In the excitement of the New Year, I forgot to share with you the launch of a gorgeous new wedding venue in Cornwall, which has asked Celebrant in Cornwall to be one of its preferred partners!
Boconnion is a truly stunning estate set on the edge of the glorious landscape of Bodmin Moor. Dating back to the 17th century, it has been home to generations of Cornish families for hundreds of years. The principal dwelling is an elegant Georgian manor house, alongside a charming traditional farmhouse – among 150 acres of rolling hills, meadows and woodlands.
Now I’ve lived in this area for 3 years but shockingly, I was not aware of this spectacular place, less than a 15 minute drive from my door! Perhaps that’s because up until recently, it specialised in holiday lets and retreats, but last year Boconnion went through a refurbishment to create even more impressive accommodation, perfect for the weekend wedding market.
I say weekend weddings, because the set-up it is just spot-on for couples who want to make their special day into a special few days. The manor house has seven beautifully appointed bedrooms and the farmhouse has another six, meaning there is ample space for 27 guests, ideal for the smaller weddings we are seeing become the new norm. But if you need more space for guests to stay on site, you are more than welcome to take advantage of the outdoor space for glamping or camping.
And apart from the wonderful accommodation, the facilities have been carefully thought out, mindful of keeping all age groups fully occupied over a weekend booking. There is an all-weather tennis court, an outdoor heated swimming pool and an open-air Swedish wood-fired hot tub seating up to ten people! Plus there are acres of lawn if you are looking for space for a tipi, marquee or games area, and miles of fabulous walks right on the doorstep.
Of course, being a celebrant, my main area of interest is the ceremony. The picturesque church of St. Helena in Helland, which dates back to the 1700s, is just a five minute drive from Boconnion, and with seating for up to 75 people, I think will be a popular option. Back on site, for a stylish celebrant ceremony, you could choose one of the many elegant rooms in either house. For something more rustic, there is a fabulous country barn – which can be used for dining and dancing, as well as ceremonies.
One of my favourite choices, as you might know, is the natural environment for a perfectly laid-back, chilled-out ceremony and, with flower filled meadows, a restful orchard and many unique and tranquil spots with superb views, you really are spoilt for options if you are looking for a nature inspired celebrant-led wedding.
I spoke with Caroline, the resident event planner for Boconnion, and asked her what she thought was so special about the venue:
“I think the real charm of Boconnion is that while it’s luxurious, spacious and exclusive, it’s also relaxed, cosy and comfortable. It’s like a gorgeous hotel, but with all the mod cons of home. It gives clients the total freedom to explore, relax and party in whatever style they want, with the knowledge that the estate is completely theirs for the duration of their celebration.
"Another wonderful feature of Boconnion is the attention to detail; whether it’s the Honeymoon Suite complete with super king bed, dressing room, walk in shower and a huge circular copper bath, or the bar in the country barn which has been built from Boconnion’s own trees. Clients have also commented on the baby grand piano in the drawing room, and the games room complete with pool table – great for evening entertainment.
"Nothing has been overlooked – from the Sonos sound system in both properties, to providing fire pits and stocks of firewood should you wish to enjoy a bit of stargazing after a dip in the outdoor tub. And if you have furry family, we positively welcome dogs to join you for your celebrations.”
How many guests can you accommodate?
“We very happily make arrangements for elopements and petite weddings, while if you are looking for a marquee wedding, then the maximum would be 250. If you wish to seat guests in the country barn, then it’s suited for 80 guests, in the farmhouse it’s 60 and in the manor house it’s 40. And as few or as many as you would like for an open-air event! “
Sounds perfect! Are guests tied to a defined package or is there quite a lot of flexibility?
“Well, just like a celebrant wedding, there is great flexibility! While we do request a two night stay – and in fact, that is what suits most couples – if you want to extend your accommodation for further nights, that is completely possible. We know that many families like to have a combination of catered for and self-catering, so as well as our catering provision, we make sure the kitchens are fully equipped for clients' use, even with a BBQ in each property. Equally we know it’s nice to have a bit of luxury, so we do offer a fully staffed bar for the duration of the stay. And we’re open to new ideas – so if there’s something you’re looking for that isn’t on the website, you only have to ask.”
Celebrant in Cornwall already has bookings for this wonderful new venue and I can tell you we are really excited about creating ceremonies for their couples! If it’s an option you’d like to hear more about, then do get in touch with Caroline – she’d be only too happy to share her expert knowledge with you.
