A Tale of Two Ceremonies: Corrinne & Nick’s West Mill Wedding

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ALL ABOUT Jon

I'm Jon: tea-lover, husband, father, photographer, writer, book-worm, teacher, cricket-watcher, Peak-District explorer. Not necessarily in that order!
I cover weddings all over the UK (and occasionally abroad) and tell the story of each day - moment by moment.

I'm Jon

As a wedding photographer in Derby, I’ve been fortunate to capture many incredible weddings, but Corrinne and Nick’s West Mill wedding was truly one for the books. From heartwarming, unique moments to happy bursts of laughter, this wedding perfectly showcased the couple’s personalities and the love they share.

A Calm and Relaxing Morning

I arrived at Nick and Corrinne’s beautiful house to find a calm and relaxed atmosphere. The lovely bride and her bridesmaids were in the midst of having their hair (www.nicolahodgkinson.co.uk) and makeup (www.makeupbytg.co.uk) finished in the kitchen, where a selection of breakfast pastries and fruit added to the warm, welcoming vibe. I always find pastries to be welcome – any time, any place!

While Corrinne got ready, a funny moment occurred when Nick called his mum about a shirt mix-up for his best man, Fred. Fred is quite tall… but his shirt apparently wasn’t! Panic ensued as we all tried to work out where to get a new matching shirt at short notice. Nick’s mum sprang into action as all good mums do and set up the ironing board to prepare an emergency shirt just in case. Then, the phone rang again: it turned out Nick and Fred had just swapped suit bags by mistake, and the ironing board was quickly put away again.

Two Ceremonies: A Touch of Intimacy and a Celebration of Love

The West Mill Wedding Venue, located in Darley Abbey Mills, Derby, was the perfect setting for Corrinne and Nick’s big day. This stunning venue is known for its beautiful vintage details (see if you can find the 18th-century graffiti etched into a window pane on the top floor) and charming ambience, which perfectly complemented the couple’s beautiful ceremony. Well, ceremonies actually!

Corrinne and Nick chose to have two separate ceremonies – a smaller, intimate legal ceremony with a registrar, followed by a larger celebration ceremony. During the legal ceremony, Corrinne wore a lovely pink dress, saving her wedding gown reveal for the celebration ceremony. The couple’s mums acted as witnesses, while Corrinne’s dad and brother watched in comfort from wing-back chairs at the back of the room.

Once the legal ceremony concluded, the guests took their places for the celebration ceremony, led by the couple’s friend and Best Woman, Annie. Corrinne and Nick read their own vows, adding a personal touch to the proceedings that truly reflected their love and commitment. The idea of having your best friend as your celebrant was a lovely touch and worked really well – even if it was touch and go as to whether everyone would make it through the ceremony without blubbing happy tears!

A ceremony at the west mill wedding venue

A Confetti-Filled Courtyard and a Danish Wedding Tradition

After the celebration ceremony, Corrinne, Nick and their guests headed to The West Mill’s courtyard for confetti and group photos. The joy and excitement were palpable as the newlyweds were showered with love and well-wishes – and a lot of confetti! I always tell couples to just smile and pretend they’re enjoying themselves as people throw (mostly) confetti at them, and there are always some great reaction photos!

We had to dodge a couple of early Spring showers during the group photos, but otherwise the weather was good to us all day.

An old-school photo booth added a touch of nostalgia and fun to the drinks reception, giving guests the opportunity to create lasting memories while celebrating the happy couple.

During the speeches after the wedding breakfast, Corrinne and Nick took part in a Danish wedding tradition that I hadn’t seen before. The couple stood on chairs, kissed, held hands, and then jumped off their chairs to “leap into their futures together.” This unique and heartwarming moment perfectly encapsulated the spirit of their special day.

An Evening of Laughter, Dancing, and a Memorable First Dance

The evening reception was full of laughter, dancing (good and… terrible), and unforgettable moments. Corrinne and Nick shared their first dance as husband and wife, surrounded by their friends and family. The live band (Playlist) performed two awesome 60-minute sessions, while a DJ set kept guests entertained during breaks and afterwards.

First Dance at the west mill exclusive wedding venue

Capturing the Love and Joy of Corrinne and Nick’s West Mill Wedding Day

As their wedding photographer, it was an absolute pleasure to capture the many magical moments of Corrinne and Nick’s West Mill wedding. From the intimate legal ceremony to the laughter-filled reception, this special day showcased the couple’s unique personalities and the love they share.

The West Mill provided a stunning backdrop, as always, with its classic, vintage details and enchanting atmosphere. Throughout the day, I made sure to capture the memorable touches that made their wedding truly their own.

Scroll down to see a selection of photographs which I think tell the story of their day, or watch the slideshow video here:

A Beautiful West Mill Wedding Day to Remember

Corrinne and Nick’s West Mill wedding was a beautiful celebration filled with laughter, love, and unforgettable moments. It was an honour to be a part of their special day and capture the memories that they will cherish for a lifetime.

Get in Touch for Your Dream Wedding Photography

Are you planning your own wedding and looking for a photographer to capture the magic of your special day? I’d love to help! As a Derby-based wedding photographer with a passion for telling love stories, I’m committed to creating stunning, heartfelt images that you’ll treasure forever. Get in touch with me today to discuss your wedding photography needs.