Intimate Lake District Wedding

Over the last eighteen months I’ve photographed several weddings of different sizes at Gilpin Lake House; it’s a wonderfully flexible space that works for small and large weddings alike. However for an intimate Lake District wedding, it’s one of my favourite venues. It boasts a secluded outdoor ceremony area and its own private tarn, but on the days when the weather is a bit too Cumbrian, the conservatory really allows you to bring the outside in as best you possibly can, flooded with natural light with views over the tarn and a kaleidoscope of different coloured leaves in the gardens. It was easy to see why Isabel and Michael chose Gilpin for their intimate weddings with just their immediate family in attendance and I absolutely adored being a tiny part of their day.

Despite it being the height of summer, the morning of the wedding proved to be incredibly wet and quite chilly, which meant their ceremony took place inside the conservatory. Isabel and Michael got ready together, that wedding morning buzz still happens irrespective of how large or small a wedding is and people were in and out of the bridal suite while the final touches to hair, make up, dresses and ties took place. I really love it when couples get ready together, I always think it removed some of the nerves and anxiety from a wedding morning, and Isabel and Michael were able to join their family for a drink before the ceremony. During the ceremony Isabel and Michael exchanged personalised vows.

After the ceremony everyone enjoyed a selection of cakes from The Lingholm Kitchen – which is a favourite post walk tea stop for our family – before we headed out for portraits. While the rain had stopped, the cool damp air, combined with Isabel’s gorgeous rusty orange blanket scarf and the hints of orange in her bouquet really made it feel quite autumnal. Of course, the grounds at Gilpin Lake House did not disappoint.

Congrats Isabel and Michael; I know me being your photographer wasn’t part of the original plan but I’m so glad our paths crossed at I was able to photograph your gorgeous, intimate Lake District wedding at Gilpin Lake House.

Top tips for planning an intimate wedding

Choose a venue where everyone can stay together to really make the most of your time with your closest family and friends.

Consider the wet weather contingency plans and make sure the venue you choose can offer you back up options in the case of bad weather.

Don’t let weather conditions inhibit your photographs; an intimate wedding means that your photographs are really important to show your friends and family who couldn’t attend so make sure you have a nice brolly, something to keep you warm and a change of footwear that wont get ruined in the wet or mud. If you plan on getting out into the fells for portraits, consider the fabric of your outfits too, a silk dress will suck up water from puddles with ease, for example.

Be sure to check what time sunset is on your wedding day when booking your ceremony time so that you can still get outside for pictures before it gets dark.

Isabel + Michael’s intimate Lake District wedding happened with the help of the following suppliers…

HMUA Lucy Pearson / Florist Brackens of Bowness / Cake The Lingholm Kitchen / Venue Gilpin Lake House / Guitar Scott Robertson

Get in touch

If you’re planning an elopement or intimate Lake District wedding I’d love to chat more about your plans; you’ll find my contact form to get in touch here.