This year I spent my birthday with Mary & Sinead, who chose an intimate Ullswater wedding for their day, inviting their very closest family and friends to join them at Hause Hall for their celebrations.

The weather was seasonably predictable; cloud that hung low on the fells for most of the days and brief light showers but Sinead & Mary’s laid back plans for the day meant that we were able to sneak out for their wedding photos in a dry spell and explore the fells above Howtown for their portraits.

Ullswater is my favourite lake in the Lake District and although it was the Easter holidays, Hause Hall’s remote location means it rarely ever feels busy, save the few walkers who are ticking off some of the Wainwrights in the area. You can find out more about getting married in this amazing place in my Hause Hall Wedding Venue guide.

Congratulations Mary & Sinead, I can’t think of a better couple to have spent my birthday with; the most perfect day in the most perfect place.

If you’re planning an intimate Ullswater wedding, perhaps a Hause Hall Farm wedding or at one of the other wedding venues around the lake, I’d love to chat some more.

How did you meet?

We met playing rugby for Preston Grasshoppers. We were friends for a year before Sinead told me she liked me.

Tell me your proposal story

Sinead proposed on the beach on Kos as we got up early to watch sunrise.

Why did you choose an intimate Ullswater wedding at Hause Hall for your day?

We chose Hause Hall because of the intimate feeling, being able to keep all our guests onsite and make a mini break of it, as well as the gorgeous views.

What was it you loved about your outfits and accessories that made you choose them?

Mary loved that the dress was flowy but not too big, and that it had pockets! Sinead loved that her jumpsuit fitted her well and showed off her back. We both loved that we just felt comfortable in them.

Tell me about the vision you had for your wedding

The vision was very much relaxed, but boho-y and farm-like. We wanted to spend minimal money on decorations and flowers, which also contributed to our choice of Hause Hall, as that had so much character that we felt we didn’t need to add to it. So our vision was fairy lights, bunting etc.

What was your first dance and why did you choose it?

Our first dance was Luther Vandross, Never Too Much and it was just a song that Sinead introduced me to at the start of our relationship, that we both loved.

What were the most wonderful parts of the day for you?

The best parts were the food, seeing each other down the aisle, and getting to party, sing and dance with all of our family and friends.

Why did you choose Hannah Hall Photography as your photographer, and what was your experience of your photography on the day?

We chose Hannah, because we liked the style of her photos, the natural easy going vibe, but also the fact that she had been at the venue many times before.

What would be your best bit of advice to other couples planning their wedding?

Our best advice would be to pick what you want to do and not what others want you to do, big or small, home or away etc and to plan early because there’s a lot to it.

Sinead & Mary’s intimate Ullswater wedding happened with the help of the following suppliers

Venue Weddings at Hause Hall / HMUA Nala & Knot / Caterer Smoke & Steel