Colourful Summer Wedding at The River Mill, Derby - Annie & James

Kicking off July with an absolute beauty at The River Mill in Derby—this one was full of heart, colour, and completely them from start to finish. If you’re dreaming of a relaxed summer wedding with zero stress, big personality, and colour everywhere, then grab a cuppa and settle in—this is one for the Pinterest board.

The River Mill: A Derby wedding venue full of charm

The River Mill has fast become one of my favourite Derby wedding venues. With its industrial-luxe interiors, soft natural light, and riverside setting, it’s the kind of space that’s beautiful on its own but also super flexible—ideal for couples wanting to make it their own. And this couple absolutely did.

A wedding theme in full bloom: Pink, orange, joy

From the second I arrived, the colour palette stole the show. Think pink and orange bridesmaids dresses, mismatched and totally gorgeous—each one chosen individually by the bridesmaids, which I love. It gave the whole day such a laid-back, personal feel.

The vibe was unapologetically fun and vibrant. There were pink, red, and white paper confetti cannons ready to go after the ceremony, which made for the most joyful moment—100% one of my favourite confetti shots to date. The photos are full of movement, laughter, and pure “just married” chaos. Dreamy.

Candid wedding photography at its best

The focus of their wedding photography was all about natural, documentary-style moments. They didn’t want hours of posed photos—just the real stuff. The hugs. The tears. The dance floor madness. The in-between glances.

As a documentary wedding photographer in Derby, that’s exactly my jam. I spent the day blending into the background, capturing all the moments as they unfolded. The nervous anticipation before the ceremony, the unfiltered happiness during speeches, that quick mid-dance snack break—those are the memories that matter. The ones you’ll look back on and feel.

A relaxed wedding with a focus on people

Everything about this day was rooted in connection. Friends, family, and love in all its big and small ways. The couple kept things super relaxed—no rigid timeline, no fuss, just a big celebration of their story with the people who mean the most to them.

The speeches were full of belly laughs and beautiful words, and the evening was all about great music and dancing like no one was watching (though of course, I was—with a camera).

Planning your own wedding at The River Mill?

If you're thinking about having your wedding at The River Mill in Derby, or you’re planning a colourful, non-traditional wedding anywhere in the East Midlands, I’d love to hear from you. Whether you’re going all-in on a bold colour palette or keeping it simple with a few DIY touches, it’s your day—and I’m all about telling the story your way.

Get in touch if you’re looking for candid wedding photography that feels like you. No awkward posing. No pressure. Just honest, joy-filled memories.

Planning your wedding and like what you see? Click below and get the ball rolling…