Jenny and James's Hidden River Barn Wedding in Cumbria

Jenny and James got married at Hidden River Barn in Cumbria, a collection of Canadian-style log cabins and one huge rustic barn just north of the Lake District, after a ceremony in their local church. Log cabins, a classic MG, a shot ski and one of my favourite confetti throws ever. Informal from start to finish.

We share a love of the outdoors, mountains, skiing, Chamonix, camping and campfires, so when they asked me to join them for a log cabin and barn wedding I jumped at the chance. And their wedding did not disappoint.

Whisky in the log cabins and a classic MG to the church

A calm morning with James and his groomsmen toasting the day with a whisky in Hidden River’s log cabins. Jenny getting ready in her childhood home before a short drive in her dad’s classic MG convertible to their local church.

A church wedding and a confetti throw straight into their faces

As always, I got to know Jenny and James so well before the day that photographing their church wedding left me chuffed to bits and a wee bit emotional. (I’m a big softie deep down.)

Then came one of my favourite confetti throws to date: a huge amount, thrown enthusiastically into their faces, leaving them spluttering and squinting with laughter, sealed with a confetti-covered kiss. That’s how confetti should be done. Loads of it, close range, no mercy.

The light inside Hidden River Barn

Hidden River Barn is one huge, spectacular rustic barn. There’s loads of light inside, which is something most barn weddings struggle with, and when the spring sunset streamed through the giant window onto that brick fireplace I knew we had to do the group photos there. Boy, was it worth it.

If you’re looking at barn venues near the Lake District, that window and that fireplace are the reason to look at this one.

A shot ski, a cake and a packed dance floor

After dinner their friends sure knew how to throw a party. Jenny was launched into the air by the groomsmen (and caught, luckily), then came a ski and log cabin themed cake, a packed, chaotic dance floor, and even a personalised après-ski shot ski.

If your wedding is going to end with a shot ski, I want to be there for it.