If you are looking for a purely veggie or vegan wedding venue in Cornwall, then you are in serious luck! Located on the north coast, in beautiful Porthtowan, is Mount Pleasant Eco Park - a countryside wedding venue by the sea, which offers a fabulously sustainable and eco-conscious setting in which to celebrate your big day.
I have officiated at this wonderful venue many times, and it really is one that suits my style down to the ground. The vibe is tranquil, rustic, laid-back and flexible – individuality is most positively encouraged, so this is perfect if you are looking for a chilled-out party, tailored to your own particular style. Plus the team here are truly passionate about ensuring their weddings leave as little a mark on the world as possible; from wind turbines to solar showers, harvesting rainwater and running a bio mass boiler, in everything they do, their focus is on the environment.
The site itself is huge, with 42 acres and a range of impressive indoor and outdoor spaces; the focal point is probably the grass covered amphitheatre with its open-sided shepherd’s hut - the perfect natural setting for your ceremony. After saying your vows, you can head into the fields and meadows or to the sea and sands for photographs, and then join your guests for drinks under the sail canopy in the cob courtyard, with games on the events lawn for the younger ones. Dining can be al-fresco or indoors in the beautifully decorated wood-framed atrium; you might then choose to dance away the night in the timber barn with a live band, or finish the evening by firelight in the courtyard firepit area. For the wild at heart, you can head to bed under the stars, or enjoy a bit of luxury in one of the furnished bell tents or cosy shepherd’s huts.
But the food – I must tell you more about the food! The Eco Park’s wedding menus are, incredibly, 100% vegetarian and/or vegan - using all locally and ethically sourced ingredients. The Cabana Kitchen specialises in seasonal, freshly prepared dishes - from canapes to cream teas, and wood fired pizza to mexican tacos. Other popular options include mezze or tapas tables, seasonal sharing feasts, outdoor big pan cooking, summery barbecues, veggie roast dinners, pasties at midnight – the choice really is AMAZING and an absolute highlight of any celebration.
I was delighted to have the chance to talk to Izzy Blacher, wedding coordinator and events manager at Mount Pleasant Eco Park, about her passion for creating weddings and helping couples celebrate their most important day.
Talk me through weddings at the Eco Park!
I believe we have the most magical venue for wedding celebrations – our site is rooted in a passion for the environment, and that’s reflected in the beautiful outdoor space available, together with a rustic barn venue and breath-taking sea views. Our exclusive use wedding weekends at the Eco Park give couples use of the venue for three days, with the option of hiring our campsite for a glamping experience. Plus we’re the only 100% vegetarian wedding venue in Cornwall, and we’re proud to work with Cabana Kitchen & Café to serve delicious vegetarian and vegan food made with fresh local produce – lots of which is grown in our on-site organic allotment! Alongside weddings for up to 180 people, we also offer an elopement package for couples looking to have a smaller celebration, with just the two of them or up to six guests. I always think there is something very special about intimate weddings – and it is a very affordable option, too.
What would your dream wedding at Mount Pleasant involve?
A Tropical Pressure Wedding! We host an amazing family friendly festival every July, which is a celebration of the cultures of Latin America, Africa and the Caribbean. The site comes to life with technicolour flags and weird and wonderful upcycled ‘trash’ decorations, great sounds, delicious veggie food and general good vibes. It would make for the ultimate festival wedding – with a bespoke celebrant ceremony in our magical amphitheatre. I would love to make it happen!
Do you have any expert tips for a cost effective wedding?
We always encourage our couples to plan their weddings with an environmentally friendly ethos – and happily those options are often also the most cost effective! Two of our top tips to meet both of these factors would be upcycling where possible (jam jar posies are always a winner) and minimising travel – suppliers will offer charge a mileage fee to get to your venue, choosing a local supplier will lessen the impact on the environment and save you money!
What do you think is the most important thing to keep in mind when planning a wedding?
The most important thing is always to remember that planning your wedding should be an enjoyable experience. When overwhelm hits, take a moment to relax and remember just why it is you are doing this! I love weddings and am always on hand to advise Eco Park wedding couples with any help they need – whether that be choosing decorations or finalising the guest list.
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So there you go, our very own veggie/vegan wedding venue in the heart of Cornwall! It really is one of my favourite locations, so I am super-pleased to share it with you. If you’d like more details, make sure you visit the Eco Park on Instagram. Izzy is currently busy arranging a wedding open day for this Autumn, full details for which are on the website and it’s the ideal opportunity for a look around and meet up with a host of like-minded suppliers. And if you want to book a celebrant to complete the line-up of your eco-conscious, laid-back, personalised wedding celebration, then do drop me a line :-)
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