Derby’s not a bad little old city, you know. I’ve lived within 20 minutes of Derby all my life, but whenever I’m talking to people about this area, I always seem to mention that I’m lucky to only be 25 minutes from the Derbyshire Peak District and all the lovely venues there.

I’m also really lucky to be just 20 minutes down the road from one of the foremost industrial wedding venues in the country, the fabulous West Mill, Derby.

Here are a few images from a wonderful styled photoshoot I got to be a part of recently at the fabulous Farmhouse & Folly, Mackworth, near Derby.

The Farmhouse & Folly is a venue I’ve visited for many years. In fact, it’s where I shot my first civil ceremony when it became legal to marry anywhere, not just in church. Needless to say, that’s a very, VERY long time ago!

Beth & Tez (nobody calls him Terry!) got married on a scorching summer’s day at the lovely Swancar Farm just outside Nottingham.

Blackbrook House is a charming boutique country house wedding venue just outside of Belper. It’s set in a hillside surrounded by woodlands with a perfect garden and lawn area for drinkies and photographs after the ceremony.

I’ve been a fan of shooting weddings at Morley Hayes for many years – since they first started offering wedding receptions and then ceremonies.

Ah the month of March… Great if you love ‘interesting’ weather! Katy & Chris’s day certainly had plenty of weather, I counted five snowstorms through the afternoon, in between which the sun shone gloriously.

It’s always of great importance that I get on with my couples. We have to be on the same wavelength creatively, and as soon as I met Gemma & Sean I knew we’d get on!

Now before I get into anything else, take a second, scroll back up, LOOK AT THE JOY in that top photograph, and realise that there is still something to celebrate and be positive about.