Words by Jamie Crocker
The Barn at Pengelly was born from a desire to diversify a four-generation dairy farm and create something that could support its descendants thereafter.
Winner of the 2023 Cornwall Tourism Award, the Barn at Pengelly sits in the heart of the rolling Cornish countryside, surrounded by lakes and wildflower fields on a working farm. It offers much more than just another wedding location. As a contemporary purpose-built venue, it has been carefully designed with open-plan connected spaces, making it the perfect setting for memorable celebrations. The family-led team provides exclusive multi-day hire, featuring three licensed ceremony areas, accommodation for up to 43 guests and dedicated wedding coordination. From the moment guests drive through the gates, they are made to feel at home, creating a space where they can celebrate, relax and make unforgettable memories with loved ones over three days. We delve a little deeper to find out the raison d’être behind this forward-looking enterprise.
What was the inspiration behind Pengelly Weddings and how has the journey evolved?
We identified a gap in the market for a wedding venue that could accommodate over 150 guests with on-site accommodation in an accessible location. After years of planning and securing funding, we opened in June 2022. The response has been beyond our expectations, hosting 25 weddings in 2022 and growing to 75 weddings booked for 2025.
Can you describe your signature style and what sets Pengelly Weddings apart from other wedding venues?
Pengelly Weddings offers exclusive use of the venue, allowing couples complete flexibility to make the space their own, so each wedding looks and feels different. We are one of few purpose-built venues, with couples’ and suppliers’ requirements in mind.
Our combination of rustic charm and modern amenities – paired with sustainable practices – sets us apart. We are family-led, and our signature style is defined by attention to detail, personalised service, and seamless transitions throughout the day, whether indoors or outdoors.
How do you ensure that each wedding you host reflects the couple’s story?
We believe every couple’s wedding should be unique, so we provide them with exclusive use of the venue to bring their vision to life. Our recent investments in new styling package offerings have made it easier for couples to customise their day without needing multiple suppliers and buying items they will only use once. We also use an online portal where couples can collaborate with us on everything from day plans to styling ideas, ensuring every detail aligns with their story.
What are some of the most memorable weddings you’ve planned and what made them stand out?
To us, every wedding is memorable; we have hosted military and black-tie weddings with black and gold themes, festival-style weddings with sunset guitar sessions and relaxed dress codes focused around sunflowers. We have hosted weddings for brides who are terminally ill – a wedding is also a celebration of life. Each one is so unique and we love being able to play a special role in creating memories that will last a lifetime.
What trends are you currently seeing in the wedding industry, and how do you incorporate them into your planning?
There has been a big shift to weekday weddings recently, especially with couples being more budget-focused. To maximise this opportunity, we launched a new lower-priced Tuesday wedding package, which has resulted in most of our Tuesdays in Summer 2025 being fully booked, which is unusual.
Themed weddings are also becoming popular, and we absolutely loved coordinating a Harry Potter-themed wedding recently.
How do you handle unexpected challenges or last-minute changes during the wedding planning process?
There are many things you can plan for a wedding, but the weather is not one of them! Most of our couples fall in love with our outdoor space, but no matter the season, the weather can choose not to accommodate.
We will always plan for the outdoors in the summer, if that’s what the couple wants, and our team is on hand to quickly adapt the indoor space for the ceremony, incorporating elements of the couple’s original design. The couples are always amazed at how we can seamlessly pivot without sacrificing their vision. This flexibility and dedication are what set us apart, and we’ve found that couples greatly appreciate our hands-on approach.
Can you share a success story where you exceeded a couple’s expectations on their big day?
Earlier this year, we launched an initiative to recognise unsung heroes among us – collaborating with suppliers to offer a free wedding package.
After an overwhelming response and voting process, we selected a deserving local couple who had been through so much. A mother to four children, Grace’s two eldest are disabled and sadly, when she was pregnant with her son, she suffered a placental abruption, losing him and just under four litres of blood, almost dying herself. Her partner suffered a brain haemorrhage in 2020 so he is limited in his ability to work.
They couldn’t afford the expense of getting married, so being able to make a difference in this couple’s life means more than words can describe. Many of the nominations we received touched us deeply, so we also gave four additional couples a free wedding with us, from those who had recently lost family members to those suffering from terminal cancer.
What advice do you have for couples who are just beginning to plan their wedding?
Our advice for couples just starting to plan their wedding is to set a clear budget from the start. You can use our online budget tool on our website to help with this, making sure you stay organised and on track from the start.
It’s also important to stay stress-free, this can be alleviated by getting professional advice. When you book with us, you’ll have a dedicated wedding coordinator to guide you every step of the way, offering expert advice on all things wedding-related.
Lastly, dedicate time to the elements that matter most to you as a couple. We believe in creating weddings that are as unique as the couple themselves. Your day, your way! You won’t see two weddings the same here at The Barn at Pengelly.
How has the rise of social media influenced your approach to wedding planning and designing?
Social media has become an incredible tool for us to showcase our venue and we’ve adapted by offering a virtual tour on our new website for couples who find us online. We also use platforms like Instagram and TikTok to share real-life wedding stories at Pengelly, inspiring future couples. We’ve noticed many couples come to us with Pinterest boards or Instagram images for inspiration, and we’re always up to date with current trends to help them create something special.
What plans or projects can we expect to see from Pengelly Weddings in the coming years?
We’re always innovating to stay ahead of trends and ensure Pengelly remains a sought-after venue. Recently, we expanded our accommodation with two new holiday cottages and three shepherd huts and introduced event offerings for private functions, conferences and wakes.
Looking ahead, we have some exciting developments in the pipeline that we’re keeping under wraps for now, but we promise they’ll impress. With big plans on the horizon, we’re committed to continually enhancing our offerings, ensuring every couple’s experience is not just exceptional, but truly unforgettable. Keep an eye on us – there’s much more to come!
