Eloping to The Cragwood Hotel? Small Weddings, Beautiful Makeup & a Very Special Morning

There’s something really lovely about an elopement wedding.

No enormous guest list, no complicated seating plan, no worrying about whether Auntie Susan is going to get along with Uncle Dave.

Just two people getting married, somewhere beautiful, doing things exactly their way.

And one of the places I regularly find myself for these wonderfully intimate weddings is The Cragwood Country House Hotel, overlooking Lake Windermere.

Just the two of you (or a few of your favourite people)

I’ve done lots of elopement wedding makeup at The Cragwood, and no two mornings are quite the same.

Sometimes it’s literally just the bride and groom. Other times, there are a handful of family members or close friends joining them.

What I love is how personal these weddings feel.

There’s still all the excitement of getting married, but without quite so many people to organise!

And because I work at The Cragwood regularly, it’s always lovely arriving somewhere familiar and helping another bride get ready for her big moment.

A small wedding doesn’t mean making less of an effort

Something I always want to tell brides planning an elopement is this:

Just because you’re having a small wedding doesn’t mean you shouldn’t feel every bit as special.

You can still have the dress, the flowers, the beautiful photographs and that lovely moment of sitting down to have your makeup done.

In fact, sometimes those quieter wedding mornings make the experience even more special.

There’s time to chat, enjoy getting ready and really take everything in.

And whether you’ve got 100 guests waiting for you or just your husband-to-be, you deserve to feel absolutely gorgeous.

Bridal makeup that still looks like you

If you’ve had a look through my work, you’ll probably have noticed that I’m a big fan of fresh, glowing skin and makeup that enhances rather than completely changes your face.

That doesn’t mean every bride has to wear barely-there makeup.

Some love a little more definition around the eyes, some want a gorgeous pinky glow and others feel their best with a slightly more glamorous finish.

My job is to listen, work out what makes you feel comfortable and create something that feels completely you.

And just because you’re eloping doesn’t mean your makeup matters any less. Those wedding photographs will be treasured for years.

Do you need a makeup trial for your Cragwood Hotel elopement?

Not necessarily!

Some of my elopement brides come to my Windermere studio for a trial beforehand. Others are travelling to the Lake District specifically for their wedding and we meet for the first time on the day.

Both are absolutely fine.

If you know what you like, love my style and feel comfortable trusting me, you might decide to skip the trial.

If you’re unsure what suits you or want to try a few ideas, a trial is a lovely opportunity to do that.

There’s no pressure either way.

A little advice for your wedding morning

If there’s one thing I’d suggest, it’s not to rush.

Even when it’s just the two of you, give yourself enough time to enjoy getting ready.

Have some music on, enjoy a coffee or a glass of fizz and make a morning of it.

Your wedding might be small, but it’s still a pretty big occasion!

Getting married at The Cragwood Hotel? Let’s chat!

I’m based in Windermere and regularly provide bridal makeup at The Cragwood Hotel and other beautiful wedding venues throughout the Lake District.

Whether you’re planning a romantic elopement for two or an intimate wedding with a handful of your favourite people, I’d love to be part of your morning.

If you’re getting married at The Cragwood Hotel, get in touch and tell me all about your plans.

Makeup by Polly — Makeup that’s you.