Sam and Gemma describe their Hidden River Cabins wedding as “natural, magical and vibrant”, and we’re honoured to be featuring it on the today thanks to brilliant directory member Seán Bell Photography, who was there to capture it all.
Their day was the perfect blend of modern and magical, ethereal and elegant, rustic and romantic. Gemma wore an amazingly ruffled Needle & Thread dress and elbow-length veil, whilst Sam looked dapper in a navy Richard James suit. (When we asked the couple for something the photos might not show, they mentioned that Sam had tried to iron his shirt without actually turning the iron on, but it seemed he managed in the end.) His groomsmen wore matching suits with rust-coloured ties, which matched the colour palette of Gemma’s bridesmaids’ dresses.
They matched these warm tones in the blooms in their bouquets, which they arranged themselves using stems from The Flower Folk in Newcastle. They also chose highlights of light pink, lilac and cream, colours that also featured in the dried flower hoop that formed their ceremony backdrop.
Hidden River Cabins wedding venue in Carlisle was the perfect setting for their day. It’s a lovingly built barn with a riverside location and exceptional, breathtaking scenery through its glass wall. This vista is matched, though, by the beauty of the inside too, with wood panelling and chandeliers. Gemma and Sam married in front of this glass wall, and the verdant forest beyond.
After the ceremony, they made their way outside for a confetti throw and drinks, before taking some time with Seán for their portraits session. To do this, they ventured into the aforementioned scenery which makes a Hidden River Cabins wedding just so incredible, and the results are nothing short of breathtaking.
Then, after drinks, it was time for the reception, set out on long trestle tables in the transformed barn. Emotional speeches, lots of cheers-ing and laughter ensued, as well as the cutting of the cute single-tiered cake, decorated with Charlie’s Angels style Polaroids taken earlier that day. To officially mark the dancefloor as open, they had at a wedding cake piñata, and then danced into the early hours!
For some closing words, we asked them: have you any advice for couples currently planning their wedding? “Enjoy the process!” they said, and Gemma added: “Spreadsheets. Spreadsheets spreadsheets spreadsheets…”
You can see more images of this stunning Hidden River Cabins wedding below. Thanks so much to Sam and Gemma for allowing us to feature it, and to Seán Bell for the beautiful gallery!
- Photography: Seán Bell
- Venue: Hidden River Cabins
- Dress: Needle & Thread
- Suit: Richard James
