A COUPLE enjoyed a special and intimate wedding with their four children in the Lake District.

Gemma Marie Porter, a 30-year-old nursery assistant, married Kristian David Porter, a 34-year-old lift engineer. 

The pair, from Isle of Sheppey, Kent, met online and had their first date at Howletts Zoo in Kent.

Gemma liked how Kris was really interested in her hobbies and what she did. Kristian said he liked how 'easy' it was to talk to Gemma and her 'beautiful blue eyes.'

The couple got engaged in Liverpool on August 27 2021. 

Gemma said: "We were in our hotel room about to go out for a meal on a boat trip on the Mersey. 

"Kris got down on one knee and pretended to do his shoelace up. He had hidden the ring box under the bed whilst I was in the shower. Although I knew it was coming sooner or later, I didn't expect it then."

Gemma and Kristian married in Cragwood Country House Manor on Valentine's Day this year.

She said: "We didn't intentionally book for Valentine's Day. It was only after we booked it it clicked what the date was. It was a small intimate wedding with bride, groom and our four children."

Despite living five hours drive from the venue, the couple chose this location as they like exploring new places and felt a wedding in a different place and county fit the people they are.

Gemma said: "The day started with an amazing breakfast at the hotel. Then we spent the rest of the morning getting ready together in our room, looking over Windermere. As we were getting ready, we even had a fighter Jet fly past the hotel over the lake.

"The weather was sunny, and the lake was extremely calm and still. We had another fly-by from an older fighter plane during the pictures, and this time, Kris joked that he arranged this one for me.

"Our wedding cake was a Colin and Connie caterpillar cake from M&S and four small Colin cakes to represent the kids. 

"We then got changed and had an afternoon walk, and we were lucky enough to see three wild deer, which made the day even more special.

"We were glad we chose to have an intimate wedding and loved that each of our children played a part in our big day."

The couple is spending their honeymoon on a cruise around the Norwegian Fjords in August.

All photographs featured were taken by Tiree Dawson.