A guide to wedding proposal photography in Cornwall

Everything about Cornwall is unique. It’s almost as if there’s a sprinkle of Celtic fairy dust that runs through the place. It has a unique pull on the heartstrings you won’t find anywhere else. With breathtaking locations and romance in spades, Cornwall is truly the perfect place to propose.

There’s the sand-covered coastline edged by blue seas with a famous surf that always seems to want to play with the sky. Then there’s the warmer climate where you can bask in long days whilst the rest of the UK struggles to extend beyond the low twenties.

And then there’s the miles and miles of open moors, wild, rugged and free. Grassy valleys topped with slashes of cliff edge and flowered meadows littered with tranquil waterways – perfect places for Cornish fairies to hide.

At every end, always the sky blue seas and shy, hideaway bays that hug Cornwall on every side.

You’ll find proposal locations that match the romance of the landscape perfectly. From epic clifftops cut straight out of a period romance to hidden coves like Watergate Bay, sublime botanical gardens, magical rustic settings, heart-stopping ancient castles and historic locations steeped in legend – it’s all here.

It’s the best type of English romance. The ones bursting with lashings of history, long flowing hair, wild nature, unspoilt coastline, magical woodland and views that make the heart dance for joy.

And all delivered with a genuine warmth that makes a wedding proposal shoot in this part of the country so special.

20 wedding proposal photographs from an award winning wedding photographer

Below is a short gallery of weddings proposals in Cornwall that I have photographed over the past few years. Here are some of my favourite proposal photographs, Please take a look through them and if you are planning a proposal in the area then please get in touch.

DAZZLING CORNWALL WEDDING PROPOSAL PHOTOGRAPHY

I’m a local, a Cornwall wedding proposal photographer who knows this area like the back of my hand. It’s one of the top 2 places to get engaged in the UK so other wedding photographers clamber for the opportunity to photograph wedding proposals here.

I’m so lucky – I get to do it all the time (although I do shoot proposals around the country and the world- wherever you want me to go.)

The most romantic Cornwall location for an engagement

There are proposal locations that you wouldn’t even think of. Some of the best are in locations you’d only know if you were a native.

Take the cliffs at Tintagel, a legendary setting where King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table were said to have dwelt. Here amongst the craggy peaks of the cliffs of Cornish Kings, you can propose to your loved one whilst the sea breeze whistles through your hair, the waves crash down below and all around, nothing but the two of you. Now that’s true, heart-thudding romance.

And that’s why Cornwall is the UK’s hottest destination for a wedding proposal shoot.

As the UK’s most sought-after holiday destination, a romantic wedding proposal in Cornwall is akin to getting engaged abroad.

Chris & Megan’s proposal at Trebah Gardens

Romantic-wedding-proposal-in-cornwall-1

Chris

We met with Paul who acted very casual about what was about to follow and as we headed into the gardens I slipped the ring box into my back pocket whilst making sure Megan didn’t go behind me for the rest of the walk.

We walked down to the bridge and I know it was getting close, Paul had disappeared to ‘double-check out the lighting for pictures’ but I knew he was getting ready for me.. I looked over at him and I got the all-important nod.. I got down on one knee and asked my best friend to marry me.

The next couple of minutes were a blur in between getting my words out and trying not to drop the ring through the gaps in the bridge, and I can’t believe that Megan had no idea what I had planned. It was absolutely amazing and Paul did an amazing job at capturing the photos.

They tell the story of our day and we’ve loved going through them with our family and friends.
Paul made this whole experience ease and the results of his work speak for itself!

Megan

Paul was absolutely amazing on the day and sent us a few of the pictures within a couple of hours and they were amazing, it was brilliant to re-live it all over again as we were sat on the beach learning of how Paul, Chris and my sister had been talking for weeks to get everything arranged.

A couple of days later and we received the full album and I was in tears all over again as we looked through them together, the pictures were amazing and it’s brilliant to go through and see how it all happened from a different perspective!

Now we have so many pictures to look back on and remember the little things that are so easy to forget when in such an exciting moment!

Thanks so much, Paul for being a huge part of our day, Trebah Gardens will always be a special place to us!

Romantic-wedding-proposal-in-cornwall-2

EXCITING THINGS TO DO AFTER YOUR PROPOSAL

Beyond the stunning landscapes and proposal locations, there’s so much for you to do.

If you want to do the coastal thing, there are more Blue Flag beaches in Cornwall than you could ever get to visit. This is of course, the home of the best surf in the UK yet it’s also a top place to hike, bike and generally indulge in any type of physical activity.

From caving to paddleboarding, ziplining and surfing, you can do it all here.

Why not sail the many waterways and hidden isles scattered across the region? You’ll happen across serene bays like Lansallos and Palace Cove where you’ll find no one around. For marine life, check out The Cornish Seal Sanctuary near Helston, where you can get up close and personal with sea lions.

The Cornish moors are ripe for exploration. Hike up to world-famous Land’s End or the Men-al-tol Rock where you’ll find prehistoric remains. Golitha Falls is another must-see. Its stunning waterfall is hidden in the ancient, bluebell-covered forest of Draynes Wood – a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

For history, Cornwall will take you way back to a time before English legend was born. Magnificent Cornish castles, ancient ruins and mystical monuments too old to identify what they are, will all keep you enthralled for hours.

A must-do is the King Arthur tour where you can explore the ancient realms of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table, taking in the Round Table, Merlin’s Castle, Tintagel Castle and more. Alternatively, the dreamy Poldark tour or King Henry VIII’s Pendennis Castle is bound to leave you feeling in a romantic mood.

For the place to be seen, head to Dawn French’s glam Fowey, if not then it’s Rick Stein’s foodie Padstow or St. Ives the favourite of creatives.

Spawning all sorts of great British creative minds, innovation is positively in the air in Cornwall. From museums to stately homes, botanical gardens, country piles, farmlands, farm shops, craft breweries, wine tours, art galleries and artisan workshops, there is so much to explore here.

If you want to use your hands, you can paint, make pottery or master fine dining with Rick Stein at one of the many workshops and classes in the area.

If you’re a foodie, Cornwall is a dream. Beyond all the mouthwatering farm-fresh food, Cornish cream teas and artisan beverages, the restaurant scene here is incredible. From Rick Stein to Paul Ainsworth, you’ll know just how many famous chefs have top restaurants here.

For where to stay, the obvious answer would be to glamp under the stars. Yet if tipis, yurts, treehouses, glampers and campers aren’t your thing, hotels and rentals in every type of style are plentiful.

For the best places for your Cornwall wedding proposal, it’s a tough choice.

If I had to narrow it down, I’d recommend:

  • Arthurian Tintagel with its legendary castle and dramatic clifftop location.
  • sublime Trebah Gardens – a sensational coastal botanical garden with its own private beach below.
  • legendary St Michael’s Mount – the famous medieval castle on the hill with fascinating disappearing waters below.
  • the exquisite open air Minack Theatre with it’s beautiful stonework and magnificent views out to sea.
  • the phenomenal tropics of the infamous Eden Project with its domed biomes home to the world’s largest indoor rainforest.
  • and of course, my secret places along the amazing Cornish coast which I obviously can’t tell you yet!

3 wedding proposals in Cornwall you might find interesting

Here are a few of my favourite wedding proposal blogs that I’ve shot over the last year or so. Just click on the images below to find out more.

Top 10 Locations for a wedding proposal
Magical wedding proposal in Newquay 1
“Best of 2021” wedding proposals
perranporth wedding porposal 1
Wedding proposal at Kynance Cove
Stunning wedding proposal at Kynance Cove

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *