Kirsty and Chris’s Wedding at Donington Park Farmhouse
Some weddings are just full of personality, laughter and the kind of moments that make you smile long after the day is over. Kirsty and Chris's wedding at Donington Park Farmhouse was definitely one of them!
I'd already had the pleasure of photographing their engagement shoot, which included their two adorable dogs, so it was lovely to be there again to capture their wedding day. This was my second time photographing at Donington Park Farmhouse, and it's a venue I was genuinely delighted to return to.
With Kirsty's gorgeous purple hair, fabulous tattoos and Chris's cheeky personality, these two brought their own style and character to the day. Add in a little British weather, plenty of laughter and a ceilidh to finish the evening, and you have a wedding that was an absolute joy to photograph.
Wedding morning preparations
The morning began with Kirsty and her bridal party getting ready, and there was no shortage of giggles and excitement as the final preparations took place.
Wedding mornings are always lovely to photograph because there's so much happening. Friends and family are together, the anticipation is building, and there are all those little moments that might seem ordinary at the time but become part of the story you'll look back on for years to come.
My friend Julie was photographing Chris and his side of the wedding party during the morning preparations, which meant we could capture both sides of the story as everything came together.
Working alongside another photographer is such a lovely way to document a wedding. While one of us captures the moments unfolding in one place, the other can be there for something happening elsewhere, helping to tell a fuller story of the day.
A wedding at Donington Park Farmhouse
Donington Park Farmhouse is a lovely venue for a wedding, with its countryside setting and characterful surroundings. This was my second visit, and it was wonderful to be back photographing another couple celebrating there.
The weather, however, had other ideas!
Rain came and went throughout the day, but Kirsty and Chris weren't about to let that spoil anything. Wedding days rarely go exactly to plan when it comes to the British weather, and there's only so much you can control. The important thing is making the most of whatever the day brings.
And that's exactly what we did.
Making the most of a little sunshine
We were eventually treated to a window of around 40 minutes when the sunshine appeared, so we made the most of every minute!
It was the perfect opportunity to get outside for some couple portraits and group photographs before the rain returned. Sometimes you have to be ready to grab those opportunities when they come along, and I'm always happy to work around the conditions rather than let them dictate the whole day.
I love photographs that feel natural and relaxed, where couples can enjoy a little time together without feeling as though they're spending their entire wedding being posed and directed.
Kirsty and Chris were brilliant, and it was lovely to capture photographs of them together as well as the people who had come to celebrate with them.
The little moments that make a wedding
For me, photographing a wedding is about so much more than the formal photographs.
It's the laughter during the preparations, the hugs between friends, the conversations happening in the background and the reactions to all the little details that make a day personal.
At Kirsty and Chris's wedding, there was so much character to capture, from the couple themselves to the atmosphere created by their friends and family. The speeches were a particular highlight, bringing together heartfelt words and plenty of humour. There was no shortage of belly laughter!
These are the moments I love documenting. They aren't necessarily planned, and they don't need to be. They're simply part of what makes your wedding day yours.
A ceilidh to finish the day
As the evening got underway, the celebrations continued with a ceilidh band provided by friends of the couple.
If you've never been to a ceilidh, you're in for a treat! There's something wonderful about watching everyone get involved, with plenty of movement, laughter and the occasional bit of confusion as people work out where they're supposed to be going.
The energy was infectious, and it was a brilliant way for Kirsty and Chris and their guests to round off the day.
After all the excitement, the rain and those precious moments of sunshine, the evening was full of life and laughter. It was a lovely reminder that a wedding doesn't have to follow a particular formula to be memorable. The best celebrations are the ones that reflect the people at the heart of them.
A few memories from Kirsty and Chris's wedding
I've put together a slideshow of Kirsty and Chris's wedding, followed by a selection of photographs from throughout the day.
From the morning preparations to the speeches, couple portraits and ceilidh, I hope these photographs give you a little glimpse into what made their wedding so special.
It was a real pleasure to photograph Kirsty and Chris's wedding at Donington Park Farmhouse, and I'm grateful to have been part of such a fun-filled day.
Planning your own wedding at Donington Park Farmhouse?
If Kirsty and Chris's wedding has shown you anything, it's that your day doesn't need perfect weather or a carefully choreographed schedule to be full of wonderful memories.
If you're getting married at Donington Park Farmhouse or planning a wedding elsewhere in Derbyshire, Leicestershire or the East Midlands, I'd love to hear about it.
My approach is relaxed and documentary-led, capturing the real moments, the laughter, the happy tears and all the little things that make your wedding yours. You can spend your time enjoying your favourite people while I capture the story as it unfolds.
Whether you're planning a relaxed barn wedding, bringing your dogs along for the celebrations or simply want photographs that feel natural and full of life, I'd love to hear what you're planning.
Get in touch and tell me all about your wedding. Let's create photographs that bring it all back for years to come.
