NEWLYWEDS eloped to the Lake District 'on a whim' with their two children and just 17 guests.

Sophie O’Donoghue, 40, a former veterinary nurse but now full-time mum, has married Paul Brown, 38, an IT team lead.

The pair, who live in Surrey, first met on a dating app in 2014.

Sophie said: "We hit it off immediately and felt comfortable with each other. We both love the outdoors and going walking; I think the fact I had a dog was a bonus for Paul too!"

The pair never officially got engaged but spoke early on about getting married. They welcomed their son in 2019, bought a house together in 2021 and had a second son the following year.

Sophie said: "We decided to book an elopement on a whim in September 2022 for the following January. We then decided to invite our immediate family and a couple of friends to join us for the celebration."

The smitten couple said 'I do' at the Merewood Country House and Hotel on Windermere on Monday January 30.

"It was a beautiful location and the service and food were amazing," Sophie said.

"There were 17 guests in total plus our boys, Robin and Arthur, and our dog Hudson the Cavapoo.

"Tradition hasn't been too important to our relationship but one we decided to hold to was that Paul would not see my dress; and he also kept his outfit a surprise from me.

"Paul was clambering into an unfamiliar new outfit of his own, proudly wearing his family tartan.

"Time seemed to race by and before we knew it I was entering the room we'd be married in supported by my dad.

"The ceremony was beautiful and it was lovely and relaxed especially with Robin wandering around and joining in and Arthur cooing from my mums lap. Following the ceremony we had a drinks reception by the roaring fire in the lobby then group photos at the front of the hotel.

"Evening came around quickly and possibly Pauls’ most feared moment arrived - speeches. He did amazingly well to say all that he had wanted to say and even got a few laughs. Before we knew it the day was ending; clichéd though it may be, it really was a whirlwind day full of fantastic moments. Highlights for me would be the moment of calm with breakfast in the suite, the ceremony with Robin providing hilarious interjections, our beautiful photo shoot on the fells and the speeches. In all we couldn't have asked for a better day, despite it being January the rain held off until late evening, the hotel was beautiful and their staff very helpful throughout. I'd highly recommend the hotel as a wedding venue."

After the newlyweds' two-night stay at the Merewood Hotel, the couple stayed in a cottage in Keswick with their family.

Sophie said: "It was our boys first trip to the area but needless to say they both loved it too and it certainly won’t be our last trip there as a family."

All photos were taken by Ladybirds Photography.