Newlyweds among first to tie the knot in Ambleside after coronavirus wedding ban is lifted

Jemma Barton, 28, and Michael Wilson, 32, said ‘I do’ at the idyllic Cote How Lake District Weddings in Ambleside on April 16.

I DO: Jemma Barton and Michael Wilson said ‘I do’ at the idyllic Cote How Lake District Weddings in Ambleside Pictures: Simon Hughes Photography

The couple, who live in Adlington, always dreamed of having a small wedding, so eloping to the Lake District seemed the perfect option.

The now Mrs Wilson, who is soon to be a qualified student nurse, described the day as ‘perfect’.

She said: “We chose to get married in the Lake District as it is a place we love and have spent a lot of time in as a couple and as a family. We enjoy walks around Windermere and Rydal and our son Harry loves Rydal Caves.

“Covid-19 restrictions actually helped us get the wedding of our dreams; we have always wanted a small wedding and the ability to have an elopement with just the two of us was better than we ever thought.

“The owners of Cote How were brilliant, planning our wedding with them was easy, and we had so much control over what we wanted our day to be like – nothing was too much trouble.

RINGS: The couple had always dreamed of having an elopement wedding. Photo by Simon Hughes Photography

“On the day we were very nervous but as soon as we arrived the organisers – Caroline, Steve and Sophie – made us feel at ease, and it was perfect. The weather was absolutely gorgeous and although our wedding was postponed it seemed it turned out for the better with the weather.”

Mrs Wilson first met her husband, who works at a textiles factory, through their group of friends.

However, it took many years for the pair to ‘take the plunge’.

TRUE LOVE: The pair have a four-year-old-son named Harry

She said: “It took us many years and asking on my part for us to take the plunge and become a couple.

“We work so well together, we love having a laugh with each other.

IDYLLIC: The newlyweds walked down the aisle at the Cote How Lake District Weddings

“Michael has been my rock throughout my nurse training, and supported me when I’ve had bad days and wondered if I could have carried on and made me realise my abilities.

“We have been together seven years, we had our son Harry in 2016 and a year later Michael proposed; it did take me by surprise. Michael asked when we were out for a meal in our village.

“However, he did say he had a whole plan to ask me on the beach on our holiday a few weeks later but he just couldn’t wait any longer.”

LOVE: The couple was one of the first to wed after the lifting of the nationwide ban on weddings

The couple enjoyed a mini-moon in the Yorkshire Dales with their son and are hoping to travel to Santorini for a romantic getaway once Covid restrictions ease.

All photography featured in the article is by Simon Hughes.

If you are interested in his photography, visit www.simonhughesphotography.uk.