As I looked out the window in the early hours I could only laugh as the rain poured down like it was going out of fashion. However, the next two days were going to be amazing regardless of the weather as today I was off to Windermere to shoot a two day Lake District elopement. My plan was a pre wedding photo shoot in the mountains, followed by the wedding day where I would capture the couple’s magical secret vows!
As this was an Autumn elopement, we could only expect some surprises from the sky. True to typical Cumbrian weather it did rain, for the whole two days! The rain didn’t prevent Abe and Roy from having a tear jerking, laughter filled and romantic time. As they perched in the VW split screen camper van they had hired for the day, they sat hand in hand in the driver’s seat laughing and smiling the entire time, as I got soaked! My trusty sidekick Wolfie ran around in his element as he lapped up the puddles and ran circles round me.
The shoot was such a joy to capture as Abe and Roy were up for anything and embraced every moment (my kind of couple). As a wild swimmer myself, plunging into the chilly Autumn water is still a shock to me, so for the novice it was apparent how brave Abe and Roy both truly were. Their bravery paid off as the frames we captured were amazing! When the pre wedding shoot was over, we made our way to the Gilpin Hotel , a stunning venue on Lake Windermere, where Abe and Roy were staying for their ceremony the following morning.
The morning of their elopement arrived, and as they got ready together in their beautiful hotel suite, the chef sent up a surprise cream tea which was greatly received, not a crumb left over. The ceremony was stunning as they got married in the boathouse of the Gilpin Hotel which was decorated with exquisite flowers by Brackens of Bowness. I can only say that it was by far the most emotional event I have photographed in a long time as Abe and Roy had chosen to write their own vows. As they read to each other I literally wiped away the tears which tumbled down my face.
Once the tears were dried and they were officially husband and wife, we made our way down to the Lake for some photos of this adventurous couple, with the beautiful setting of the lake and mountains in the background. Abe and Roy were such a wonderful couple to photograph and gave me so many moments of laughter, the highlight for me was when Abe slipped, laughed and kicked off her red Louboutin heels and walked barefoot for the remaining shoot!
After the photos had been taken and I had all I needed to create a wonderful set of images for Abe and Roy, we returned to the Gilpin for a hot chocolate by the roaring open fire! The perfect end to a perfect elopement in the Lakes.
Not one member of their families had any clue that they were off to get married when they left home. This made it all the more special that they had asked me to be their photographer and had invited me to capture this secret and special time. Their plan was to arrive back home to a family event and announce that they had tied the knot in the Lake District!
As they were leaving soon after the wedding they requested that their photos were edited as quickly as possible so they could show their families when they returned home. Obviously, I said yes to this request how could I resist! So, home I went at the end of each day’s shooting, to edit my little socks off in preparation for a speedy completion of their elopement images.
From spending only a few days with Abe and Roy, I just know they will have such a wonderful life together as I could see how positive and happy their energy was. I wish them all the luck and know that whatever little surprises life brings them, they will enjoy every moment together.
