Colourful and Joy Filled Grasmere wedding with mountain ceremony views
Tucked away in the heart of the Lake District, The Lancrigg in Grasmere offers some seriously breathtaking backdrops for a wedding day. Surrounded by immersive views of the fells, open skies, and almost cottage-like charm, the Lancrigg is a place that feels both intimate and expansive at once. Emily and James chose this beautiful spot for their wedding day, effortlessly blending the serene landscape with the bold and bright aspects of their personalities.
One standout element to the Lancrigg is the gardens that open out right toward the fells, giving ceremonies an incredible view, especially on a clear day. It makes for the PERFECT outdoor wedding ceremony location. Emily and James made the most of this, holding their wedding ceremony overlooking the picturesque Lake District backdrop.
Their ceremony was super relaxed because it was celebrant-led, which gave the whole experience a more personal and laid-back feel. One of the most meaningful and fun-to-photograph moments was a traditional handfasting, where their hands were bound together as a symbol of their commitment. They used lots of colourful ribbon, which helped to add a playful aspect to a really traditional element, which is something I love so much. Honouring tradition and heritage while adding a playful twist.
Of course, their wedding ceremony would not have been complete without their two rescue dogs (unfortunately, the chickens had to stay home), who played their part and brought that extra layer ot unpredictability. Their handcrafted pom pom collars added another fun touch, something I really tried to incorporate into the documentation of their wedding-day memories.
Emily and James poured so much creativity into the details of their day. So many elements were handmade, which added to the vibrant energy of their celebrations and was built with friends and family in the build up to it. A standout feature was the pom pom wall, full of colour and texture, which made such a fun visual statement and a backdrop for guests to have fun with. Throughout the space, more handcrafted decorations added so much. allowing them to play with the blank canvas inside while celebrating nature outside. the best of both worlds.
The bridal party brought even more colour into the day with Emily choosing a collection of multicoloured pastel dresses for her bridesmaids, which of course worked beautifully as a contrast against the soft greens of the surrounding landscape. These were so much fun to photograph, and I tried on multiple occasions to use those colours as playful elements to help tie their images into one cohesive collection.
For the evening celebrations, they chose a very lively ceilidh which helped to get everyone involved, filling the space with movement - think hands and bodies weaving in and out of each other between laughter. One of the most memorable moments came with a ribbon dance in place of a traditional bouquet toss, where guests held ribbons attached to the bouquet and danced around it. They were gradually cut and unravelled until one person remained. It was such a joyful and inclusive way to mark the moment!
Lancrigg really shines as a wedding venue because of its adaptability. It offers space to create something relaxed and informal while still feeling special. The combination of its gardens, views of the fells, and cosy indoor areas means it works beautifully in all seasons.
This wedding has stayed with me for many reasons, and I was incredibly proud when the story later received a This is Reportage award. For me, it captures what I love most about photographing weddings. The connection between people, the atmosphere of a place, Emily and James created a day that felt really grounded and personal from start to finish.
Enjoy,
CHELSEA X
