Romantic, Fun Quantock Lakes Wedding with Surprise Singing Waiters

Darcy and Nathan’s wedding was a gorgeous September celebration, which really showed off the beauty of a late summer’s day. We were honoured to be their Quantock Lakes wedding photographers, capturing their day from start to finish to capture the memories that they can treasure forever.

Quantock Lakes wedding venue

A bride standing on a wooden bridge over a pond at sunset.

To set the scene for Darcy and Nathan’s romantic summer day, we have to first talk about the setting: Quantock Lakes wedding venue.

Quantock Lakes is a stunning barn venue in Somerset nestled amongst 200 acres of countryside, with views over the rolling Quantock Hills (and, of course, the lakes). With outdoor views as stunning as that, it’s pretty hard to make a venue that can match it on the inside; but somehow they’ve managed it here! (It’s also pretty hard to find a venue that can cater for as many as these guys can, with a 250 person capacity for the day and a 500 person capacity for the evening.)

Quantock Lakes wedding venue itself is made up of not one, not two, but three luxurious, rustic barn buildings, in addition to the wedding meadows and grounds.This means that basically everywhere you turn there’s something gorgeous, primed and ready for romance. Maybe it’s the picturesque pontoon (more on that in a minute), or maybe you’ll round the corner and discover the ancient oak tree with a rope swing – one thing’s for sure, you’re never going to be disappointed. Which brings us nicely to the start of Darcy and Nathan’s Quantock Lakes wedding day…

First Look

Remember when we said that this venue has a mega capacity? This extends to the accommodation too, which can fit up to 62 people sleeping over. This means you can have all of your nearest and dearest literally near you on the morning, if you so wish, with no need to sort out transport or transfers.

As it was, Darcy and Nathan both got ready at Quantock Lakes but stayed separate. Usually couples like to keep it this way until the ceremony, so that they don’t see each other until they walk down the aisle, but Darcy and Nathan wanted to buck tradition and see each other beforehand. This resulted in a beautiful First Look, where Nathan could take in his soon-to-be-wife in her gorgeous white dress.

(There’s loads of reasons why you might want a First Look; sometimes it’s to have this big moment to yourselves – and your Somerset wedding photographer – without feeling all of your guests’ eyes on you, but sometimes it’s just because it’s nice to see each other before the madness officially begins. Of course, some couples might not need a First Look because they got ready together in the first place – that’s the beauty of weddings, you can do exactly what you feel comfortable with.)

After sharing a lovely moment with Nathan, Darcy then revealed her dress to her Dad and her bridesmaids, who themselves looked wonderful in pale blue dresses. Meanwhile Nathan and his groomsmen, looking very suave in their black tie and tuxedos, were enjoying the final moments of their prep before heading down to the ceremony to welcome guests.

Pontoon confetti

(Does that make it ponfetti?)

After a gorgeous ceremony in the Rustic Barn, we brought all of Nathan and Darcy’s guests out into the sunshine for a confetti shot. We knew the pontoon would be perfect for this, as it’s not only the ideal length to line guests up along the walkway but also it’s got a picturesque gazebo at the end.

Sunshine and singing waiters

After a drinks reception on the lawns, it was time to head inside another of the three Quantock Lakes Wedding barns for the wedding breakfast. In this one, the room is draped with white fabric, and one wall is entirely made of floor-to-ceiling glass so that you can enjoy the rolling greenery beyond. Darcy and Nathan highlighted this with centrepieces made from tall gold planters filled with the greenest plants you’ve ever laid your eyes on. (Seriously, they were SUCH a vibrant green – a shade matched only by the cake and cupcakes that they cut into later on.)

Now, you know it’s a good wedding when the bride ends up standing on her chair singing her lungs out…and that’s thanks to the brilliant booking of surprise singing waiters. 1st Call Singing Waiters were a killer addition to the day: masquerading as normal waiters, they suddenly burst into crystal clear song, and you’re smack bang in the middle of a concert and having the best time of your life. Everyone even got into a Conga line, which frankly we don’t see enough of at the wedding breakfast, we don’t think!

Quantock lakes wedding venue sign.
A grassy field with a building in the background, captured beautifully by a Bristol wedding photographer.
A bride and groom sharing a passionate kiss down the aisle at their wedding captured by a talented Bristol wedding photographer.
A group of groomsmen in tuxedos walking down the street.
A bride and groom happily sitting on a swing in a serene field, captured beautifully by a Bristol wedding photographer.
At a Bristol wedding, a man in a tuxedo joyfully raises his arms in the air amidst the beautiful backdrop of Quantock Lakes wedding venue.
A picturesque wedding reception at Quantock Lakes, where guests gather around tables in a beautifully adorned tent.
Darcy + Nathan
A bride and groom walking through a field at sunset.
Darcy + Nathan
A man giving a speech at a wedding reception.
A bride and groom looking at each other in a room.
A bride and groom kissing under confetti at their wedding.
A bride and groom standing in a room with plants.
A bride and groom walking through a field at sunset.
A group of bridesmaids on the dance floor at a wedding.
A bride and groom standing on a bridge overlooking a pond at sunset.
A close up of a bride's wedding ring.
Bride and groom at quantock lakes at sunset
A bride is dancing on the dance floor at a wedding reception.
A group of bridesmaids and groomsmen posing in front of a barn at Quantock Lakes wedding venue.
A bride and her bridesmaids hugging each other.
A bride and groom looking at each other in a room.
A bride standing on a wooden bridge over a pond at sunset.
A bride and groom at the quantock lakes wedding venue in Somerset, joyfully raising their hands in the air during their wedding reception.
Two men hugging each other in a room.
A bride and groom kissing in a field at sunset.
A bride and groom walking down the aisle with confetti thrown at them captured by a Somerset wedding photographer.
A man in a suit and tie is enjoying a beer at a Bristol wedding venue.
A bride and groom walking down a path in a field, captured beautifully by a Somerset wedding photographer.
A bride looking at herself in the mirror.

Golden hour and first dance

This almost giddy sense of joy followed into golden hour, when we snuck the couple of the hour out for some more portraits. We roamed the grounds and headed back to the pontoon to make the most of the stunning September weather, and captured Darcy and Nathan looking madly in love and basking in the gorgeous golden glow.

Then it was time to head back inside for the cake cutting and the first dance, which was announced spectacularly by confetti cannons exploding over the dancefloor. From that point on, Darcy, Nathan and their loved ones ensured it was never empty!

Somerset wedding photographer

As you can probably tell, the energy was this high throughout the day – and it was just wonderful to be a part of, so thank you so much Darcy and Nathan for having us as your Quantock Lakes wedding photographers.

If you’re planning a Quantock Lakes wedding and are looking for a photographer – or perhaps you’re getting married somewhere else in the area and are looking for a Somerset wedding photographer to capture the day for you – then we’d love to chat. You can find out portfolio here, and our contact page here – tell us all about your plans, and we’ll get back in touch ASAP. (Bonus points if you’re planning on singing waiters…)

Suppliers

Venue: Quantock lakes
Videographer: Pixaplace Weddings
Hair: The Hairbar Somerset
MUA: Lauren Jamie
Singing Waiters: 1st Call Singing Waiters