Polhawn Fort wedding: Maria & Tim’s colourful celebration by the sea
![Bride having a piggy back with the sea and sunset behind](https://50.87.248.156/~helenli1/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/01-82-post/polhawn-fort-wedding_helen-lisk-photography.jpg)
Polhawn Fort in Cornwall is a venue where I always really enjoy photographing – I absolutely love the contrast between the bright blue sea and skies outside, and the beautiful dark interior of the old fort. It’s always a really interesting place to photograph a wedding, so I was delighted when Maria first got in touch. We chatted on Skype for a very long time, talked a lot about the wedding plans and photography, and dangled our respective dogs in front of the webcams at each other. So I had high hopes for the wedding day, and the sense that this was definitely a little different to other weddings. It turned out to be the most colourful and wonderfully uproarious wedding weekend, and an absolute blast to photograph.
Saturday’s wedding day was an explosion of a celebration, with so much fun and laughter all day long. I loved the beautiful bright silks of the bridesmaids’ dresses, with the reds, yellows and oranges all reflected in the gloriously bright and colourful bouquets and floral arrangements. Humour played a huge part in the day. With a firm nod to Tim’s commando past, action men adorned all the tables and drunken commando figures clambered all over the brilliantly themed cake. Maria and Tim’s ceremony took place in the brightest July sunshine, with the sound of waves crashing in the background and seagulls circling overhead. It made for a brilliant contrast as everyone moved inside to the dark interior of the fort for the wedding feast, and I loved the opportunities for photography with just slivers of light creeping through the deep windows. Maria’s Italian heritage led to a lot of traditional drinking games punctuating the meal, and it was a fantastically fun afternoon to photograph. Later, guests enjoyed moving back outside to relax in the evening sunshine and enjoy the specially created Rum Bar, with some extraordinary measures being poured out by best man Mandy, while small children tested their punches on ex-commandos and the sun went down over the Cornish sea. A short refresh later, and everyone returned inside to start the party on the dance floor, with a hilariously unorthodox take on the first dance!
I returned on Sunday for the recovery barbecue – a wonderfully relaxed afternoon in the sunshine, with fresh scallops and steaks on the bbq and an ice cream van for afterwards. It was the perfect finish to the celebrations. The whole weekend was such a wonderfully joyous party to photograph – everyone was so relaxed and having such a brilliant time. I loved just moving around and capturing all the fun as it was taking place, and I hope that this is all reflected in the images.
The last word must go to Bruno, Maria and Tim’s Jack Russell. A dog with a quite wonderfully unique personality, he spent the weekend padding around amongst the wedding celebrations, hoovering up the crumbs and the attention, and snarling his own very special smile when teased – scroll down and find that photograph! Please give me more weddings with dogs…
![Polhawn Fort with the sea around](https://50.87.248.156/~helenli1/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/01-82-post/polhawn-fort-wedding_helen-lisk-photography_1.jpg)
![Flowers outside Polhawn Fort](https://50.87.248.156/~helenli1/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/01-82-post/polhawn-fort-wedding_helen-lisk-photography_2.jpg)
![Black & white image of bride putting on makeup](https://50.87.248.156/~helenli1/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/01-82-post/polhawn-fort-wedding_helen-lisk-photography_3.jpg)
![Wedding dress hanging up with jack russell dog](https://50.87.248.156/~helenli1/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/01-82-post/polhawn-fort-wedding_helen-lisk-photography_4.jpg)
![Two men chatting beside some flowers](https://50.87.248.156/~helenli1/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/01-82-post/polhawn-fort-wedding_helen-lisk-photography_5.jpg)
![Jack Russell dog sitting next to a wedding cake](https://50.87.248.156/~helenli1/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/01-82-post/polhawn-fort-wedding_helen-lisk-photography_6.jpg)
![Details of a wedding cake with marine figures](https://50.87.248.156/~helenli1/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/01-82-post/polhawn-fort-wedding_helen-lisk-photography_7.jpg)
![A man and woman laughing](https://50.87.248.156/~helenli1/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/01-82-post/polhawn-fort-wedding_helen-lisk-photography_8.jpg)
![Two brothers cuddling](https://50.87.248.156/~helenli1/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/01-82-post/polhawn-fort-wedding_helen-lisk-photography_9.jpg)
![Bride having hair done before the wedding](https://50.87.248.156/~helenli1/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/01-82-post/polhawn-fort-wedding_helen-lisk-photography_10.jpg)
![Bride getting emotional before wedding](https://50.87.248.156/~helenli1/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/01-82-post/polhawn-fort-wedding_helen-lisk-photography_11.jpg)
![Bridesmaid wearing a yellow dress](https://50.87.248.156/~helenli1/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/01-82-post/polhawn-fort-wedding_helen-lisk-photography_12.jpg)
![Bride having her hair done](https://50.87.248.156/~helenli1/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/01-82-post/polhawn-fort-wedding_helen-lisk-photography_13.jpg)
![Wedding guests arriving at Polhawn Fort, with the sea in the background](https://50.87.248.156/~helenli1/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/01-82-post/polhawn-fort-wedding_helen-lisk-photography_14.jpg)
![Wedding guest greeting each other at Polhawn Fort](https://50.87.248.156/~helenli1/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/01-82-post/polhawn-fort-wedding_helen-lisk-photography_15.jpg)
![Groom having his buttonhole fixed](https://50.87.248.156/~helenli1/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/01-82-post/polhawn-fort-wedding_helen-lisk-photography_16.jpg)
![Wedding guests on the lawn at Polhawn Fort](https://50.87.248.156/~helenli1/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/01-82-post/polhawn-fort-wedding_helen-lisk-photography_17.jpg)
![Bride looking in the mirror during wedding preparations](https://50.87.248.156/~helenli1/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/01-82-post/polhawn-fort-wedding_helen-lisk-photography_18.jpg)
![Men in tuxedos with tartan trousers](https://50.87.248.156/~helenli1/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/01-82-post/polhawn-fort-wedding_helen-lisk-photography_19.jpg)
![Bride putting on her wedding dress](https://50.87.248.156/~helenli1/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/01-82-post/polhawn-fort-wedding_helen-lisk-photography_20.jpg)
![Bride drinking Prosecco whilst putting on her wedding dress](https://50.87.248.156/~helenli1/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/01-82-post/polhawn-fort-wedding_helen-lisk-photography_21.jpg)
![Jack Russell dog waiting for wedding ceremony](https://50.87.248.156/~helenli1/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/01-82-post/polhawn-fort-wedding_helen-lisk-photography_22.jpg)
![Groom and best man at outdoor wedding ceremony](https://50.87.248.156/~helenli1/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/01-82-post/polhawn-fort-wedding_helen-lisk-photography_23.jpg)
![Bride and bridesmaids arriving for wedding](https://50.87.248.156/~helenli1/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/01-82-post/polhawn-fort-wedding_helen-lisk-photography_24.jpg)
![Bride and bridesmaids walk across lawn with the sea behind](https://50.87.248.156/~helenli1/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/01-82-post/polhawn-fort-wedding_helen-lisk-photography_25.jpg)
![Jack Russell dog howling](https://50.87.248.156/~helenli1/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/01-82-post/polhawn-fort-wedding_helen-lisk-photography_26.jpg)
![Bagpiper leading bridal party across lawn for outdoor ceremony](https://50.87.248.156/~helenli1/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/01-82-post/polhawn-fort-wedding_helen-lisk-photography_27.jpg)
![Bride laughing with friend](https://50.87.248.156/~helenli1/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/01-82-post/polhawn-fort-wedding_helen-lisk-photography_28.jpg)
![Bride and groom exchanging rings](https://50.87.248.156/~helenli1/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/01-82-post/polhawn-fort-wedding_helen-lisk-photography_29.jpg)
![Bride waving arm in the air in celebration during marriage ceremony](https://50.87.248.156/~helenli1/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/01-82-post/polhawn-fort-wedding_helen-lisk-photography_30.jpg)
![Wedding guests applauding](https://50.87.248.156/~helenli1/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/01-82-post/polhawn-fort-wedding_helen-lisk-photography_31.jpg)
![Bride and groom exiting wedding ceremony](https://50.87.248.156/~helenli1/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/01-82-post/polhawn-fort-wedding_helen-lisk-photography_32.jpg)
![Bride and groom with bagpiper and sea behind](https://50.87.248.156/~helenli1/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/01-82-post/polhawn-fort-wedding_helen-lisk-photography_33.jpg)
![Bride and groom kiss with sunflower bouquet](https://50.87.248.156/~helenli1/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/01-82-post/polhawn-fort-wedding_helen-lisk-photography_34.jpg)
![Jack Russell dog standing on wedding dress](https://50.87.248.156/~helenli1/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/01-82-post/polhawn-fort-wedding_helen-lisk-photography_35.jpg)
![Groom and best man](https://50.87.248.156/~helenli1/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/01-82-post/polhawn-fort-wedding_helen-lisk-photography_36.jpg)
![Group photo of bride and wedding guests](https://50.87.248.156/~helenli1/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/01-82-post/polhawn-fort-wedding_helen-lisk-photography_37.jpg)
![Bride laughing with friend](https://50.87.248.156/~helenli1/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/01-82-post/polhawn-fort-wedding_helen-lisk-photography_38.jpg)
![Bride laughing with friend](https://50.87.248.156/~helenli1/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/01-82-post/polhawn-fort-wedding_helen-lisk-photography_39.jpg)
![Children lying on the grass during wedding reception](https://50.87.248.156/~helenli1/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/01-82-post/polhawn-fort-wedding_helen-lisk-photography_40.jpg)
![Bride and groom with long grass around them](https://50.87.248.156/~helenli1/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/01-82-post/polhawn-fort-wedding_helen-lisk-photography_41.jpg)
![Bride and groom with sea behind them](https://50.87.248.156/~helenli1/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/01-82-post/polhawn-fort-wedding_helen-lisk-photography_42.jpg)
![Wedding guest dancing to bagpiper](https://50.87.248.156/~helenli1/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/01-82-post/polhawn-fort-wedding_helen-lisk-photography_43.jpg)
![Action men wedding decorations](https://50.87.248.156/~helenli1/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/01-82-post/polhawn-fort-wedding_helen-lisk-photography_44.jpg)
![Wedding guest petting jack russell](https://50.87.248.156/~helenli1/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/01-82-post/polhawn-fort-wedding_helen-lisk-photography_45.jpg)
![Bride and groom enter wedding breakfast](https://50.87.248.156/~helenli1/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/01-82-post/polhawn-fort-wedding_helen-lisk-photography_46.jpg)
![Wedding guest toasting bride and groom](https://50.87.248.156/~helenli1/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/01-82-post/polhawn-fort-wedding_helen-lisk-photography_47.jpg)
![Wedding guests laughing around a table](https://50.87.248.156/~helenli1/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/01-82-post/polhawn-fort-wedding_helen-lisk-photography_48.jpg)
![Pretty pink coastal flowers with blue sea behind](https://50.87.248.156/~helenli1/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/01-82-post/polhawn-fort-wedding_helen-lisk-photography_49.jpg)
![Two small boys in wedding outfits](https://50.87.248.156/~helenli1/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/01-82-post/polhawn-fort-wedding_helen-lisk-photography_50.jpg)
![Wedding guest with tie around head, toasting bride and groom](https://50.87.248.156/~helenli1/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/01-82-post/polhawn-fort-wedding_helen-lisk-photography_51.jpg)
![Wedding guests raising glasses](https://50.87.248.156/~helenli1/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/01-82-post/polhawn-fort-wedding_helen-lisk-photography_52.jpg)
![Wedding guests singing song and raising glasses](https://50.87.248.156/~helenli1/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/01-82-post/polhawn-fort-wedding_helen-lisk-photography_53.jpg)
![A young girl cuddling an older woman](https://50.87.248.156/~helenli1/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/01-82-post/polhawn-fort-wedding_helen-lisk-photography_54.jpg)
![Bride and groom laughing together](https://50.87.248.156/~helenli1/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/01-82-post/polhawn-fort-wedding_helen-lisk-photography_55.jpg)
![Wedding guests singing animatedly](https://50.87.248.156/~helenli1/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/01-82-post/polhawn-fort-wedding_helen-lisk-photography_56.jpg)
![Wedding guests singing animatedly](https://50.87.248.156/~helenli1/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/01-82-post/polhawn-fort-wedding_helen-lisk-photography_57.jpg)
![Young boy with window light on his face](https://50.87.248.156/~helenli1/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/01-82-post/polhawn-fort-wedding_helen-lisk-photography_58.jpg)
![Wedding guests with hands in the air](https://50.87.248.156/~helenli1/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/01-82-post/polhawn-fort-wedding_helen-lisk-photography_59.jpg)
![Best man giving wedding speech](https://50.87.248.156/~helenli1/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/01-82-post/polhawn-fort-wedding_helen-lisk-photography_60.jpg)
![Groom with head in hands during best man's speech](https://50.87.248.156/~helenli1/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/01-82-post/polhawn-fort-wedding_helen-lisk-photography_61.jpg)
![Best man raising a toast](https://50.87.248.156/~helenli1/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/01-82-post/polhawn-fort-wedding_helen-lisk-photography_62.jpg)
![Bride and groom raising a toast](https://50.87.248.156/~helenli1/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/01-82-post/polhawn-fort-wedding_helen-lisk-photography_63.jpg)
![Groom talking to best man](https://50.87.248.156/~helenli1/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/01-82-post/polhawn-fort-wedding_helen-lisk-photography_64.jpg)
![Bride and wedding guests raising glasses](https://50.87.248.156/~helenli1/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/01-82-post/polhawn-fort-wedding_helen-lisk-photography_65.jpg)
![Wedding guests on the lawn at Polhawn Fort](https://50.87.248.156/~helenli1/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/01-82-post/polhawn-fort-wedding_helen-lisk-photography_66.jpg)
![Small girl punching ex-marines](https://50.87.248.156/~helenli1/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/01-82-post/polhawn-fort-wedding_helen-lisk-photography_67.jpg)
![Bridesmaid and usher at the bar](https://50.87.248.156/~helenli1/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/01-82-post/polhawn-fort-wedding_helen-lisk-photography_69.jpg)
![Young boys holding the train of bride's wedding dress](https://50.87.248.156/~helenli1/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/01-82-post/polhawn-fort-wedding_helen-lisk-photography_70.jpg)
![An action man lying face down on the grass](https://50.87.248.156/~helenli1/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/01-82-post/polhawn-fort-wedding_helen-lisk-photography_71.jpg)
![Wedding guests looking out to sea](https://50.87.248.156/~helenli1/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/01-82-post/polhawn-fort-wedding_helen-lisk-photography_72.jpg)
![Man and woman pouring drinks behind a bar](https://50.87.248.156/~helenli1/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/01-82-post/polhawn-fort-wedding_helen-lisk-photography_73.jpg)
![Man and woman pouring drinks at a bar](https://50.87.248.156/~helenli1/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/01-82-post/polhawn-fort-wedding_helen-lisk-photography_74.jpg)
![Bride being carried by piggy back](https://50.87.248.156/~helenli1/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/01-82-post/polhawn-fort-wedding_helen-lisk-photography_75.jpg)
![Wedding guests relaxing on the grass](https://50.87.248.156/~helenli1/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/01-82-post/polhawn-fort-wedding_helen-lisk-photography_76.jpg)
![Sun setting over the sea at Polhawn Fort](https://50.87.248.156/~helenli1/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/01-82-post/polhawn-fort-wedding_helen-lisk-photography_77.jpg)
![Young girl doing action kick](https://50.87.248.156/~helenli1/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/01-82-post/polhawn-fort-wedding_helen-lisk-photography_78.jpg)
![Children playing football in evening sunlight](https://50.87.248.156/~helenli1/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/01-82-post/polhawn-fort-wedding_helen-lisk-photography_79.jpg)
![Children playing football in evening sunlight.](https://50.87.248.156/~helenli1/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/01-82-post/polhawn-fort-wedding_helen-lisk-photography_80.jpg)
![Bride and groom first dance](https://50.87.248.156/~helenli1/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/01-82-post/polhawn-fort-wedding_helen-lisk-photography_81.jpg)
![Wedding guests cheering at first dance](https://50.87.248.156/~helenli1/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/01-82-post/polhawn-fort-wedding_helen-lisk-photography_83.jpg)
![Bride and groom kissing after first dance](https://50.87.248.156/~helenli1/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/01-82-post/polhawn-fort-wedding_helen-lisk-photography_84.jpg)
![Wedding guests dancing](https://50.87.248.156/~helenli1/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/01-82-post/polhawn-fort-wedding_helen-lisk-photography_85.jpg)
![Sunset over the sea at Polhawn Fort](https://50.87.248.156/~helenli1/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/01-82-post/polhawn-fort-wedding_helen-lisk-photography_86.jpg)
![Blue Cornish sea view](https://50.87.248.156/~helenli1/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/01-82-post/polhawn-fort-wedding_helen-lisk-photography_87.jpg)
![Guests relaxing on the lawn at Polhawn Fort](https://50.87.248.156/~helenli1/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/01-82-post/polhawn-fort-wedding_helen-lisk-photography_88.jpg)
![Guests relaxing on the lawn at Polhawn Fort](https://50.87.248.156/~helenli1/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/01-82-post/polhawn-fort-wedding_helen-lisk-photography_89.jpg)
![Guests relaxing on the lawn at Polhawn Fort](https://50.87.248.156/~helenli1/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/01-82-post/polhawn-fort-wedding_helen-lisk-photography_90.jpg)
![Two women laughing together](https://50.87.248.156/~helenli1/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/01-82-post/polhawn-fort-wedding_helen-lisk-photography_91.jpg)
![Scallops over a barbecue](https://50.87.248.156/~helenli1/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/01-82-post/polhawn-fort-wedding_helen-lisk-photography_92.jpg)
![Young boy sleeping on the grass](https://50.87.248.156/~helenli1/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/01-82-post/polhawn-fort-wedding_helen-lisk-photography_93.jpg)
![Beautiful blue sea view](https://50.87.248.156/~helenli1/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/01-82-post/polhawn-fort-wedding_helen-lisk-photography_94.jpg)
![Jack Russell snarling at owner](https://50.87.248.156/~helenli1/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/01-82-post/polhawn-fort-wedding_helen-lisk-photography_95.jpg)
![Jack Russell snarling at owner](https://50.87.248.156/~helenli1/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/01-82-post/polhawn-fort-wedding_helen-lisk-photography_96.jpg)
![Guests relaxing on the lawn at Polhawn Fort](https://50.87.248.156/~helenli1/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/01-82-post/polhawn-fort-wedding_helen-lisk-photography_97.jpg)
![Guest chatting around a bar](https://50.87.248.156/~helenli1/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/01-82-post/polhawn-fort-wedding_helen-lisk-photography_98.jpg)
![Pouring a drink of rum](https://50.87.248.156/~helenli1/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/01-82-post/polhawn-fort-wedding_helen-lisk-photography_99.jpg)
![Chef barbecuing steaks](https://50.87.248.156/~helenli1/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/01-82-post/polhawn-fort-wedding_helen-lisk-photography_100.jpg)
![Steaks on the barbecue](https://50.87.248.156/~helenli1/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/01-82-post/polhawn-fort-wedding_helen-lisk-photography_101.jpg)
![Children choosing ice creams](https://50.87.248.156/~helenli1/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/01-82-post/polhawn-fort-wedding_helen-lisk-photography_102.jpg)
![Children with ice creams](https://50.87.248.156/~helenli1/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/01-82-post/polhawn-fort-wedding_helen-lisk-photography_103.jpg)
![Two women with ice creams](https://50.87.248.156/~helenli1/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/01-82-post/polhawn-fort-wedding_helen-lisk-photography_104.jpg)
![Men throwing a tea towel at each other](https://50.87.248.156/~helenli1/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/01-82-post/polhawn-fort-wedding_helen-lisk-photography_105.jpg)
![Guests relaxing on the lawn at Polhawn Fort](https://50.87.248.156/~helenli1/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/01-82-post/polhawn-fort-wedding_helen-lisk-photography_106.jpg)
![Jack Russell eating ice cream](https://50.87.248.156/~helenli1/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/01-82-post/polhawn-fort-wedding_helen-lisk-photography_107.jpg)
![Man and woman kissing](https://50.87.248.156/~helenli1/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/01-82-post/polhawn-fort-wedding_helen-lisk-photography_108.jpg)
Wonderful suppliers involved in this wedding:
Venue: Polhawn Fort, Cornwall
Maria’s dress: designed by Ritva Westenius and fitted by Sam Cox Bridalwear
Bridesmaid dresses: Paul Hawley, London
Caterer: Richard Crouch
Florist: Ruth at Polhawn Fort
Hairdresser: Victor Varga
Evening entertainment: The Grove Environment
Wedding cake: Divine Cakes