Since taking on our mega venture just over a year ago, it’s been somewhat of a whirlwind here. Between moving in, getting the house looking all snazzy, opening for guests, starting work in the Lovable Old Barn, one utterly glorious wedding, a flat out summer in the guest house, phase two in the barn and now nearing completion of our sparkly new toilet block (which we’re just a tad too excited about) – blogging hasn’t been top of any one of our lists. But, now brimming with viewings and bookings, comes the perfect opportunity to share a little something. Back in October, we called upon a team of local creative whizzes to get sassy on a shoot. The babes in focus, real life lovers, top pals of ours, Katy and Chris, then made it a shoot to remember, but I’ll come to that at the end.
Taking an honorary bow to the history of The Lovable Old Barn and the grounds, we wanted to create a shoot which was timeless and elegant with a twist of gothic, boho romance for good measure. We also wanted to give you guys a peek into what’s been happening down here and give you a meander through the grounds in less sunnier weather than we had here in June, so we hope you enjoy!
Our day started in the upstairs of Lovable Old Barn which dates back to the 1800s. It’s warm Lakeland stone with a multicolour of blue and grey shades set a characterful scene while the beams above swooned solid and strong. The ceremony and wedding feast for two took place underneath, where seasonal opulence was oozing.
The feast for two was laid bare on long rustic handcrafted trestle table, adorned with thick foliage, foraged branches, fruits, leaves and more deep hues.
Antique cut glass decanters and flutes stood next to bone handled cutlery, slate signage by
Jilly. L and two hundred insects emblazoned on fine bone British china. Be sure to check out the dapper chaps behind the china and their treasure trove of eccentricities at The Curious Department. They’re definitely one for your wedding wish list/gift list!
Finally rich and rugged greenery by our wonderful florist and sultry lighting, by the lovely Emma at Emma Jane Events, created a perfect halo backdrop to the couple.
Our awesome florist, Becky at Picking Posies, created a deep and rich bouquet using seasonal flowers and foliage such as deep burgundy dahlias, scabious, gaura (also called The Bride), Sahara rudbeckia, amaranthus and eucalyptus. I’d love to say, all of their names came from my noggin with no help, but I’d be lying. All blooms were however sourced locally or picked from Becky’s glorious cutting garden in the South Lakes, which is rather nice too.
With no average running order to the day, it was ceremony time. For a wonderfully seasonal aisle in came a few wheelbarrows of crisp red and orange leaves. Pampas pom poms hung above majestically from the beams, adding to the dreamy focal point.
Now to the gowns. This first dress of Katy's was designed and made by the ever talented Sarah the woman behind, Mia Bridal in Carlisle. The delicate lace sleeves and sheer skirt floated with timeless victorian style, while its grey tone brought it racing up to date. Chris, our groom, wore his own thing; tan brogues and burgundy chinos with a complimenting tie and a classic navy waistcoat. Nice job CPG!
Katy’s tousled up-do was a beautiful mix of bohemian curls that tucked between freshly picked foliage and was created by hair guru, JJ Mather. Makeup added a strong and glam edge to Katy’s look, with classic red lips, lustrous eyes and the most enviable dewy cheeks. All created by the makeup wonder of the North, Fiona Whittet.
Stepping outside Katy stepped into another one of Mia Bridal’s handmade creations, a deliriously pretty lace accompanied with a long simple veil that did a little two step in the breeze.
By this point I’m sure you can appreciate we were all gasping, so to the bar we went. Katy wore her final gown by Lillian West for drinks at our portable bar, which was set up at the front of the Lovable Old Barn. Beck arranged wild grasses, seed heads and cosmos loosely around a tree trunk, named her Wild Woods. The bar can go inside or out depending on your day and of course the enviable Cumbrian weather.
.Then it was into our jazzy new seating area within the old cow stalls where rustic benches and rich velvets make for the perfect reception drinks, evening chill out area or even your aisle. Yup, downstairs is also licensed for ceremonies so you can say your vows while your guests get cosy in the cow stalls.
And finally it was up to the Knight’s Ruin, the upstairs bar in Lovable Old Barn, for without a doubt the best shot of the day – the one no one had planned for. Well except one member of our team.
That’s right, our man model Chris got down on one knee and asked his love to be his wife. And one very stunned Katy, said one very big happy ‘YES’!
And lastly one very big big up to our photographers. We were utterly spoilt with not one but two awesome photographers, Joe Mather and Jono Symonds. Both are based in the North West and travel all over the globe telling love stories in such a way that will have you belly laughing, sobbing and squealing time and time again. As have we and we’re not even in the pictures! And on top of being blessed with the creative powers of gods, they’re both genuinely a joy to work with. We hope you enjoy as much as we did!
And very very lastly a whopping big congratulations to the wonderful beings, Katy and Chris. Love you lots xx
Photographer - Joe Mather - http://www.joemather-photography.co.uk/ - @joematherphotography
Photographer - Jono Symonds - https://www.jonosymonds.com/ - @jonosymonds
Venue - https://www.lowhallthelakes.com/ - @lowhallthelakes
Flowers - https://pickingposies.co.uk/ - @pickingposiesbybecky
Make up - https://www.fionawhittet.co.uk/ - @fionawhittetmua
Bridal wear - https://www.miabridal.co.uk - @miabridal
China - https://www.thecuriousdepartment.com/ - @thecuriousdepartment
Lighting - https://www.emmajaneevents.co.uk/ - @emmajaneevents
Lettering https://www.facebook.com/JillLileyLettering/ - @jill.liley
Now back to some proper graft…