A Winter Wedding at Trelowarren, Cornwall - Ruth and Sam’s December Celebration Through the Lens of Olivia Rossi
There’s a quiet magic to winter weddings in Cornwall - a feeling of intimacy, warmth, and light-filled corners that invite connection and calm. The season brings its own rhythm, with softer daylight, cosy interiors, and a pace that allows couples and guests to truly soak in every moment.
Ruth and Sam’s wedding at Trelowarren on 14th December perfectly captures this winter atmosphere. For this blog, we spoke with Cornwall wedding photographer Olivia Rossi, who was there to capture their day, and she shared her reflections on what made it so special. Through her lens, every candlelit corner, garland-draped stairway, and joyful glance is brought to life with warmth and authenticity, showing how the historic venue, seasonal touches, and thoughtful planning came together to create a celebration that feels immersive, heartfelt, and unmistakably tied to its winter setting.
Using the Full Estate: A Wedding That Truly Flowed
One of the first things that stood out to Olivia was how intentionally Ruth and Sam used the whole of Trelowarren.
“So often, everything happens in one or two rooms,” she says. “But this day flowed naturally through the house and the grounds.”
Both Ruth and Sam got ready at Trelowarren, on different floors of the main house.
“There were two of us photographing - my husband Tobias and I - so he was with Sam and I was with Ruth. They were actually above each other, which felt really special when you see the story of the day afterwards.”
For Ruth, the morning held a particularly quiet, emotional moment.
“She couldn’t be seen from outside,” Olivia explains, “but she could watch guests arriving down the long drive. That’s such a lovely way to begin the day.”
A Chapel Ceremony Full of Warmth and Emotion
Ruth and Sam’s ceremony took place in Trelowarren’s historic chapel, led by Rebecca Morris, celebrant.
“I couldn’t believe they still had the old chapel,” Olivia says. “It’s such an atmospheric space - especially in winter.”
The couple chose a side-on, runway-style aisle rather than a traditional layout.
“They didn’t want everyone facing them directly,” Olivia explains. “It made the ceremony feel incredibly intimate.”
It also allowed for a beautifully planned indoor confetti moment.
“They were really making the most of the building,” Olivia says. “Planning confetti inside meant they weren’t relying on the weather at all.”
Winter Styling That Felt Elegant, Not Overdone
Rather than leaning into traditional festive styling, Ruth and Sam chose a palette that felt rich and timeless.
“They went for deep greens rather than reds,” Olivia notes. “You don’t see dark green that often at weddings, and it worked beautifully with the building - it had a slightly gothic, romantic feel.”
Styling elements from Out of the Ordinary Event Hire helped enhance the spaces and bring cohesion across the house, while fires, Christmas trees and candlelight enhanced Trelowarren’s historic character.
Florals by Blossom and Kelp were intentionally organic rather than symmetrical.
“They wanted it to feel artistic,” Olivia explains. “And from a photography point of view, it gave us incredible backdrops, especially for group shots indoors.”
Scent, Texture and Candlelight
This wedding was as much about feeling as it was about how things looked.
“They had dried oranges, cinnamon sticks, pinecones and berries,” Olivia says. “Even the scent had been thought about including the mulled wine, the tables and the cake.”
The result was a wedding that felt warm and immersive from the moment guests arrived.
“Candles change everything,” Olivia adds. “They soften the space and completely change the mood of the images.”
A Thoughtful Winter Timeline
Ruth and Sam’s day was carefully planned around winter daylight.
“They got married at 12.30, which is kind of perfect for a winter wedding,” Olivia explains. “They really understood how important timing is.”
Photography flowed naturally through the afternoon, allowing Olivia and Tobias to move through different spaces without rushing. Dinner by Tim & Louise at New Yard Restaurant followed later, giving guests time to mingle and explore the estate.
Sparkler photos took place early in the evening in the courtyard, before cake cutting and the first dance.
“That meant everything important was done by around half past seven,” Olivia says. “After that, they could just enjoy the night.”
Coordination and a Calm, Relaxed Atmosphere
Winter weddings often come with tighter schedules, and Olivia noticed just how smoothly Ruth and Sam’s day ran - thanks in no small part to Out of the Ordinary Events, who acted as on-the-day coordinators.
“With winter weddings, timelines are usually tighter,” Olivia explains. “Having someone coordinating the flow makes a huge difference.”
While photographers help guide moments visually, having a dedicated team overseeing the wider structure of the day allowed everything to unfold without pressure.
“As photographers, we’ll remind people of the time,” Olivia says, “but coordinators are focused on guests, movement and making sure everything happens when it should. That’s incredibly helpful - especially in winter.”
That calm, considered coordination shaped the entire feel of the wedding.
“Ruth and Sam were so comfortable during the ceremony,” Olivia remembers. “They were genuinely happy and very present with each other.”
Rather than feeling rushed, the day felt relaxed and intentional - proof that with the right support, winter weddings can feel seamless and deeply enjoyable.
Photography That Feels Natural and Unforced
Olivia’s approach to photography suited the day perfectly.
“I’m always a mixture of guided and candid,” she explains. “I give gentle direction during couple shots, then step back.”
To keep things relaxed, Olivia photographs couple portraits alone while Tobias captures candids.
“So couples aren’t overwhelmed,” she explains.
Making the Most of Trelowarren in Winter
From a photographer’s perspective, Olivia feels Trelowarren is perfectly suited to winter weddings.
“The staircase is such a focal point,” she says. “All the rooms are different, but they flow really well.”
She also loves how the venue supports a full wedding weekend.
“It feels like being away with friends and family,” Olivia explains. “You’ve got access to the kitchen, the spaces, it feels relaxed but elevated.”
Even outdoors, Cornwall still delivers.
“The approach road, the trees, the wooded areas, there’s so much variety,” Olivia says. “You walk into a different room or space and feel like you’re somewhere else.”
Winter Evenings at Trelowarren
The New Yard spaces became a real highlight as evening fell.
“Even though they’re more modern, they still feel warm,” Olivia explains. “Beams, a mezzanine level, fairy lights - it all flowed beautifully.”
The courtyard was transformed with string lights, fire pits, hot chocolate and marshmallows.
“That space worked so well between dinner and dancing,” Olivia says. “And that’s where we did the sparklers - it was perfect.”
Three Words That Captured Ruth & Sam’s Day
When asked to sum up the wedding, Olivia pauses.
“Romantic.
Magical.
And authentic.”
She reflects for a moment, then adds:
“And it felt opulent too - because of all the detail. Everything had been thought through. It was very them.”
Looking back on Ruth and Sam’s wedding, it’s clear that winter didn’t limit what was possible at Trelowarren - it elevated it. The shorter days encouraged a slower rhythm, the candlelight drew people closer, and the venue itself became the heart of the celebration rather than a backdrop to it.
For couples considering a winter wedding in Cornwall, this day offers quiet reassurance. When you choose a venue like Trelowarren - one designed to be lived in, not just looked at - winter becomes an asset. The result is a wedding that feels intentional, atmospheric and deeply personal, leaving guests with the sense that they’ve experienced something truly special.
About the Photographer — Olivia Rossi
Olivia Rossi is a Cornwall-based wedding and elopement photographer known for her warm, natural and quietly cinematic style. Blending candid storytelling with gentle direction, Olivia focuses on capturing weddings as they feel — relaxed, emotional and deeply personal. She photographs weddings across Cornwall, the UK and beyond.
Find out more at oliviarossiphotography.com
SUPPLIER CREDITS:
Venue: Trelowarren
Photography: Olivia Rossi
Coordination: Out of the Ordinary Events
Videography: South West Wedding Stories
Celebrant: Rebecca Morris
Florist: Blossom and Kelp
Catering: New Yard Restaurant Catering
Guitarist: James Dixon
DJ: Alice May
