An animal-loving couple who got engaged at a zoo celebrated their wedding in the sunshine surrounded by friends and family.

Samantha Elizabeth Howarth, a 30-year-old accountant from Windermere, married Oliver Anthony Nicholson, a 27-year-old joiner from Ambleside.

(Image: Julie Robinson Photography) The pair, who now live in Kendal, first connected over Facebook and started talking before meeting in person a couple of months later.

Ollie said it was Sammy’s smile which drew him in while she liked his ability to keep a conversation going, even about the most random of things.

They got engaged last year at Chester Zoo, the day after Sammy's birthday.

“It was an easy yes,” Sammy said. “I had my suspicions…”

(Image: Julie Robinson Photography) They tied the knot on Saturday August 31 at The Coniston Hotel Country Estate & Spa in front of 57 guests.

They chose to celebrate their special day there after seeing the venue at a wedding fayre.

“The staff were the most enthusiastic and engaging vendors there,” Sammy said. “We then arranged a tour and once we saw the estate we were sold."

(Image: Julie Robinson Photography) Some guests stayed the full weekend and arrived on Friday to enjoy clay pigeon shooting on the estate and sitting in the sun before a private buffet dinner.

They had opted for an outside ceremony and were blessed with beautiful blue skies on the day.

Read more: Bride and groom celebrate wedding surrounded by iconic Cumbrian sheep

“We actually had time to breathe,” Sammy said. “We gave ourselves enough time so there was no rushing.”

(Image: Julie Robinson Photography) Following a ‘short and sweet’ ceremony, there were canapés on the lawn while photographs were being taken.

The reception started with the speeches followed by a three-course meal.

Tables were named after African animals - Elephant, Rhino, Hippo, Cheetah, Giraffe, Zebra, Springbok and Lion - in keeping with the proposal and honeymoon.

Read more: Pair who met in New York marry at 'stunning' Lake District venue

In the evening more guests arrived to witness the cake cutting and first dance.

(Image: Julie Robinson Photography) Sammy walked down the aisle to Hold by Hand by Lady Gaga and No Matter What by Papa Roach for their first dance as husband and wife.

Ollie’s stand out moment was seeing Sammy walk down the aisle and hers was being pronounced husband and wife, then singing to one of her favourite songs during the first dance.

For their honeymoon, the newly-weds went to South Africa on Safari followed by Mauritius for some relaxation.

Read more: Couple celebrate wedding with 92-year-old granddad

Going on safari was the ‘only choice’ as something Sammy has always dreamed of doing.

Mr and Mrs Nicholson would like to thank their Bridesmaid, Laura Turley, Best Man, Ben Moseley, Photographer, Julie Robinson, The Little Miss Bakery in Kendal for the cake, Karol Nicholson from Hair Bazaar Kendal, Rachael Griffiths from Serenity Bowness for makeup as well as their parents, Mark and Sandra Howarth, Kate Nicholson and Richard Burke and Michael Nicholson and Helen Westmorland-Nicholson.