A wedding ceremony in a yurt, owls, snakes, pirates and probably the best coffee that I have ever tasted. It all sounds too good to be true. Sam and Si managed to cram all this and more into their wedding at Gwel an Mor. Gwel an Mor is perched high above the sea on the edges of the sleepy Cornish maritime village of Portreath. Featuring luxury lodges for accommodation, a wedding ceremony yurt and main hall, the site also has the very wonderful Wildlife Centre of Feadon Farm next door.  Sounds different? Yes it is. It is an amazing environment for a  wedding with a slightly alternative feel.

Sam and Si had both chosen separate lodges for their bride and groom preparation. Makeup was undertaken in Sam’s lodge by the talented Fleur Essence. Flowers were from the always wonderful Cornish Cutting Garden. The dress, was something different. White wedding dresses became fashionable during the Victorian era. It is a fashion that for many has stuck. Sam’s wedding dress, from Coastal Bridal in Mevagissey, bucked that trend and was all the better for it. As for the rings, they had been hand crafted by the incredibly talented John O’Mahony from Penzance. His work is well worth checking out. For the ceremony, Sam and Si had chosen to be wed in the yurt at Gwel and Mor. Given the chance, wouldn’t you? When I say yurt, this not a small ceremonial marquee. It sumptuous and large. It feels like a yurt cathedral. The entrance into the yurt was fantastic. A real transition from the blazing sun outside to the intimacy of the ceremony. Rings exchanged with a kiss, Sam and Si topped it all by leaving to the ‘We’re in this Together’  by Nine Inch Nails. I love this track, but had never thought of it as wedding track. Listening to it on the day, it made perfect sense and fitted with their day and style.

Now we come to the coffee. Simon had asked, their friend Simeon to being his artisan coffee vending van to the day. I like coffee. Like most wedding photographers, I probably drink a tad too much. This day, though, was a caffeine related revelation. I don’t know where Simeon gets his coffee from, but boy it is good.

Whilst some of the guests relaxed in the sun, others were treated to guided tours around Feadon Farm. With its strong conservation message it worth visiting just for a day out. What made it all the more special is that the bride and groom had the opportunity to spend time with the owls at Feadon. I love owls. I really do. The pictures we got are almost otherworldly. With snakes and all manner of other animals the menagerie was complete.

Speeches and the meal followed, setting up the wedding for the evening reception. Which brings up the question of where were the pirates? Live music was being provided by top Falmouth piratical (is that a word) band Jonah’s Lift. The band brilliantly combine songs (a lot of which are about Pirates) with a ceilidh. I really liked their set. It worked so well for everyone.

As John Green from John Green Dynamic Entertainments picked up the pace with his DJ set, it was the end of my day. It was the perfect end to the day.

Writing about the day just now has bought me to the conclusion.

Owls + Snakes + Pirates + a Bride and Groom – it all makes sense to me. If you look through the images, I hope it will for you.