Golden Hour, Barefoot Promises & Atlantic Views: A Lusty Glaze Love Story (Cornwall)
There are weddings that feel styled, and then there are weddings that feel lived in and Megan and Marc’s wedding day was firmly the latter. Windswept, relaxed, and completely at ease in their surroundings, their mid-summer celebration at Lusty Glaze had that natural, unforced charm from the very first moment. The Wedding day was captured perfectly by Alexa Poppe Wedding Photography.
Set on a secluded cove beneath Newquay’s rugged cliffs, the day unfolded like a Cornish summer memory with barefoot energy, sea air woven through every detail, and a couple whose relaxed warmth shaped every decision.
“They were just the most natural people to photograph,” shares Alexa Poppe. “Nothing felt staged. They trusted the process, trusted each other, and that’s always when the magic happens.”
Their vision was centred on experience: guests gathered close, meaningful moments over formalities, and a day that felt more like an incredible beach gathering than a traditional wedding. Cornwall wasn’t simply a backdrop, it was the atmosphere, the pace, and the reason everything worked.
‘Choosing Lusty Glaze came instinctively. We dreamed of saying our vows on a stunning beach, but without asking our guests to travel overseas’ explained Megan and Marc. The dramatic private beach, the sound of waves in the background, and the way the venue naturally flows from ceremony to celebration made it feel less like hiring a venue and more like borrowing a spectacular piece of coastline for the day.
The venue - Lusty Glaze
Tucked beneath towering cliffs, Lusty Glaze is one of Cornwall’s most iconic coastal wedding venues not just for its view, but for the experience of arriving there.
Guests descend a long staircase carved into the rock before stepping onto golden sand and hearing the ocean before seeing it. That moment alone sets the tone: immersive, intimate, unforgettable.
“The beauty of Lusty Glaze is that you don’t need to fight the space,” Alexa explains. “It guides the day for you, everything flows and people relax immediately.”
The coastline shaped the pace of the wedding. There was no rush between moments because the environment encouraged guests to linger naturally.
Logistically, the venue’s private nature worked in the couple’s favour. With accommodation nearby and everything contained in one location, guests could fully switch off. The team’s experience managing coastal conditions meant a weather plan was quietly in place but never needed as the Cornish skies delivered that day
The photography - Alexa Poppe Photography
Alexa’s photography style is documentary-led, she focuses on creating a relaxed, emotive atmosphere which is rooted in observation rather than direction.
“My approach is to let people be,” she says. “The less I interrupt, the more real the memories feel later.”
Because the couple embraced that philosophy, the images captured movement rather than poses — wind in hair, laughter mid-sentence, friends running to the shoreline.
Alexa’s favourite moment came after the ceremony.
“We wandered down to one of Lusty Glaze’s most iconic spots, the vast sea cave tucked into the cliffs. Instead of sharing their personal vows during the ceremony, they chose to read them privately to one another. They completely forgot I was there, and it felt like the greatest honour to quietly witness such an intimate, raw moment unfold. I had to hold back tears.”
The light at Lusty Glaze defines every shot with that golden glow on the cliffs, the soft reflections on wet sand, and that distinctive Atlantic haze that only drifts in on a summer evening in Cornwall.
“Lusty Glaze is beautiful, but it gets very sunny, so I have to think carefully about the light. My go-to spot is the cliffs to the left, there’s gorgeous backlight that really makes the shots sing, I sometime wait until the sun lowers to hold the group shots.”
Alexa’sTop Tips for Natural Photos:
Don’t schedule every minute, allow breathing space
Choose a venue where you actually want to spend time
Trust your photographer and stay present
Plan at least 10 minutes alone together at some point throughout the day
the Ceremony
The ceremony unfolded outdoors overlooking the secluded cove at Lusty Glaze. With exclusive hire of the venue, it was just the couple and their guests, creating a beautifully intimate atmosphere.
“From the very beginning of the ceremony you could feel a real connection between them. Sometimes you wonder why people even need the words, but with these two, it was undeniable. There were tears in their eyes, and it was simply beautiful.”
Live music by Lia White drifted across the cove while guests sat close together, creating a shared experience. Readings felt conversational rather than performative, and laughter blended with emotion throughout.
“The standout moment came when their beloved dog, their ring bearer, came forward carrying the rings the instant the bride saw them, emotion completely overtook composure. It was the kind of heartfelt, unplanned moment that ends up defining a wedding far more than any carefully arranged detail ever could.” explains Alexa.
Alexa’s advice for couples who are thinking about having their dog as part of their wedding day:
Including your dog in your wedding day can be incredibly special, but a little planning makes all the difference. The biggest tip is to arrange a dedicated dog sitter or trusted friend so you’re not worrying about walks, water bowls or where they’ve wandered off to while you’re trying to soak in the moment. It also helps to visit the venue with them beforehand, so they feel familiar and settled in the space, especially somewhere open like a beach setting. After the ceremony and photos, make sure someone can take responsibility for them for the rest of the day - dogs pick up on nerves just like people do, so having a calm, familiar handler keeps them relaxed and lets you fully enjoy your wedding without distraction.
The Fashion
The fashion choices mirrored the day: modern but relaxed.
The bride chose a Sophia Tolli gown, that moved effortlessly in the sea breeze. It was elegant without restriction, perfectly suited to sand underfoot rather than hard floors. Soft hair and natural makeup enhanced rather than transformed.
The groom and his Groomsmen, opted for tailored linen suit with a white slightly unbuttoned shirt and no tie, it was smart without feeling formal, ideal for coastal warmth.
Guests followed suit: linen, summer tones and comfort first. Nothing felt overdressed for the environment, and that cohesion elevated the aesthetic beautifully.
Styling & Details
The styling embraced a sense of restraint, enhancing the stunning coastline rather than competing with it. The palette blended soft pastels with pops of vivid colour, layered with abundant foliage. For the ceremony, décor was kept minimal, letting the florals, by Hayley Scott Blooms, take centre stage. Tablescapes were intentionally effortless, with one of their close family members creating delicate paper flowers that appeared throughout—from the table arrangements and placenames to the table names themselves—adding a personal, handcrafted touch to the day.
Food & Drink
The food was all about enjoyment rather than formality, with Lusty Glaze’s signature BBQ feast setting the tone for relaxed dining experience. Local flavours shone through, with fresh ingredients and generous portions creating a shared, convivial experience. Drinks flowed freely throughout the afternoon and into the evening.
Even the cake reflected the same philosophy, simple, elegant, and celebratory without being over-the-top. Guests’ reactions said it all: the day was comfortable, social, and a genuine reflection of Megan and Marc!
FAVOURITE MOMENTS
Couple’s favourite moment: Golden hour alone, them and their dog, together on the beach
Guests’ favourite moment: Having the whole beach themselves, shoes off in the sand.
Photographer’s favourite moment: The moment they read their personal vows to each other.
Alexa’s advice for couple
One piece of planning advice:
Stay true to yourself
One thing worth investing in:
Choose a venue that already feels like your vibe, it removes half the decisions and will help mould the rest of the planning.
One thing to worry less about:
Try to worry less about having your photos taken on the day. Let the emotion taken over, if you feel like you’re about to cry just allow that emotion to appear. You’ll look back at these moments and appreciate them.
What made the day truly personal:
Reading their personal vows to each other, just the two of them, away from their family and friends. A moment they will cherish forever.
Suppliers
Photographer: @Alexapoppephoto
Venue: @lustyglazebeachweddings
Dress: @Sophiatolli
Suit: @next
Registrars: via Cornwall Registry Office @mycornwallwedding
Hair: @clairehartleystylist
Makeup Artist: @ionemakeupandhair
Flowers: @hayleyscottbloomsbridal
Cake: @whitepeoonycakeco
Musician: @liawhitesinger
Evening DJ: Andrew
