The Broadoaks Country House LGBTQ+ Wedding of Laura and Kirsty
I made a number of visits to Broadoaks Country House Hotel in June to photograph weddings. One of which was Laura and Kirsty’s wedding and I was excited to have been picked as their lake district wedding photographer for their LGBTQ wedding. With the sky being ever so slightly overcast the weather was perfect for an outdoor wedding ceremony. There were almost as many dogs as wedding guests too and I do love to see dogs at weddings. Every puppy should be able to see their humans get married.
Before the start of the wedding ceremony I went to see both brides for some pre-wedding photographs as they were finishing getting ready. I always find it interesting to photograph are bride getting ready, there are as many differences as similarities between each one, even more so when you have two. Going from one partner to another to take their wedding photographs certainly keeps your fitness levels up too
Laura and Kirsty wedding ceremony was later in the afternoon. They both wanted to be traditional and not see each other before the wedding ceremony. It was great for me as a wedding photographer to photograph both brides walking down the aisle and being given away. Kirsty by her father with help from her brother pushing his wheelchair, and Laura by her brother. Throughout the wedding ceremony there were tears and laughter a plenty as I photographed these two beautiful love birds get married.
One of the many reasons that I love being a lake district wedding photographer is being able to document the love that two people share on the most special day of their lives. Even more so for same sex or LGBTQ couples who’s hard fought rights to be able to get married can make the occasion even more special. At the end of the day love knows no colour, creed, sexual orientation or gender, and it is truly special to witness two soulmates tie the knot.
After Laura and Kirsty’s wedding ceremony we stayed outside on the lawn at Broadoaks Country House Hotel for some informal group photographs. Then we headed over to the terrace for the drinks reception where I focused on the more candid and natural style of wedding photography.
It was then time for some time alone with the happy couple. We made use of the fountain to frame some bridal portraits and I also photographed a couple of important details for the two brides, such as matching their tattoos and the bespoke trainers they were wearing as their wedding shoes. We also need to get the dogs into some weddings photos and the sweeping driveway that leads up to the main building of Broadoaks Country House Hotel.
Afterwards we then headed down one of the most popular locations in the Lake District at Windermere, Miller Ground. From here I took Laura and Kirsty to one of the jetties and our timing was perfect with hardly anyone else there. From here I used a number of different compositions to capture some wedding photographs using the beauty of the Lake District as a backdrop. I like my wedding photography to look natural and not too posed for all of my couples. Sometimes I will give some direction, such as where to stand or sit, or how to position hands etc. Even with direction I am still looking for those little knowing looks and the body language that makes for a good wedding photograph. I think we were able to create some great memories from Laura and Kirsty’s wedding. Including a drone photograph that has since been nominated for a national award with The Guild Of Photographers. After Windermere it was then back to the hotel for the wedding breakfast and for the speeches.
It really was my pleasure to be Laura and Kirsty’s LGBTQ wedding photographer at Broadoaks Country House Hotel. It was such a gorgeous day with a truly beautiful couple. Being proud of who you are is important, to stand up for yourself and others who have faced similar struggles is how we all move on and make things better for future generations. For one of the last photographs of the day we wanted to include a nod to Pride with a rainbow symbol. Congratulations to Laura and Kirsty and thank you for choosing me to be your Lake District Wedding Photographer.
