The Best Coastal Wedding Venues in the South West

The short answer: the South West has some gorgeous coastal wedding venues, from seaside hotels in Torquay to waterfront venues in Plymouth and clifftop spots in North Devon. Below are the coastal venues I've photographed weddings at, one I'm really excited to capture soon, and a couple on my wish list, plus some honest tips for getting lovely photos by the sea.

Sea views, fresh air and that feeling of being on holiday make coastal weddings so much fun!

I grew up in Torbay, so I've always had a soft spot for the sea, and photographing weddings by the coast never gets old :)

Coastal venues I've photographed

The Grand Hotel, Torquay

The Grand Hotel sits right on the seafront overlooking Torbay. I photographed Ziggi and Gareth's wedding here, and the sea views made such a lovely backdrop for their day.

They had a bubble walk instead of confetti, which was really lovely and looked so pretty in the photos. And one thing I'll always remember about their wedding is the date. They got married on 21 September 2024, the very same date that's famously mentioned in Earth, Wind & Fire's "September". Safe to say it was a pretty catchy wedding date!:)

Pier One, Plymouth

Pier One is right on the Plymouth waterfront, and it's a great choice if you'd love sea views with a bit more of a city feel. I photographed Matt and Danielle's wedding here in December 2025, which proves coastal weddings aren't just for summer!

It was a twilight wedding, with the ceremony at 4pm, so by then it was already pretty much dark outside. One of my favourite moments of the day was when a huge navy ship sailed right past the venue. It's one of those things that could only really happen at a Plymouth wedding, and it made for such a fun and memorable moment :)

Livermead Cliff Hotel, Torquay

Chloe and Liam got married at Paignton Parish Church, where Chloe was christened, and then celebrated at Livermead Cliff Hotel right by the sea. Liam loves the water, so having their reception by the coast felt really meaningful to them both.

The Osborne Hotel, Torquay

I captured Libby and Aidan's wedding at the Osborne in May 2026. One of the things I love most about this venue is the outdoor ceremony option. It's right by Meadfoot Beach, with views out to the sea and the rocks just off the shore, which makes such a gorgeous backdrop for your vows.

Libby and Aidan also had an unlimited ice cream truck, which went down a treat with the guests. It was really tasty ice cream, and I might have had two:)

I also photographed Georgina and Dale's wedding here in August 2025. Their outdoor ceremony under the canopy was a very windy one! It's a good reminder that coastal weather can be a bit unpredictable, even in the middle of summer, but it all adds to the atmosphere of a seaside wedding.

Nethway Hotel

I photographed Jess and Paul's wedding at Nethway in August 2025. They had a lovely outdoor ceremony led by a celebrant from the venue's own team, followed by a shower of petal confetti as they walked back up the aisle. Afterwards, we headed off for couple portraits around the bandstand and the gardens.

One I'm really excited about

Sandy Cove Hotel, Combe Martin, North Devon

I've got a wedding coming up at Sandy Cove Hotel in North Devon and I honestly can't wait!

It's known for its sea views high above the North Devon coast, and I'll be sure to share some photos once I've captured it :)

On my wish list

These are two North Devon coastal venues I haven't photographed yet, but would absolutely love to.

Tunnels Beaches, Ilfracombe

Tunnels Beaches is famous for the tunnels that lead down to its beaches, which were dug by hand in the 1800s. It's such a unique setting, and I'd love the chance to capture a wedding there.

Watermouth Cove, near Ilfracombe

A private cove on the North Devon coast, which looks like such a lovely spot for a relaxed seaside wedding. It's firmly on my wish list!

Tips for coastal wedding photos

Expect a bit of wind. Sea breezes are lovely, but they can play havoc with veils and hair. Some wind blown photos end up being favourites though, so don't worry too much!

Have a wet weather plan. Coastal weather can change quickly, so it's worth knowing where you'd have your ceremony and photos if it rains. I'll keep an eye on the weather throughout the day, so no need to worry about it on the day.

Check which way your venue faces. Some venues get sunsets over the sea and some don't, so the best time for portraits can be different at each one. I'll always check the sunset time for your date. You can read more in my post about golden hour couple portraits.

Think about beach access and tides. If you'd love photos on the sand, check how easy it is to get down to the beach and what the tide will be doing that afternoon.

Choose confetti that won't blow away too fast. Biodegradable petals or paper circles work well, and generous handfuls help on a breezy day!

Planning a coastal wedding in Devon, Somerset or the South West?

If you'd love a relaxed, natural and colourful photographer for your seaside wedding, I'd absolutely love to hear from you. You can check if I'm free for your date here or pop me a message on Instagram :)