A rural Lake District hospitality venue has launched a new elopement package in a nod to the rising trend of couples choosing greater intimacy for their wedding day.

The rationale for Wild Boar Estate’s new wedding service comes from the rapid increase in elopement specific requests at the venue.

It mirrors the continuing success of sister hotel Low Wood Bay Resort & Spa which in recent years has hosted a record number of eloping couples seeking a more personalised and lower cost wedding ceremony.

Focusing on intimacy with a bit of adventure thrown in, Wild Boar Estate’s 'Escape to the Lakes' elopement wedding package features romantic touches such as the use of the estate’s grounds and woodlands for photographs, an engraved bird box symbolising the wedding date and a 4x4 Land Rover ride up to a private tarn.

English Lakes Hotels Resorts & Venues wedding and events manager Lucy Carway says:

“We’ve worked hard to develop our elopement services so we can provide an intimate option for smaller weddings, as we have seen a rise in specific enquiries for this in the last couple of years."

“More couples are looking to keep the day for themselves and then have a larger celebration party back at home. This allows them to have a day that is less overwhelming and more about the two of them."

“There is a cost element associated with this as well, as it allows them to escape to the lakes without putting the pressure on guests, especially elderly relatives and parents with young children, to travel long distances and stay away from home."

“We have deliberately created a luxurious elopement and ‘mini-moon’ experience all rolled into one. And a lot of couples are opting to extend their stays past the two included nights, with some staying here for up to a week.” 

The rising popularity of elopement weddings in recent years has seen more couples seeking scenic or remote areas to get away from it all and make their vows. Reducing costs is a key factor, with the average wedding now reportedly coming in at an eye-watering £22,000.

Elopement weddings at Low Wood Bay virtually trebled in 2025, with 31 bookings compared to 11 in 2024.

The new elopement service at Wild Boar Estate is based on two nights’ B&B accommodation in a luxury room, romantic 3-course evening meals with a bottle of wine and added treats like a cosy wood-fired afternoon tea. And there’s the option for couples to extend their stay with a mini-honeymoon.

Other key features include the provision of witnesses and a wedding co-ordinator to oversee the whole day. There is also the chance for the couple to immerse themselves in a relaxing 3 hour thermal journey in the spa at nearby Low Wood Bay.

Photo: Wild Boar Estate wedding co-ordinators Lucy Carway (left) & Ioanna Stergiaki.