Peak District Wedding | Nicky & Andy

Nicky and Andy’s Peak District wedding was so much more than just a wedding. It was a beautiful, relaxed, well-planned weekend getaway in their favourite part of the country with their favourite people in the world.

The weekend kicked off on the Friday night as guests began to arrive at the beautiful YHA Hartington Hall from around the country. This spectacular 17th century manor house is definitely not your typical youth hostel. The buildings and grounds are absolutely stunning, but it’s the quiet, secluded location that really makes it special. It’s the sort of place that when you drive in the gate, you immediately feel lighter, happier, less tense and more relaxed. And you get the unmistakeable sense that you’re in for a damn good time while you’re there.

Friday night dinner and drinks with the early arrivers was followed on Saturday morning by a hike through the Peak District’s rolling countryside, led, map in hand, by the groom himself. What better way to kick off your wedding day! Back at Hartington Hall, Nicky was as relaxed as any bride I’ve ever seen as she got ready with her beautiful bridesmaids and her twirling, whirling flower-girl.

By early afternoon, Andy (and more than a few others) were fighting to hold back tears as Nicky’s dad, Nigel, walked her down the aisle and into the arms of the man she’d soon be calling her husband.

Following the beautiful outdoor ceremony, guests gathered in the garden for a cocktail hour that felt more like one big family get-together. Old friends caught up and shared a laugh, kids of all ages ran and jumped and danced and played, and Nicky and Andy just soaked in the awesomeness of their perfect wedding day.

Throughout the afternoon, Nicky, Andy and I snuck away on a couple of occasions to capture some pictures of the two of them in the picturesque Peak District landscape. And it was during these moments that they had the chance to stop, breathe and then smile uncontrollably as they looked at each other and realised that they had just started the rest of their lives together.

As the sun went down and the music started pumping, an incredible and energetic first dance performance by Nicky and Andy was the spark that got the party started… a party that didn’t stop until the wee, wee hours of Sunday morning.

Nicky and Andy, people like you and weddings like yours are good for the soul. Thank you for letting me be there to capture such an amazing weekend of friends, family, love, moments and memories.