Wild Boar Warmheartedness
A Day to Remember (for so many reasons):
Mr. and Mrs. Kendall’s Wedding at The Wild Boar, Lake District
11th October 2024
Working with Rebekah and Jordan was always going to be special, after meeting them for their pre-wedding portrait when they fooled around in T-Rex costumes, I had nothing but excitement for their wedding.
This wedding was more memorable for me than many during 2024 because...
The afternoon before their beautifully choreographed day, the hospital called me in, 4 days after x-raying my ankle...To tell me I had a bad avulsion fracture and may need my ankle pinning! Much to my joy, I got away without needed an operation! I was booted up and sent home to rest and recover, with advice to stay off it for a good few days. With my true Cumbria, 'get on with it' approach, I turned up to Rebekah and Jordans day, drugs in hand and keen to crack on! I felt blessed to know I was working alongside cinematic film-maker, Matt, who made my life a dream - Thank you Matt!
Mr. and Mrs. Kendall’s wedding at The Wild Boar in the Lake District National Park was one of those colourful celebrations that seamlessly combined fun, creativity, and heartfelt moments. From the warm hues of Autumn to quirky personal touches, every detail of their day reflected the essence of their relationship and their shared love for art and individuality.
The two of them...
Rebekah and Jordan’s love story began when they met in their fine art class at sixth form college at the age of 16. Rebekah, who joined the class slightly later, eventually found herself seated at Jordan’s “cool table.” It didn’t take long before their shared love for creativity sparked a connection that blossomed into a relationship.
Their engagement story was just as meaningful. After nearly 13 years together, they traveled to Edinburgh, their special city, for a trip with close friends. Amidst the charm of a light show at Edinburgh Castle, Jordan found the perfect moment to propose, with their friends capturing the precious moment on camera. It was a proposal filled with love, laughter, and a shared sense of adventure - setting the tone for their upcoming wedding.
The Venue: The Wild Boar
Nestled in the heart of the Lake District National Park, The Wild Boar provided the perfect backdrop for this one-of-a-kind wedding. Its rustic charm, cosy interiors, and picturesque surroundings work perfectly for an intimate yet vibrant celebration. The venue’s ability to blend the warm, autumnal palette of oranges, reds, and golds with its natural setting was unmatched. The cosy, fire-lit bar and comfortable delicately-lit ceremony space, made The Boar an effortless, romantic and warm October wedding venue.
The couple fell in love with The Wild Boar for its character and atmosphere. It offered a sense of home while allowing their creativity to shine. The combination of natural wood textures, warm lighting, and beautiful outdoor spaces gave them a canvas to bring their colourful vision to life.
During the afternoon, we ventured up to the tarn with their energetic bridal party (on foot), whilst myself and the lovely couple enjoyed a bumpy LandRover trip up to meet everyone. It was important to the couple that we 'keep in real', on that note we incorporated The Wild Boars, Land Rover, and played around with very informal group portraits.
The Styling: Autumnal Beauty (my favourite) with a Quirky Twist
One of the most striking aspects of the Kendalls’ wedding was their stunning autumnal styling, which fit so comfortably against the quaint spaces and October colours in nature outside. The bridal party wore deep plum dresses, the groomsmen looked dashing in neutral tweed suits accompanied with gold accents, adding a timeless yet rustic charm to the day. Both formal shoes and a solid wellington boot were at this seasonal celebration, to allow for the Autumn outdoor adventures. Rebekah’s dress was truly unique - A SHOW STOPPER (thank you FellsideBrides) - a flowing gown with a delicate soft patterned pop of peach that tied beautifully into the autumn theme. I can't tell you the squeal of joy I made when I first saw her gorgeous gown, I forgot about the pain in my ankle for a good 30 minutes, I was so excited! Her bouquet, bursting with rich hues and textures, complemented the dress perfectly. The warm earthy tones of orange, red and plum in the floral arrangements by Blossom Rose Studio, alongside burnt orange fabrics, candle sticks, quirky jars, and milk churns showcased, not only, a skilled artificial/dry flower creative in the wedding industry, but the venue with a splash of colour! It seemed this wedding consisted of many of my recommended suppliers, who are a pleasure to work alongside, with their creative flare, dedication and reliability.
The Morning Preparations
The day began calm and with a buzz of excitement as Rebekah and her bridesmaids prepared. I noticed many personal touches, one being acrylic, hand created earrings that obviously sat in keeping with every bit of styling. The bridal preparations were particularly memorable, as Rebekah wore custom earrings created by her friend Marisa from By Marisa, adding a personal touch to her ensemble. The bridesmaids’ plum dresses, paired with vibrant bouquets, brought a cohesive yet striking look to the wedding party. The atmosphere was calm yet filled with laughter, music, and a flurry of final details coming together. As one bridesmaid put it, 'this isn't our first rodeo', meaning all the girls were well acclimatised to wedding day prep and being one step ahead. This meant for a super smooth running of the day - thank you! Rebekah hadn't shared her wedding dress with her bridal party, so it was a special moment to unveil her when she was ready. It is safe to say the girls were as impressed with her dress choice as me!
Meanwhile, Jordan and his groomsmen calmly popped on their neutral tweed suits, gold details and hand crafted button holes before they gathered at The Wild Boar bar, glancing over speeches, checking those final details. The boys assembled in the ceremony room in plenty of time, welcoming guests and ensuring a fault free flowing day. Joining their party was the mother of the grooms dog, 'Seamus' who had a trial few runs walking down the aisle.
The Ceremony: A Heartfelt Union
The ceremony was held in The Wild Boar’s rustic setting, where the couple exchanged vows, (Cumberland Registration Service) surrounded by their loved ones. The room with a romantic (low-lit) light was filled with warmth, not just from the autumnal decor but also from the genuine love and support of their family and friends. Ring bearer 'Seamus' the dog, whilst some had doubts, 'Seamus' was perfect at presenting the wedding rings to Rebekah and Jordan. Another heartfelt personal touch that had guests 'aaawwww-ing.
The couple’s artistic side was evident throughout the ceremony, from the hand-painted wedding signage to the bespoke stationery designed by their friend Emma from Ivy Moon Design. These details added a layer of intimacy and creativity to the event. It was special to witness a wedding where the love was not just about the couple, but the wider relations. This was clear from all the input from others, the meaningful conversations I overheard and the guests expressions as they looked on during the ceremony.
A Celebration of Joy and Creativity
After the ceremony, the celebrations truly began - confetti throwing madness, an informal full guest group shot, thanks to Matt for using his drone as I couldn't climb on this occasion, drinks, canapés and plenty of catching up.
Guests were treated to a variety of quirky elements that reflected Rebekah and Jordan’s personalities. One of the highlights was the father of the bride’s orange Vespa, which became a fun photo opportunity for the couple. The vibrant scooter added a pop of colour and a playful touch to the day - it knitted in perfectly with this cosy Autumn styling.
The couple’s love for art and individuality was also showcased in their wedding favours, toffee apple vodka. They also hand-drew portraits of each guest, doubling up as place names too, a labour of love that left everyone feeling truly special. Mr and Mrs Kendall opted for a super cute sweet heart table for two, giving them a one-to-one dining experience whilst always being surrounded by their special people, a touch that I believe should be seen more often at weddings as it allows the couple some intimate time to take in the day.
Additionally, their friend Lauren created a Mr. and Mrs. Kendall cutout photo prop, which was a hit among the guests during the evening festivities.
Smoke Grenades and Sparklers: The Fun Factor
One of the most memorable moments of the day was the bridal party’s smoke grenade photos, at the gorgeous Wild Boar private tarn. Beginning with very informal group portraits with their nearest and dearest willingly scaling the Wild Boars Land Rover, I couldn't help but keep adding to the unfolding creative flow... Adding the smoke grenades - as vibrant orange and burgundy smoke swirled around the group, the images captured a sense of fun, spontaneity, and celebration. The photos perfectly encapsulated the couple’s desire for a wedding filled with laughter and joy. Some of my favourite images from 2024, as I feel they represent so much more than just a brilliant photograph, but depth, connection and vibrancy.
Later in the evening, the couple and their guests lit sparklers, creating a magical atmosphere under the Lake District’s not so starry sky. The sparklers were a beautiful way to bring everyone together and capture the warmth of the occasion, though it was rather nippy outside. Ironically, the evening before, it was clear and The Northern lights made an appearance for this wonderful couple. Obviously, I was gutted this wasn't also the case on their wedding evening!
A couple of moments...
Once we'd nailed the fun-filled group portraits the couple and I had 20 minutes of quiet time and couple portraits. This is all to often much needed precious time on every wedding day, as it is somewhat exhausting taking everything in, the emotions and chatting with all your loved ones.
As Rebekah and Jordan wanted a relaxed and informal approach and knowing their energy from their pre-wedding portrait at Gummers How, we rolled in the long dead grasses, ran around, danced and allowed them to share precious moments of love together.
At this point I was still amazed by Rebekah's gown and it just sang its own song against the Autumnal backdrop and softer low light!
The Reception: Dancing, Glitter, and More
The reception was held in The Wild Boar’s cosy yet spacious dining area, rearranged from the ceremony, where the autumnal theme continued with rustic table settings and warm lighting. A simple yet truly fitting wedding cake was a beautiful centrepiece to the room dressed with more of Blossom Rose Studios floral work. Guests enjoyed a delicious meal before hitting the dance floor for an evening of music and celebration. Catering, is something the Wild Boar do consistently well, whatever the occasion - I highly recommend!
One of the different standout features of the reception was the glitter station, which added a playful and creative element to the evening. Guests embraced the opportunity to add a bit of sparkle to their faces, grab some glasses, a blow up mic, and enhance the celebratory vibe. Alongside this, was the hand created bride and groom cutout, allowing guests to capture some silly yet treasured memories from a long awaited and very special day.
The couple’s choice of music ensured that the dance floor was always full (The Revivers). From classic hits to modern favourites, every song reflected their personalities and kept the energy high throughout the night. The band were fantastic, ensuring all the guests worked off all their wonderful food they'd had earlier. I don't think there was a time when the dance floor was empty - a photographers dream!
Final Thoughts
Rebekah and Jordan’s wedding at The Wild Boar was a celebration of love, art, and individuality. It was a day where every detail, from the autumnal styling to the quirky personal touches, reflected their journey as a couple.
As their photographer, it was an absolute joy to capture Rebekah and Jordan’s wedding day. From the artistic details to the heartfelt moments, every aspect of the celebration was a testament to their love and creativity.
Their pre-wedding shoot gave me insight into their dynamic as a couple - fun-loving, adventurous, and deeply connected. It also allowed us to establish a level of comfort that carried over into their wedding day. Whether it was posing with the Vespa or embracing the smoke grenade chaos, Rebekah and Jordan trusted me to document their day in a way that was both authentic and artistic.
To Rebekah and Jordan: Thank you for allowing me to be part of your incredible day, even with a broken ankle. Thank you for trusting me, when others would have chosen to bail on you and leave you hanging. Days like this are why I never let anyone down!
Here’s to a lifetime of love, laughter, and artistic adventures!
Wonderful wedding Suppliers...
Wonderful to work alongside many fantastic suppliers:
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