i arrived late afternoon amid a sea of lush green shrubs and bushes, so rich a tapestry of trees that there must have been every shade of green under the sun, which straight away made you feel at one with nature. As a massive Lake District photographer I was in my element as I knew this intimate wedding elopement in the Lake District was going to be epic, super chilled and totally calm.
The venue was Brantwood Hall the home of the poet John Ruskin, he is Buried in a church in the nearby popular tourist attraction the village of Coniston on the edge of one of the well known Lakes Coniston Water.
I was not booked do the bridal prep as the bride had asked for a light intimate wedding, she wanted to be with her mum and sister in the bridal suite, as both bride and groom had been married before they just wanted a candid documentation of their day.
I waited as all the guests did for the arrival of the bride, she arrived radiant in the most elegant of red dresses with a fabulous pattern which her flowers echoed in the design of the brides bouquet and colour wearing the most gorgeous bridal shoes.
Elisabeth’s nephew walked her down the aisle proudly, supporting her as she was so emotional and a tear or two was shed, but she discreetly has a tissue tucked under her capped sleeve.
The ceremony was light and full of emotion, when her future sister in law read her reading and her own sister read a piece she had composed you could feel the emotion in the room, it was truly special.
After the signing of the register there was a drinks reception on the lawn, I whisked the newly weds away for some couple photos, the weather was heavy with rain which gave a back drop for some amazing moody photographs for me this was ideal I love the moody skies we have in the Lake District.
This time out they both had time to reflect and talk about their thoughts when they saw each other, then they soon changed the subject to if their 6 dogs would be ok.
This couple are super cool they have dogs that they train for agility and win many rosettes and shields so nothing phases them as competitors, which makes them so laid back it was a pleasure to shoot them. They are avid walkers and take their dogs out in this area so to get married in the Lake District was so right for them both
The Wedding breakfast looked Delicious and had a super choice for vegetarians and vegans with everything being organically sourced around Cumbria
There was no speeches other than to thank everyone for coming and a toast to his bride, the majority of my weddings don’t dwell on long speeches they are totally informal couples, up for a laugh and want all the guests to have good food and fun in a relaxed atmosphere.
The cakes were cut soon after the Breakfast, one was a two tier chocolate sponge with a light lemon sponge sitting on top of it, and the other was an amazing cheese cake complete with fruits like figs and apricots that compliment the cheeses along with chutneys, celery and hand made biscuits for cheese
I quietly slipped away as my job was done, I looked back I could hear peels of laughter coming from the main room and glimpsed silver platters one full of rich moist light and dark sponge and the other brimming with gorgeous lavish cheeses for the delight of the guests.
Well what a success this intimate elopement wedding was, exactly what they wished for good company, good food in gorgeous surroundings with no fuss or drama a complete winner for me.
