This is another wedding venue that has been on my ‘please pick me’ list for some time! I must have driven past the turning for this venue a hundred times but never ventured down the lane. Similarly, I have seen countless stunning photos from this venue posted on social media and wondered if I’ll ever get the chance to post my own photos of a wedding there. Well luckily for me, Chloe and Tara not only chose Kilminorth as their venue of dreams, but they also chose me to photograph it. And I was absolutely delighted.
Arriving at Kilminorth
Tucked away just outside Looe, the drive to Kilminorth is a journey through winding lanes and rolling hills, surrounded by endless greenery and the odd glimpse of the ocean, as it is less than 2 miles as the crow flies from the coast. As soon as you arrive, you’re greeted by a peaceful hush that feels worlds away from the bustle of everyday life. The old stone cottages are neatly nestled together providing ample space for your morning preparations and guests to stay. The venue with it’s 32 acre estate, including orchard, wild meadows, enchanting woodland, an outdoor swimming pool, a tennis court is a discovery to be made in itself. Each and every area of Kilminorth is considered, deliberate, thoughtful and meticulously created with such perfectly unique touches. From the ‘naughty corner’ phone box to the ‘mermaid/cowboy/does it matter?’ signs on the toilet doors and the box of balls and toys for dogs to play with courtesy of the owner’s late dog, Marley. And I haven’t even got started on the actual spaces designated for wedding celebrations.
The Wedding Spaces
One of the many standout areas of Kilminorth is Chy Hos, a beautiful, rustic altar within a Cornish dry stone walled garden lined with trees. Chy Hos is the Cornish for duck house and yes, this is where the ducks used to live but it was dried out long ago and there is no risk of getting wet (as long as the weather is dry) and also no risk of being photo bombed by any feathery friends! Suitable for up to 250 of your guests to sit on rustic benches and witness your vows, the shade of the trees and the with the backdrop of colourful wild flowers, it is truly stunning.
The Clear Roof Marquee
One of the other noticeable areas is the clear roof marquee. With trestle tables and live-plant rustic chandeliers as standard, this space is a breathtaking space to sit your guests while your wedding breakfast is served and speeches are delivered from the top table. The glow of the festoon lights from the chandeliers as the outside light starts to glow creates such a cosy atmosphere. During the afternoon, the sides of the marquee can be opened up onto a graveled terrace allowing your guests access to the quirky, purpose built bar but also allowing a shelter from the blazing sunshine, and also any localised showers that may appear out of the blue – in Chloe & Tara’s case, both!
Marley's Bar
Is a more relaxed space named after one of the venues much loved late dogs, Marley. Its open sided sail tent marquee roof provides ample shade to seat up to 100 of your guests and boasts an incredible view across the valley. Chloe and Tara’s guests used this space before the ceremony for their guests to grab a pre-wedding drink and have a picturesque meeting point before heading up the lane to Chy Hos.
The Wild Meadow
This is another beautiful and natural space in which you are able to say your ‘I do’s’ with a rustic flower arch to frame the top of the aisle. In Chloe and Tara’s case, we used this space to get some romantic and dreamy shots of the two of them – and wow, did it work. Not only did we get some cute portraits of the two of them during the day but we were lucky enough to get just minutes of golden sunshine at golden hour and headed back to this space to make the most of it and get some golden hour portraits too.
The Kilmnorth Team
What really makes Kilminorth Cottages stand out — beyond the beauty of the venue itself is Jayne and her incredible team – who can be found wearing T-shirts printed with the Cornish word for family - ‘Teylu’. We all know I love a Cornish word or two! From the moment you arrive, they make you feel completely at home. They’re genuinely so friendly, down-to-earth, and always go above and beyond to make sure every detail of the day is exactly as the couple had imagined it. Whether it’s helping with timings, adjusting the setup, or just offering a reassuring smile when nerves kick in, nothing is ever too much trouble. Their care and passion shine through, creating a relaxed atmosphere that lets everyone — couples, guests, and photographers alike — truly enjoy the day.