Jacy & Craig

bride wearing glasses smiling at her groom during a west mill wedding ceremony

Sunny Wedding at Derby’s Industrial Wedding Venue

Meet Jacy & Craig. They picked one of Derbyshire’s best wedding venues to play host to their big day. It was a beautifully sunny Tuesday in April that their two families became one, and I had the honour of capturing their special day with my natural, unposed documentary approach. A perfect fit for their fun, relaxed, and joy-filled wedding.

Every time I head back to The West Mill, I’m reminded of why it’s one of my favourite spots as a wedding photographer in Derby. The industrial architecture and the way the light hits the original brickwork always make for such honest, atmospheric photos.

This wedding was a perfect example of why I love a documentary approach, no forced posing, just two people having the best time with their favourite humans. From the quiet moments during the ceremony to the chaotic energy on the dance floor, it was a joy to capture. Here are a few of my favourite frames from the day.

  • the mill house bridal prep
  • bridal prep at the mill house derby
  • bride having makeup applied
  • happy bride reading letter from the groom
  • getting ready with bridesmaids
  • groomsmen arriving
  • guys getting ready
  • groom in short sleeved shirt
  • bride and flower girl boop
  • grandma helping put wedding shoes on
  • bridesmaid laughing under the dress
  • happy smiling guests
  • groom checking his watch
  • nervous groom waiting
  • bride with knitted bouquet
  • laughing bride
  • ushers wearing sunflowers
  • the wedding ceremony
  • just married air grab
  • drinks reception prosecco
  • guests grabbing confetti
  • confetti tunnel
  • smiling hugs
  • little baby at a wedding
  • bride kissing baby's head
  • mother of the groom laughing
  • guest wearing chefs hat
  • groom wearing apron ready to carve the roast
  • bride speech
  • brother of the bride giving a speech
  • groom wiping away a tear
  • bride laughing at grooms speech
  • relaxed couples portrait
  • doughnut wall doughnotts
  • cutting cheese cake
  • smiling couple first dance
  • guest throwing her hands up
  • big hugs on the dance floor
  • newlyweds dancing
  • souljers wedding band
  • flashing devil horns on dance floor
  • happy couple dancing on dance floor

What Next?

If you’re looking to get your West Mill wedding photographer booked, click the button below and tell me all about the two of you and what you have planned for your big day!

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Unposed Bridal Preparation Photography

I started the day with Jacy at the Mill House, a beautifully renovated old building that is now part of the complex, and has a number of amazing rooms for people to stay in. Once hair and makeup were finished, we all moved over to the bridal dressing room on the top floor of the main mill building to carry on the getting ready, and possibly a few more glasses of something bubbly! I had a good friend of mine, Simon Atkins, along for the day, so that both Jacy and Craig could have their mornings photographed. This is one of the main advantages of having a second photographer. Now they can both see what the other was up to!

Wedding Ceremony in an Industrial Mill Venue

These guys loved the venue’s industrial feel, with all of the bare brick and ironwork still visible. It makes for a really different and unusual venue if a stately home or country house isn’t your thing. And with all those floors to play with, it makes planning your wedding day timings a doddle! After the ceremony, it was outside for the now infamous Confetti Tunnel. The wedding breakfast room was already setup, so there was no lengthy turnaround time, so after some drinks and mingling, it was time for food and speeches.

For the evening, they’d hired the fantastic Adam Thomas and the Souljers to perform, and these guys put on one hell of a show! If you’re undecided about a wedding band, seriously give these guys a shout! They had the dancefloor full and everyone, including the mums, up and dancing. Spot Craig’s mum throwing some devil horns in the photos! And so I left the happy couple, grooving and smooching on the dancefloor, which is how all weddings should end really.

Thanks to these amazing suppliers for making the day a huge success!

Owl ring bearer – http://ringonawing.com/

Cheese & pork pie cakes – https://www.delilahfinefoods.co.uk/

Doughnut wall – https://www.doughnottsofficial.com/

Band – http://www.souljers.com/

Wedding planner – https://www.therusticweddingcompany.com/