Jess and Scott's West Mill Wedding Photography
Jess contacted me after I'd been booked to shoot her aunt Louise's wedding, at which she was a bridesmaid. Jess & Scott's wedding promised to be a bit different, though. Booked for 31st October, Jess had planned a Halloween theme that took full advantage of their wedding venue: the West Mill at Darley Abbey in Derby.
The West Mill wedding venue is situated in a stunning riverside location by the River Derwent. The beautiful, historic building offers unique and separate spaces over four floors, a south-facing courtyard and a walkway running alongside the river.
Jess chose a unique corpse bride look for her wedding day, with hair by the very talented Sarah from Pin Up Curl, make-up by the equally talented Natalie Flewitt and a custom dress from the award-winning Sarah Willard.
As well as hair, make-up and her dress, Jess and her Mum worked extremely hard to decorate the West Mill in Halloween wedding style, with lots of skulls, cobwebs and mock gravestones - though Jess's shoes had a different vibe to them that showcased her unique sense of style.
With everyone dressed and the guests in place, it was time for the wedding ceremony and for Scott to see his bride for the first time.
Next, it was on to the drinks reception, and a bit of informal wedding photography, before we headed out into the unseasonably sunny autumn weather for the formal photographs.
When it came time for the wedding breakfast, the Halloween theme continued with a seating plan made in the shape of a miniature graveyard and centrepieces topped by skulls.
To fill the time between the speeches and the evening reception, Jess and Scott hired a Tarot reader to entertain their guests. While the guests had their fortunes told, we sneaked off into the deserted parts of the West Mill for some shots of the couple, including a few with slightly spooky lighting.
Returning to the reception, it was time to cut the cake - which dripped blood and was topped with an anatomically accurate heart, of course - before the first dance and a party that lasted well into the night.
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