Sally and Alan, who run Alan's family farm in Lowick, must have been over the moon when they discovered Old Hall Farm, Bouth, as the ideal wedding venue. Just down the road from them, it provided a perfect backdrop to their day. Having got to know them a little bit, I just can't imagine them having their celebrations in a posh hotel or a swanky function room - which is why the stunning, characterful, rustic setting of the historic working farm just couldn't have been better.

The ceremony took place at the beautiful church in Lowick, with Sally making an amazing bridal entrance on their vintage tractor. After the vows were complete, we stopped off for some photos at a stunning wheat field looking out onto the fells - all the more special as it was Alan's field with his beloved crops he had carefully grown!

Once at Old Hall Farm, it was time for some group photos in the farmyard, before we all piled into the ancient barn, which had been beautifully and painstakingly decorated by a team of helpers. It's a huge space to fill, but fresh flowers, fairy lights and a zillion paper birds did the trick!

The atmosphere in the barn in wonderful, but any photographers amongst you can imagine that the lighting (or rather lack of) isn't the easiest to cope with! After a bit of experimenting I decided to lay off the flash for the speeches, and shoot wide open (f1.2) with high ISO - not the cleanest of results, but the grain and shallow depth of field really helped to get across the feeling of the event, which is what I am always aiming for!

Once fed and watered, Sally, Alan and I took a wander around the farm and up the lane to the woods, an amazing setting for photos, and we even got the last of the bluebells. By then it was time to get back for the party, and the surprise "Strictly Come Dancing" judging of the first dance. Such a brilliant day!

Venue - Old Hall Farm, Bouth
Hair - Shelley Gibson Kendal
Make up - Lisa at Lime Beauty Rooms, Bowness
Sally's Dress - Marrime, Kendal
Caterer - Alison Thompson 
Flowers - Sally and Alex (formerly The Flower Shop, Ambleside)
Cheesecake - The Porterage Co, Greenodd 
Band - Twentyfourseven- Morecambe