A Small and Intimate Lake District Wedding
A Relaxed Summer Celebration
A Small and Intimate Lake District Wedding
If you’ve ever dreamt of a small and intimate Lake District wedding, Claire and Nathan’s day at Cote How will strike a chord with you. Set in the peaceful Rydal Valley, surrounded by fells, lakes and those closest to them, their celebration was everything they had hoped for – relaxed, heartfelt, with family at its centre.
A Love of the Lakes
Claire and Nathan have always felt drawn to the Lake District. Nathan’s a keen climber, so Cote How’s setting beneath Rydal Caves made it the perfect place for their wedding. Like many couples who fall in love with this area, they booked Cote How without visiting in person. Popping up to see us is no mean feat when you live in Cambridgeshire and are expecting a little one!
After months of lovely planning emails with Claire, their July wedding arrived before we knew it, and we were thrilled to welcome them and their guests to Cote How
A Relaxed Start to the Day
Claire and Nathan gave a lot of thought to how they wanted their day to feel. With little ones to think about, they planned a relaxed and family-friendly start, beginning with a romantic ‘first look’ at their accommodation so that they could arrive together. Once everyone had gathered on the terrace, the couple made their entrance hand in hand to smiles and cheers from their guests. With such a small and intimate group, moments like that really set the tone for the entire day.
We had a perfect day with you, everything went so smoothly and we’re so grateful for everything you did to accommodate us and our guests - everyone had a wonderful time!
Claire & Nathan
Ceremony in the Barn
Even in July, the Lake District weather keeps us guessing, so the ceremony took place in our Lakeland barn. Unlike the vast, open spaces you often see, our wedding barn is small, cosy, and full of character – just right for an intimate wedding with close family and friends.
Claire was radiant and effortlessly elegant in a simple ivory dress with puffed sleeves and a ribbon corsage at the waist. Her bouquet and venue flowers were natural and wildflower-inspired, with gentle shades of buttery yellow, baby blue and blush pink – the perfect summer palette for a country wedding in the heart of the Lakes.
Simple Joys & Shared Moments
Their lemon and blueberry wedding cake was as delicious as it was pretty, and everyone gathered round to watch them cut it with the Rydal Valley stretching out beyond. Instead of heading up to the caves, Claire and Nathan chose to stay closer to Cote How, enjoying time with their guests. Photographer Jenna took them for a wander down by the lakeshore to capture some beautiful portraits with those iconic Lakeland views.
The afternoon rolled on gently – a slice of cake, relaxed conversation and time spent together. That’s the absolute joy of a small and intimate Lake District wedding: there’s no rush, no need to ‘work the room,’ just space to connect and enjoy every moment of your wedding day with the people you love.
Bespoke & Personal Details
In keeping with their love of all things Lakeland, guests were gifted sweet little boxes of Grasmere Gingerbread. Famously invented in 1854, it’s still baked fresh every day just up the road, to a secret recipe – the perfect wedding favour for an authentic taste of the Lake District.
Before saying their goodbyes, Claire asked us to gather the venue flowers into small posies for her guests. It is a thoughtful and sustainable touch that brings the day to a close beautifully. The minibus was waiting to whisk the party on to Ambleside, where Claire and Nathan hired a local artisan cafe to serve wood-fired pizzas for an evening celebration.
We are so pleased to have found your stunning venue when looking for somewhere to get married and can’t wait to walk round Rydal water in future as a family and relive the memories!
Claire & Nathan
A Wedding Day to Remember
Claire and Nathan’s day was everything a Lake District wedding should be – relaxed, meaningful, and centred around family, love, and the stunning landscape that makes this corner of the world so special.
It’s proof that a small and intimate Lake District wedding is every bit as memorable – just quieter, gentler, and infinitely more personal.
It was everything we'd hoped for...
Thank you
Thank you to the wonderful suppliers who helped to make Claire & Nathan’s wedding day so special: Jenna Carpenter (Photography); Home Bakers Grasmere (Wedding Cake); Lilylous of Ambleside (Wedding Flowers)
If you loved Claire & Nathan’s beautiful wedding, why not read more about our micro weddings?
If you would like more detailed information on marrying in the Lake District, get in touch with the team at Westmorland Registry Office.
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