Whilst we were down in Devon a young, good friend of mine, was getting married about 85 miles away, near Tintagel in Cornwall. We had both been invited and it seemed, at the time, to be a great idea to go to the wedding and stop over for a night. As it was on a campsite we thought rather than take the 'tintent' we would take a REAL tent. It was only one night what could possibly go wrong?!!?
The day before the weather had been really bad in Cornwall and we set off bright and early as the ceremony was at 2pm. The day was clear and dry so all seemed well. The car was packed with our sleeping bags, a 2" mattress topper for comfort, pillows, clothes etc etc and the aforementioned tent which being a three man tent would be ample. As it turned out the tent was not needed as a spare tent was available for us.
Now, I knew they were getting married in a Tipi so I did actually envisage, just for a nano second, that we may get to sleep in one of those so, I was excited. However, I quickly remembered the cost and guessed that it would be just an ordinary tent, but hopefully, more luxurious than our little three man pop up?
On arrival, we quickly found the party and were shown our new tent for the night. Yes, you guessed it... a three man pop up, but, in a different colour.
The venue, Cornish Tipi weddings, is in the remains of an old quarry now overgrown with trees and makes a wonderful setting to camp, however, the previous days rain, coupled with the wet summer we have had, had turned the place a little muddy! In places VERY muddy!!
Now this place is for the young to stop at, NOT the young at heart!
It's not Bear Grills country, but at my age it might just have well have been, however, don't let that put you off. If you want to get married in a different style to the madding crowd and like camping and are up for something different, then I can really really recommend this place!
The staff are second to none, the whole operation seems laid back because they are so organised and slick. When the sun shines this place is just beautiful, when its wet it gets a bit tricky, but, the whole operation is carried out under canvas and you will still have a wedding to remember!
I can't talk about cost, but by today's standards it's not prohibitive. If you have older people coming, (parents) there are B and B and small hotels nearby to come to your rescue.
Our friends decided they wanted a 'Festival feel' to the wedding and with about four guitarists, ukulele players, a couple of flautists and a bit of organisation and encouragement, everyone joined in the sing along around the wonderful camp fire. Superb!!
Go and take a look at what Cornish Tipi weddings offer, it is different I will not deny, but, does that make it wrong? Not for the 40 plus weddings they do a year there it doesn't!
Now if you have got this far you are wondering about the accommodation, that three man pop up. Did we sleep? Well, surprisingly, yes and quite well really.
Being wild camping the toilets were about 70 metres away which at our age can be a frequent annoyance at night. Toilets and showers were clean but basic, but... more than adequate and added to the ambience of the event and venue.
Would I go again? In truth probably not as the circumstances of our visit will probably not happen again. If however, they were to happen again, then suitably prepared with a bigger, higher tent and a few more luxuries then yes, I would and so would my significant other half!
Simple pleasures are often the best kept memories...
Moriarty