You're in good hands when you book a wedding at Boconnoc, one of Cornwall's most captivating wedding venues. Hospitality Manager Louise Pearce is so brilliant at what she does that she scooped the Unsung Hero award at the Cornwall Tourism Awards. The Boconnoc team had secretly nominated Louise for the accolade in recognition of her tireless dedication and skill in running large-scale weddings smoothly, as well as her thoughtful support for families through some of the most important moments of their lives.
Louise has also forged a path with the Boconnoc Community Hub, which runs on Fridays throughout the winter, providing good company, great cake and activities for people living in the local area. Here, we chat to Louise about being recognised for her work…
How did it feel to be recognised as an “Unsung Hero”?
Where do I start? I absolutely love what I do, so to hear the announcement that I had been named an “Unsung Hero” was completely overwhelming. I was utterly stunned to be nominated and totally unprepared for the attention on the night. Having people I didn’t know come up to congratulate me was surreal — I genuinely couldn’t believe it. I couldn’t do what I do without the support of our team, and I feel indebted to all my colleagues. I owe them a great deal, and that’s incredibly important for me to say.
What does a typical wedding day look like for you?
It’s difficult to describe a typical wedding day — for me, it’s really a whole weekend of emotion. It begins with family and friends arriving: excitement, greetings, pots of tea, cream teas (I make fresh scones that day), helping with luggage and directions. There are rehearsals, decorating, feeding guests, sharing secrets, showing people around, unpacking, chilling bottles, and generally helping everyone settle in. I personally deal with all the menus for guests having breakfast on-site — including dietary requirements — along with food preparation for the following morning, table laying and staffing. There’s a lot to think about.
The wedding morning
The wedding day itself starts early, with suppliers sometimes arriving as early as 6am for hair and makeup. I’m up early to make sure they have everything they need — because they’re my guests too. I also make sure the bride is looked after: breakfast cooked just how she likes it and brought to her room if she wishes. Some brides are nervous and can’t eat, so reassurance is key, but there’s usually excitement and fun. At the same time, I’m keeping an eye on the groom and groomsmen, wherever they are on the estate, as well as the parents, who may be feeling apprehensive or emotional. Throughout the day there are countless questions to answer — helping with buttonholes and corsages, making tea and coffee for suppliers, and taking special care of elderly guests, pregnant or breastfeeding mothers, and immuno-suppressed guests. The family have enough to think about, so we’re there to help with any concerns.
From morning to midnight
From start to finish, the day is busy. It ends with saying goodbye to departing guests, finding lost shoes, phones, and bags, and making sure house guests — usually close family — can debrief quietly in front of the fire with a cup of tea or a glass of champagne. Suppliers often leave in the early hours, so there are cups of tea to be made before long journeys home. Then it’s time to tidy up, gather the couple’s belongings, and prepare everything for breakfast. The next morning is another emotional moment — saying goodbye, finding lost items, overseeing breakfast, cutting and packing leftover cake, and preparing floristry for collection. Once everyone has departed, we close up the venue and surrounding accommodation.
What makes the estate so special?
Our estate is such a special place. We can host over 50 guests with our accommodation on-site, which turns a wedding into a full experience rather than just a day. There are many beautiful places to say “I do”, including the church right beside the house — I love hearing the cheers when the couple are pronounced married. Because the estate is private, the only sounds are sheep baaing and birdsong. There’s a real sense of peace and tranquillity.
How do you ensure every event feels personal, even in a venue that hosts so many celebrations each year?
Every event feels personal. That’s down to the careful and considerate build-up led by Catherine, our events and wedding manager, and her office team. There are many meetings — online and in person — and any special requests are discussed in our regular events meetings. Communication is key between the team, our suppliers and the couple. With so many options available at the venue, no two weddings are ever the same.
What do you love most about your role?
I love what I do and looking after people. And I mean everyone. It’s important to me that the person delivering the toilets is treated with the same care as our guests. We’re all here to do a job, and everyone deserves to be looked after. I also love the details: the colours, flowers, outfits, candles, orders of service — all those small touches that show each couple’s individuality.
What keeps you motivated on the busiest or most challenging days?
All of the above. I love people. Sitting down with a glass of bubbly or a G&T once everyone has gone, reflecting on a weekend that’s gone so well — that’s incredibly rewarding.
When you look back on your career so far, what makes you most proud?
Looking back over my career, I’m incredibly proud of where I work, the family I work for, and the team I’m part of. It’s a wonderful privilege. I’m very lucky to have a supportive family and a very understanding husband — I work long and unsociable hours. We celebrate 40 years of marriage next year, so I’m proud to fly the flag for marriage and the people at Boconnoc.
Joshua Penrose Photography
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