Porthminster

Porthminster beach is a half-mile slice of heaven. Located near some of the best hotels in St. Ives, this Blue Flag award winner is renowned for being one of the cleanest beaches in Cornwall. It peers across the bay towards the Godrevy lighthouse.

The beach is family-friendly with temperate climate and some of the clearest water in the UK. Nearby attractions include the Porthminster Gallery and the St. Ives Art Club. Adventurous visitors should stick around until after the sun sets and take part in Shanty Baba’s Lantern Ghost Story walk. Sweeping views of the sea can be taken in from the Malakoff terrace.

Porthminster Point National Park is ideal for getting in touch with the natural wonders of St. Ives. If you’re looking for a bite to eat with a view, the Portminster Beach Café may be the place for you. A short walk leads to the St. Ives Harbour Hotel and Spa. This is a popular spot with brides before the wedding. Inquire about their couple’s massage if you’re looking for an intimate honeymoon experience. Staying relaxed is one of our top tips for a stress-free beach wedding.

If you’re looking to sneak in a quick visit to the links, Portminster even has a putting green just a few blocks from the sand.  The nearby St. Ives Country Club is available for a game of tennis. If you scale the hill above the beach you’ll pass trendy Trelyon avenue. Trelyon is home to several posh beach houses. Zareba house has an amazing porch overlooking the town, beach, and sea.  Little Zareba is located on the same property and is ideal for a St. Ives Honeymoon getaway. Climb even higher up the hills above Trelyon and you’ll come face to face with the Tregenna Castle resort.  Perhaps the most iconic luxury Holiday resort in Cornwall, Tregenna Castle’s amenities will pamper you in luxury.  Sitting on 72 lush acres of greenery, this fab resort boasts a heated pool, spa, and courts for tennis, badminton, and squash. A modern gym facility is on-site to keep fit during your holiday.

Eloping is a popular new trend in weddings and Porthminster is absolutely perfect for romantic holidays.  Summer, spring, and fall are lovely times to visit. It’s fun for the whole family. This beautiful strip of sand is one of the best beaches in England and a lovely spot to exchange your vows by the sea.

 Porthgwidden

Porthgwidden is the smallest of the sandy beaches in St. Ives.  It’s quite sheltered and family-friendly and is an ideal spot to catch some rays. It’s a bit fenced in which makes it easier to keep an eye on your little ones.  Convenient beach huts are available for rent.

Porthgwidden has a laid back vibe that attracts beach lovers from across the UK. Children and parents can be found building sandcastles, hunting for seashells, floating in rafts, and riding the waves. While surfing is extremely popular in St. Ives, plenty of bodyboarders can be found at the family beaches.

Porthgwidden beach sits below “The Island”, a grassy natural habitat overlooking the sea that is ideal for nature walks and birdwatching.  History buffs can explore the St. Nicholas chapel and enjoy spectacular views of the Godrevy Lighthouse. The Island’s stretch of the southwest coast path is perfect for a romantic sunset stroll.

The Island has a carpark, but it is best to travel by train if possible. St. Erth offers direct service into the St. Ives Town center. Renting a bicycle and biking around the peninsula a great way to build up an appetite.

Porthgwidden Beach Café has a spacious terrace with tables overlooking the sea. The Mermaid offers traditional fish and seafood dishes for hungry voyagers. The Searoom has a sophisticated tasting menu for cocktail connoisseurs.  The Loft features contemporary dining. The Balancing Eel will cure your fish and chips craving. Italian coffees and pizza are made fresh daily at Caffe Pasta.

Only a short walk from the major cultural attraction of St. Ives, Porthgwidden location gives holiday goers the best of both worlds. A bit of seclusion yet easy convenience to the nearby restaurants, shoppers, and museums. If you’re looking for children’s entertainment in the evening, the Boathouse Theatre features family-friendly plays and puppet shows.

Carbis Bay

Carbis Bay is one of the finest beaches in Cornwall. Its pristine beaches, clear waters, and excellent safety record helped earn it a prestigious Blue Flag award in 2019. Its calm water may not be perfect for surfers, but it’s ideal for families with little ones. The beach is owned by the Carbis Bay Hotel but is open to the public. It is among the safest beaches in England.

The tranquil waters of Carbis Bay attracts kayakers, stand up paddle boarders and outrigger enthusiasts. The Ocean Sports Center has instructors and rentals on site. Their Ocean safari is a wonderful opportunity to explore local wildlife while you’re getting a workout.

Carbis Bay is blessed to be right on the St. Ives Bayline, regarded as one of the most scenic train routes in Great Britain. Carbis Bay has its own stop and this train is a brilliant way to explore the Cornish coast.

Like many of the St. Ives beaches, Carbis Bay is a picturesque spot for weddings. The main spot on the beach is the Carbis Bay Hotel. This four-star eco-friendly property features luxurious rooms, delicious dining, and an indulgent spa for pampering the senses. It was voted one of the best Spa Hotels in Cornwall. Having its own private beach is quite a perk!

In addition to its popularity with tourists, Carbis Bay is a thriving year-round community with wonderful schools and plenty of shopping and restaurants. The only Tesco’s in St. Ives in located in Carbis Bay. A bit quieter than Harbour Beach and the city centre, Carbis Bay has seen an increase in romantic getaways, spa vacations, family holidays, and Honeymoons.

Staying in Carbis Bay is quite nice if you’re looking to avoid the summer crowds in the city centre. With its convenient train station, getting into town without a car is simple. It’s cleanliness, safety and aesthetic backdrops make it one of the best beaches for weddings in the UK.

Porthmeor

Porthmeor beach is a fantastic family destination. One of the safest and cleanest beaches in the UK, in 2019 Porthmeor was honored with the illustrious Blue Flag designation. In addition to mild temperatures and azure waters, the beach is walkable to St. Ives’s most prestigious artistic attraction.

The renowned Tate St. Ives has been hailed as the finest display of contemporary art in western Britain. A fusion of modernism and seaside realism, this Cornish treasure offers a cornucopia of artistic delights. Just up the road from the Tate Gallery is the award-winning Porthmeor Studios. A renovated fishery from the 1800s, this charming tribute to Cornish creativity has been a haven for some of England’s most gifted painters and sculptors.

Porthmeor beach draws surfers from across Europe to ride some of the finest waves in Cornwall.  The St. Ives Surf School is a premier destination for surfers, kayakers and stand up paddleboarders. With some of the top surf instructors in the UK, the St. Ives Surf School can have you riding the waves in a matter of hours. If surfing is on your bucket list, this is the ultimate St. Ives honeymoon selfie.

If all these family-friendly activities build an appetite, Porthmeor has some of the hippest eateries in St. Ives. The Porthmeor Beach café offers tapas and libations as you gaze out across the ocean. For a cuppa tea with character, visit Bumbles tea room.

If you’re up for adventure and looking for a remote beach to get away from the crowds, nearby Clodgy Beach is an option. Accessibility may require some athleticism as the coastline is quite rugged and often at the mercy of the tides. Clodgy Beach is treasured by St. Ives dog lovers as pets are welcome there all year round.

What are the Best  Wedding Venues in St. Ives?

This beautiful section of Cornwall is blessed with a plethora of excellent hotels, restaurants, and wedding venues. Beach houses and cottages in St. Ives are plentiful for couples looking to get married by the sea.

Tregenna Castle has some of the best views of any wedding venue in England. Perched atop the Trelyon avenue bluff, it offers sweeping views of the North Atlantic Ocean and the Celtic Sea. This family-friendly resort encompasses seventy-two lush acres and hosts an eighteen-hole golf course and outdoor heated pool. Tennis courts, badminton, and squash are also available to guests. The indulgent spa is ideal for brides seeking help with their hair, nails, and wedding day makeup. The fitness center neighbors an indoor heated pool with access to a jacuzzi hot tub, sauna, and steam room.

There are 98 luxurious rooms at Tregenna Castle. Most have expansive views of either Carbis Bay or the Porthminster beach. On a clear day, you can see as far as Porthgwidden beach. It’s only a ten-minute walk to the St. Ives town centre. Spacious family suites provide an excellent staging area for the Bridal Parties to get ready in. There are six banquet rooms on the premises for brides to choose from. The primary on-site restaurant is the Brasserie. It features locally sourced fresh entrees for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and afternoon tea.

Weddings at Tregenna Castle are spectacular. Brides have a choice of six different ceremony locations. The venue can accommodate up to two hundred and fifty guests and Bridal Party packages are available. Indoor and outdoor space is available for receptions, cocktail hours, and rehearsal dinners.

The Harbour Hotel of St. Ives is just a stone’s throw away from Porthminster beach. This charming boutique hotel has fifty-two rooms a luxurious spa and a decadent eatery. The wedding venue can hold as many as two hundred guests and can cater morning, afternoon, and sunset ceremonies. Their signature space is the Harbour Suite. At 137 square metres, this elegant enclave can seat one hundred and sixty guests for weddings, commitment ceremonies, and other special events.

The Godrevy Suite is slightly smaller but offers lovely panoramic views of the waterfront and beach. It can fit as many as one hundred and fifty guests but dining capacity is capped at ninety. St. Ives has some of the nicest beaches in Cornwall and the views from The Terrace are brilliant. It’s lush, creatively styled gardens create an idyllic backdrop for wedding portraits.

The Spa at the Harbour has indulgent treatments and amenities for couples and bridal parties. A hydrotherapy pool, steam room, sauna, fitness room and heated pool for swimming are all on-site. Available treatments include facials, pedicures, manicures, waxing, and eyelash tinting. The massage menu offers exfoliations, mud wraps, Swedish, full-body, deep tissue, and reflexology. A signature men’s line is available for the groom.

Hungry hotel guests can enjoy farm to table delights from Harbar Kitchen, a contemporary eatery with a top-shelf terrace overlooking the sea. An impressive wine list, local craft beers, and superbly presented cocktails make this a fine spot for guests to mingle before the ceremony. Afternoon tea is a prestigious event and the Sunday menu draws crowds from all across Cornwall.

Carbis Bay Estate and Spa is a heavenly retreat overlooking one of England’s award-winning beaches. Carbis Bay has earned prestigious seaside awards and a blue flag in honor of its pristine sands and impeccable safety record. Getting married at the Estate has plenty of perks. The C-Bay Spa is one such amenity. Aromatherapy, pampering massage and a glass of bubbly are just what a bride needs to get relaxed and focused before their nuptials. Our helpful tips for a stress-free destination wedding are designed to help you attain pre-ceremony zen.

Guests staying at the Estate may choose from either a room in the main house or an exquisite beach lodge that sits right on the Carbis Bay beach. Built in 1894, this fully renovated hotel fuses traditional architecture with contemporary opulence. Family suites are available and many of the rooms look out across the sea. The beach lodges have windows that stretch from ceiling to floor. Rooms have balconies that gaze over the bay and most have private sundecks. It’s environmentally approach eared it an ecotourism hotel award in 2019.

There are four delicious restaurants on the property. The beach club specializes in Mediterranean cuisine. The Hungry Gannet features modern fare with a laid back vibe. The Conservatory is perfect for tapas and tea overlooking the ocean. Sands is an award-winning fine dining restaurant. Together these four spots offer a treasure trove of delights unlike anywhere else in Cornwall.

St. Ives has several other charming hotels on its resume. Boskerris is a Mediterranean themed lodge with scintillating views that stretch from the Godrevy Lighthouse to the harbour. The Lifeboat Inn has a brilliant location in the heart of downtown. West by Five is a three-story townhouse. It overlooks Porthmeor beach and has earned a five-star rating.

Trevose Harbour Hose has immaculate studios and rooms and is just steps away from The Warren and its bustling shops. Many of these hotels, inns, and auberges have romantic wedding and honeymoon suites.

There is no shortage of outstanding dining options in St. Ives. The Loft is situated in the Artist’s Quarter and features a sun loft amid the downtown rooftops. The Cellar Bistro is at the heart of Fore Street and provides honest homegrown fare. The Searoom is a trendy spot for pairing tapas with vintage cocktails, aperitifs, and some of Britain’s tastiest gins. Porthmeor Cafe literally sits on the beach and looks over the ocean. The Seafood café has the best shellfish dishes on Fore Street plus a formidable selection free-range Cornish delicacies. The Porthminster Kitchen has spectacular views from its sun-drenched terrace overlooking the water. Most of these fine restaurants are available for wedding receptions and catering is usually available with proper notice. Elopers and small wedding parties should have no trouble getting a prime table if they book far enough in advance.

Why are so many UK Brides Eloping?

Eloping is the new trend in weddings!

Many couples would rather invest £25,000 on a home instead of spending it on a single wedding day. Couples around the world are planning simple & stress-free elopements. They’re having their wedding and honeymoon in the same location and only inviting a handful of guests. These couples are getting brilliant photos and romantic adventure for a fraction of the price of a traditional indoor wedding. Once you finish your wedding shopping, you need to find the perfect location to show off that dress. Eloping gives you the flexibility to choose an amazing destination for your romantic nuptials!

But won’t our families be upset if we elope?
Don’t let family influence your planning unless they’re paying for the wedding.

If you’re footing the bill than the only opinion that matters is yours. It’s much easier to ask for forgiveness than to ask for permission. Your most important inner circle should respect and understand your decisions. Eloping doesn’t have to be restricted to just the bride and groom. Contemporary elopers are bringing their parents and children. Smaller families bring siblings, nephews, and nieces but the cut off line is usually drawn at cousins. Some families just don’t get along. If that’s the case, there’s nothing wrong with just inviting your best friends to be the maid of honor and best man. The last thing any couple wants is family drama creating stress during one of the best moments of your life.

There are two types of elopements. The traditional elopement involves making the decision to get married and not telling a soul. There are several reasons this usually occurs. Some couples do this for financial reasons, such as filing a joint tax return or insurance benefits. Military couples often go this route before their partner leaves for a long overseas deployment. Some couples receive an unexpected blessing and want to be wed before the baby arrives. Unfortunately, far too many of these ceremonies occur in a courthouse, registrar’s office, or other unimaginative government offices. The wedding photos are often quite bleak and these couples often end up paying for a renewal of vows to get the pictures they always wanted.

The second type is a planned elopement. This is more of a modern phenomenon that has grown as wedding prices keep rising exponentially. This type of ceremony enables couples to have the nuptials and pictures they’ve always dreamed of without breaking the bank. The largest line-item expense for most weddings is providing food and drinks for your guests. Eloping eliminates that overhead and allows you to reallocate those savings towards your travel and honeymoon expenses. You’ll also have more funds for dress, flower and cake shopping. A good strategy is to have a small reception back home about a month or two after you elope. This will give you time to organize your photos and display them on a large screen for the folks that did not attend. You can cut costs by having the reception at a friend or family member’s house. Creating your own music playlist and creating and stocking your own self-service bar can save you money. You’ll also get another chance to show off your wedding dress and get a second round of gifts! It’s a wonderful plan to start your new life together without going into debt.

Eloping just makes sense for a lot of couples. If it feels right, just do it. You don’t owe anyone an explanation. What matters most is you get the beautiful ceremony you and your fiance deserve.

What’s the  Best Wedding Anniversary Gift?

A renewal of vows on the beach! If you’ve been looking for the perfect give for your wonderful spouse, there’s no better way to show your love and devotion than by renewing your marriage vows.

If you’ve ever forgotten a wedding anniversary, this is the way to make up for it. Could your last anniversary have been more exciting? Nothing tops a second honeymoon and a surprise renewal of vows on the beach at sunset. It’s a wonderful way to get the kids together for family photos you’ll never forget. After the ceremony, you can frame your vows and give them to your partner. It will go perfect next to the framed photo of your romantic wedding. If you need help customizing the perfect vows for your renewal, The Ocean as my Witness may be the book you need to get started.

Have you ever wished your original wedding photos had a different backdrop? Are you seeking a grand romantic gesture to celebrate a milestone anniversary? A renewal of vows is an amazing way to reaffirm your love and reignite the flames of passion. Whether you simply celebrating a single year together or a major five, ten, or twenty-year milestone, nothing says “I Love You” like renewing your vows in a magical spot.

Is your St Ives Vow Renewal going to be a surprise?
Create an anniversary memory your wife will never forget! An expert wedding planner can help the surprise go as smoothly as possible. Husbands looking to surprise their wives can usually use a few pointers from a female’s perspective. You want to make sure your wife looks as good as possible before you go out. That way she’ll feel comfortable in front of the camera and posing for pictures. Our recommendation is to let her know you’re taking her out for a fabulous dinner at the best restaurant by the beach. Make yourself scarce for a few hours so she has time to properly fix her hair, nails, and makeup. If it’s in the budget, book her a spa appointment that afternoon so she feels extra sexy!

It’s usually best to keep the reservation time a secret. A good surprise renewal of vows timeline would look like this. Tell your wife your amazing dinner reservation is at 7:30 pm but you’d like to take a romantic stroll on the beach beforehand. The real reservation time should be 8:30 pm. Schedule your wedding celebrant and photographer to meet you at 7 pm. They should meet you on the beach about one hundred yards to either side of where you’re staying. If you have a musician, ask them to have your special song playing as you arrive. At that moment she recognizes your song, gets down on one knee, and proposes. The photographer will emerge to take the picture. Then the Officiant is introduced and the ceremony begins. When the ceremony is complete, you’ll stay for beautiful sunset wedding portraits. Then on to your dinner reservation. You’ll definitely have a lot to talk about over dinner and it will probably be the most magical evening you’ve had in years!

Commitment Ceremonies are on the Rise in the UK

Many couples are opting for a Commitment Ceremony instead of a legally binding wedding. They get to enjoy a romantic ceremony & honeymoon without the red tape. It’s a gesture that affirms their love and commitment but gives them a sense of flexibility and independence. Brides still have the option of taking their spouse’s last name but it is certainly not mandatory.

Couples still get to enjoy planning a beautiful ceremony and an intimate dinner and getaway afterwards. The same brilliant wedding photos, aromatic flowers, and delightful cake.

Commitment ceremonies are less expensive than weddings. A registrar is not necessary nor is a marriage license. An elopement or simple ceremony with less than a dozen guests is often ideal and costs thousands of pounds less than traditional nuptials. A major advantage of this wedding variation is that Brides have the flexibility to get married where ever they choose. With no-paperwork or government hoops to jump through, the best and most beautiful outdoor spaces are often available.

Antiquated marriage laws limit the best spots for outdoor wedding ceremonies. A simple Commitment Ceremony has no restrictions so you can create a beautiful memory on one of Cornwall’s amazing beaches. Many of the top spots do not require any paperwork or fees. All you really need is a celebrant and a photographer to take the pictures. A beautiful bouquet of real flowers is always special and a nice bite of cake is a tradition everyone enjoys. If you want to go all out, hiring a limousine to chauffeur you around is a nice touch.

Some brides and grooms may have had a bad experience with a prior wedding and do not want to risk going through another divorce. Some choose a Commitment Ceremony as an expression of their own personal or religious beliefs. It’s also an option for same-sex couples who have not been granted the opportunity of a legal marriage by their state or country.

The traditional roles of husband and wife have been evolving for centuries. The women’s movement brought about marital equality in the home and workplace. The role and authority of churches has been questioned by a generation of independent thinkers. The acceptance of same-sex marriages arrived into mainstream British culture in 2014. This evolution has naturally spread to the wedding industry. People are free to express their love how they see fit. A commitment ceremony is an expression of the newfound freedoms of the 21st century. The next chapter is yet to be written, but will hopefully include full access to England’s best beaches and outdoor parks for ceremonies of love and devotion.

If you want all of the fun, excitement & romance of a wedding without legal headaches and an exorbitant price tag, then a Commitment Ceremony on one of St. Ives’s beautiful beaches may be perfect for you and your partner. The trend is growing and isn’t going away anytime soon. Some couples are celebrating their anniversaries with a romantic vow renewal each year.

Whether you choose traditional nuptials, a handfasting, religious, secular, or any other type of ceremony the only important thing is that it makes you happy. You and your partner deserve a beautiful, loving ceremony with wonderful images. The gorgeous coastline of England and it’s pristine beaches are an excellent place to start. The right backdrop is paramount to create a memorable experience for the two of you as well as your family and friends that have chosen to attend. The optimal ceremony time is usually about ten to fifteen minutes. Unlike legally recognized United Kingdom marriages, your celebrant or officiant does have to be approved by the state or Church of England. You’re free to choose any vows you like. Couples that choose to have their ceremonies are still able to legally wed at a later date if they choose. Freedom and flexibility are just two of the reasons why Commitment ceremonies are on the rise in not just the UK, but all of Europe.