Christmas Wedding Inspiration - The West Mill
I think if you were going to ask Emily & Jake about having a wedding 4 days before Christmas, they would tell you to simply RUN with the theme. Last year, I photographed the most beautifully festive winter wedding at The West Mill…, the energy was so high all day - definitely thanks to the couple - but it highlighted what a great time it is to get married just before Christmas.
Emily & Jakes wedding took place at The West Mill in Derby, a venue I have frequented many times as a wedding photographer and have the blessing of being a recommended supplier. It’s perfectly suited for all weathers, the courtyard and river bank to enjoy during the drinks reception on a dry day with plenty of indoor space on a cold December wedding. Amazingly, we got a little bit of both on this day. Emily, Jake & their families embraced the outdoors for portraits and confetti before heading in to mulled wine and canapés.
Emily & Jake had such a great, relaxed energy which is 100% the reason their guests felt the same way. When you’re the couple getting married, you may not be ‘hosting’ but you are ‘the main event’. Guests will be mirroring your energy, and that’s exactly what was happening here. On the wind down to Christmas, everyone was ready to relax and have a great time which made capturing candid photos during the drinks reception so easy.
After their couple portraits, we headed in to the wedding breakfast. Twelve tables, each named after the gift my true love gave to me, were adorned with crackers, napkins folded into Christmas trees, Santa hat topped wine bottles, and a special gift for one member of each table…
A standout idea that’s absolutely worth borrowing was their festive ‘host-a-roast’ wedding breakfast. Each table had its own designated carver—complete with a Christmas-themed hat or outfit—who took charge when sharing platters and whole turkeys were brought out for them to carve and serve.
This festive wedding was nothing short of festive, but given Christmas was in 4 days time, it was embraced wholly with the lighthearted spirit it was intended.
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