Alice & Ben had the most beautiful day at their autumn wedding at Calke Abbey. Calke Abbey weddings are pretty special as I found out for the first time in September.

Bridal Prep Fun

I joined Alice and her bridesmaids at her parents home on the wedding morning. It was so fun listening to the girls reminiscing – lots of memories from lifelong friendship. Alice’s mum had photographs of them together as children which was pretty special and great fun to look back on. Alice’s mum was emotional, and chatting to her made me think of my own girls with the realisation that time really does fly and every moment should be cherished! A mixture of emotions ran round the house as everyone got ready and it was a lovely start to an amazing day.

Church Wedding Ceremony

The wedding ceremony took place with their loved ones at Holy Rood Church, Packington. The church looked beautiful- with flowers from Flowers in the Wild displayed in huge milk urns at the entrance. Readings and singing from Alice’s sister in law made the ceremony really personal. Alice’s Grandad made it to the ceremony to watch them get married. They had a bit of time with him afterwards before he returned home. Having your Grandparents at your wedding is a really special thing and something I always love to capture.

Calke Abbey

Driving down the impressive drive through acres of the picturesque National Trust Calke Abbey estate really is something! The Riding School is a stunning Grade I listed wedding venue within the Calke Abbey estate. A beautiful rustic building with exposed brickwork and large oak beams. It has so much character and has a romantic and spacious feel with lots of festoon lights and soft white drapes dressing the amazing space.

What makes a Calke Abbey wedding really stand out is Ivy House weddings- the amazing team Emma & Rebecca that help you to plan your perfect day and make sure you have the most awesome wedding day which runs like clockwork.

Wedding Celebrations!

Alice & Ben had a relaxed drinks reception at the Riding School, enjoying canapes, card games and the lovely autumn weather. They, like most couples who book, really wanted candid, relaxed images as people enjoyed themselves. After spending time photographing their guests and the few group shots, Emma whisked us off on a golf buggy to the perfect photo spots around the grounds. As you can imagine, Calke Abbey has the most stunning places for couple portraits, and having Emma with her knowledge of the estate helped us to find the most gorgeous spots, without taking the couple away from their celebrations for too long! The late afternoon light was amazing and it was nice for Alice & Ben to have a bit of time alone before heading back for speeches and their wedding breakfast.

The relaxed fun vibe of the wedding continued into the evening with fun speeches and a brilliant live band- Pharaoh & the Beats, who had the dancefloor buzzing from the moment they started.

Planning a fun, relaxed wedding? I would love to hear from you- say hello!

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Ivy House Weddings

Flowers in the Wild

Pharaoh & The Beats

Mum and daughter hugging at bridal prep

wedding dress beading detail

bride putting on her wedding dress

bride walking down the stairs in her wedding dress

dad seeing daughter in her wedding dress

bride with bridesmaids in her garden

Holy Rood Church, Packington

Groom having his tie knotted by best man

guests hugging outside church for wedding

Bride arriving in her wedding car

bride & her father in wedding car

bride & dad getting ready for wedding outside church

bride & her dad walking down the aisle at wedding ceremony

bride & groom exchanging vows during wedding ceremony

bride & groom first kiss during wedding ceremony

bride & groom signing register at wedding ceremony

bride & groom just married, coming out of church

guests congratulating bride & groom outside church wedding

guests coming out of church wedding

couple hugging guests after wedding ceremony

Bride & groom walking through confetti outside church

bride with ehr grandad outside church

bride & groom arriving at Calke Abbey wedding

calke abbey wedding- the riding school venue

guests playing cards at calke abbey wedding

guests playing a game of cards during wedding drinks reception at the riding school

guests laughing during wedding reception in Derby

bridesmaids eating canapes at derby wedding, the riding school

the groom and groomsmen having a group photograph taken

bridesmaids and dog posing for a photograph

bride and groom walking for couple portraits at calke abbey wedding

bride and groom at derby wedding

bride & groom at calke abbey wedding

wedding couple portrait- Calke Abbey

bride & groom laughing at Derby wedding

Bride & groom at calke abbey Derby

Bride & groom walking in to wedding breakfast at the riding school

guests clapping at bride & groom entrance to wedding breakfast

groom laughing at wedding speeches, Derby wedding

mother of the bride laughing at wedding speech

bride laughing at wedding speech Ivy House weddings

guest chatting at derby wedding

guests taking selfies with props at wedding

bride and groom cutting their wedding cake- Ivy house weddings

guests dancing at wedding in derby

bride dancing at riding school wedding derby

groom dancing at wedding at calke abbey derby

guests on wedding dance floor

bride and groom posing for camera on wedding dance floor