Wedding Photographer Newquay – Rich Howman

I was excited to join Matthew and Nathaniel as their wedding photographer Newquay. Here are their highlight photos from their amazing beach front wedding in Newquay, Cornwall. As a warm late June day dawned in beautiful Cornwall, I was thrilled to be joining Matthew and Nathaniel in Newquay to capture the day they became husband and husband. We first met up with the couple at the Carnmarth Hotel, where they were making some final checks with friends on all the day’s arrangements and details. The Carnmarth Hotel in Newquay is surely one of Cornwall’s best-positioned coastal hotels, with fabulous views across Fistral Beach to the crashing Atlantic sea. Cornwall is where Matthew and Nathaniel, together with their beloved rescue dog, Rory, have chosen to make their home – they love everything about it – so choosing stunning coastal locations for their wedding venues seemed like the natural choice.

Once Matthew and Nathaniel were happy that everything was in place at the hotel, they made their way over to the Harbour Fish and Grill, a stylish and relaxed restaurant built directly into the cliff overlooking Newquay Harbour, and again making the most of the glorious natural vistas. They got ready together with the help of friends, into their chic, relaxed wedding day garb of matching shirts, shorts and shoes. Looking groomed and sharp, not a hair out of place, Matthew and Nathaniel then returned to the Carnmarth Hotel by way of their own gleaming convertible BMW, chauffeur-driven by a friend. Their arrival was greeted by cheers from the guests who lined the terrace in the sunshine, sporting sunshiny Macmillan daffodils as button holes.

The touching ceremony which took place at the hotel was made even more so by the inclusion of Rory as the ring-bearer, looking very dapper and behaving impeccably! Matthew and Nathaniel only had eyes for each other as they exchanged vows in front of their families and friends, and the atmosphere was loving and joyful. After the ceremony, the wedding party moved to the Terrace for a drinks reception, before sending Matthew and Nathaniel off down the steps in a haze of bubbles and cheers, for a creative shoot at Pentire Headland (my turn to join them in the shining white chariot!).

Wedding Photography in Newquay on the beach

Matthew and Nathaniel are incredibly fit, something they demonstrated when they jogged ahead of me up to the Pentire Headland, stopping halfway up for a press-up challenge – which I have to say is a first for me on any wedding shoot! I have to confess I didn’t join in… maybe next time! The newlyweds could actually see their house from here, and the run between home and headland was exactly three miles. They would kiss when they reached the headland, so the location was a very special one for them. They wanted to make the most of this stunning place as much as I did, and were happy indulge me on this shoot, even when my desire to photograph the couple and the majestic rocks led to a close encounter with the incoming tide on Fistral Beach! Between us I felt we had really captured the magic of the place and the importance and loving quality of the day.

After drying off, the wedding party joined together for a delicious wedding breakfast including fresh Cornish fish dishes. Speeches followed, including one particularly enjoyable and emotional speech by Matthew’s dad which was a real “drop the mike” moment, and one I’m sure which will be remembered very well by the grooms and all the guests! Instead of cutting a wedding cake, Matthew and Nathaniel ceremonially grilled the top of a pyramid of crème brûlées for dessert, another really individual touch for their special day.

With first dance having been accompanied by beautiful acoustic guitar music, the party then continued into the evening with lots more dancing and one or two tequila shots. It really was a great end to a brilliant day, and we were very happy to have played our part in Matthew and Nathaniel’s wedding. I can picture them now, running off down the beach into the sunset with Rory in hot pursuit. Congratulations, Matthew and Nathaniel, we loved photographing your wedding day!

Whilst we had been dealing with the rushing tide, guests had moved on to the Harbour Fish and Grill where we headed to join them. Matthew and Nathaniel’s original plan of walking across Newquay harbour to the restaurant was scuppered due to the risen tide. So in a fantastic spur of the moment decision, they whipped off their shirts and shoes, discarded them in the car, and to the sheer delight of their waiting guests as well as many cheering onlookers, they swam across the harbour instead! Such a memorable and fun moment and something I feel was really reflective of both of them and their relationship. A big thank you to the owner of the Boathouse in Newquay, who allowed me to sprint through their harbourside restaurant to capture the boys swimming!

Gay wedding photographer Newquay

Wedding photography in Newquay Cornwall by Rich Howman. Thanks to Claire & Kate for second shooting. If you’re getting married in Devon or Cornwall, the South of England or looking for an award winning wedding photographer Newquay, then please get in touch. I’d love to hear from you!