Jim & Karen...Lovely wedding at the Punchbowl

James and Karen met me at the wedding of their close friend’s Dan and Joanne who I photographed back in May 2009. James a talented pianist and composer also has supplied me with some music for my website and so we have got to know each other in the last year.

I was thrilled when they asked me to photograph their wedding in the very pretty village of Crossthwaite, South Lakes.
The weather was glorious it was so warm and sunny. The area has a French feel as you drive through the narrow country lanes and then you stumble across The Punch Bowl, a Michelin star award winning restaurant that foodies flock to from miles around.

James and Karen chose this place because of its great location, chilled atmosphere and great food and with 40 of their close family and friends around them their day began to unfold…



The stunning MAGGIE SOTTERO gown that Karen had chosen hanging in the fabulous bathroom. Karen’s flowers were from florists in Ambleside. Karen had such a classy theme running through her wedding…



Karen looking fab!



James and his brother best man Mark



Exchanging vows



James and Karen in the lovely grounds of the Punchbowl....



Everyone



The stunning scenery around the Punch Bowl

I love to use the seasons in my photography… loved the apples on this tree!



I end this post with this image – showing the beautiful countryside that attracted them to get married in this corner of the UK.



James and Karen you were so easy to photograph I know you will be enjoying your honeymoon on the beautiful Greek island of Ithaka. Please click here to see a slideshow (with James music) showing more of their wonderful day!

Look forward to seeing you when you return!

Dan & Paula.. Glamorous Marquee down by the River Eden

Paula had planned her own wedding to the tiniest detail, in the garden of her parent's home at Grinsdale she knew years ago this is where she wanted her wedding to be.
Last week her dreams came true as a fabulous Bakerwood marquee was put up right beside the river bank and wow what a place for a wedding Paula you were so right it looked amazing!!

This is the stunning Bakerwood marquee it looked so clean cut and modern as it stood proudly on the river bank and it certainly had the WOW factor as you entered. Guests enjoyed the wonderful views of the river with the huge windows in the Bakerwood marquee and salmon were jumping every now and then! Picture perfect!



Excitement and anticipation were building for the day as I started at the house photographing Paula, her flowers by Gardenalia,and her fab dress from COUNTRY DREAMS in Carlisle...



A game of hide and seek around the chair made this shot possible of the lovely flowergirl Isla and pageboy Will.



The bridesmaids looking gorgeous....



The clouds opened as Paula and her father entered the church but it didn't matter we like a bit of rain every now and then!



Paula and Dan exchanging vows....



I just like this photograph as it captures how Dan and Paula are with their friends everyone loves to be around them they are such nice grounded people!



Dan is a farmer and so we had a few pics of the kids around the vintage tractor I love this one of the boys having fun at the wheel!



David from Silver Lady Wedding Cars was chauffeur for us and as ever their service is always second to none!



We stopped on the way back to the marquee in a quiet country lane for these romantic images....



Paula and Dan have two little boys Will and baby Harry. Paula looks amazing considering she has not long had a baby don't you think???



At the reception the guests enjoyed listening to the music of Andy Whitaker and catering by the amazing Sarah Bakerwood and her team. This photograph shows them leaning on the deck of the summer house decorated with hearts by Gardenalia.



Thanks for allowing me to capture your special day! Hope you have had a great honeymoon in Sorrento! To see more of Dan and Paula's wedding watch their SLIDESHOW!

Martin & Sam..Gorgeous late summer wedding at Lanercost

The September sun shone all day as guests from close to home and from Ireland travelled to see local solicitor Samantha marry her Irish man Martin at Lanercost in Cumbria.

The wedding preparations started at Samantha’s parents home a beautiful stone house Abbey Bridge which is situated in walking distance of the priory. The flowers supplied by the fabulous Bloomsberry were amazing with subtle shades of purples setting the colour scheme of the day. Samantha’s amazing dress was from local supplier Capricorn.

I was honoured to be a part of this wedding as Samantha’s mother Sue is also head teacher at the school that my daughter’s attend…….. so NO pressure!



Samantha looked radiant as she posed in the wonderful terraced gardens of Abbey Bridge.



Then it was off to the priory for the ceremony, no car was required they just walked in the summer sun! The bridal procession was met by the local vicar who walked them over the bridge from the family home to the church to meet the wedding guests.



Sam linking her father’s arm and that fab bouquet again!



Because no photographs were allowed from the front of the church I had to think about how I was going to capture the ceremony. My new super cool second generation NIKON lense never fails to let me down in this situation as I was right at the back when I captured this shot!



The priory is the most amazing place for photographs especially when you enter the ruins. What a setting for a group photograph!



The bridal party…



The fabulous reception details in Dacre Hall. Again more amazing displays by Bloomsberry and fabulous food by Sarah Baker of Bakerwood.



This was such a lovely summers wedding…. I am sure you are having a wonderful honeymoon in Italy. Thanks for allowing us to capture your special day!
To see more of this amazing wedding watch their slideshow CLICK HERE.

Matthew and Sarah... another fab wedding in the Lakes!

What a great time I had working with the lovely Matthew and very bubbly outgoing Sarah.



Matthew and Sarah met each other whilst working in Portugal on a course four years ago and have been together ever since! Last Saturday they were thrilled when around 100 of their family and friends gathered inside St James Church of Hayton to see them start off on their journey of married life together.

In the middle of the Cumbrian countryside we arrived to meet Sarah getting ready at her parent's farm. Sarah chose a fabulous Ian Stuart gown and beautiful elegant shoes to match.



Sarah chose to arrive in style opting for a Silver Lady's Rolls Royce. I love working with these guys their cars are always immaculate and they offer a very professional and friendly service! This shot of the older bridesmaids giving orders to the flowergirls I just love!



The ceremony...



We then made our way to the jetty near Armathwaite Hall for some romantic photos.



Then it was on to Armathwaite Hall where I shot the family photos, some more romantic and the reception details.

The light was amazing as it filtered through the trees..



The details were gorgeous as was the stunning cake!



Have a wonderful time in Hong Kong and Bali and I look forward to speaking to you on your return!

David & Iona…Tipi tent wedding!

I absolutely love it when a bride and groom want to do something a little different to the normal traditional wedding. I was soooo excited when Iona and David booked me to photograph their wedding, as this was a wedding that any photographer would have loved to be a part of!

Iona and David chose the beautiful Lakes as the backdrop of their special day. I started out at the Scafell Hotel in Borrowdale to capture the girls getting ready. The details on this wedding were amazing! Starting with Iona’s shoes and flowers by Christina at FLOWERTIME in Carlisle who came up with stunning bouquets in the most vivid colours. Christina is a very talented young florist and produces some amazing work. Iona had selected a stunning Ian Stuart gown… Loved it!





Iona was ready to get married. Iona you looked stunning!



The bridesmaids wore lime green dresses and the vibrant pink flowers in their hair looked fab!



Meet Noah….. the couple’s little boy who was very photogenic but you had to catch him first!



David the groom…... David looked amazing his suit was from Edwards Menswear in Penrith.



So cute!



Iona and her father arriving at Lodore Falls in a vintage VW Camper van!



Love this one of Iona and Noah together.



Exchanging vows at the Lodore Falls Hotel.



After the ceremony at Lodore all the guests boarded a boat and went for a cruise around Derwent Water. The scenery was spectacular as the guests sipped on Pimms and ate canapés.







Then it was back to Borrowdale for a reception not to forget… a tipi tent with an open fire and wooden beams. Iona had worked so hard to get everything just so and the planning paid off everyone was amazed by how gorgeous it was inside!







Inside was a sweet table that looked too good to eat!





Sky lanterns were set off into the night sky against the silhouette of the Borrowdale mountains a magical end to another fabulous wedding!



Thank you Iona and David for entrusting me with providing you photographic memories of your special day. It was a wedding I will never forget a real highlight of 2010!
Have a fab time in the Dominican Republic!