Rachel & David

animated couple on the dance floor at derby's west mill

A Beautiful Wedding Ceremony at St Mary’s Church in Derby

Rachel and David were guests at a wedding I photographed back in 2015, so I was thrilled when they got in touch about their own big day. As a wedding photographer in Derbyshire, I always love seeing familiar faces and catching up with past couples. Their day started with a beautiful ceremony at St Mary’s Church in the heart of Derby, before moving on to one of my all-time favourite spots for the reception.

Photographing weddings at the West Mill is always a highlight. Even on a wet and windy day, the industrial character of the mill provides such a fantastic backdrop for a celebration. My documentary approach is all about capturing the honest energy of the day, from Dave’s umbrella turning inside out in the wind to the packed dance floor later that evening. It’s those unscripted, genuine moments that really tell the story of a wedding, and this day had them in spades!

  • bride in white gown having makeup done
  • bride laughing with a bridesmaid
  • close up of bride having mascara applied
  • two makeup artists at work during bridal prep
  • bridesmaids helping bride into wedding dress
  • beautiful smiling bride in her wedding dress
  • busy bridal prep scene with famliy
  • guests walking on a windy rainy day with inside out umbrella
  • groom having button hole pinned
  • ushers helping to seat the guests
  • groom greeting people at st mary's church in derby
  • bridesmaids waiting inside st mary's church near derby city centre
  • bride arriving underneath umbrellas
  • emotional groom wiping away tears
  • bride walking down the aisle
  • bride and groom at the altar
  • bride and groom exchanging looks across the aisle during the ceremony
  • first kiss at st mary's church in derby
  • signing the register in the back room at st marys church
  • walking down the aisle just married in derby
  • bride surrounded by cheering bridesmaids
  • bridesmaids getting on board the wedding bus
  • very windy confetti
  • winy confetti at west mill derby
  • greeting guests at west mill
  • laughing mother of the groom
  • overjoyed friends hugging the bride
  • bride laughing with friends
  • industrial bridal portrait at west mill in derby
  • family all watching the baby
  • bride's happy tears during wedding speeches
  • guests laughing during speeches
  • groom speech at west mill
  • funny best man's speech at the west mill
  • happy wedding guests mingling
  • newlyweds cutting the cake at the westmill
  • intimate first dance
  • bridesmaid throwing shapes on the dancefloor
  • agent smith wedding band at west mill
  • bride dancing with friend
  • baby wearing headphones trying to drink a pint of beer
  • animated couple on the dance floor at derby's west mill

What Next?

If you fancy a reportage West Mill wedding photographer, click the button below and take a minute to tell me all about the two of you, and all your big plans for the day.

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Bridal Preparations

I started off the day with Rachel and the girls at a suite in a nearby hotel. A wedding venue itself, but today it was just host to the morning’s nerves, excitement, and a few glasses of bubbly. For those of you out there who are unsure whether to have your preparations photographed, it’s a lovely introduction to your wedding photos, and it gives some of your bridal party a chance to feel comfortable around me. And the sooner they start to forget I’m there, the sooner I can get those wonderful, relaxed photos where they’re not looking and are just being themselves.

A Wet and Windy Wedding in Derby

As with any day of the year here in the UK, there’s never a guarantee of good weather, and today the rain and wind invited themselves along. Still, it made for some cool photos of people arriving at the church…and a great one of Dave’s umbrella turning inside out as he crossed over the bridge to get to the church. All these little moments are what can get forgotten in the flurry of activity on a wedding day, so it’s great that these guys have their wedding photos to remind them of all the in-between moments, too.

Wedding Reception Only Venue

And so we were back at this popular mill venue for Rach and Dave’s wedding reception. A great venue for however much of your wedding day you’d like to spend there. Today it was just the reception and dancing. After getting off the bus to a rather breezy confetti tunnel, everyone was quick to get inside the venue for a drink and to bag a spot by the radiators! The weather eventually cleared up for long enough to get a few photos in the grounds, though. The afternoon whizzed by, and before I knew it, Agent Smith was taking to the stage and kicking off the dancing with one of the most energetic wedding sets I’ve ever seen! If you’re looking for something a bit different, I’d definitely look them up!

Shout Outs

A big thanks to all the wedding suppliers who helped to make this day so special! Great working with you all!

Wedding dress by: https://www.rococobride.co.uk/
Hair by: Emily Davies @ http://www.salon40.co.uk/
Makeup by: Ali Gunn @ https://makeupbyali.co.uk/
Flowers by: Kelsey Cross @ https://blackboardandblossom.co.uk/
Catering by: Jenkinsons http://www.jenkinsonscaterers.co.uk/
Music by: Agent Smith https://www.functioncentral.co.uk/band/agent-smith
Venue(s): The West Mill https://thewestmillvenue.com/