Not every wedding needs a grand venue, hundreds of guests or a carefully planned running order. Sometimes, all you need is a handful of your favourite people, a beautiful location and a good pair of walking boots!
Sarah and Derek chose to celebrate their marriage in a rather special way, with an intimate ceremony at the top of Thorpe Cloud, overlooking Dovedale in the beautiful Derbyshire Peak District.
And what a setting it was!
A Wedding With a View
We met at Dovedale car park in the heart of the Peak District, where Sarah and Derek's closest family and friends had gathered for the occasion.
With everyone suitably dressed for the climb, we set off together towards the summit of Thorpe Cloud.
It's a bit of a trek to the top, particularly when you're dressed for a wedding, but the views across Dovedale and the surrounding Derbyshire countryside are absolutely worth the effort.
What made the day even more special was that Sarah and Derek had a little secret. They'd quietly taken care of the legal formalities the week before, leaving them free to celebrate their marriage exactly how they wanted.
And their choice? A symbolic ceremony at the top of Thorpe Cloud, surrounded by their favourite people and some of the most spectacular scenery in Derbyshire.
Sarah's brother-in-law led the ceremony, which included some lovely personal words and an exchange of rings.
No traditional wedding venue, no strict timetable, and certainly no fuss. Just a genuinely lovely celebration in a pretty extraordinary location.
Sandwiches, Whisky and a Few Photographs
After the ceremony, it was time for a little celebration. Forget the traditional wedding breakfast; this one involved sandwiches and a well-earned whisky chaser at the top of a hill!
We made the most of the spectacular surroundings for a few relaxed photographs of Sarah and Derek together, along with some group shots of everyone who'd made the climb.
Then, just as we'd arrived, we all made our way back down the hillside together.
It was a short wedding celebration, but a really memorable one. A brilliant reminder that you can celebrate getting married however you like, and sometimes keeping things simple makes it all the more special.
Congratulations again, Sarah and Derek!
Planning an Intimate Wedding or Elopement in the Peak District?
Whether you're dreaming of exchanging vows on a hilltop, celebrating with a handful of your closest friends and family, or planning something a little different in the Derbyshire countryside, I'd love to hear about it.
I offer relaxed, natural Peak District wedding photography, including shorter coverage for intimate weddings and elopements. No awkward posing or unnecessary fuss. Just beautiful photographs of your day, exactly as it happened.
