and how couples are reimagining them in places like the Lake District.
How to Legally Elope in the UK (and What to Do Instead)
Can You Legally Elope in the UK?
Yes – eloping in the UK is absolutely legal, but it depends on where and how you do it.
To make your elopement legally binding, it must take place in a licensed venue or registry office, include a registered officiant, and have two witnesses present. This works beautifully for couples who want a seamless day in one location, or who love the look and feel of a licensed elopement venue.
Here’s what you’ll need to do if you want your elopement to be legally binding in England or Wales:
- Give Notice: You must give notice of intent to marry at a local Register Office at least 29 days before your ceremony.
- Choose a Licensed Venue: Your ceremony must take place at a venue licensed for marriages (e.g., a register office, certain hotels, barns, etc.).
- Have Two Witnesses: You’ll need two witnesses over 16 years of age.
- Use an Approved Officiant: Either a registrar or a religious minister must conduct the ceremony.
But for couples dreaming of a ceremony on a mountaintop, in the forest, or beside a quiet lake? UK law doesn’t currently allow legal ceremonies just anywhere.
That’s why many couples opt for what’s called a “two-part elopement.”
Two-Part Elopements: The Best of Both Worlds
With a two-part elopement, you separate the legal paperwork from your actual elopement day — giving you total freedom in how and where you say your vows.
Here’s how it works:
Have a simple legal ceremony at a registry office or a registered venue (often the day before).
Then have a symbolic ceremony in a wild location that feels personal — whether that’s on a fell, beside a tarn, or in the woods.
💫 This option is perfect for couples who want full flexibility, privacy, and emotional freedom — without compromising the legal side. It also works well if you'd like to invite a small group of family and friends but have an element of your wedding just for the two of you!
Where to Do the Legal Bit:
- Kendal Town Hall
If you go the two-part route, Kendal Town Hall is a beautiful, elegant registry office right on the edge of the Lakes. With its big windows, historic charm, and relaxed vibe, it offers a gorgeous backdrop for signing the paperwork and taking a few classic portraits — no cold corridors here.
- Or Keep It All Together at a Licensed Venue
Of course, the idea of having everything — vows, legality, celebration — all in one place is also fantastic and luckily, the Lake District is home to some of the most romantic, elopement-friendly licensed venues in the UK.
Here are a few favourites:
- Low Hall The Lakes (Rustic, outdoorsy, and relaxed)
- Hause House (Charming and tranquil above Ulster)
- The Gilpin Lake House (Private luxury with a licensed jetty!)
- The Lingholm Estate (Where Beatrix Potter stayed — charming gardens)
- Storrs Hall (Elegant, right on the shores os Lake Windermere)
- Hidden River Cabins (Tucked into the forest with hot tubs, log cabins, and river views. Fully licensed for weddings, but still remote and wild-feeling.)
Most of these venues offer bespoke elopement packages and work closely with local registrars.
Now for the Nature Bit…
Once the legal side is sorted — whether it's at Kendal Town Hall or another lovely venue.
This is where your celebration opens up. No rules. Just the two of you, the open sky, and the wild beauty of the Lake District.
Whether you're exchanging vows at the edge of a quiet tarn, climbing a fell at sunrise, or wandering through ancient woodland with your boots laced and hearts full.
It’s where your elopement becomes a story.
As your photographer, I’ll work with you and your celebrant to help you find the perfect ceremony spot — one that suits your energy, your vibe, and your version of adventure. We’ll plan it all around the best light and what feels right for you.
Because the wild part? That’s what you’ll remember forever.
What I Recommend (As a Photographer Who Sees It All)
As someone who photographs both legal and symbolic elopements across the Lake District, here’s my honest advice. There is no one way to elope, it really depends on what makes your soul sing as a couple. These timeline ideas might help you to visualise the options and I'd love to schedule a call with you to discuss your vision.
ELOPEMENT TIMELINE IDEAS
1. An Example Timeline: Registry Office “I Do” + Lake District Adventure All in One Beautiful Day
Morning
Soft start: breakfast in your favourite café or at your hotel or airbnb
Walk hand-in-hand to Kendal Town Hall
11:00 AM: Legal ceremony — simple, elegant, and official
Photos in the town’s cobbled alleys or nearby riverside
Midday
Light lunch or a celebratory champagne toast
Travel into the heart of the Lakes (Ullswater, Rydal, Derwentwater)
Afternoon to Sunset
4:00 PM: Hike or short walk to your ceremony location
Change into your dream elopement outfits on location
5:00 PM: Private vow exchange with views that stop time
Golden hour portraits, barefoot dances, and spontaneous laughter
Celebrate with a picnic, a flask of hot mulled wine, or a private chef back at your cottage
Perfect for romantics who want it all in one day: legality + raw, emotional ceremony.
2. An Example Timeline: Registry Office “I Do” + Lake District Elopement Adventure Over Two Dreamy Days
Day 1 - Kendal Town Hall
Day 2 - Wild Ceremony in nature
Day 1: Legal, laid back and transition into nature
Photographer joins for documentary coverage of the full transition
Slow morning coffee, and relaxed getting ready
Late morning: Legal ceremony at Kendal Town Hall — intimate, elegant, personal
Portraits in Kendal’s charming streets, stone stairways, or famous castle!
Afternoon: Grab takeaway lunch or celebratory cake and coffee for the road
Travel into the heart of the Lake District — settle into your accommodation (cottage, cabin, or boutique hotel)
Option for photographer to join to capture you arriving, exploring the space, maybe finishing vows or soaking in the tub
Optional: Wild swim in a nearby tarn, sunset wander, or a mini portrait session at golden hour
Slow evening: wood-fired pizza, glass of wine, or a meal at a hidden gem restaurant
This day is about grounding, connecting, and gently crossing the threshold into your wild wedding adventure.
Day 2: The Wild Day
The emotional heart of your story — full of freedom and beauty
Sunrise coffee or a dip in a nearby waterfall (if you’re brave!)
Breakfast & slow, peaceful getting ready
Detail shots of your outfits, rings, letters
Mid-morning hike or drive to your ceremony spot — fell, forest, or lake shore
Private vow exchange led by local celebrant
Golden hour portraits, a champagne toast, and time to just be
Celebrate your way: a luxury picnic, a private chef meal by a campfire at your airbnb or a luxury dinner at a local restaurant
Optional: sunset shoot, barefoot portraits, hand in hand walk through the hills
3. An Example Timeline: Venue “I Do” + Lake District Elopement Adventure Over Two Dreamy Days
Day 1
Arrive at your venue and check in
Slow morning prep, champagne, music, and pampering
2:00 PM: Legal ceremony followed by cake, drinks, and unhurried time together
Sunset couple shoot in the grounds
Dinner for two in a private dining room or by the fire
Day 2
Wake up slowly, breakfast in robes
Optional: couple portrait adventure — a walk through the fells, row boat on the lake, epic climb or forest bathing session
Return to the venue for farewell lunch or spa time
Ideal for couples wanting a mix of luxury and adventure — it’s like your own mini weddingmoon.
💌 Ready to Make It Yours?
Every couple is different. That’s why I work with you to build a day that feels like you — whether it’s a two-day storytelling journey across the fells or a simple one-location day full of emotion, elegance, and freedom.
💬 Final Thoughts
Eloping in the UK might require a little creativity, but that’s part of the adventure.
I help couples plan both kinds of elopements across the Lake District — from navigating paperwork to picking the perfect photo spots
📩 Want help planning your UK elopement?
