It’s my last wedding of March, I’ve captured six, which is way more than any previous March. The backlog of covid is still ever present but occasionally, like today, I get a wedding that was always booked on this date. Never postponed, always planned. It’s so refreshing. No mention of covid in the speeches which automatically brings back awful memories of “that” year when I was thrown into the unknown. Wendy and Kevin were excited to get married and I was so so excited to be a part of their day.

They married at one of my favourite Lake District wedding venues - Cragwood Country House Hotel. Nestled on the edge of Lake Windermere, overlooking Wray Castle and just down the hill from its sister hotel The Merewood. Wendy and Kev did the legals the day before at Kendal Registry office and chose to have a celebrant led service with my good friend Charlotte Pennefather. Her words make any ceremony so much more personal, there’s usually never a dry eye in the room either from tears or laughter. These ceremonies are my favourite. If I had my time over again, I would have had a celebrant tell our story. Anyway, back to Wendy. I walked into the bridal room at Cragwood and met a smiling, chilled out Wendy. Who’s only worry was whether to go for the red lip or nude… The boys on the other hand were drinking beer, ironing shirts and walking around naked.

Daniella Make up Hair was on hand to pamper Wendy in the morning, she’s such a lovely person and I’ve had the pleasure of working with her a few times now. She put a beautiful look on Wendy and teamed it with soft waves in her bob. She looked incredible.

Wendy chose the wonderful Rosehip and Wren to provide her wedding bouquet and table flowers. Much to the dislike of her flower girl, who the day before told Wendy “they look dead” Wendy proceeded to explain that they were dried and that was intentional. (They didn’t look dead, they were stunning)

Anyway, back to the wedding ceremony. A stunningly beautiful personal ceremony from Charlotte with a ring warming - to those who don’t know, it’s where every single guest holds your wedding rings in their hands giving the couple good thoughts for the future. Once it had been passed around everybody Wendy and Kevin exchanged their rings, infused with the love and hopes of everybody attending their wedding. After this they had a handfasting as well as two beautiful personalised readings.

The highlight of the ceremony was Kevin’s dad discovering he could cry… I mean, the look of confusion on his face when he realised water had spilled from his eye was a classic moment for me….

Next to their reception, chilled out chatting, hugging and catching up in the sunshine on the terrace at Cragwood, a bit of healthy competition chucked in with a few garden games and time for a few group shots.

Then onto lunch, and in a refreshing twist and one id not seen since last May - SPEECHES were not at the table and instead were going to be on their sunset lake cruise at 5pm. I adore this set up. Spread them out, have them outside, somewhere else other than the table. It adds a whole new dynamic to the day and spreads out the entertainment - straight away there’s a whole bunch of extra images that have a different backdrop rather than cutlery and beer bottles. So for Wendy and Kevin, food meant food. No worrying about speeches, just eat…and eat they did. So did I. When the signature three course Cragwood wedding breakfast arrived in front of me I was a little taken aback, and then immediately reminded of my own wedding day at the Merewood. The food for us was impeccable. Almost seven years since I last tasted a Lake District Hotels meal - it’s only got better.

We even managed to get back not dry land to catch the most amazing sunset by Lake Windermere. In all my time visiting and living here I’ve never seen a sunset so beautiful. Wendy and Kevin were truly blessed.

Naturally after all that soppiness it was time to head back to the P A R T Y ….. and party they did. It was a running joke all wedding day that Kevin liked a cheeky knee slide on a night out. Apparently it was his thing. A bit like my thing is getting too pissed and crying into a chip butty with extra gravy next to a gutter on Preston flag market. That kinda thing…. only thankfully not as ugly as my thing. However plans were scuppered when Wendy put a knee sliding ban on Kevin. Luckily I encouraged him to switch his wedding trousers for jeans and knee sliding was back on the menu. Yes guys!!!

An excellent day with excellent people. More weddings like this please, chilled, relaxed, no drama… bloody luvleh. March 2022… you’ve been incredible. Bring on April.