GRASMERE CHURCH & HOLBECK GHYLL | WEDDING story of Emily & Mike

How did you both meet?

We met on a night out in Cockermouth after my sister introduced us. Emily slipped and fell head over heels (literally) and the rest is history!

Tell us about the proposal?

We took half a day off work as a treat on a friday. After lunch at the Kirkstile, we went on our favourite walk with our dog Maggie. Half way round the walk, Mike got down on one knee and proposed. Little did Emily know; Mike had been down that morning before work and hid a bottle of champagne in the river and a picnic under some roots on the river bank. We spent the afternoon eating strawberries and drinking champagne next to the river before the heavens opened and we had to run back to the car!

Where did your wedding take place and why did you choose the Holbeck Ghyll Hotel for your reception?

Our ceremony took place at Our Lady of the Wayside Catholic Church in Grasmere and the reception took place at Holbeck Ghyll Country House Hotel in Windermere. We chose Holbeck Ghyll as our venue after hearing about the reputation of the food and drink and were not disappointed when we went to have a look. The staff made us feel so welcome and comfortable, we knew this was the place we wanted to bring all our friends and family to celebrate our wedding. We had heard of Our Lady of the Wayside Catholic Church and went to have a look and instantly fell in love, the church is very quaint and Father Duane was so friendly and relaxed, we have made a friend for life!

What was your colour scheme or wedding theme?

Our wedding was at christmas but we decided not to go for the traditional reds and greens. We had sage green and ivory.

Tell us about your wedding dress? My dress; it has a fitted bodice down to just above the knee covered in lace with handmade flowers and swarovski crystals. Embellished corded lace combined with draping layers of fluted tuille makes up the flared A-line skirt. I love it!

Did you have ‘something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue?’ My something old was my great aunties broach; something new, the dress; something borrowed, my friends bracelet; something blue, a small ribbon attached to my dress.

What was your favourite photograph (so far) and why did you like it?

My favourite photograph so far is of the two of us just before or after we have signed the register, I am saying something to Mike and he is leaning over to hear what I am saying. It is a lovely natural picture, I can’t remember what I am saying but I hope it is something meaningful!

What was your most useful source of wedding ideas and information?

The most useful source of wedding ideas and information was Em’s family. Em’s mum made all the table centres and church arrangements and Em’s sister and sister in law helped with the decoration of the church, without them, the wedding wouldn’t have looked nearly as good!

Tell us about a supplier who provided a first-class service.

It has to be Steve, Derwent Photography! I was worried that I would feel a bit awkward with a photographer around in the house and not be able to act natural but it wasn’t like that at all, Steve has an ability to make you feel really comfortable. The toilet tip was possibly the best bit advice I had the whole day!!

Do you have any advice for future brides?

My advice is to stay calm and enjoy the day. Delegate to your bridesmaids and groomsmen. Don’t let the day pass you by, stand back somewhere quiet and look around at your guests and you will see all the big smiles!

What was the best part of your wedding day?

Having all our friends and family with us on the most important day of our lives.

Was Steve at Derwent Photography the right photographer for you?

You were definitely the right photographer. We had heard about your great reputation from friends and other suppliers at the wedding and also seen for ourselves when you shot our spaniels but the pictures have absolutely blown us away!

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