Lauren + Steve at Woodhill Hall | August 2026
The first I heard of Lauren and Steve’s wedding was through planner Maria at Above All Weddings. She was putting together a wedding in Northumberland for a couple who were planning from all the way across the Atlantic in Vancouver. Or across the Pacific, depending on whether you turn left or right out your front door.
I love Vancouver, how exciting, I thought. Immediately picturing a fun, outdoorsy, hiking-n-camping couple.
And my lazy Canadian stereotype was right - Lauren and Steve love the great outdoors, not only having gotten engaged on an overnight hiking trip, blissfully happy and soaking wet, up in a Canadian rain cloud, but choosing to marry in their favourite British spot: Northumberland’s wild countryside. Their wedding took place at Woodhill Hall, set in a remote location in Otterburn on the edge of Northumberland’s National Park.
Pics by Yuliia Mar Photography
Although you might not know you were in Northumberland at all. Woodhill Hall has an amazing chapel, done out all in white with blue doors, other touches of refreshing blue and white all around, in a way that gives it a Greek village (dare I say Mamma Mia, in a good way) feel. But in among Northumbrian sheep fields.
Lauren is British and Steve is Canadian, and they wanted a wedding which celebrated both of them, and their story. There were lovely touches, including his-n-hers post-ceremony cocktails: a British bramble G&T for Lauren and then a Caesar for Steve, which I discovered is like a Bloody Mary…but with…clam juice. Listen, I’m not here to judge other cultures.
There were some really touching moments (and one embarrassing one for me, I’ll come to that); the bride and groom had written out their own personalised vows by hand, and read them to each other like they were the only two people in the room, and a photo of Steve’s late mum Lorrie was pride of place at the doorway entrance, and we took a moment to honour her in the ceremony.
Sometimes couples will come to me with ideas of things they’d like read in the ceremony - poems, book extracts, song lyrics, words from loved ones - but more often than not it’s my job to come up with things I think reflect their relationship, or honour some element of their background. I read two short poems I’d recommended to Lauren and Steve, by Indian-Canadian poet Rupi Kaur:
i do not want to have you
to fill the empty parts of me
i want to be full on my own
i want to feel so complete
i could light a whole city
and then
i want to have you
cause the two of
us combined
could set it
on fire
and
no one makes me feel
more awake
more electric
more alive
than you
In a twist of fate (or just holiday planning!), since booking to be the celebrant at this wedding, I have also booked a trip to Vancouver with my family. On Lauren and Steve’s wedding morning, chatting to the Canadian groomsman, Steve, and his dad Vance, I got some helpful local tips, like saying I should maybe avoid the busy Grouse Grind and try Lynn Valley. Noted.
Their loved ones witnessing as they say I do, forever
And the moment I mentioned before? One of the most mortifying moments of my celebrant career to date? Lauren was an absolute poised, graceful vision, despite the August heat in the chapel room, guests were glowing and fanning themselves, but when I glanced down at myself I saw sweat had spread through my dress. There were patches under my boobs and around my stomach. And I had nowhere to hide.
The only silver lining was my trusty leather folder which I then held in rigid position, concealing as much as I could. Everyone was very nice about it - but then they were half Brits and half Canadians, and neither group is known to be the type to shamelessly draw attention to boob sweat. Too polite, too nice.
It was a beautiful day for a couple who, whether getting engaged in a rainstorm or married in a heatwave, are both cool as a cucumber and mad about each other.