Alex + Chris
Autumn is easily one of my favourite months for weddings - the colours, the soft light, the dark evenings, Autumn weddings just feel sumptuous and decadent, and this was no exception. With a red lip and a hollywood wave, Alex walked down the aisle to Chris at the ever stylish, The West Mill wedding venue in Derbyshire.
The West Mill is an industrial style venue, with low ceilings, red brick and lots of windows - whilst industrial may conjure images of gritty and urban, this is more understated elegance, and the perfect backdrop for creative, dark and moody florals by Harriet from Poppy Scout. Alex and the girls got ready in the bridal suite, with Amazing Grace on hair and makeup. Alex opted for the timeless and bold red lip, which looked incredible with her minimal and unique, long sleeved wedding dress by Suzanne Neville, from Frances Day Bridal. As her dad walked her down the aisle, her friend played Abba on the piano, and Chris was visibly feeling very emotional! They giggled their way through their ceremony, which led straight into confetti and drinks in the court yard. The West Mill is a beautifully convenient venue for guests to enjoy the spaces, set across 3 floors, with the ceremony on the top, the wedding breakfast in the middle, and the bottom with a bar and overspill into the court yard.
After their day, Alex and Chris told me how their portrait session was one of their favourite parts of the day - a chance for them to reconnect and take in the day, and take a step away from it all. Most people feel understandably nervous about being on camera, but your time away from your guests to have your photos taken is much more than that - it's a chance for you both to have some time together, without all the noise, and just enjoy some time alone. I wanted to create some images of them that felt really quiet and intimate, so we started on that top floor where they'd had their ceremony hours before, and used the soft window light, before heading down the drive way outside for some autumnal foliage.
For their speeches, I loved that the girls got a say, with Alex's dad, Alex the bride, the maid of honour, the groom and the best men all getting a chance to take the mic. The speeches were as hilarious as they were emotional, and really then set the mood for the evening celebrations. After the first dance, Alex got changed into her mini party dress, and it was a packed dance floor all night!
Venue - The West Mill
Florals - Poppy Scout
Makeup - Amazing Grace
Dress - Frances Day Bridal, Suzanne Neville
