We are preparing for our Wild Boar Inn Wedding Showcase in February. Here’s a peak at one of the wedding suppliers that will be attending. Something a little different for your Hen Party, or even a wedding guest experience.
Wedding Event with a Difference
Here’s a wedding experience with a difference. Ever wondered what it takes for a farmer to round up his sheep quickly and efficiently? Well, now is the chance for your wedding party to get up close and watch a Sheepdog Demo. The stars are the well trained, intelligent border collie sheepdogs working a complicated agility course to round up a herd of Runner Ducks! Younger members of the party can even have a go trying to get the ducks through a couple of tunnels.
Hilarious Hen Party
Or perhaps it is an event that would tick the right box for your Hen Party.
Al and Chris Bradley, semi-retired farmers, run the hugely popular Lake District Sheepdog Experience. Their courses get fantastic reviews and are open to anyone, with lots of added hilarity around Hen ‘Do’s.
Chris comments,
‘Hen parties are usually a great success. They are just so full of jollity and we have such a laugh. We set out an agility course for them with tunnels, slides and water. Al and I head different teams and become quite child-like and competitive ourselves!’
Weddings, Hen Parties and corporate events are treated to the amusing spectacle of Runner Ducks, simply because they are easier to transport to your venue.
Lake District Sheepdog Experience
The Lake District sheepdog experience takes place at Al and Chris’ Totterbank Farm at Crosthwaite. One or two handlers (with family and friend spectators) are taught how to work with the sheep dogs to round up their black Hebridean sheep.
The couple were inspired to start sheepdog handling courses when they discovered that guests to their Lake District B&B were distracted from eating their breakfast by the fascination of watching Al training the sheep dogs. The business grew from there and Al and Chris have welcomed people from all around the world to learn their art.
‘We love to meet people from all walks of life. We’ve worked with stars from Coronation Street and Loose Women, a Russian diplomat, a Japanese TV director who filmed us and a 90-year-old who had sheep herding on her bucket list. City dwellers love the experience and we’ve found that people who can’t speak English often excel because they just copy Al and pick up his tone. Recently we had a visit from an Alzheimer’s group who are going to make regular bookings. They were great to work with and one man, in particular, came to life when he was working with our dogs.’
Al has been around sheep and sheep dogs all his life and he spends all day, every day with his beloved dogs when he can. It’s Al who will teach you the quiet commands, body language and confidence necessary for building a trusted relationship with the dogs.
‘Our dogs are highly trained but also have to have a good temperament. All are individuals but as we train them we must make sure that they are super people-friendly and they aren’t fearful of young people.’
Wild Boar Wedding Showcase
So whether you want a Sheepdog Demo for your wedding day, a Hen Party experience with a difference, or a pre-wedding Lake District Sheepdog Experience for you and your partner, Chris and Al are more than happy to tailor something for you.
Come along to The Wild Boar Wedding Showcase on 24th February, 12 noon – 4 pm and meet Al and Chris in person, as well as a host of other wedding suppliers.
Wedding at The Wild Boar Photo: Lisa Aldersley
Stu and Sam were high school sweethearts. Their first weekend away was in The Lake District and they knew that was where they would one day tie the knot. Here they share some of the romantic steps that led them to that special day in May at The Wild Boar and why food had more than a little influence on their choice!
The Proposal
Stu proposed on Christmas day. He snuck home in secret during the day and set up a trail of Christmas lights throughout the house, finishing at a note stuck to a mirror asking me to ‘turn around’. When I did, he was down on one knee!
The Dress
I saw a beautiful Jenny Packham dress when looking in magazines – it really was The One! You can imagine how disappointed I was when I discovered it had been discontinued. I had numerous other dress fittings but none compared. I was overjoyed when the exact dress turned up on preloved.com – my dream dress came true!
Simple Rustic Florals
Made in Flowers had presented some displays at The Wild Boar Wedding Showcase and we loved the simple, rustic arrangements which suited the style of the venue perfectly. As we got married in May we went for soft pastels and used succulents as buttonholes. We kept the floral theme with the table settings, with simple flower arrangements that didn’t detract from the ambience of the Inn itself.
The Ceremony
Having exclusivity of the venue ensured a much more intimate ceremony than we could’ve hoped for. One of our musician friends composed slow piano versions of rock songs that really suited the style of our wedding. It was very emotional indeed.
The Woods
We both love walking, so The Wild Boar woods was the perfect setting for some fantastic photos. We awoke so early on the day of the wedding that we took a walk through the woods at 6am before anybody was even awake. It was our last moment together as an unmarried couple and one of the most unforgettable moments of the day.
Later on we had a bouncy castle set up secretly at the bottom of the woods and after the drinks reception we led the entire party through the building and we all had a good jump around to build our appetite for the wedding breakfast!
If Food Be the Food of Love…!
The selection of food at The Wild Boar was one of the main reasons we decided on it for our venue. It was a difficult choice but there was something for all tastes on the incredible menu!
Stu and Sam’s Wedding Breakfast Menu
Starter
- Morecambe Bay Shrimps
- Goats Cheese Beetroot Apple Tart
- Walnut Pear Blue Cheese Salad
Main Course
- Smoked Fillet Steak
- Gourmet Burgers
- Chicken with Sweet Potato Wedges
Dessert
- Sticky Toffee Pudding
- Lemon Posset
- Trio of Chocolate
Chutney Favours
Stu made chutneys for all the guests which doubled up as place settings. Spicy Banana Curry for the men and Blueberry Pear and Ginger for the ladies.
Sweet and Savoury Cake
With Sam having a sweet tooth and Stu being big on savoury, we decided on a myriad of homemade cakes dotted around the venue, hand made by one our bridesmaids and Sam’s Mum. The piece de lá resistance was a cheesecake from local company The Cheese Larder. As you can imagine, this went down extremely well with all of the cheese fans in attendance – and was enjoyed for ages after the event as well!
First Dance
Our song is ‘Dig’ by a band called Incubus. We’re both huge fans although hardly anyone has heard of it. The lyrics mean something special to us.
The Wild Boar Wedding Showcase
If you’re planning a wedding and would like to discuss your requirements, come along to The Wild Boar Wedding Showcase on Sunday, 21st February. Emma, our wedding co-ordinator, will be delighted to show you around and introduce you to a whole host of suppliers to bring your dream day one step closer.
Being an integral part of a bride and groom’s wedding day is not something the team at The Wild Boar take for granted. Usually many months of planning have brought them to the ‘I do’ moment. After all the hard work and the joy and emotion of the day, our wedding co-ordinator, Emma, and the team are thrilled when they are able to keep in touch with the happy bride and groom.
Laura and Dean Appleton / Image Splash
Laura and Dean Appleton are one such couple and Laura recently mused on how they first found their perfect wedding venue and what keeps them coming back time and again.
Finding ‘The One’
In September 2013 I found ‘the one’ – that is, the perfect wedding venue! I had already found ‘the one’ perfect husband-to-be! As soon as I stepped through the door, I just knew this was the place where Dean and I would spend the best day of our lives. The rustic, shabby-chic features of a beautiful old inn was where my heart wanted to be on our wedding day. Roll on 11 months later and there we were, with all our family and friends having the most perfect wedding weekend that we could ever have imagined.
I cannot believe that our amazing, perfect day was now over a year ago! We tried our hardest to drag out being a ‘newly married couple’ for as long as we could. We even took our honeymoon 9 months later in Santorini. Dean is an engineer and I am a teacher and we have just recently moved into our first joint home as Mr & Mrs, where we look forward to continuing the adventure of married life is.
Laura and Dean on honeymoon in Santorin
After Your Dream Day
A question that is often asked is, ‘does married life meet your expectations?’ Some people say ‘not really’ and ‘marriage is just a piece of paper’. Our answer is ‘YES, and then some!’ On 22nd August 2014 we became a true team, and that feeling cannot, and will not, ever be beaten.
The Happy couple / Image Splash
The memory of our wedding day at The Wild Boar will struggle to be bettered and to Emma, Adam and the rest of the team a truly huge thank you for all you have done for us! You have an amazing place in the Wild boar, the beautiful setting of the Lakes and the wonderful decor of the inn. However, it is you that really make the Wild boar Inn what it is. You can continue to book us in on the 22nd August for who knows how many years … we will see you then – and any other excuse to visit!
Laura and Deans first dance / Image Splash
We wish Laura and Dean continued happiness and look forward to seeing them next time they are up in the Lake District.
Wedding at The Wild Boar
If you’re planning a wedding and would like to discuss your requirements, come along to The Wild Boar Wedding Showcase on Sunday, 21st February 2016. Emma, our wedding co-ordinator, will be delighted to show you around and introduce you to a whole host of suppliers to bring your dream day one step closer.
Obviously there are many more than just five reasons to get married at The Wild Boar – but we are a little biased! Anyhow, here’s your starter for five…
1. Perfect Woodland Wedding Setting
72 acres of beautiful semi ancient woodland – and we provide the wellies! An idyllic place for your wedding shoot – overlooking the picturesque tarn, amidst the wild flowers or one of our rustic benches. For a more adventurous pre-wedding challenge, try the Wild Gym obstacle course in the heart of the woods, testing your strength, agility and stamina! Fun-loving Stu and Sam brought along a bouncy castle so that guests could work up an appetite.
Escape to The Wild Boar Private Woodland for intimate photography opportunities
Start married life with a bang in The Wild Boar Woods / Rachel Hayton Photography
Plenty to do for the big kids in The Wild Boar Woods / Fusion Photo
2. Candles and Cosyness!
A few of our favourite things – snuggling up with a loved one in front of a roaring log fire, traditional beamed ceilings, twinkling candle-light, a single malt before bedtime, a mug of steaming hot chocolate, feeling part of the family. The Wild Boar delivers a unique ambience that ticks all the boxes.
Transform The Wild Boar with your own style /James Jebson
Colourful table decoration / Rachel Hayton
Log fire, candles, slate and beams in The Wild Boar’s new intimate Undermillbeck
3. A Lavish Larder
None of your fixed menu malarkey here! Chef and his team will craft your wedding breakfast around your heart’s desire – whether that’s locally sourced steak, gourmet burgers, fish and chips, or whatever you fancy. As part of your wedding planning you will be invited to a menu tasting so you can choose up to three dishes per course.
Wild Boar Wedding canapés / James Jebson
Steak from The Wild Boat Smokehouse & Grill / James Jebson
Sticky Toffee Pudding / Hayley Baxter Photography
4. Quirky Bespoke Bedrooms
Each room has its own quirky design – you might find a vintage style copper bath at the bottom of your bed, a cast iron wood burner or walk-out balcony! The paint is barely dry on our stunning new Overmillbeck Suite – perfect for honeymoon couples. Wedding Co-ordinator, Emma, will take you for a tour so you can take your pick.
The Overmillbeck Bridal Suite at The Wild Boar
Luxury Individually Styled Bedrooms at The Wild Boar
Large Copper Baths at The Wild Boar to relax before your big day
5. There’s a Special Wedding Brewing
We make our own beer here at the Wild Boar, so why not make your own special wedding brew to impress your guests. Our Master Brewer, Tim, will take you through your paces. We even have Mr and Mrs aprons so you look the part too! Get creative and name your beer.
An alternative drinks reception from The Wild Boar Brewhouse / Rachel Hayton
Janine and Earl making their very own Brew with The Wild Boar Master Brewer
Name your own Beer from The Wild Boar Brewhouse / Rachel Hayton
The Wild Boar Wedding Showcase
If you’re planning a wedding and would like to discuss your requirements, come along to The Wild Boar Wedding Showcase on Sunday, 21st February. Emma, our wedding co-ordinator, will be delighted to show you around and introduce you to a whole host of suppliers to bring your dream day one step closer.
It is believed that wedding anniversaries were celebrated as early as Medieval times. A husband would make a crown of silver for his wife of twenty-five years, or a gold crown for fifty years. It was probably the Victorians who went on to catalogue and classify a prescribed list of gifts for each wedding anniversary.
anniversary
[an-uh–vur-suh-ree]
A day when we celebrate something important that happened that day in a previous year.
Wherever the custom stemmed, we have a room that celebrates each and every anniversary. The Overmillbeck Suite is the perfect anniversary retreat. We have even adorned the walls with our own tribute to wedding bliss through the years.
Overmillbeck Suite – perfect for anniversary celebrations
Here’s a list of anniversaries (we couldn’t name them all), and the element and flowers associated with that particular year.
1st Anniversary: Paper
Associated Flowers: Carnations / Pansies
Paper represents a clean sheet as you start a fresh new second year together.
Overmillbeck, decorated with wedding anniversary plaques through the years
Gift Idea: What about a good old fashioned love letter? Tickets are usually paper – so a world of opportunity there. Or you could give the gift of English Lakes Vouchers and share a romantic weekend at The Wild Boar together.
10th Anniversary: Aluminium
Associated Flowers: Daffodils
Aluminium (previously celebrated with tin) represents flexibility and durability. It is also tough and holds its strength when necessary.
Picture celebrating Ten Years Married
Gift Idea: To celebrate a decade of togetherness don’t be tempted to go down the saucepan route! Instead, why not fill a beautifully decorated tin with mementos of your time together over the last ten years – photos, events, holiday keep-sakes, poems and love songs.
25th Anniversary: Silver
Associated Flowers: Iris
Silver is a precious metal and acts as a reminder of your commitment to one another, and symbolises the value of a marriage that will continue to shine throughout your future together.
Gift Idea: There are a huge range of silver items to celebrate 25 years together. A lovely silver frame for one of your wedding photos, jewellery, or an engraved silver keepsake.
30th Anniversary: Pearl
Associated Flowers: Sweet Pea
Represents the depth of your relationship over the years. Pearls take time to form and the results are truly beautiful. So is a relationship that has matured over three decades.
Gift Idea: Well, the more outrageous could turn pearly king and queen for the night and host a Cockney themed party. Most will want something a little more sedate. A string of pearls or Champagne and caviar served with a mother of pearl spoon would seem the order of the day.
40th Anniversary: Ruby
Associated Flowers: Nasturtiums
They say life begins at 40 (or is it now 50?!) and a Ruby anniversary is still full of promise to come. The ruby represents a flame that grows brighter as your marriage matures. Rubies are said to be rarer than diamonds and symbolise wealth and wisdom, and of course, passion.
Gift Idea: Going with the colour red, why not plant a red rose in your garden to celebrate your love? Or toast your future with a vintage wine or port at The Wild Boar.
50th Anniversary: Gold
Associated Flowers: Violets
Half a century! You have grown together in wisdom and strength. In many cultures gold symbolises prosperity and a golden anniversary is time to enjoy the investment in your life together.
Picture celebrating twenty-five years married
Gift Idea: You have probably given every gift going by this stage in your relationship. Do you really need another cake slice or a gold embossed chopping board? Jewellery is always good, but we think a better way to celebrate would be to invite the family to an intimate gathering at The Wild Boar’s Undermillbeck function room. We’ll light the fire, you prepare your speech.
Undermillbeck function room – perfect for gathering families together to celebrate a special anniversary
60th Anniversary: Diamond
The word ‘diamond’ originates from the Greek ‘adamus’, meaning unconquerable – very fitting for a marriage that has lasted 60 years.
Gift Idea: Well, to state the obvious – it just needs to be diamonds!
70th Anniversary: Platinum
Platinum – strong, precious and rare – just like seventy precious years together. You’ve earned your own platinum record, and in terms of gift ideas, you have earned the right to whatever your heart desires!
Picture celebrating seventy years together
Celebrate Your Anniversary at The Wild Boar
Whether you are married one year, or seventy-one years, there are always good reasons to book The Wild Boar. It could be for a romantic retreat in our Overmillbeck Suite, or an intimate family gathering in Undermillbeck. Call 0333 2203 108 to start your anniversary celebration.
Adding an activity to your wedding plans can be a fantastic way of entertaining wedding guests, or perfect as a pre-wedding get together. The Wild Boar has several outdoor activities to get your Wild wedding plans off to a great start.
Popular Wedding Entertainment in The Wild Boar woods
Meet Mike Coates, part of The Wild Boar family and supplier of clay pigeon shooting for individuals, families and events. This has become a very popular wedding activity and a fun sport that can easily be incorporated into any of our Wild Boar weddings. Here, we ask Mike to tell us a little about his business and why couples are choosing to make shooting part of their wedding plans.
Mike Coates at The Wild Boar
How did you get into shooting?
I have been shooting at The Wild Boar for many years now. I used to work for the hotel group and when we acquired the woodland next to the Inn, we began clearing the very overgrown area and making it the much-loved environment it is today. The shooting grew from there, and when I went self-employed I continued to work with the hotel and ran shoots for them on the land.
Great Wedding Entertainment
Having a shoot during you wedding is a fantastic way to bring families together before, during or after the wedding. It can also be a great activity for the chaps on the morning of the wedding, and keep them out of the bar! A Clay pigeon shooting session gives guests something really special to remember about the day. The wonderful photo opportunities in the grounds of The Wild Boar are also worth a mention.
Photo Credit: Rachel Hayton Photography
Photo Credit: Rachel Hayton Photography
Is it mostly for men?
Brides can get just as involved as the grooms. We teach a lot of female shooters and they often wipe the floor with the boys. We carry vests with recoil pads, and guns and cartridges with low kick back and will go through things very slowly if you are a little nervous (this applies to the gents too).
Do you offer any other wedding activities?
Archery is another sport that can work well as a wedding activity, alongside clay pigeon shooting. Another activity growing in popularity is Axe Throwing which we also offer as a Wild Boar woods activity. Axe throwing can be added to shooting and archery, and we give detailed instructions on stance and technique to give the best chance of hitting the target.
Your most memorable Wild Boar wedding?
My most memorable wedding was when Storm Desmond hit. It is the only time I have EVER cancelled a shoot. Instead of shooting I spent the day rescuing stranded wedding guests in my Landrover, as cars were unable to get through and had to be abandoned. We managed to get everybody where they needed to be and the wedding went ahead. The bride and groom came and shot with me a few months later.
Wedding Showcase at The Wild Boar
Come along to The Wild Boar Wedding Showcase on 27th February and chat to Mike and many of our wedding suppliers. Try your hand at clay pigeon shooting and see for yourself how it can be incorporated into your big day. We’d like to help make your ‘I do’ dreams a reality.
Photo credit: Rachel Hayton Photography
Not all weddings need years of preparation. Gareth and Danielle orchestrated their beautiful, rustic and intimate wedding at The Wild Boar in just over two months. We are delighted to be able to share a little snapshot of their story.
Dispensing Love
Gareth and I met at work in Arrowe Parke Hospital on the Wirral – we are both pharmacists. We had been together for about a year and a half when we started thinking about adding to our family. Gareth already had 2 fantastic children, Luke and Alyssa.
Rugby Romance
In February 2012, Gareth, the kids and myself were in London. We had tickets to watch England play Wales at Twickenham. Gareth is a huge rugby fan. It was a beautiful crisp, fresh and sunny day. I thought something was up when Alyssa kept whispering to her dad, do you want me to give it to you yet? Then at half time, Alyssa rummaged around in her back pocket and handed Gareth something. He dropped on one knee in the stands, offered me the ring and asked me to marry him. I was mortified! I looked around to double check there was nothing on a big screen somewhere. Poor Gareth had to prompt me for an answer. Of course it was Yes!
And Then There were Five
Gareth, Danielle, Luke, Alyssa and Torin
Shortly after that our delight was compounded by finding out I was pregnant. Torin was born on 7th Dec, 2012 and wedding plans were put on hold indefinitely. In August 2017, after a few health scares, Gareth and I decided that the most important thing for us was to be married, surrounded by our family whilst we said our vows. We wanted to get it organised as quickly as possible and were hoping for October.
The Lake District – A Bit Like Home
We had celebrated a few special occasions in the Lake District, so it was an obvious choice for us. It’s a beautiful part of the country, and also reminds me a bit of the area I grew up – Enniskillen, Co Fermanagh.
With such short notice we knew it would have to be a week day. We were going to be a small party of around twenty people. I didn’t want to be lost in a big venue. It was important to us that the wedding and breakfast party was all in the same place. Whilst I was painstakingly going through a list of all the venues in the area, my sister-in-law emailed information about the Wild Boar. I had a look and thought, why keep looking – this is perfect? It ticked all the boxes for us, convenient location and a beautiful setting, with the tarn close by. The Inn itself, is intimate, romantic and steeped in history. I loved the quirky, old decor and interesting bits on display. It fitted in completely with the relaxed, rustic vibe we wanted for our venue.
Undermillbeck, perfect for small intimate gatherings
The menu looked fantastic, with a wide selection of rich, luxurious foods – wild boar and salmon cured on site in the smokehouse. A well-stocked bar and microbrewery sealed the deal for us. After three days of venue hunting we booked it!
Wild Boar Beer Bats, a popular choice at weddings
Short Notice – No Problem!
Jeanette our wedding planner was incredibly helpful and informative – she didn’t balk at the prospect of helping us organise things with such short notice and provided us with advice on lists of suppliers for the crucial bits…
Gemma Louise Hair and Makeup joined us early in the morning to do hair and makeup for bride, bridesmaid and Mother of the Bride. Calm and professional and Gemma a fantastic job without even having had trial first!
Katie at Made in Flowers, again managed to create fabulous bouquets, buttonholes and arrangements. Exactly how I’d hoped they’d look, based on a telephone conversation and a Pinterest board!
A friend of ours, Julie-Ann Bennett, made our cake as a gift to us. I gave her some loose ideas along the rustic theme and she produced a beautiful and scrumptious cake, with a lemon drizzle layer (Gareth’s favourite) and a white chocolate and raspberry layer.
Alyssa, my stepdaughter, helped me make up the favours. I ordered the place cards from Rachel Emma Studio, These were hand made on lovely pieces of wood, with little bits of moss around the outside. We attached these to hessian bags which contained either Jameson’s Irish Whiskey or Flavoured Gin miniatures, and some love hearts. The children had alcohol free versions with sweets and bubbles of course!
A huge thank you to Tiree Dawson, our wonderful photographer, who captured all the magic and emotions of the day.
The Dress of My Dreams
My wedding dress was the thing people thought would be the most difficult task at short notice. Early September I made the trip to Marie Me Bridal Boutique in Randalstown Co. Antrim, owned by my sister-in-law’s sisters, Eilish and Fiona. They helped me choose the dress of my dreams. I chose a Watters design, Claude gown, which featured Tillie Chantilly Lace and hand-placed Freesia motifs. It had an open, illusion back to add some drama and Freesia Lace cuffs for extra impact on the illusion tulle sleeves, finished off with a puddle train. I loved every minute wearing it, I felt glamorous and elegant but also relaxed and comfortable. I wanted shoes I would wear again and fell in love with a pair of Dune Daenerys in blue velvet.
Gareth and the boys also wanted to keep to the relaxed rustic theme and after a few trips settled on a variety of tweed jackets and chinos from Moss Bros and John Lewis.
Memorable Moment?
I’m not sure I could pick one moment that was the highlight for the day. It was all so much fun from start to finish, but I think the ceremony was lovely. I was so happy standing up with Gareth saying our vows (with help from Torin) and hearing the readings from Alyssa and my brother (A lovely love story by Edward Monkton, and An Apache Blessing). The speeches were also great fun and included some interesting props!
Weddings at The Wild Boar
If you have a wedding to organise – whether it is next year, or next month – why not give Jeanette a call on 015394 45225 to discuss your plans for a romantic Wild Boar wedding. But in the meantime, from all of us here, a huge congratulations to Gareth and Danielle!
At English Lakes, we enjoy recommending local activities and events to visitors from around the world. For those wanting to explore the heritage of the Lake District, we’ve put together a list of five of our favourite heritage days out.
(more…)
On Mother’s Day, Mums are presented with flowers, choccies, perfume or sometimes a thoughtful personalised gift. Don’t get me wrong, any and every gift is cherished, especially the glitter-laden home-made card. However, research has shown, and I can testify to most of these in various seasons of life, that the most-wanted list is really quite simple …
Children, fathers, take note! (more…)
Obviously there are many more than just five reasons to get married at The Wild Boar – but we are a little biased! Anyhow, here’s your starter for five… (more…)
