A Personal Wedding Ceremony
Creating a Bespoke Celebration
A Personal Wedding Ceremony
For couples seeking a personal wedding ceremony that reflects who they are, celebrant-led weddings are a meaningful alternative to traditional formats. Interest in personalised weddings continues to grow. Our couple chose a celebrant-led wedding style to create a memorable celebration unique to their story.
A Chance Meeting
Andrew and Yu met by chance while running to catch a train. It was a real-life ‘Brief Encounter’ moment, wildly romantic and unexpected. Their meeting proved love knows no boundaries, whether across continents or languages!
A Celebrant Wedding
We are privileged to witness hundreds of ceremonies at Cote How, but this was the first time we welcomed Lara, Andrew and Yu’s celebrant to our Lakeland home. The care and thought she put into their highly personal wedding ceremony was evident from the start. Listening to their story unfold was genuinely moving, and there wasn’t a dry eye in the room by the end.
First time at this venue, and it was perfectly lovely, with a couple with a love story straight from a novel...
Andrew and Yu held their bespoke ceremony by the fireside in our beautiful drawing room. The atmosphere was cosy and intimate, with just the two of them and our small team. Yu carried a bouquet of roses, ranunculus, and dahlias, loosely gathered and reminiscent of autumn hedgerows in seasonal colours.
Bespoke wedding details
They wove poignant traditions into their ceremony to honour Yu’s heritage, including a ritual inspired by San-san-kudō. This traditional Japanese wedding custom involves the sharing of sake or wine, symbolising the joining of two lives. After sharing their sips, Andrew and Yu placed personalised wine bottles into an engraved wooden box. They sealed it and will keep it closed until a future anniversary, when they will open it and share it once more.
Personal Ceremony Vows & Promises
The sealed box is a symbol of time, patience and trust, and a reminder that some of the best things in life are worth waiting for! Just as the box was carefully sealed, so too were the promises Andrew and Yu made to one another during their vows. It felt very special, and as Lara drew the ceremony to a close, we all felt the emotion in the room.
Seal of Approval
Andrew and Yu were keen to include the third family member, their miniature schnauzer, Tom. He’d spent a leisurely morning with Nigel, our wonderful dog chaperone from Dapper Dog Weddings, and looked exceptionally handsome in his floral collar garland. Andrew and Yu lit up when he arrived; he clearly means the world to them. Tom had an important job: adding his ‘signature’ pawprint to their certificate, stamped with specially designed personal seals. New, matching or complementary ‘hanko’ are a special memento of their marriage.
Moments to reflect
It was a day of ‘firsts’, as photographer Erin was also new to Cote How. With her warm, genuine approach, she captured their day perfectly. We showered them in confetti before Andrew and Yu took a little time for themselves, which is so important during all the excitement of the day.
Such a Wonderful Day!
Autumnal Elegance
Although it was a sunny October afternoon, a wintry chill still lingered outside. Yu wore a stunning ivory wool dress, effortlessly chic and elegant, with a fabulous faux-fur coat and cosy boots. Warmly wrapped up, they set off to the lake with Tom in tow.
Lakeside portraits
The light by the water was perfect, and Erin captured beautiful portraits. Tom was the model guest, and after posing for photographs, Nigel whisked him away for a well-earned rest.
A new chapter
Andrew and Yu returned to the house to warm up by the fire. They were positively glowing from the fresh Lake District air, relaxed, happy, and with so much to look forward to.
Andrew and Yu’s wedding celebration reminded us that love sometimes strikes when you least expect it! Their bespoke day was so personal, and it was our privilege to play a part in the start of their next chapter.
Thank you
Thank you to the wonderful team of suppliers who helped create such a personalised, bespoke celebration, including: Eriin Browne (Photographer); Celebrate With Lara (Celebrant); Dapper Dog Weddings (Dog Chaperone), and Lilylous of Ambleside (Wedding Flowers)
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