Sonja & James, Merewood Hotel, Windermere

Many of my wedding clients are visitors to the area, but Sonja & James are local. Which meant that lots of other local people were there. I’ll confess to being more nervous than usual about the weather – as there were 100+ people squeezed into the Merewood Country House Hotel, between Windermere and Ambleside. If it had rained all day, it would have been a little more ‘intimate’ inside. But we were so lucky…

Can’t leave any of your mates out? Put them all in a suit.

Final adjustments.

The old “Why’s there a man with a camera in mummy’s bedroom” look.

What everyone was there for.

Spoilt for beautiful backdrops.

Top class punchline from the best man.

(Almost) the end of the day.

Helen & Andy, Langdale Chase

I once overheard a wedding guest say, “You can feel your blood pressure drop when you come up here.” At the time we were on a boat on Coniston Water, but whichever lake you choose, it’s got to be a good way to spend the afternoon or evening.

So, after a ceremony and meal at the Langdale Chase on Windermere, Helen & Andy took their guests out on ‘Silverholme’ for an hour or so.

Anna-Kate tunes up before the ceremony

Don’t drop the camera, Don’t drop the camera, Don’t drop the camera…

Bride & Groom in the gardens at Langdale Chase

It’s like waiting for a bus…only nicer. And how many buses have bars on board?

It’s no use, she asked for Guinness

Off to the bar…probably

Anita & Dan, Cartmel Priory & Racecourse

USA-based Anita & Dan were married in the States in August, but came over to Dan’s parents’ home in Cartmel for a blessing a couple of weeks afterwards. It was effectively a wedding without the ‘I now pronounce you husband and wife’ bit. Because they already were.

The weather looked ominous, so we did some shots in the grand setting of the Priory before the ceremony took place

Followed later by the ceremony itself

Which was watched over by these guys

And their carriage to take them to the reception…

Liz & Paul, The Hydro, Windermere

On the day when the Great North Swim came to Windermere, it was lucky to be able to walk to work, about a quarter mile down the road at the Hydro hotel. Even luckier was the weather – a proper scorcher, in September.

Liz & Paul chose some instantly recogniseable music for the ceremony which raised a chuckle or two.

Confetti…gets everywhere

Not a bad backdrop, just a short walk (or drive) up the hill behind the hotel.

A walk in the woods on the way back.

Karen & Simon, Beech Hill, Windermere

Normally when someone asks if I’m available in August, they mean next August. Not Karen & Simon. They meant ‘in three weeks time’. And why not?

It was a Monday and thankfully I was free because it was  a lot of fun.

Cute kids, a good start…

Forget ‘Bownessie’, this is photographic proof that August wasn’t a washout.

…which made the trip on the lake even better.

Although you do get chased by random strangers

Anshul & Chris, Broad Oaks, Troutbeck, Windermere

The Beautiful gardens at the Broad Oaks hotel in Troutbeck near Windermere gave us a great backdrop, but first things first…

This could almost be a checklist: Make-up – check, Hairdresser – check,  Shoes – check, Jewellery – check.

Please don’t drop her, Please don’t drop her, Please don’t drop her….

The post-confetti clean-up begins

Jo & Rob, Haslington Hall, Cheshire

A change of scene and a new venue for me, with a trip down to Cheshire to friends Jo and Rob’s wedding at Haslington Hall. 

The weather did its best to worry me on the journey down, but by the time the ceremony was over it was like this…

I can taste that white chocolate

I can’t remember what he was saying, but somehow it doesn’t matter!

Funky light show

Annie & David, Lakeside, Windermere

The southern half of Windermere is significantly quieter than the top end, with Bowness and Ambleside sitting on its shores. The only signs of civilisation are a road snaking down the eastern shore, some beautiful private  houses on either side, and one or two hotels.

The Lakeside, right at the southern end of the lake, is where Annie & David chose to get married in August. The skies were moody at times, but stayed dry and even allowed us a trip on a lake cruise.

Last-minute speech practise

The new bride & groom.

It’s ginger beer, honest…

Drinks on the hotel lawn

Andrea & Paul, Birkdale & Castle Green, Kendal

A trip down to Birkdale in Southport for me at the end of July. Andrea and Paul got married at their local Methodist church, before heading up the motorway to the Castle Green Hotel in Kendal for the reception.

An unusually spacious church was a real pleasure…

This was a joyful ceremony. Live music and lots of proper singing!

A wander through the grounds with the family at the Castle Green hotel…

One way to work up an appetite for your wedding brerakfast is to put your trainers on and walk up a hill…apparently.

Kendal Castle is a favourite spot for Andrea & Paul.

Caroline & Sandy, Old England, Bowness

There are a few more smaller weddings happening these days, and they’re usually very relaxed affairs. Caroline & Sandy decided to do it all by themselves and marry at the Old England Hotel in Bowness.

Sometimes the best way to photograph a nervous groom is through the mirror…

Some all-important details…

The lush green grounds outside the hotel…