Catholic Church & Tutbury Castle Wedding Photography | Staffordshire
May 2022 was a busy and memorable month for weddings and I had the opportunity to assist my friend Holly Jo Photography once again for a beautiful Catholic wedding in Derbyshire.
The day began with groom preparations before heading to the stunning St Mary’s & St Modwen’s Catholic Church for a traditional and heartfelt ceremony. It was a beautiful service filled with emotion, family and timeless moments that reflected the importance of the occasion.
Following the ceremony, the celebrations continued at the remarkable Tutbury Castle, one of Staffordshire’s most historic and atmospheric wedding venues. With origins dating back to the Norman period, the castle has played an important role in English history. It was once visited by kings and queens and even held Mary, Queen of Scots, who was imprisoned there for a short time adding a truly unique sense of heritage to the setting.
The castle grounds offered a relaxed and joyful atmosphere for guests, with lawn games including Jenga, Connect Four, limbo and football bringing a playful energy to the day. It was wonderful to see guests of all ages enjoying the space and celebrating together.
One of the standout features of Tutbury Castle is its incredible photography opportunities. The elevated position of the castle provides sweeping views and a dramatic backdrop, particularly when the light softens later in the day. These quieter, golden moments are some of my favourites to capture where natural, candid storytelling really comes to life.
As the day unfolded, I focused on documenting authentic interactions, natural emotion, and the atmosphere of the celebration creating a genuine visual story of the wedding day.
On a personal note, I later discovered that my daughter had attended college with the groom many years ago, which made the day feel even more connected in a small and unexpected way.
Tutbury Castle remains one of those venues that stays with you, rich in history, character and photographic potential. It is always a privilege to photograph weddings in such a unique setting and I would love the opportunity to return in the future.
If you’re drawn to natural, documentary-style wedding photography that focuses on real moments and honest storytelling, I’d love to hear from you. I take on a limited number of weddings each year across Staffordshire and the UK.
