The Samling Wedding Photography // Mia and Pete

Wedding Photography at The Samling

The Samling wedding photography for Mia and Pete was one of the weddings I couldn’t wait for this year. The Samling is a stunning boutique hotel set above Lake Windermere with beautiful views of the Lake and a Michelin starred menu. I love photographing in the Lake District but I’d be lying if I said that I wasn’t a little nervous too. Including Mia and Pete, there were just eight people at the wedding. This was by far the smallest wedding I had ever shot (although I would beat this record just five days later in New York) so obviously I was a little worried that I might not be as unobtrusive as I like to be with such a small guest list. I needn’t have worried, in fact, having such a small guest list turned out to be so much better than I could ever have imagined and I loved shooting my first ever wedding photography at The Samling.

Bridal Preparations

Having driven up in the heavy rain I didn’t have high hopes for the weather and the forecast for the day was equally underwhelming with rain and fog forecast for the full day. However, the Lake District looks amazing in any weather! When I met up with Mia for the bridal preparation in one of the beautiful rooms at The Samling I got to work alongside the super talented make up artist Rebecca Forshaw. I got some of my favourite preparation shots of the year, helped by having one of my happiest brides smiling all the way through the morning (despite the fine rain outside).

Sophie Tolli Wedding Dress

After Mia’s dad saw her in her Sophie Tolli wedding dress for the first time we made the short walk to The Samling to see a fairly nervous (but extremely dapper) Pete waiting patiently for his bride in his bespoke handmade suit by Richard Smith Bespoke in Manchester. With Maxine Molin-Rose playing the harp (Metallica if you’re interested and it sounded AMAZING) Mia walked into the tiny service room and I have to say, I was honoured to be shoot Mia and Pete’s The Samling wedding photography. It felt incredibly personal with so few people in the room. With emotion and laughter in equal measure it was one of my favourite services I have ever photographed.

Lake Windermere

After the service Mia and Pete were joined by both sets of parents and Mia’s brother and his partner, on the terrace at The Samling for a champagne reception with canapes. Fortunately the rain had stopped and the mist started to lift so we were treated to the stunning views of Lake Windermere. I stepped back quietly into the background on the 85mm prime lens to capture the laughter whilst Maxine played the harp in the background. Then, completely unexpectedly, the sun appeared and we had a glorious summer’s day. With a handful of family formals in the bag I took Mia and Pete down to the jetty of Low Wood Bay hotel (where I’d shot Laura and Rob’s wedding in November 2014) to shoot some couple photos. Mia and Pete were a dream couple to photograph, being relaxed and natural helped create one of my favourite ever photographs (that one on the end of the jetty). After a few shots by the lake we returned to the hotel for a few more minutes of The Samling wedding photography.

With a Michelin starred tasting menu to come for Mia and Pete and their guests I quietly left them to enjoy the rest of their wedding day in the stunning summer sunshine overlooking Lake Windermere. Mia and Pete’s The Samling wedding photography was one the highlights of the year for me and I loved their intimate and immensely personal wedding service. So here’s Mia and Pete’s The Samling wedding photography. Music by Bright Eyes, photos by me…

Credits

Venue: The Samling
Dress: Sophia Tolli at The Bridal Path
Shoes: Jimmy Choo
Accessories: Halo & Co by Liberty in Love
Groom: Richard Smith Bespoke
Make Up: Rebecca Forshaw
Flowers: The Floristry
Live Music: Maxine Molin-Rose
Cake: M&S

Mia and Pete’s The Samling wedding photography has also featured on leading wedding blog Brides Up North.

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