When Storm Desmond dropped one month’s rain in a single night, we watched the footage of the devastation and disruption caused in its wake. Our hearts went out to individuals, families and businesses that were affected. Without detracting from the difficulties that many have experienced, it would seem that there is a corresponding note of triumph as communities rallied together to overcome the adversity of these circumstances.
Emma, our Wedding Co-ordinator at The Wild Boar, was put on high alert as she anticipated the wedding of Jamie and Hayley that weekend. In what, at one point, seemed like a logistical impossibility, Emma sprang into action and her creativity and quick thinking, along with the support of suppliers and members of the local community, resulted in a Wedding that the bride called “the wedding that we had always dreamed of, and then some!”
In her own words, our bride describes events as they unfolded …
A Wedding with a Difference!
Well what can I say, we booked The Wild Boar as we wanted a wedding that was a little different – and we certainly got more than we bargained for!
Whilst travelling up to Cumbria on Saturday, it became apparent that the elements were against us. Despite being advised to turn around by police several times, we managed to get within a mile of The Wild Boar. At that point the sight that greeted us was a car under water and a fireman directing us to ‘go home’. The Wild Boar offered to send out a 4×4 rescue vehicle, but Jamie, determined to get our car there, eventually found a route.
Overwhelming Team Spirit
When Emma met with us on the Saturday evening, the seriousness of the situation started to dawn on us. There were so many hurdles to overcome that it seemed impossible. The registrar was unlikely to make it through the floods and so we decided to nominate a friend to conduct the ceremony if necessary and worry about the formalities another day! We were determined that the day would go on.
This will sound ridiculous given the circumstances, but my biggest worry was that I would not have Sam, my hair and makeup artist, there on the day. Emma had already arranged a backup hairdresser and so when it was confirmed that Sam had tried to get though without success, Gareth from Aqua in Bowness, my hairdressing knight in shining armour, jumped into action. He did an amazing job on hair styles for whole bridal party. Laura, one of my friends, did the make-up.
Tiree Dawson the photographer was not going to let the storm stop her and she planned to travel by tractor. She brought along the emergency wedding cake kindly supplied by another local hotel. The original wedding cake did eventually arrive – all the way from Southport after flagging down a police escort from Kendal.
Michael Coates Clay Pigeon Shooting and DJ Gary Mills rallied round in their 4x4s to pick up wedding guests, delivering everybody safely to The Wild Boar where there were roaring fires and a warm welcoming atmosphere for their arrival.
I’d already said a firm goodbye in my head to my flowers which were supposed to arrive from Lytham, but the next minute Jason from Flower Designs was here with my beautiful bouquets.
I’ll never forget the moment Emma walked into the chaos of Room 10 and told me that she had spoken with the Registrars and that we would be able to be legally married today after all as they had managed to get through in a 4×4. It was a very surreal moment.
Fond Memories of our Perfect Day
When we got home away from our Wild Boar Wedding bubble and started watching the news, we were so upset by the devastation that has occurred in such a beautiful place. It’s hard to comprehend just how our wedding took place at all seeing the news footage. We even got some sun and had our dream photos taken in the woods by the tarn!
We only ever intended to have a small wedding and, miraculously, all 53 of our guests managed to make it to our day – some having had to wade through floodwater with their clothes in bin bags!
It truly was a very memorable Wild Boar wedding weekend; the wedding we had always dreamed of, and then some!! It would never have happened if it hadn’t been for the community spirit of all our wedding suppliers, and particularly Emma and the wedding team going way beyond their call of duty to make our day a reality!
We are more grateful than we can ever put into words.
Thank you so so much,
Jamie and Hayley Traynor (and of course Jax the dog)
Well done guys x