Lisa and Scott's Lake District Winter Wedding

One of my most requested blogs recently has been winter weddings. With the impact of COVID, many couples who were originally planning for spring/summer weddings are now moving into autumn and winter, and may be feeling a little bit lost for inspiration. Lisa and Scott's Lake District wedding is a perfect example of a gorgeous winter wedding (22nd December!). Inn on the Lake looked beautiful with all their Christmas lights and decorations up, and lake district wedding photographers can even create intimate couple portraits in the rain.

Lake District Wedding at Inn on the Lake. Bride and groom on jetty. Lake district wedding photographer. Winter wedding

Lisa and Scott chose the stunning Inn on the Lake at Ullswater for their winter lake district wedding. They travel to the lakes a lot to go walking with their miniature poodle Henry, so the lakes is somewhere that's close to their hearts. The Lake District naturally is dramatic and breath taking most of the time, but I especially love it in autumn and winter, the fog and rain is so atmospheric with the mountains - perfect for a moody wedding photographer like me. On the morning of the wedding, Lisa got ready at the venue with her bridesmaids, whilst Scott, his lads, and the guest of honour, Henry, were all in the hotel next door. Naturally, Henry had his very own bespoke suit, which Scott had made off etsy to surprise Lisa with.

Someone getting makeup applied while wearing a plaid shirt in warm lighting.
A collection of vintage photographs and handwritten note arranged on a light fabric surface.

Lisa was really relaxed and giggly, which was super lovely to capture, and you can really feel the excitement in her bridal prep images. Scott had sent some presents over for her to open before she had her makeup done - this was really personal and emotional, funny presents, meaningful presents and sparkly presents all included. The absolutely incredible Keseme Bridal Makeup was on glam squad for the girls, whilst the team from Greg Malloy was on hair styling. Lisa's gown was the absolute ultimate for a winter wedding - heavily beaded and sparkly on the top, and simple and form fitting on the bottom, giving a little bit of Christmassy glitz, without being too bling. the gown was Mori Lee by Madeline Gardener, and Lisa paired it with a fluffy shrug (Which Scott had the pleasure of wearing a little later on too). The flowers were simple and elegant, white blooms with lots of green, by Lisa.

I love the ceremony room at Inn on the Lake. It has huge big windows which face the couple, so plenty of gorgeous natural light on them, whilst the room behind is a tad darker, creating beautiful light and shadow. Despite it being December, the natural light was perfect - which is the bonus of being aware of time with winter weddings (around 2pm is the latest you should be going!) their ceremony was at 1pm. Which left plenty of time (and natural light!) for their portraits and group shots. You might just be able to see in the pictures, but after the ceremony it was a little bit drizzly - you can't blame the lake district for that though. Lisa and Scott were happy to go out in it and create some magic still, and I'm obsessed with these portraits, and the extra element that the rain brings to them. If it does rain on your wedding day, the best thing to do is trust your wedding photographer - go with the flow, maybe have a separate pair of shoes and an umbrella and embrace it!


A joyful wedding ceremony moment in an elegant dimly lit venue with warm decor.
Moody landscape of Scottish highlands with gated entrance and rustic buildings under cloudy skies.
Couple sharing umbrella on wooden pier overlooking misty lake and mountains.

Tying in with the white theme - Lisa and Scott's cake was by The Little Kendal Cakery, looking stunning being framed by those huge windows! After the speeches this wedding turned into a real party, again with the surprises, Scott had decided to book those much talked about Singing Waiters, who MASSIVELY got the party going. It really was a riot right into the evening after that - so if you want to get everyone up and going, these guys could be right up your street.

So my top winter wedding tips to rock it like Lisa and Scott - EARLY ceremony. 12pm is amazing, 1pm is good, 2pm is starting to get a little cuspy! Bare in mind that the natural light starts to go at around 4pm, you want to have enough time for portraits and group shots, so make sure you do allow for this. Your style doesn't necessarily have to change for winter weddings, but if you had originally planned spring and your dress is on the lighter side, you might want to think about shrugs, leather jackets, denim jackets (which could be personalised!?) for some bride style to keep you warm. Make the most of your season - Christmas lights and decorations look beautiful in images, Lisa and Scott went for some 'snowfetti' to really add to the winter vibes - but things like sparklers could be perfect as it starts to get darker earlier! As with any wedding, what makes it special are the personal touches and how you celebrate each other.

A radiant bride in lace laughs while holding a bouquet of white roses by a window.
Newlyweds share their first dance surrounded by guests in a dimly lit reception hall.
Intimate indoor portrait showing a tender moment between newlyweds with a white floral bouquet.
Elegant wedding reception dinner table with Christmas tree and floral centerpieces.
Black and white photo of wedding speech during reception dinner.
Candlelit wedding reception with elaborate floral table decorations and warm lighting.
Speaker giving animated toast at elegant wedding reception dinner.
Wedding guests in burgundy dresses laugh joyfully at a formal reception dinner table with holiday decor.
Guests enjoy an elegant wedding reception dinner with decorative table settings and warm lighting.
Wedding guests share laughter during speeches at an elegant reception dinner.
A server in formal attire prepares to serve wedding guests at an elegantly decorated reception table.
Small dog walking down aisle between decorated wedding reception chairs.
Reception guests seated at decorated tables during wedding speeches in an ornate dining room.
A speaker delivers wedding toasts in an elegant dining room with vintage decor and chandeliers.
Wedding reception guests react with laughter during dinner speeches.
A formal dressed figure holding a fluffy goldendoodle puppy in a garden setting.
A bottle of champagne chills in an ice bucket during an evening celebration.
Two people in pajamas relax on a hotel bed during wedding preparations.
Two people wearing matching plaid pajamas share a warm moment in a cozy interior setting.
Moody landscape of a Scottish Highland gate with mountains and bare trees under cloudy skies.
Wedding rings and cufflinks displayed in two dark jewelry boxes on white surface.
Wedding reception celebration with guests raising hands at decorated dinner table.
Curly-haired goldendoodle dog wearing black outfit sits with companion on white couch.
Goldendoodle dog in black formal wear interacts playfully on white bed.
Elegant white lace wedding dress hanging against wooden paneled wall in bedroom.
Person in white dress shirt buttoning cuff while getting ready.
Wedding reception dance party with guests celebrating in decorated vintage room.
Sparkly bridal shoes displayed next to white fabric in warm lighting.
A vintage black and white wedding reception photo showing a couple celebrating their special moment during a toast.
Wedding detail photo featuring sparkly heels, roses, books and a perfume bottle arranged on white fabric.
Reception celebration in a rustic venue decorated with twinkling lights as guests dance and celebrate.
Bridesmaids in matching plaid flannel robes share laughs while getting ready for the wedding.
A speaker delivers a wedding toast in formal attire against vintage wallpaper and curtains.
Wedding preparation scene with attendants wearing coordinated plaid robes opening gifts.
Pre-wedding preparations show attendants in plaid and silk robes opening presents together.
Emotional moment during wedding preparations as attendants read cards and messages.
Black and white candid shot of wedding morning preparations and gift opening.
Wedding party members in coordinated plaid robes share a joyful moment while opening gifts.
Wedding memorabilia featuring handwritten note, vintage photos, and ring box on light fabric.
Getting ready for a wedding celebration with makeup being applied in warm atmospheric lighting.
Groomsmen celebrating enthusiastically at a wedding reception in formal attire.
Newlyweds celebrating with napkin waving during their wedding reception.
Young flower girl in white dress playing with napkins during wedding celebration.
Wedding celebration filled with joy and laughter in an elegant indoor setting.
Couple cutting their elegant white wedding cake in a rustic venue setting.
Emotional moment shared during wedding preparations in a warmly lit room.
Couple sharing an intimate first dance at dimly lit wedding reception.
Bridesmaids in burgundy dresses preparing in bedroom before wedding ceremony.
Emotional reactions captured during wedding preparation in bedroom setting.
A romantic wedding moment captured in dim lighting with a tender exchange between newlyweds during their reception.
An enthusiastic guest celebrating with raised arms during a lively wedding reception.
A joyful moment shared during wedding preparations in a brightly lit room.
An intimate embrace between two people at an elegant reception venue with warm lighting.
A groom wearing a boutonniere smiles during a wedding ceremony in an elegantly lit venue.
A couple stands together at their wedding ceremony with floral decorations and guests in attendance.
A couple shares a happy moment during their wedding ceremony in a warmly lit reception hall.
A couple exchanging vows at their wedding ceremony with guests watching in a dimly lit venue.
A couple holds hands during their wedding ceremony in a traditionally decorated reception venue.
A couple stands on a dock with an umbrella against a moody mountain lake backdrop.
A couple poses romantically on a dock overlooking a misty lake and mountains.
A romantic wedding photo on a wooden pier with mountains and lake in the background.
Couple embraces on a wooden dock during their wedding photoshoot at a scenic lake.
A couple shares an intimate moment with white floral bouquet against a lakeside backdrop.
A couple stands with umbrella on rainy dock with mountains and lake behind them.
Wedding couple poses with their dog by a scenic lake with mountains in background.
Couple holds their dogs while posing for wedding photos by a lakeside path.
Wedding couple shares intimate moment in front of Scottish manor house.
A couple in wedding attire poses with their dog on the grounds of a grand estate with mountains in the background.
A couple stands with their dog on a path by elegant buildings with rolling hills behind them.
Four wedding party attendees share a joyful moment outdoors with mountains and a lake in the background.
Four women in burgundy and white dresses laugh together while holding floral bouquets.
Wedding party gathered outdoors holding elegant white floral bouquets against a moody mountain landscape.
Intimate wedding portrait with string lights and mountains creating a romantic outdoor backdrop.
Candid indoor wedding portrait against rustic stone wall with white roses in the bouquet.
Five groomsmen in dark suits walking on landscaped grounds with mountain and lake views.
Groomsmen in matching dark suits pose casually on grounds overlooking a scenic lake view.
A joyful wedding celebration with guests tossing confetti in front of scenic mountains.
A rustic four-tier wedding cake displayed against a scenic mountain lake backdrop.
Rustic wedding table setting with wooden decor, candles and place cards.
Close-up detail of a wedding cake decorated with delicate white flowers and greenery.
Elegant place setting with silverware and personalized wedding favor tag.
Black and white photograph showing formal wedding attire details.
Wooden wedding sign with names and date surrounded by dried flowers and foliage.
Close-up of newlyweds holding hands with white floral decorations in background.