A Sunflower Wedding at The West Mill Derby | Wedding Photography

There are some weddings where the details just seem to bring everything together, and this sunflower-filled wedding at The West Mill in Darley Abbey was definitely one of them. With bright yellow sunflowers, sunshine, outdoor games and a really relaxed atmosphere, it was a lovely day to photograph alongside Holly Jo Photography.

My day actually started in Alfreton, photographing the groom getting ready at home before heading over to The West Mill in Darley Abbey.

I really enjoy photographing the preparations because they give you a chance to see the people behind the wedding before everything gets underway. There was plenty of the usual excitement and anticipation, along with the conversations and general getting ready chaos that makes this part of the day so much fun to photograph.

Once I arrived at The West Mill, the sunflowers immediately caught my eye.

They were everywhere, from the bouquets and buttonholes to the table details, and they worked so well against the character of this old industrial mill. The bright yellow brought a lovely splash of colour to the stone and brickwork and suited the sunshine perfectly.

The West Mill is such an interesting wedding venue to photograph because there are so many different spaces and textures to work with. The old industrial character gives you something completely different from a traditional country house, while the riverside setting and courtyard provide plenty of opportunities to get outside.

The ceremony was full of those lovely moments that happen naturally at weddings. There were laughs, a few tears and plenty of emotion as the couple exchanged their vows, and I was there to capture those moments as they happened rather than turning everything into a series of posed photographs.

After the ceremony, everyone headed outside to enjoy the sunshine. Guests mingled, drinks were enjoyed and there were outdoor games in the courtyard, which gave the afternoon a really relaxed feel.

This is probably one of my favourite things about photographing weddings. Give people a bit of space, good weather and some friends and family to spend time with and you get some brilliant photographs without having to direct every second of the day.

There were also some familiar faces among the guests, including one of my previous wedding couples who were there celebrating with the family. It's always lovely to bump into couples I've photographed before, especially when they are enjoying another wedding together.

The speeches brought plenty more laughter and some lovely moments before I wrapped up my time with the couple. By then the party was really getting started, so I left them to enjoy the rest of their evening.

I photographed this wedding alongside Holly Jo Photography and, although it was Holly's booking, I worked independently throughout the day, photographing and editing my own images. It's given me another opportunity to experience The West Mill from behind the camera and to add another very different wedding to my portfolio from this fantastic Derbyshire venue.

And if I'm honest, I'd absolutely love the chance to photograph one of my own couples at The West Mill one day.

For now, though, I'm very happy to have another West Mill wedding in the portfolio, especially one involving quite so many sunflowers!

Getting married at The West Mill?

If you're planning your wedding at The West Mill in Darley Abbey, I'd love to hear from you.

I photograph weddings in a relaxed and unobtrusive way, giving you plenty of time to enjoy the people around you while I capture the moments as they happen. A little direction when you need it, but nothing that takes over your day.

I've photographed weddings at The West Mill as a second photographer and would love the opportunity to return for one of my own couples.

If you like what you see here and think we might be a good fit, get in touch and tell me a little about your plans.