The Difference Between an Elopement and an Adventure Elopement

Let’s start off by saying all elopements are exciting! A chic city elopement, a secret visit to Gretna or a fun filled Vegas trip. Immediately you know what to expect from these types of elopements, but what about Adventure Elopements? What does that mean? Who are they for? Do you know the difference between an Elopement and an Adventure Elopement?

Today we’re going to go over the differences between an elopement, and an adventure elopement. Similar on the surface, but their differences could take you from having a beautiful mountain backdrop to being at the top of that mountain!!! 

Adventure elopements are aimed at those with a sense of adventure. For those where it’s not enough to just have a nice view on your day, you want to be amongst it. Outdoor lovers, thrill seekers I’m talking to you. 

If you’re struggling to decide what to do for your special day, this will help you make those decisions! Whether you’re going to fly to another country, you’re going to go into the depths of nature, or you’re going to hop on a boat ride to seal the deal.

Difference Between an Elopement Wedding and an Adventure Elopement

• What is an Elopement Wedding

• What is an Adventure Elopement Wedding

• The Similarities

• The Differences

• Ideas For An Elopement Wedding

• Ideas For An Adventure Elopement Wedding

• Consider Your Goals

 What’s An Elopement Wedding

Nowadays, eloping doesn't really mean leaving in secret to get married, it can and still does, but it doesn’t have to be that way. Elopement weddings are frequently conducted with simply the couple present or with a very small group of guests, usually less than 6! 

Typical reasons people choose to elope are costs, family politics, a desire to escape, a desire to keep things simple, less stress and even as a more eco-friendly option. 

What is an Adventure Elopement Wedding

An adventure elopement wedding, similar to an elopement wedding, sees couples looking to get wed just the two of them. But this isn’t just about a couple running to another town or country, this is about including elements of adventures into their day. Hiking a mountain, swimming in a lake, discovering waterfalls, exploring caves… the possibilities are endless.

Adventure elopements are the perfect option for couples who want to start their married life with a spontaneous adventure. 

Whether it’s heading to your favourite place or jetting off somewhere new. No matter where you decide to go, an adventure elopement will always provide the most beautiful landscapes that will ensure your wedding photos are a work of art!

In the same way you can find photographers who specialise in city elopements, so too can you find companies tailored to Adventure Elopement. This is a super niche area of photography and I’ve teamed up with an amazing fellow creator in The Lake District to offer an elopement service like no other in the UK.

We offer, planning, photography & videography for adventure elopements in The Lake District and beyond, check us out here:  With Abandon Elopements

The Similarities

Elopement weddings and adventure elopement weddings are similar in the sense that the people involved are usually just the couple (and a celebrant), making them couple-focused and a lot more intimate than your traditional wedding.

Due to this, you miss out on the whole ‘stress of a wedding’ and you can fully cater the event to you. If you just want to celebrate for a day, a weekend, or a week - it’s easier to plan when it’s just the two of you!

The Differences

While elopement weddings often incorporate a beautiful backdrop, they don’t usually require much ‘adventure’ in order to achieve this. They are a more relaxing day overall and typically include a whistle stop ‘picture tour’ to get some amazing images before heading back to a warm car. They usually don’t take all day and ensure you’re back at your hotel in time for your dinner reservations. 

Adventure elopement weddings take eloping to the next level. Instead of standing at the side of a road where there’s a popular view, you’re IN the view. The entire day is designed to combine the things you love and include these seamlessly into your day. Nothing is off limits, you want to say “I do” rappelled off the side of a Scottish rock cliff? You want to helicopter ride to a remote location? You want to explore miles of caves and wed by candle light inside a mountain? You get the idea!

Ideas For An Elopement Wedding

If you’re planning a more traditional elopement wedding, here are some ideas to get you in the mood!

• Chic City/Town Hall

• Private Castle

• Barefoot Beach

• Exclusive Restaurant

• Lakeside Picnic 

• Private Stately Home

• Secret Garden 

Ideas For An Adventure Elopement Wedding

If you're planning an adventure elopement wedding, here are some ideas for the adventurous duos out there…

• Mountain Hike

• Waterfall Swim

• Helicopter Ride

• Boat Trip

• Cave Exploration

• Via Ferrata

• Cliff Rappel

• 4x4 Experience

• Glacier Exploration

• Hot Air Balloon

• Private Island

Consider Your Goals

When deciding if you want an elopement wedding or an adventure elopement wedding, consider your goals together as a couple.

If there’s somewhere you’ve both been wanting to travel, or an activity to do together, but just haven’t got around to it, why not use your elopement as the reason to try it!

Conclusion

Now we’ve gone over the differences between an elopement wedding and an adventure elopement wedding, I hope you’re feeling a bit wiser about what you’d like for your special day!

Whatever you decide, whether it’s an elopement wedding or an adventure elopement wedding, it’s important to be able to capture the moment by hiring an experience elopement wedding photographer, so you can look back on those special memories for years to come. 

If you’re looking for an elopement in the Lake District or surrounding area, get in touch with me here!

Tips to Make Your Elopement Wedding Kinder to the Environment

So, you’re thinking of having an elopement wedding (which is already a great choice for the environment), but how can you make your elopement wedding even kinder to the environment? 

An elopement wedding already supports sustainability, but there are still extra steps you can take to help protect the planet we live in.

There are so many steps you can take that help you save, and be greener, without sacrificing the things that mean most to you.

Now, let’s get straight into my top tips to make your elopement wedding kinder to the environment!

Making Your Elopement Wedding Kinder To The Environment

• Wedding Attire

• Eco-Friendly Accommodation

• Minimal Guests

• The Beauty Of The Outdoors

• Leave No Trace

• Using What You Already Have

• Donations

Wedding Attire

My first tip to make your elopement wedding kinder to the environment is to completely avoid fast fashion when looking at wedding attire. This goes for the bride and groom, as well as any bridesmaids and groomsmen you might be deciding to include (we won’t debate here the true definition of an elopement, I’m a big believer in your day, your rules!).

One way to get a sustainable wedding dress is by renting one! This way you are saving money, and wardrobe space, by only using the dress for when you need it. One business that stands out to me when renting is Something Borrowed Rent which offers bridal dresses, bridal accessories, and bridesmaid dresses.

If you’re an adventurous bride, looking for an outdoor wedding elopement that may get dirty, then renting a dress may not be right for you. Instead, try looking for a second hand wedding dress to be more sustainable.

Still White is one of my favourite places to get a second hand wedding dress, this way you’re saving money and being sustainable by not buying a brand new dress, you may only wear once!

Eco-friendly Accommodation

If you’re looking to make your elopement wedding kinder to the environment, be cautious about the accommodation you choose! 

Do your research and ensure the accommodation you choose has a sustainability ethos. Here are some of my recommendations for sustainable accommodation in the Lake District:

• Otter Tarn

• Hill of Oaks

• Langdale Hotel

• Lindeth Fell

• Great Langdale Glamping

Minimal Guests

Elopements traditionally mean to run away in secret and get married, but these days, it doesn’t have to be secret! Typically, elopement weddings are just the couple but more recently there’s been a trend to include a small number of guests, and this is great, just remember the less guests, the less impact you’ll have on the environment. This tip is especially important if you plan an outdoorsy elopement in which you wish to involve your guests.

Sometimes people see this as a bad thing, but let me tell you the positives! Firstly, this can create a more intimate vibe as the people that are most important to you are there. 

Secondly, due to fewer people attending (or none), that means fewer people are travelling, less people to feed, less people to accommodate, making it all around an eco-friendly elopement wedding tip!

The Beauty Of The Outdoors

Embracing the beauty of the outdoors is one of my favourite ways to make your elopement wedding kinder to the environment. 

Instead of artificial decor and backdrops, use the natural backdrops available to you. You will find that you’re likely to have better backdrops than a screen could ever create! 

Instead of dragging cars and vans full of decorations, incorporating wildlife into your elopement wedding, which I think is so much more beautiful.

If you want an arch for your photos, look around for a natural woodland arch. If you want floral arrangements, head for a meadow! There are so many things you can find in nature.

If you’re an adventurous couple who love the outdoors, I’m sure you’ll agree that nature really is all you need for an eco-friendly elopement that dreams are made of.

 

Leave No Trace

One of the most important things to remember when stepping out into nature is to leave no trace.

By this, I mean sticking to the path 100% of the time, this way you’re only stepping on the ground that can handle footfall and not risking ruining the terrain. Areas like wet grass, swampy areas, moss, vegetation, wildflowers, and other plants should be avoided!

Any litter you create, make sure you take it with you! If you’re thinking “oh it’s only a little bit”, everyone else thinks the same, and all those ‘little bits’ add up to a lot. This is essential to have an eco-friendly elopement wedding!

Once you have left, it should look like you were never even there.

Using What You Already Have

When making your elopement wedding kinder to the environment, we’re talking “something old” and “something borrowed” and running with it!

The more items you already own and can re-use or borrow, the more eco-friendly your elopement wedding will be.

This could be accessories, shoes, dresses, literally anything! 

Donations

Finally, my last tip to make your elopement wedding kinder to the environment is to consider giving donations to a charity, as wedding favours.

Consider donations to charities/trusts/programs that protect the environment and wildlife. Here are some of my favourites:

• John Muir Trust

• Windermere Lake Recovery CIC

• National Trust

• Forestry Commision

Eco-Friendly Elopement Wedding Ready!

My final tip to make your elopement wedding kinder to the environment is to make sure your elopement wedding photographer supports sustainability and has eco-friendly practices - just like I do!

Sustainability is important to me in all aspects of life and I’d love to help you capture the elopement wedding of your dreams - get in touch with me here to work together! I look forward to talking to you!

Tips to Make Your Wedding Kinder to the Environment

Planning and pulling off your perfect wedding day is no easy task. It can feel like a mountain of work, with lots of rules you’re supposed to follow and things you’re just supposed to know. 

The reality is, there are no rules and you don’t have to do anything you don’t want to do. It should be about you two and what you want your wedding day to be for you and your loved ones. 

While some traditions are withstanding and have survived generations, other traditions have long since disappeared. Today we see a huge shift towards sustainability in our everyday lives; electric cars, removal of single use plastics, eco-friendly cleaning products and preloved clothing being just a few examples.

It’s no secret that the wedding industry generates A LOT of waste (the stats can be quite eye watering) a recent study by Austen & Blake Jewellers found that the average wedding un the UK produced one third of a metric tonne of waste.

We all know the importance of protecting our environment but we also want to have a wedding to remember without feeling like we’re missing out.

Today we’re talking tips to make your wedding kinder to the environment so you can have the wedding you’ve dreamed of, guilt free!

Top Tips for a Sustainable Wedding

• Avoid Fast Fashion

• Hiring Wedding Decor

• Choose Your Wedding Suppliers Wisely

• Stay Local

• Confetti Alternatives

• Gifts & Favours

Avoid Fast Fashion

It’s so easy to be seduced by fast fashion due to its affordability, especially when you’re faced with buying 6 identical dresses for your bridal party. Spending that little bit more on something not only more ethically sourced but also likely much higher in quality is something we should all be aiming to do, not just for weddings.

If you’re working with a smaller budget consider hiring your bridesmaid dresses. It’s been completely normal to hire mens suits for a wedding for as long as I can remember, it’s about time we made this the norm for the girls too. 

Hiring wedding garments shouldn’t just end there, hiring your wedding dress is an amazing way to get the label you want without the price tag. Of course buying a dress through a designer isn’t fast fashion particularly if you’re buying from a designer who manufactures in this country, but the idea of a dress only being worn once and sitting in a cupboard doesn’t seem the most sustainable option.

Conversely, the concept of a dress bringing joy to more than one person at many weddings is not only an incredibly sustainable ethos, it’s a really beautiful idea too. 

• The Loop offer preloved luxury bridal wear, so you’re being kinder to the environment as well as wearing the glam dress you have always dreamed of.

• Something Borrowed Rent has the same concept, where you can rent elegant wedding dresses, bridesmaids' dresses, and bridal accessories.

• Brides Do Good goes one step further with ONE THIRD of their profits going to charity!

If you don’t like the idea of renting a dress, or you are worried your plans might involve getting the dress really dirty, then another eco-friendly option is to buy a second hand wedding dress. I did this for my own wedding!

•  Still White  is the largest online wedding dress market, perfect for a bargain-loving bride. Buying directly from brides and bridal shops alike, you’ll find a mixture of used dresses, dresses with tags and ex store samples!

• The Wedding Club are a sample sale line from a leading luxury designer retailer offering some of the biggest names in wedding fashion. 

Finally, if you strongly feel that the process of finding your dress and buying it new is an experience you don’t want to miss out on you won’t find any judgement here! If buying a new dress is the route for you, consider selling your dress on after the big day.

Either to another bride directly or to a company who will rent it out, it’s a great way to recoup some costs after your day and make that big designer label a little more achievable.

Hiring Wedding Decor

When it comes to eco-friendly wedding decor, you’d be forgiven for thinking that the DIY approach is the best option, when in reality it’s probably one of the worst.

While finding a venue that needs little to no decoration is the best bet here, you’re likely still going to want to personalise your wedding decor. This is where hiring your wedding decor comes up trumps. No need to spend months collecting items that will end up in your spare room for too long after your wedding, waiting for you to sell it, before ultimately ending up at the local tip. 

Hiring your wedding decor sounds expensive, however the reality is the hire prices per item are much less than you could buy these items for yourself, even if you were thrifting them!

You also have the option for someone to come and decorate for you, reducing stress and clean-up because they’ll also take it all away. Bliss.

Choose Your Wedding Suppliers Wisely

When researching and choosing your wedding suppliers, try to work with businesses that promote sustainability to help make your wedding kinder to the environment!

Some examples of this:

• Florists that use seasonal flowers sourced from the UK. 

• Make-up artists using natural products.

• Caterers who grow their own produce and source locally.

• Venues actively reducing their waste.

• Suppliers donating a percentage of profits to trusts/charities.

These are just a few examples of small things that can all add up to make a big difference!

Another way to try and reduce waste is to speak to your venue about the dates either side of your booking, in a bid to share some elements of your day. Chances are the weddings either side of your day will be complete strangers so you don’t need to worry about people seeing the same thing. Marquee hire, large floral installations, table and decor hire are just a few examples where this can dramatically reduce your costs while minimising waste.

Stay Local

A really simple and often overlooked way to make your wedding more sustainable is to stay local!

By choosing local accommodation, this reduces the amount of travel for you, and for your guests, and of course, less travel is always eco-friendly.

Additionally sourcing local suppliers is key! While it’s tempting to bring in those suppliers you saw in that viral reel, there’s an abundance of talent and amazing suppliers right on your doorstep. I would definitely encourage you to search hashtags for weddings in the area and see who pops up.

After saying all of that, If your local area just isn’t somewhere you see yourselves getting married, but you still want to have an eco-friendly wedding, consider eloping! Or at the very least holding a micro wedding, this will greatly reduce the number of guests, meaning less people travelling, as well as reducing the number of suppliers needed and overall waste, not to mention saving you a bunch of money in the process! 

Let’s get into some statistics about why making your wedding kinder to the environment is important…

• On average, locations are the most expensive part of a wedding costing an average of £8,479.80 (Knot)

• Around £488 is wasted on food at every wedding. (77 Diamonds)

• 15% of people would only eat one or two of their three courses. (77 Diamonds)

• 15% of newlyweds would throw the remains of their cake away. (77 Diamonds)

• 37% of guests don’t eat edible wedding favours. (77 Diamonds)

• 4,910 tonnes of unrecyclable plastic was used up and left behind at British weddings last year. (77 Diamonds)

Confetti Alternatives

Confetti is synonymous with weddings. We all see the pretty pictures and videos, of people gleefully throwing handfuls over the newlyweds, it’s a sight that evokes joy for sure. What you don’t see is the clean up operation at the venue afterwards and the lasting damage when the wrong confetti is used, for example foil or plastic.

While biodegradable confetti is available, it’s not what you’d imagine and still takes time to degrade. Venues still need to clean up this confetti which ultimately makes its way into general non recycled waste. To aid this you could opt for really large confetti or streamers even ribbons, which are not only much easier to clean up and recycle, they will arguably (from my experience) look miles better on camera! Go big or go home!

Alternatives to confetti that make your wedding kinder to the environment are dried petals, which smell great and when collected not bought they add an element of meaning and sentiment not always present. The downside to them is that they don’t always look great on camera.

Gifts and Favours

First let’s talk about those cute presents for your bridesmaid and groomsmen. Matching PJs, hip-flasks,that sort of thing. These thoughtful gifts are a great way to thank those that have helped you in the run up to your day however they are often sourced from online shops with temptingly low prices, especially when you can be buying 6 of each! This puts us back in the fast fashion realm - which isn’t sustainable.

Consider if you really need to give a gift, or if the money can be spent and benefited from elsewhere? If you do want to get gifts, consider shopping small or local. If you do need to use some of the bigger companies, see if they have any sustainability messaging as their brand ethos..

Secondly let’s talk about favours. There are so many options when it comes to wedding favours, scratch cards, miniature spirits, chocolates etc… the sorry reality is, many of these get left on the tables and forgotten about as the drinks flow and the evening moves on. You would be surprised how many favours end up in the bin! Yet more non recyclable waste.

Consider letting your guests choose a charity to donate to on their behalf, a multiple choice card on the back of the menu!

Here are some of my favourite local eco and sustainability charities:

• John Muir Trust

• Windermeme Lake Recovery CIC

• National Trust

• Forestry Commision

Eco-Friendly Wedding Ready!

My final tip to make your wedding kinder to the environment is to make sure your wedding photographer supports sustainability!

I really believe there are lots of little things we can do to support the environment in our daily lives and in our wedding plans without having to make drastic changes to how we live or the things we want for our big day. I’d love to help you capture the wedding of your dreams - get in touch with me here to work together, I can’t wait to hear from you!

Why Your Wedding Photos Are a Work of Art

Some people see wedding images as no more than pictures taken on ‘just another day’, an expensive addition to the already spiralling wedding costs - and that’s okay. Just like there are weddings of all shapes and sizes with different priorities, so too are there photographers!

Natural, journalistic, documentary, reportage, portraiture, fairytale, creative, whimsical, romantic, editorial… the list is honestly endless when it comes to how a photographer might describe their approach to capturing your day.

Ultimately you photographer is going to work hard to create images you’re proud to hang on your wall, like a work of art!

Ask yourself, why do you display your family photos? 

There's a beautiful meaning behind them?

They show happy times?

The memory it transports you to?

Photographs, to me, allow us to remember a moment time will one day cruelly force us to forget. They preserve the person, the feeling and most of all they preserve the memory. This is probably my core truth for being a photographer, essentially what it all boils down to for me.

Wedding Photos Are Works Of Art

• Created By An Artist

• Level Up Your Wedding Photos

• Your Wedding Photos Tell A Story

• Family Heirlooms

Created By An Artist

When thinking about what an artist is, you think about famous painters and sculptors. You don’t tend to think about editors, photographers, or directors. But the thing they all have in common is that they all create something, they all have a vision and a process in order to create something a work of art, of course this applies to your wedding images. Each artist has built up their own unique experience and style and the creators you’re drawn to are a reflection of your own creative style.

Your wedding photos are a work of art because they are created by an artist, your photographer.

Your wedding photos are a work of art because your photographer has spent years perfecting their craft, and now they’re using their creative skills to capture the magic of your wedding through still images, so when you look back at them you are able to completely re-live one of the happiest days of your life. Whether you’re looking back in one month, one year or ten years!

Level Up Your Wedding Photos

To some, the idea of framing pictures of yourselves staring directly at the camera is horrifying, trust me I feel you. We’re all searching for real and candid moments that evoke an organic memory, not the memory of your photographer asking you to do something strange

Not only do we want to remember real moments, we want to remember real moments beautifully captured, with a style that suits our home. The trick is to find a photographer who is able to capture these candid moments, but with enough style and experience to do it effortlessly and still create images we consider a work of art and would be proud to have on our walls.

For those who want to take it one step further, those who are really looking for unique and jaw dropping images, you need to get off the beaten path and into the wilds!  

Make time for your portraits on the day, find a photographer who’s willing and able to embrace the landscape and importantly knows how to capture you two in amongst it. This way you end up with wedding images you’d be proud to have on your walls for years to come.

Your Wedding Photos Tell A Story

A lot of the time art tells a story, sometimes it’s very clear what that story is, and sometimes it's not. 

When you look back at your wedding photos, not only can you re-live your day through the moments captured, but also enjoy parts of your day you didn’t see. The laughter on your family's faces, the nerves while each of you got ready.

Getting your wedding images printed in an album is the best way to showcase the story of your day. Immortalising all those little details, your family, and your memories.

A wedding album is the perfect way to tell the story of your big day, in a way that showcases your wedding photos as the works of art they are.

Family Heirlooms

Family heirlooms are something of significance that belongs to the family and can be passed down to future generations.

The art of wedding photos is that these make amazing family heirlooms. In years to come, your wedding photos will be passed down, to your children, their children, and so on. And they’ll be able to tell the stories of the past because you decided to capture those special moments.

Conclusion

Now you see why wedding photos are a work of art. They’re created by an artist, and they tell a beautiful, unique story, and that is why you should invest in them.

If you’re ready to showcase your wedding as the work of art that it is, get in touch with me here and I’ll be the artist to bring your visions to life!

Best Accommodation for Elopements in The Lake District

Today we’re talking about the best accommodations for elopements in the Lake District! Where you stay is almost as important as the ceremony itself… almost. Let me help you find the perfect setting to kick off your elopement here in The Lakes.

The Lake District is such a beautiful part of the country and you already know there are so many amazing accommodations to choose from, and I’ve compiled the very best in a handy list that promises a little something for everyone! From charming cottages to eco-cabins to luxury spas and even tree-houses - you’re in for a real treat!

We’ll go over costs, features, locations, size, and more in the bid to find you your dream elopement accommodation in the Lake District, let’s get into it!

Accommodation for Elopements in The Lake District

• Loughrigg Cottage By Laik

• Gilpin Spa Suites

• Langdale Hotel

• Hinterlandes Cabins

• Boat House at Lingholm 

• Eden Lodge 

• Silva Tree House 

• Post Knott Lodge

• Liddel Water Lodges  

Loughrigg Cottage By Laik

Based in Ambleside, Loughrigg Cottage by Laik is owned by the lovely Marta and Niall. 

By far this has to be the best accommodation for elopements in the Lake District for many reasons.

Loughrigg Cottage screams luxury with interior design at the forefront. It’s spacious but doesn’t overwhelm you making it perfect for two. However with 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, a large kitchen and a hot tub on a large terrace, it’s also a great choice for an elopement in the Lake District where you plan to bring immediate family members/friends. 

The attention to detail here is absolutely incredible, and every single room is just so dreamy. Not to mention the 10 acres of secluded intimate woodland and garden with paths leading to the picturesque Loughrigg Tarn it’s brimming with elopement photo opportunities!

Overall, Loughrigg Cottage is my top all-rounder. It’s perfect if it’s just the couple, but if you’re looking to bring a couple of guests, it has the capacity to cover that.

If you want to book your Lake District elopement accommodation here, I recommend booking directly through their site here. You won’t regret this one!

Psst, if you’ve booked your elopement photography through me Laik are offering you an exclusive 10% off your booking.

Gilpin Spa Lodge

Gilpin Spa Suites are just the definition of luxury. 
With king-size beds, dreamy bathrooms, and private en-suite spas with mood lighting, fires, electric blinds, a ‘state-of-the-art’ music system, and breakfast served each morning, what’s not to love?! You will also have your own therapist who will come to your private spa room and offer treatments.

Designed as the ultimate spa sanctuary for two, the Spa Suites have a beautiful ‘outdoors / indoors’ spirit, themed décor. Every suite has floor to ceiling windows opening out onto a gorgeous decked garden with a stunning stone-built hot tub, all alongside your own personal plunge pond

Your bedroom ‘floats’ over the pond with views to the mountains and there’s a luxury open plan living space with feature baths and stunning cedar wood walk-in shower. Each suite also includes its own personal spa room with a steam room, sauna, infrared lounge bed, and a state-of-the-art automated massage chair.

If that isn’t enough to convince you that Gilpin Spa Suites need to be top of your list for luxury elopement accommodation in the Lake District - then the Michelin star food has to be!

It’s described as the perfect romantic spa hideaway which is everything you want after your elopement if you’re willing to spend that little bit more.

Langdale Hotel

Image from: Luxury Hotel, Self Catering & Spa in the Lake District - The Langdale Hotel & Spa

The Langdale Hotel is a newly refurbished spa-hotel located in the heart of the Lake District surrounded by the mighty Langdale peaks where you can expect unreal scenery, some of the best walking, biking, and even climbing for the more adventurous couples out there.

The Langdale Hotel makes the list of best Lake District elopement accommodation due to its amazing location and exclusive spa which is located in the sister hotel, The Brimstone. The Langdale offers accommodation that’s a little more wallet friendly, while still being a beautifully relaxing place to stay during your elopement.

This place is perfect for you if you are looking for a peaceful, cosy spa getaway, but don’t want to break the bank!

 Hinterlandes

Image from: Hinterlandes

Hinterlandes is a luxury eco-friendly off-grid accommodation that offers jaw-dropping views in the Lake District, from the tops of mountains to the valleys of the lake district.

What makes Hinterlandes truly special is the secret undisclosed locations they use. Their cabins are all mobile and you’ll be given rustic directions to find your place. You really are given your own slice of nature to enjoy, all from the comfort of your own wood fired outdoor tub, romantic! They recently introduced two new cabins to the collection, Hansel & Gretel.

Hinterlandes is an incredible option if you’re looking for eco-friendly elopement accommodation as their cabins all work on a leave-no-trace basis, allowing you to really embrace nature on your minimoon. They are also one of the most budget friendly options on this list!

This place would be a great choiceI recommend having a summer elopement to get the most out of this place!

The Lingholm Boat House

Image from: The Boathouse | The Lingholm Estate

The Lingholm Boat House based in Derwent Water is one of the most scenic and peaceful places for your elopement accommodation in the Lake District.

The decor is muted and simple with huge apex floor to ceiling windows providing the perfect frame of your perfect view, the natural light floods into this place! Open plan living with sliding doors to your king size bed, a luxury bath with a view over the lake, and a balcony to watch the water lap the shore.

You’ll also have access to your own private rowing boat located in the boat house below, to explore the beautiful Derwent Water - what’s not to love?!

The place is so loved that it books up fast, so either make sure to book far in advance, or consider having a mid-week elopement to get in sooner!

The Lodge at Edenhall Estate 

Image from: The Lodge at Edenhall Estate - A unique Lake District holiday home

The Lodge at Edenhall Estate located near Penrith is part of the Eden Hall Estates in the Eden Valley.

The Lodge is another of my favourite Lake District elopement accommodations, nestled right on the River Eden surrounded by trees, you really feel like you’re in the middle of nowhere. It boasts 3 bedrooms and plenty of entertaining space, not to mention it’s dog friendly! Another great option for just the two of you or if you’re looking to bring some friends and family along. 

It’s remote and rustic, giving you a real feeling of escapism. With a hot tub on the decking in case the river is too cold for you, not to mention a huge wood burning fire this place is great for a winter elopement. It’s perfect place to escape to post-elopement.

This is another accommodation that gets booked up far in advance so don’t hesitate with this one!

Silva Tree House

Silva Tree House is located in the woods of Cumbria between Eden Valley and the Lake District.

Designed and built by the owners, this place is unlike any other accommodation in the Lake District. Eclectic and brimming with style and little details, you’re drawn in by a huge picture window and wood fire. A great option for the cooler months! 

While the Tree House sleeps up to 6 with 3 bedrooms, making it another great Lake District elopement accommodation if you’re bringing a few guests, it’s compact enough to feel perfect for just the two of you. 

Complete with a hot tub and a slide (yes a slide) to the lower level where you’ll find the perfect post elopement party area, this really is one you have to see for yourself.

This is 100% one of the coolest accommodations for elopements in the Lake District!

Post Knott Lodge

Image from Origincal Cottages

Post Knott Lodge is the ultimate wow factor, especially suited to those looking to share their elopement with some family and friends. With 6 bedrooms, hosting up to 12 guests, and 5 bathrooms - bring along your friends and family to celebrate your nuptials right away.

Located right in the heart of the popular lake district town of Bowness. Some features to highlight are the floor-to-ceiling windows, the luxury sauna and steam room, a gym, a cinema, a BBQ area, and the fact it’s built into the hillside with incredible panoramic views across Windermere.

This is the best accommodation for elopements in the Lake District if you’re looking to celebrate with loved ones that evening - did someone say private chef?

Liddel Water Lodges

Image from Liddel Water Lodges

Liddel Water Lodges is compiled of 2 luxury, hand-built cabins in the Borderlands. 

Millpond is the smaller romantic cabin sleeping up to 4 guests, while Minetrack sleeping up to 10 guests. Located on the Scottish borders these cabins offer a unique option of easily jumping over the border for a legal outdoor ceremony! 

Remember that in Scotland you can have a legal ceremony almost anywhere for your elopement, it’s the officiant that’s registered. While in England, you need a registered venue/premises. You can read more here.

This is one of the most comprehensive accommodation options for an elopement in the Lake District. Simon and Dominque have packed in everything you could need with a hot tub, outdoor fire pit, BBQ, and pizza oven, along with a cosy log-burning stove.

The cabins have a beautifully presented interior with a modern but rustic vibe making them a perfect setting to begin your elopement in the Lake District. Not to forget they are situated right on the river with views of the rolling countryside.

Talking costs, it’s very much middle ground for elopement accommodation in the Lake District, it won’t break the bank, but it will require some saving - but I can assure you that every penny is worth it on this place!

Time To Book!

You really are spoilt for choice when it comes to finding the best accommodations for elopements in the Lake District. 

All of the locations I’ve mentioned above have the most beautiful views and backdrops, providing a great setting for your elopement story to begin and end. If you’re looking for a photographer to capture these special moments in your life, then get in touch with me here and I’d love to make your visions come true!

Best Intimate Wedding Venues in the Lake District

It’s time to say “I do", but the big question is, which venue is perfect for you? 

Today we’re going to explore some of the best intimate wedding venues in The Lake District and discuss facilities, locations, budgets, and sizes.

When looking for your perfect wedding venue, I recommend you make a list of your non-negotiables; for example, do you want the venue to have accommodation on site? Do you need them to be able to meet a range of dietary requirements? Do you want the ceremony to be indoors or outdoors?

So, let’s waste no time and get into my favourite intimate wedding venues in The Lake District. I hope you love them as much as I do!

Intimate Wedding Venues in the Lake District

• Gilpin Lake House

• Holesfoot

• Askham Hall

• Silverholme 

• The Wild Boar

• Low Hall The Lakes

Gilpin Lake House

This first location makes the number one spot on my list for the best intimate wedding locations in the Lake District, there really is nowhere like it.

The Gilpin Lake House is a luxury, Michelin-starred wedding venue that is perfect for intimate weddings. Set on 100 acres of private grounds with its very own private lake (meaning it will only be you and your guests there!) offering exclusive use where you can really get away from it all.

It currently has six bedrooms but will soon have nine, so it’s great for your closest friends and family to stay over before, during and after the big event!

Some other standout features of the Gilpin Lake House are, the romantic boat house, the iconic jetty and vintage rowing boats for the lake, the tranquil spa treatment room, the many hot tubs and saunas hidden around the mature gardens and of course the indoor heated pool. It really is a stunning private paradise.

It’s worth noting that with the use of marquees/tipis the Gilpin Lake House can cater for larger weddings, but it tops my list of intimate wedding venues as this is what I feel the space is PERFECT for.

Beautiful in any season, summer or winter, so you can enjoy this intimate wedding venue at any time of year. The staff throughout your stay leave you wanting for nothing and the wedding team always deliver the smoothest intimate weddings.

Holesfoot

Holesfoot is based in Eden Valley, and although this is quite a large venue, it still manages to feel like an intimate space, probably due to its seclusion and layout. You can hire the entire place exclusively and spread your celebrations out over a few days. Holesfoot has three different licensed wedding locations spread across 20 acres of private land, so you are truly spoiled for choice.

Holesfoot is one of my favourite wedding venues in the Lake District due to its versatility and the brilliant owners. Liv especially is a great host and has such a passion for Holesfoot that she loves to share. Whether you're looking for a small intimate wedding or something to larger, Holesfoot works amazing for both!

The Manor House property is full of character, while the Barn really brings the party. The gardens here are particularly beautiful, especially the Italian Garden for an outdoor ceremony. 

If you’re a laid back couple looking for a party, whatever the size, this is the venue to book! Check out the incredible dance floor full of LED lights that really help get you and your guests in the dancing mood.

Askham Hall

Askham Hall is 1,000 years old and consists of two buildings: a house and a barn.

Askham Hall is a venue like no other. The main building is an old castle that gives off an ancient, whimsical vibe with a tower facing over the river and overlooking glorious parklands. While the barn is bright and spacious with a warm rustic feel. This venue has kept many of its original features, and complimented them with contrasting modern art, this juxtaposition makes the whole place feel even more unique.

With Michelin-starred food, award-winning wine, historic features, a heated outdoor pool and rooms full of character, you and your guests really are in for a treat! While this venue lends itself to any season, late summer weddings here are really something special.

I rate this venue as one of the best intimate venues in the Lake District because, even though it can accommodate larger parties, the layout of the rooms really lends itself to smaller groups. It's a place full of character and soul, which gives such an intimate, close energy for the couples that want that.

Silverholme

Get ready to be swept off your feet with Silverhome! This is a beautiful private Georgian Manor House right on the shores of Lake Windermere.

This makes the list of the best intimate wedding venues in the Lake District not only due to its facilities and beautiful architecture but also due to its unreal location. Around every corner, you will find the most scenic views, perfect for your wedding photos.

If you need a bigger venue, then get in touch with them, as they can accommodate bigger parties with marquees and tipis!

Side note: This venue is a 5-star luxury lakeside manor house with eight en-suite bedrooms as well as a private cottage for two, making it the perfect intimate wedding venue after the party. It’s great for the couple to enjoy their night here, along with accommodating their closest friends and family.

The Wild Boar

The Wild Boar, located within the beautiful Gilpin Valley, is one of my favourite intimate wedding venues in the Lake District offering a more budget friendly option.

The Wild Boar boasts sprawling private grounds and its own tarn. A quick ride in the Mad Pig Landrover Defender up a rocky track leads you to your own private wildlife paradise as the tarn and the surrounding area are kept natural and wild for your enjoyment. 

The building itself works really well for smaller weddings with its layout and rooms. Open fires, low beams and original slate flooring. The food is incredible, the decor is beautiful and cosy, and the location is amazing! 

This is a fully functioning hotel and restaurant, and while you can hire exclusively I recommend opting for the Undermillbeck room for your intimate wedding where you won’t need to go to this expense. It’s great value for money and would absolutely recommend looking at it if you’re looking for an intimate wedding venue in The Lake District.

Low Hall The Lakes

Image credit: Jo Greenfield : Lake District Wedding Photographer

Low Hall The Lakes, based in the northern part of The Lake District, is one of the most beautiful places to say "I do." This venue is known for being secluded and intimate, making it one of the best intimate wedding venues in the Lake District. 

The way they set up for an intimate wedding feels like you’re in a family member's back garden, seated on decorated hay bales, and surrounded by woodland. It truly is such a beautiful venue. The entire venue is surrounded by nature, so it really gives off that garden wedding vibe that many dream of.

Conclusion

You are absolutely spoiled for choice when it comes to the best intimate wedding venues in the Lake District, from old to modern; indoor to outdoor; and budget-friendly. There is such a variety here, meaning there is something for everyone.

Once you have found the right venue, it’s time to find the right photographer who will know not only how to capture the beauty of your special day but also the beauty of your venue. If you’d like to work together on making memories that last forever, get in touch with me here! I’m looking forward to hearing from you!