this was the kind of day I love photographing so much. And epic it was, I enjoyed every minute of it!

I kept checking the weather forecast on the run up to the wedding and it was a mix of sunshine and drizzle. It turned out much better than expected, no rain in sight just blue skies and tropical vibes. One big cloud was stuck further inland but never made it across the beach…It was all set for their dream outdoor wedding! In fact it got so hot most of the wedding guests had a dip in the sea at some point in the day.

Mel and Dez said ‘I do’ at Cornwall’s top beach wedding venue Lusty Glaze. This picturesque cove in the heart of Cornwall is one of my favourite venues, the perfect setting for barefoot, beach-loving couples who want to get married on the beach. And now you can even have the whole beach just by yourselves. Yes you heard right, no windbreakers and speedos photobombing your wedding photos, instead you have ‘something blue’ included in every wedding at Lusty.

I guess my favourite part of the day was when The Stowes started playing their Celtic version of “what shall we do with the drunken sailor’ and started the outdoor dance floor going in beautiful sunset light. The atmosphere was buzzing! Especially after we had to endure so long with no dancing during the Covid crisis.

Mel and Dez, you were truly rocking it! What an honour to have played a part in your very special day, thanks so much for choosing me as your wedding photographer. Here is a little taster for you…

Venue: Lusty Glaze // Date: 10.07.2021 // Hair and Makeup: DIY // Hair: EmmaC // Dress: TBC // Cake: Choukette // Flowers: Twigs & Greens // Band: The Stowes

Engagement Photography Crantock Beach Cornwall // Kirsty + Colin

Kirsty & Colin

Engagement Photos Crantock Beach, Cornwall

It was a pleasure to meet Kirsty and Colin last week for their engagement photos on Crantock Beach. We made the most of the late afternoon winter light although the northwesterly wind was blowing and it was pretty cold! Cornwall is just great for any engagement or portrait photoshoot. There are so many beautiful spots to choose from…

This lovely pair is one of my December couples getting married at the Alverton in Truro inspite of what’s going on in this world. Good on ya guys, love conquers all!

Here are just 10 of my favourite images…

If you are looking for a portrait photographer in Cornwall or want to book your engagement session, please don’t hesitate to contact me for a quote

Cornwall Family Portrait Photography // Trevone Beach

Some of my favourite photos from a family portrait photography session on Trevone Beach in Cornwall in September. We met early morning to beat the crowds and make the most out the almost empty beach. Gladly it was a sunny day and we were blessed with beautiful autumn light. A bit challenging at times was the youngest member of the family, she just wasn’t impressed at all and it was nap time… I had the feeling she would have preferred to go back to her cosy bed. I’m pleased we squeezed a couple of smiles out of her in the end…

If you are looking for a family portrait photographer in Cornwall or Devon, please contact me for further details. In the meanwhile you will find some more information about my family sessions here

Engagement Photoshoot on Perranporth Beach // James + Rachel

I can’t tell you enough how much I’m looking forward to shooting Rachel and Jame’s wedding at Tenderway Farm next year! It sounds like just the kind of wedding I love photographing so much, a relaxed style weekend with friends and family in Cornwall. This venue has also been on my bucket list since quite a while, so extra bonus! I met the two for their pre wedding consultation in Perranporth. Jame’s grew up here, so they wanted a few photos on Perranporth beach to ease their nerves before the big day. We were so lucky as it was a sunny day sandwiched in between all the rain we had here recently in Cornwall. The late winter light is super special on a sunny day this time of year. I would say this shoot was literally cast in gold!

Here you go, a few of my favourite photos from this session

If you are in two minds if you should book and engagement photography session with me, maybe this article ‘engagement photos - are they worth it?’ I wrote for Lusty Glaze will help you to decide.

To book an engagement session with me just contact me for further details. If you have a wedding booked with me I can even offer you a discount.

Lusty Glaze Beach Wedding Photography // Richard + Hannah

It's not every day I can speak German to the guests at a wedding. Richard is german and Hannah english, so a few of the guests and family came over from Germany for their gorgeous beach wedding at Lusty Glaze here in Cornwall. It was a nice change to use my mother language at work, although I got a bit confused when to speak German and English, something I do, don’t ask why! I dream and think in English and count in German…strange I know..

Another short package for me, so I started just before the ceremony and stayed until just after the speeches.

Hannah's dress was just gorgeous! So nice to see a coloured wedding dress, something a bit different and the turquoise colour a perfect match to the Cornish Sea on a sunny day. I wondered how they perfectly matched it to Richard's tie - well I found out both the tie and dress were specially taylored for the day out of the same material. I like your style Hannah & Rich!

A lovely laid back day on the beach for the two and their friends and family. Filled with sunshine, blue skies, all around good vibes, great music by the talented Kaj and delicious food prepared by the team at Lusty. I just wish I could have stayed for the evening as I'm sure I missed a beautiful sunset!

Here is a little sneak peek, hope you like it.

If you are planning to get married at Lusty Glaze please contact me. I’m one of their recommended suppliers and I actually live close by so we can always meet for a coffee to talk about your wedding plans.

“We hired Alexa for our wedding in September. Her service was very professional and we are very happy with the pictures that she took of the event. During a personal meeting beforehand we discussed what kind of pictures we were looking for. I would highly recommend her services to anyone looking for a wedding photographer!”

— Richard Roethe

Venue: Lusty Glaze // Date: 08.09.19 // Flowers: La Collina Gardens Hastings // Music: Kajmusic

Lusty Glaze Beach Cornwall Wedding Photography // Becky & Alex

Well what another cracker of a day this was! Becky and Alex had a scorcher of a wedding day on the ever epic Lusty Glaze Beach.

They first spotted me having dinner at Lusty and watched me photographing another wedding there. They liked my relaxed and discrete approach and looked up my work. It was also the day Alex proposed to Becky. What a great story, love it!

For all the other weddings I photographed at Lusty the couple stayed elsewhere nearby in the Newquay area. So today I had the opportunity to meet the bridal party in the cottages down on the beach for the getting ready shots. I was quite excited to finally see them from the inside! When I arrived, Becky had a box with a surprise wedding present for Alex. I brought it over to the guy’s cottage and OMG, if I tell you what was in the box, it’s a man’s dream come true…Becky ordered a Harley Davidson for her future husband, ready to be delivered a few days after the wedding!!! Definitely the best wedding present I have ever seen…Apparently Alex doesn’t easily cry, I’m sure I could see some tears appearing in the corner of his eyes…what a surprise!

The whole day had a beautiful casual feel to it and the weather was playing it’s part, a warm slightly overcast late September day with a few sunny glimpses. Although we missed a good sunset, but hey, you can’t have it all!

I must say I’m adoring their cute German Shepherd ‘Bear’ who was ‘best man dog’ and ring bearer and honestly couldn’t have done a better job.

Becky and Alex, you are truly made for each other! Here is a small preview for you…I hope you like it xxx

I’ll let the images do the talking here!

Venue: Lusty Glaze Beach Weddings // Date: 28.09.18 // Flowers: Coastal Floral Designs // Dress: Ava Rose Hamilton Bridal Shop // Music: Fistral Stereo // Food: Lusty // Makeup: Jessica ley Makeup // Cake: Carmel Earnshaw

Wedding Photography at Lusty Glaze Beach Cornwall // Emma & Rich

Wedding in Cornwall with the summer mode on. I was thrilled when Emma and Richard asked me to photograph their big day on the 2nd of August at Lusty Glaze Beach as it is my favourite beach wedding location in Cornwall.

Lusty Glaze Beach Weddings

Lusty Glaze was the perfect wedding venue for Emma and Richard. With 3 children and a lot more on their wedding guest list there is just no better place than the beach for a relaxed vibe wedding where everyone can just roam free and play in the sand.. At Lusty you can even book your own private beach section to relax and chill in the sunshine.A families paradise!

The Wedding Day

The morning started at Newquay Holiday Park, where Emma and Richard rented a caravan for 2 weeks. They arrived in Cornwall a week before the wedding and had another week to spend down here. They were blessed with warm weather and when I met Emma for her getting ready shots in her caravan, I could feel the relaxed holiday vibes.. 

The Campsite is only a 5 minute drive from Lusty, so a hassle free drive to the venue. The ceremony was beautiful. Emma was walked down the aisle by her oldest son and her daughter did a lovely reading. The sun came out for the reception drinks on the private beach section. It was scorching, so we postponed our couple portraits to after the meal when the beach was a bit quieter. I was also hoping for some low sun evening light. Well you can't predict the weather, it went overcast during the speeches but we still managed to take some great shots. Lusty is just great for photos!!

The evening started with great live tunes and a beautiful first dance. A few pictures below, have a look and if you plan a beach wedding in Cornwall, don't hesitate to get in touch..

Venue: Lusty Glaze // Date: 2.08.18 // Flowers: Coastal Floral Design Newquay //  Makeup: TBC // Dress: TBC // Music: TBC