Wedding of Cat and Steven at The West Mill Derby

Wedding at the West Mill, Darley Abbey Mills, Derby

On the 28th of February I was honoured to photograph the whole of Cat and Steven’s wedding day at the beautiful West Mill, Darley Abbey Mills, Derby. This Grade 1 listed venue was once a cotton mill and looks out over the river Derwent. It was a privilege to be part of such an intimate wedding. With only 28 of the couple’s nearest and dearest there for the vows, the ceremony felt genuinely special. The West Mill can seat hundreds, yet with just family and close friends in attendance it never felt empty.

Arrival of the bride

At eleven in the morning the bride, bridesmaids and flower girl arrived. One of the good things about the West Mill is the private suite, which lets the bridal party get ready in comfort and privacy. It was a little chaotic, with laughter and giggles throughout, helped along by some bubbles to settle the nerves. First ready was Evie, the lovely, vivacious flower girl, who couldn’t wait to be part of the day and was more than happy to have her photograph taken.

Soon the groom and best men, yes, there were two, arrived in good time, which let me take some small group shots before the ceremony.

The Ceremony

The guests were greeted on the third floor of the mill, a fine room with old flagstone flooring and a vaulted ceiling, ideal for a ceremony. Before Cat’s entrance, the five bridesmaids, Lyndsey, Sadie, Alex, Stacey and Sally, all in a striking emerald green, then the charismatic pageboy, Noah, and the flower girl, Evie, made their way down the aisle. The emerald green, plum and sunflower yellow theme was a lovely choice, especially for the flower arrangements and bouquets. Then came the star of the show. Cat was walked down the aisle by her father, Robert, every inch the proper Derbyshire farmer, proud, rosy-cheeked and full of good humour. It was a joy to watch Cat. She looked to be having the time of her life and was completely in her element. I don’t think she stopped beaming all day. Her dress, which she had altered entirely herself, looked wonderful.

After the ceremony there was time for some small group shots, and plenty of space for everyone to relax, catch up and have a few celebratory drinks.

Wedding breakfast

The West Mill’s in-house caterers served a fine, seasonal meal: asparagus soup, sliced roast leg of pork, and for dessert the ultimate crowd-pleaser, stacks of pancakes with all the traditional trimmings, a fitting nod to Shrove Tuesday.

After the wedding breakfast it was time for the best men’s speech, a part of the day I always look forward to. Both best men took part, which was a little unconventional but made for a thoroughly enjoyable and very funny few minutes. I thought they were brilliant, and they had some guests in tears of laughter. They explained how Cat and Steve met online through Plenty of Fish, and how he rather romantically travelled all the way to China to surprise Cat by proposing on the Great Wall.

Evening Reception

What began as a small, intimate wedding grew into a joyous celebration, with many more friends and family joining the newlyweds on the second floor of the mill.

Once everyone had arrived it was time to cut the cake, and what a cake it was. Hanging upside down from the ceiling, it had a real wow factor and was one of many quirky touches that made the day stand out. Then came the first dance, which was special in more ways than one. Cat and Steven had practised and rehearsed it beforehand, and their chosen song, ‘You and I’ originally by Ingrid Michaelson, was performed live by the excellent singer Morgan Richter. It was a joy to watch and to photograph, and I’m sure the guests will remember it for years. The rest of the party joined them on the dance floor and danced the night away to the excellent disco from Daniel of Inferno Disco & Karaoke.

It goes without saying that I wish Cat and Steven the very best as they start their life together. They make a perfect couple, and I look forward to hearing what the future holds for them.

  • A brick courtyard surrounded by converted industrial mill buildings with white windows and outdoor seating areas.
  • Women celebrating at a party in front of a large mirror with wooden frame and hanging Edison bulbs, holding drinks.
  • A young girl with blonde hair wearing a cream dress and white flower headband sits at a grand piano, smiling at the camera.
  • A makeup artist applies cosmetics to a young girl at a vanity mirror with lit bulbs, surrounded by other people in a dressing room.
  • A woman in a dark dress walks down an aisle with two young children, holding flowers, in an industrial brick venue with pendant lights.
  • Two bridesmaids in teal dresses holding bouquets walk through a modern venue with pendant lights and wooden beams.
  • A bride in an ornate beaded gown and veil stands with a man in a suit at what appears to be a wedding ceremony indoors.
  • A bride in an ornate cream dress and netting fascinator exchanges rings with a groom in a burgundy suit during a wedding ceremony.
  • A bride in a beaded cream dress and vintage-style veil smiles at the camera while speaking with a groom in a burgundy suit at an indoor wedding venue.
  • A bride and groom embrace at their wedding reception, with the bride wearing a beaded ivory dress and decorative veil with flowers.
  • A couple share a kiss at their wedding reception. The groom wears a burgundy suit and the bride wears an embellished cream dress with a netted headpiece adorned with white flowers.
  • A bride and groom signing the register at their wedding, with fairy lights and curtains behind them.
  • A bride in a beaded dress and veil signs a register while the groom watches, seated at a table with decorative mugs.
  • A bride and groom walk down the aisle of a brick-walled venue with hanging pendant lights, guests seated on either side.
  • Wedding photograph of a bride and groom laughing under confetti outside The West Mill
  • Newlyweds exit a brick building amid confetti shower, bride in cream lace dress with red fascinator, groom in burgundy suit.
  • A bride and groom holding champagne flutes stand in a modern venue while someone photographs them on a mobile phone.
  • A bride and groom stand together in the centre of a brick-walled ceremony room with wooden chairs lining both sides and pendant lights overhead.
  • A bride and groom sit together holding hands in leather wingback chairs beside a round table in an industrial brick interior.
  • A bride and groom stand together in a modern elevator, smiling at the camera. Black and white photograph.
  • Man in waistcoat holding a glass of rosé wine at a formal dinner party, with other guests visible in the background.
  • A bride and groom cutting their wedding cake together at an indoor venue with exposed brick walls.
  • A bride and groom dance together at their wedding reception while guests watch from the sides of a wooden dance floor.
  • A bride and groom dance together in a hall whilst guests watch. A live band plays on the left. Coloured lights and stage lighting illuminate the space.
  • People dancing in a brick-walled venue with neon lighting. A woman in a red dress dances with a man in a pink shirt.
  • People dancing at an indoor party with coloured lighting, brick walls, and neon signs overhead.

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