I have visited Avalen Farm for a wedding in every different season possible and there are so many things that I love about this place. Each and every wedding here has been so different and I love it when a venue truly is a blank canvas for each couple to make their own.
The Key Points
· Rustic Country Barn Wedding
· Bridal/Honeymoon apartment on site
· Guest accommodation for up to 28 guests
(a short distance away with shuttles running)
· No on site caterers
· Fully stocked and Licensed bar
Fun Facts
Each couple that marries at Avalen Farm are gifted an apple tree to plant in their apple orchard as a lasting memento of their union. Avalen is the Cornish word for apple tree.
The site looks out over Helman Tor. Is it 8 minutes by car from the venue to the Helman Tor carpark if you fancy a real adventure for some stunning photographs.
Wedding Day Spaces
· The bridal suite is a stunning rustic two story apartment which makes for plenty of space for your team to get ready with you. The upstairs bedroom and luxury bathroom allows for some privacy when it comes to those final touches and the special moment of getting into your dress.
· Your ceremony can be hosted inside or out with the ceremony barn boasting rustic beams, wooden clad windowsills and lime plastered walls. A full length window overlooking the grounds frames you whilst your vows are being made. Equally, under the huge sycamore tree at the bottom end of the lawn is such a serene and peaceful place to exchange vows.
· The courtyard makes for a wonderful reception space, with ample seating for your guests and adjoining the fully stocked bar.
· Similarly, the lawn is perfect for relaxing and mingling in the sunshine after your ceremony and is so spacious you can set up some lawn games for your guests to enjoy.
· The Big Barn lives up to it its name and really makes am impact the first time you see it. This purpose built wedding breakfast space seats all your guests on trestle tables, nestled in amongst the great oak pillars and beams.
· Your evening reception takes your guests back into the ceremony barn which by this point has been converted into a dance floor and seating area. The bar juts off to the side of this allowing your guests to chat and socialise within ear shot of the dance floor action.
The Changing Seasons
I have photographed a wedding at Avalen in almost every season and weather (I just need snow to complete the check list!).
The indoor spaces are roomy enough to fit all of your guests on a wet wintery day and there is minimal distance between rooms from which you may have to venture in the wet. Most of the walk ways are covered with the most recent addition of a covered walkway from the bridal suite to the ceremony room so you can ditch the umbrellas – they are just not needed!
There are several spots which can be used for both couple portraits and your group shots on a wet day scenario and I have photographed enough wet weddings here to know the best places to keep you dry but also to get the best shots.
On a dry but windy day, the courtyard provides a sheltered space for your guests to roam and chat with the bar running parallel to this.
On a sunny, summer’s day, an outside ceremony is perfect along with your reception. I’ve seen guests sat on picnic blankets, enjoying lawn games (and a 9 hole mini gold course!) and hugging the shade of the huge sycamore tree which is somewhat iconic to this venue.
Memorable Moments
I actually can’t pick one. All of the couples I have shot here have been so lush and I still hear from them all from time to time. The moment that we were lucky to get some of my favourite shots from was at Georgia and Luke’s wedding where the sun just did it’s thing at golden hour and we managed to get out into the corn fields for some sun set shots and it was just so dreamy!
Equally, Hannah and Yestin just made my dreams come true with an actual real life pony for a ring bearer who walked down the actual real life aisle in the wedding barn and just stood at the end like he was supposed to be there! As if that wasn’t enough, Hannah then brought her rabbit, Fergus to join them for the wedding breakfast and he sat happily nibbling the table florals and sharing her raspberry cheesecake! Amazing!
Read more about my Avalen Weddings in these blog posts














