Late last year an email dropped into my inbox – the more I read it the more my eyes lit up. “Hi Hannah, we are holding our wedding at the family home of our best man up in the Lake District. We’re planning an outdoor ceremony, plus a home made cinema. We want a fun and informal wedding full of entertainment!”
That sounds just like a wedding I wanted to be involved with! A quick Skype later and I was booked in, I couldn’t wait to meet Kate and Tom and their gorgeous little girl.
Weddings at Halecat House
As soon as I set eyes on Halecat House I fell in love with it – and am definitely planning a long weekend here with friends!
A late Georgian House it’s set at the head of an ancient woodland valley in Witherslack, the Lake District. The views are amazing, hills wherever you look and a glimpse of the Grange Over Sands estuary in the distance.
Kate and Tom’s outdoor ceremony took place in the gardens with the summerhouse as a backdrop. I loved that they had a Humanist ceremony (we had one too and it was such a great part of our day) and the lovely Carlotte from CP Celebrant guided them through a really personal, funny and beautiful wedding. My favourite part was how involved their little girl was and it doubled as her naming ceremony too.
Documentary wedding photography at Halecat House
True to their word Kate and Tom’s day was packed full of entertainment, from lawn games for the kids (and big kids) to hilarious speeches and the outdoor cinema that they’d set up. Everyone made the most of the late September sunshine and spent the day out on the terrace overlooking the marquee.
These are my favourite weddings to photograph, everyone having the best time, making the most of hanging out with their mates and enjoying a few drinks. I know I say it a lot but weddings really are one big party, do away with formality and make sure that you and your loved ones are, above all else, going to have the best day. That way I get to photograph all the smiles, laughter, hugs and crazy dancing. Cos that’s the thing I love taking pictures of and they’re the pictures you lot love to look back at. Win win!
So, if you’re planning your own fun, laid back day then I would love to hear from you. Just send me a message and we’ll have a chat!
