Highlights from Bethany & Josh’s rustic wedding at this stunning Lake District barn venue

Blaithwaite House Wedding Venue

Blaithwaite House is a stunning, family run wedding venue, at the North end of the Lake District, and describes itself as…

“250 acres, 250 years and six generations. Here at Blaithwaite, we are more than just a country estate. We are a family-run business, providing our guests with a rural retreat steeped in history. Blaithwaite truly is the best place to rewild, return and restore the soul.

In the heart of Cumbria and a stone’s throw from the Lake District National Park, our estate has been lovingly restored to create a sustainable destination to visit, stay, dine or celebrate. Take to the trails, feed the animals and perhaps even do a spot of stargazing – the possibilities are endless and we promise, your memories with us will be everlasting. YOUR WEDDING, YOUR WAY

We are a DIY venue, not a hotel. You will have the total flexibility, time and choice to have your wedding day exactly how you dreamed it would be. This means you can choose any style, decor, suppliers, number of guests, catering, drinks and entertainment. No restrictive packages here! In fact, we love it when you think outside of the box so let your imagination go wild. From intimate ceremonies for two, to marvellous marquee weddings for 400, we welcome weddings, civil and celebrant unions, and ceremonies of all types, religions and orientation…”

Blaithwaite House Wedding Photographer

Bethany & Josh booked me to be their Blaithwaite House Wedding Photographer, having been recommended to them. They booked me for most of the day, from preparations to the speeches, not wanting any fuss or photos in the evening as the party started. Fine by me! This was to be my first visit to Blaithwaite House as a Blaithwaite House Wedding Photographer, and was really looking forward to it. Bethany & Josh’s wedding was to be outside, about 150m away from the main house down in the gardens…weather permitting! You just never can tell in the Lake District. This was one of those weddings where I meet my clients for the first time - no previous Zoom calls or FaceTime meet-ups, Bethany & Josh were happy with my work and happy to book me as their Blaithwaite House Wedding Photographer for their big day.

Outdoor Cumbria Wedding in Summer

Bethany & Josh were brilliant clients to meet ‘on the day’ - chilled, easy going and just let me do my thing. No expectations of lots of posed photos, no confines as to what they wanted….what they wanted was a natural story of their wedding day at Blaithwaite House, with my natural documentary style of photography as their Blaithwaite House Wedding Photographer. I arrived nice and early to find Josh and his dad putting the chairs out for this outdoor Cumbria wedding. Having said hello, I quietly recced the venue, ably guided by Laura, one of the wedding team. As a Blaithwaite House Wedding Photographer, I was looking forward to the celebrations if there weather held out. It was looking good so far…

Brilliant Lake District Wedding

As the morning progressed, I split my time between Bethany & the girls’ preparations in the house itself, to catching up with the groomsmen next door in The Stables Cottages. The sun was out and looking glorious for the outdoor ceremony, and I was quite excited about this prospect of being a Blaithwaite House Wedding Photographer. A few informal photos of the lads and it was back inside to photograph Bethany getting into her dress (I stayed outside the room until called in, obviously!) This Blaithwaite House wedding really was chilled! As the wedding guests started to arrive, Josh and the groomsmen were on hand meeting and greeting them. The atmosphere was building now as I captured some great expressions, great hugs and smiles - all live and natural. My day as a Blaithwaite House Wedding Photographer was now in full swing. We were all keeping an eye on the weather though, as it started train a little, then clear, then another shower. All bets were off at one point. But the registrar said he had only ever officiated outdoor weddings at Blaithwaite House, and today was going to be no different! So, we went for it. The guests made their way from the house down to the garden, and I waited half way, to capture Bethany & her dads walking down towards the gathered wedding guests and the stunning outdoor wedding area. I was loving being a Blaithwaite House Wedding Photographer, as the day rolled out in front of my Nikon cameras…

Documentary wedding photography at Blaithwaite House

I photographed Bethany & Josh’s wedding in my natural documentary style - not too honest, but a classic story of a classic Lake District wedding day in Wigton. I mostly shot the day with 24mm, 35mm and 85mm lenses. From the outdoor ceremony, via a brilliant confetti ‘run’, we were back up to the mansion for drinks and family group photos (we need to keep Auntie Betty happy!) With a few minutes of couples photos, dodging the now threatening rain, we had everything in the can so to speak as a Blaithwaite House Wedding Photographer. As were called to dinner, we walked (ran!!) across the courtyard to the Main Barn for some brilliant speeches. It was then my point to leave the wedding as the guests settled down to the stunning meal. The rain was torrential by now, but we had nailed it! A very careful drive back down the M6 and home for a well-earned beer for this Blaithwaite House Wedding Photographer.

Here’s some of my favourite photos from the day…