After an incredibly romantic proposal, where else could Jenny Walton and Ian Huckstep get married but the equally romantic Fonmon Castle? Jenny tells us about their perfect wedding day.

FAIRYTALE WEDDING

How did Ian propose and where?
Ian and I went up to the Lake District in the Spring of 2009 and spent a few magical days tramping round lakes and up and down fells. On 1 March (St David's Day just a coincidence!) we went for a big walk from Borrowdale Valley towards Great Gable and Scafell Pike. The mist was quite low on the fells and, when we reached the pointof- no-return 'crossroads' and stopped for lunch (in a small hail storm!), I suggested it would be mad to attempt any of the big peaks. What was the point? We wouldn't be able to see anything when we got there anyway. Ian seemed pretty disappointed but I just put it down to his throw-caution-tothe- wind sense of adventure, because there was no way I was going to attempt a potentially lethal mountain with only three hours of daylight left!

So, we took a lower loop round, up to the snow line and, after a mini snowball fight, stopped for rest before heading back down the valley. I was sitting there waxing lyrical about how some coffee and a little bit of chocolate can make all the difference, all the while thinking, "If you're going to do it, this would be the perfect moment."

Then Ian said, "Shall we head down then?" ("Drat," I thought. "I'm just going to have a stroppy stomp all the way down the valley, and be mildly annoyed all evening, and I won't be able to say it's because you didn't propose to me on the most perfect opportunity there has ever been!")

Ian continued, "But before we do..." and then he got down on one knee, produced this tiny little leather box, and asked me to spend the rest of my life with him. Once I'd managed to pull myself together I of course said a resounding "Yes!"



Why did you choose Fonmon Castle?
For a number of reasons. Annie, the wedding planner, was so welcoming (and was no end of help and support, all seemingly effortless!). The house and grounds are so beautiful. The Library, where the wedding ceremony, and later the wedding breakfast, was held, has a lovely intimate atmosphere. But, most importantly, it felt like a home, rather than a corporate conveyor belt. We were allowed to put all our own touches to it - family antique tablecloths for the reception tables, croquet on the lawn etc.

Did you look at other venues?
Yes, we did quite a lot of research online and then visited a shortlist.

How was the day?
It was wonderful. The weather was glorious. It was a perfect Spring day, as I'd hoped, and was sunny and warm enough to have the reception on the lawn - it only just started to rain as we got into the car at the end of the night. The food was fantastic, and the ceilidh was great fun with everyone joining in. At one point in the evening, I looked up and people were sitting all the way up the stairs watching the dancing in the hall - it was just like a grand house party, a real family wedding.

Where did you honeymoon?
A "Grand Tour" of Italy - from Venice to Florence to Amalfi to Rome, then Sardinia for a week and then a week at home. 

GET THE LOOK Jenny and Ian’s wedding suppliers ■ RINGS - Harriet Kelsall Design 01462 790565 www.hkjewellery.co.uk ■ PHOTOGRAPHY - Sian Trenberth 029 2045 7770 www.sian-trenberth.com ■ CATERING - The Really Fresh Food Company. Christine and Beppe Villa 01446 740781 or 07813 865335 christinevilla@btinternet.com ■ CAKE - Jenny's mum ■ FLOWERS - bouquets: family friend. Venue: Jenny's mum and auntie. ■ TRANSPORT - Love Bugs. 01656 785739 vwlovebug@btinternet.com ■ CEILIDH BAND - Uisge Contraband. 07817 474977 weefairyreborn@hotmail.co.uk