10 unusual ways to say "I Do"

Award winning Pentillie Castle’s wedding organiser Regan Bailey, gives advice on how to personalise every aspect of your day - from venue to food to entertainment.

“As a wedding organiser, it’s always really exciting and challenging to meet a bride who has some strong ideas, or is really up for a bit of creativity and inspiration,” says Regan. “We can start with a clean sheet of paper, explore the many options here at Pentillie - and come up with something really fab.”

Regan has years of wedding organising experience gleaned from working at premium Cornish venues like Pentillie Castle, Lanhydrock Hotel and Gold Club and also St Mellion International Resort.

waterside wedding couple, Pentillie Castle, Cornwall

Regan’s Top Tip

“Many places I have worked say they offer a ‘personalised wedding experience’, but really make sure you start with what you want - and check if they really can tailor the food, venue and entertainment to your vision of theday .”

Here are Regan’s Top 10 Wedding Ideas

1. Try a magical winter wedding

Snow, frost and cosiness, winter weddings can be truly atmospheric and romantic. “I love candlelit weddings,” says Regan. “I also love beautiful fur capes on a wedding dress - it makes it really special.”

winter weddings Pentillie castle cornwall

2. Go ‘Bake Off’ with afternoon tea

Serving a beautiful formal afternoon tea, can be a really fun idea for the wedding breakfast, or perhaps for the day before when everyone arrives. “This idea can be a real winner with cake loving guests. We even had one hen weekend at the castle, where the bride and her friends had a Bake Off Hen Weekend and hired the whole castle to enjoy it!”

afternoon tea wedding table Pentillie castle cornwall

3. Planes, trains and automobiles - arrive in Style

Everyone likes a fancy car to arrive in - but it’s great to think outside the box for your transport. “Pentillie has welcomed helicopters, vintage buses and horse drawn carriages - they make memorable and fun ways to arrive,” says Regan.

arrive in style wedding couple helicopter Pentillie Castle cornwall

4. Give your guests fun and games

Archery and croquet on the lawn are just two ideas to keep guests entertained while, that crucial bridal photography session is going on. “It gives guests a focus that is fun and helps to break the ice before everyone sits down,” says Regan.

fun and games with wedding guests Pentillie castle cornwall

5. Let music create the mood

The perfect music can really make your even go with a swing, “We love a good Jazz or Swing band at a wedding. It gives it an old fashioned, stylish buzz, that appeals to young and old.”

Cath and Dan band at pavilion, Pentillie Castle, Cornwall

6. Make the most of nature

Having your photo taken in a stunning natural environment, like by the sea, against the sky, or in a field can be truly magical. “At Pentillie we have our historic tree lined Lime Avenue, which makes an amazing backdrop for photos. It’s hard not to take beautiful pictures there!” says Regan.

wedding couple pictured historic tree lined lime avenue, Pentillie Castle Cornwall

7. Go crazy with your marquees

For bigger weddings a marquee adds a stunning, fun element to the day. “Marquees these days can be a beautiful backdrop for styling your perfect wedding breakfast. You can go crazy decorating them or keep it simple and stylish.”

marquee weddings at Pentillie Castle cornwall.png

8. Get married outdoors

“Getting married outdoors feels lovely. It can feel very fresh and romantic,” says Regan. Pentillie is one of very few places where you can get married outdoors under its stunning Loggia arch.

getting married outdoors at Pentillie Castle cornwall

9. Go by boat!

For a really unusual twist, try a riverboat reception. At Pentillie Brides can arrive by boat along the River Tamar, an area of outstanding natural beauty, then meet their guests at the Bathing Hut for their reception. ‘It’s incredibly fun and romantic,” says Regan.

getting married on a boat Pentillie Castle, Ccornwall

10. Unusual historic venues

Unique and unusual venues create brilliant places for photography and also receptions. Pentillie’s historic bathing hut is possibly one of the most atmospheric in Cornwall, providing stunning scenery and a great venue for either reception drinks or perhaps a candlelit dinner the night before the wedding for guests.

Pentillie Castle, Cornwall historic wedding venue

Pentillie Castle [www.pentillie.co.uk], is an award winning luxury B&B and events venue, on the banks of the River Tamar, an outstanding area of natural beauty. It offers catered accommodation for up to 18 people, and weddings for 12 to 200 people.
Wedding packages start from £4,950.