Ashleigh & Josh’s Wedding at The White Hart Inn, Derbyshire

Ashleigh and Josh’s wedding at the White Hart was the sort of wedding I love photographing, relaxed, full of laughter, surrounded by the people who mattered most, and without everything having to be perfectly organised. Set in the Derbyshire countryside, The White Hart Inn is a brilliant wedding venue for couples looking for something with character and a more relaxed atmosphere. The traditional stone buildings, countryside surroundings and intimate feel give you plenty to photograph without the venue ever becoming more important than the people getting married.And for me, that's the important bit. The venue is the setting. The people are the story.Ashleigh and Josh’s day had plenty of both. The morning started with Ashleigh getting ready alongside her bridal party, with all the usual excitement, nerves and laughter before the ceremony. These quieter parts of a wedding day are some of my favourite things to photograph because nobody is really thinking about the camera. Everyone is simply getting ready, chatting, laughing and taking in what is about to happen. Josh was getting ready with his groomsmen and family, with a similarly relaxed atmosphere on his side of the morning. There was plenty of anticipation as the time for the ceremony got closer and both sides of the wedding prepared to come together. The ceremony itself was full of genuine emotion, with Ashleigh and Josh surrounded by their closest family and friends. There were the obvious moments — the vows, the rings and the first look at each other, but just as important were the reactions happening around them. The smiles. The laughter. The people trying not to cry.

Those are the things I’m looking for as a White Hart Inn wedding photographer. Not just what happens at the front, but everything happening around it.

Once the ceremony was over, the atmosphere relaxed even further. Guests gathered together for drinks and conversation while Ashleigh and Josh got the chance to properly enjoy being married. We took care of the family photographs and the photographs they wanted of the two of them, but without disappearing for ages or turning the afternoon into a photoshoot. The surroundings of The White Hart Inn, Derbyshire are particularly useful for this. There are plenty of opportunities for natural photographs around the venue and countryside without having to travel away from the celebration. Ashleigh and Josh wanted their couple photographs to feel relaxed and natural, so we kept things simple. A little time together, a walk around the surroundings and some beautiful Derbyshire light was all we needed.

Later in the day, the light softened as the sun began to drop, giving us the chance to step outside again for some evening portraits.

By this point, the nerves had gone, everyone was settled into the day and Ashleigh and Josh could simply enjoy being together for a few minutes.Then it was back to the party.

That's one of the things I love about Derbyshire wedding photography. The landscape is incredible, but you don't need to spend hours chasing photographs to make use of it. Sometimes ten minutes outside is enough. The rest of the time, you should be with your people.

Ashleigh and Josh’s wedding at The White Hart Inn was a brilliant example of how I approach weddings across Derbyshire and the Peak District. I'll make sure you get the important photographs, but I'll also be looking for the moments you didn't know were happening.

The people laughing during the speeches. The hugs. The ridiculous dance moves. The quiet moments between everything else.

Because those are often the photographs that bring the day back.

Getting Married at The White Hart Inn?

If you're planning your own wedding at The White Hart Inn in Derbyshire and you're looking for a wedding photographer who will document the day without turning it into a photoshoot, I'd love to hear from you. I'm a Peak District and Derbyshire wedding photographer and filmmaker, photographing weddings across Derbyshire and the surrounding areas. Have a look through more of my real weddings and wedding photography, and if you like what you see, get in touch and tell me about your plans.

No hard sell. No awkward presentation. Just a conversation about your wedding.