'A wedding with a real Cumbrian flavour' – Carlisle couple tie the knot

They moved to just outside Carlisle 10 years ago and have enjoyed exploring the county and beyond ever since.

Emily said: “After so long together a proposal wasn’t even on my mind – even when he insisted on climbing Blencathra in a storm! When we got to the top and stopped for coffee he got down on one knee and pulled out a ring, champagne and glasses.”

Damian is Australian and, with none of his family and closest friends able to travel until 2022 at the earliest, the couple decided to take advantage of the pandemic and marry in a small ceremony with Emily’s family.

“We set a date for May and had hoped things would be largely back to normal by then,” Emily recalled, “but it wasn’t to be. The road map put paid to a lot of our plans – cancelling our hotel wedding night and plans for a picnic on Derwentwater – but everyone we spoke to was fantastic at helping us create a day which was special, memorable and Cumbrian.

“As we desperately searched for a new reception venue, we had offers from places like Greystoke Castle and others who were going above and beyond to try and allow our day to go ahead.”

Wedding of Emily Parson and Damian Woolfe Photo by Simon Hughes Photography

The couple got married at All Saints Church in Raughton Head, in a ceremony which was live-streamed to more than 200 people around the world. This was set up by photographer Simon Hughes, who also helped capture the joy of the day with his stunning photographs.

Every guest was also given a personalised face mask, in keeping with the times.

The Reverend Ben Phillips even managed to source an organist who could play Down Under by Men at Work for the newlyweds to exit the church to – a nod to Damian’s Australian family.

A friend offered his vintage Jaguar as a surprise to transport Emily from her mum’s house to the church, and friends and villagers lined the route with bunting and balloons as a surprise, standing outside to cheer her past.

Wedding of Emily Parson and Damian Woolfe Photo by Simon Hughes Photography

Damian said: “We live in an amazing place, and everyone turning out to cheer Emily – and then later to cheer us as we set off for the reception – just highlighted the real Cumbrian sense of community.”

The wedding party then headed to the woodland gazebo in the grounds of Armathwaite Hall for a very Cumbrian picnic.

Emily said: “Sarah at Armathwaite was fantastic and couldn’t do enough for us – she saved our wedding. Nothing was too much trouble, from setting up tables and linen in the gazebo to supplying blankets when the Cumbrian weather decided it wasn’t going to play ball!”

They enjoyed a first dance to LOVE by Nat King Cole.

Wedding of Emily Parson and Damian Woolfe Photo by Simon Hughes Photography

Emily created individual, personalised picnic hampers for each of their guests, with solely Cumbrian produce. They contained: two types of Appleby Creamery cheese provided by Keswick Cheese deli; Carr’s biscuits; salami from Shaw Meats in Aspatria; freshly-made pork pies from Carrock Meats in Dalston; individual butter portions from Winter Tarn Dairy in Morland; XL crisps; Kendal mint cake chocolate-covered hearts; two chocolates from Lakes Chocolatier in Cockermouth; fudge from the Penrith Toffee Shop; Cumbrian Cola from Mawson’s in Kendal; and Aqua Pura water, sourced from Armathwaite.

The stunning wedding cake was made in its entirety by Emily’s mum Lulu, including intricate peony and sweet pea flowers, and the couple themselves sat on top - the bride’s dress and veil were even made from an off-cut from Emily’s own dress.

The flowers were created by Emily’s aunt Emma Powell – who operates as Thea Lily Loves – using locally-sourced blooms, combined with some glasshouse grown sweet peas from Emily’s home county of Essex.

Wedding of Emily Parson and Damian Woolfe Photo by Simon Hughes Photography

Damian’s daughter Annalise was bridesmaid and his son Jamie was best man. Emily was given away by her mum, her brother Harry was usher and brother Sam drove the couple from the church to Armathwaite Hall.

They spent their wedding night in Rosie’s Barn, near Bampton, which had been decorated for them by the owners with banners and balloons and a bottle of Prosecco left in the fridge, before enjoying five nights in Fort Augustus beside Loch Ness.

All pictures by Simon Hughes Photography – www.simonhughesphotography.uk

They hope to eventually go on a “real” honeymoon after a blessing in Australia, whenever it is allowed.

THANK YOUS / PROVIDERS

Keswick Cheese Deli

Shaw Meats, Aspatria

Carrock Meats, Dalston

Winter Tarn Dairy, Morland

Lakes Chocolatier, Cockermouth

Armathwaite Hall

Photos by Simon Hughes Photography - www.simonhughesphotography.uk

Flowers by Thea Lily Loves