MARTIN & ALEX’S WEDDING WEEKEND IN THE PEAK DISTRICT

We love the Peak District, it’s a beautiful place for a wedding surrounded by rolling hills. These guys had YHA Hartington Hall booked for the whole weekend and filled it up with their favourite people, which is the perfect way to celebrate if you ask me. I’m so glad they invited us and choose our stop motion wedding video alongside their wedding photos.

Friends started arriving on Friday afternoon. There was a feast ready to eat as we arrrived, which was the perfect way for us meet everyone.

Getting ready for the wedding

On the wedding morning the guys got to work on the lawn setting up marquees and seats, laying out rugs and hanging bunting. before heading up to their rooms to get kitted out. They wore the colours of Martin’s reenactment regiment. This couple, and in fact almost all of the friends and family who were attending are part of this incredible troop of reenactors. It was the most fun community to be allowed into for the weekend, they’re a warm welcomes sort of people.

While the boys did the heavy lifting the girls had a couple of rooms set aside for them to get ready. With a team to do their hair and makeup, and bridesmaids to bring drinks they definitely had the sweet deal. We could watch sheep grazing from the window and it was just a short hidden walk to the lawn where wedding took place.

THE OUTDOOR WEDDING CEREMONY

The bridesmaids led the procession, collecting groomsmen as they went and were followed by Alex and her Dad.

The assembled crowd sat on the lawn, with the vows and readings taking place at the top of the stairs. They had two readings written just for them, this ceremony felt so personal. It’s been a while since we’ve seen a more emotional, cuddly exchange of vows, we loved it.

Kids played on the lawn as they signed the registers then the whole crowd clapped and cheered, even the little dog who was watching joined in barking!

They walked through a tunnel of confetti out to the front of the hall for some group photos. Their whole wedding gang gathered together is one of my favourite bits in the stop motion, there’s so much going on I spot something different every time I watch it.

Their wedding reception

After a little break for drinks and canapés we all sat by the front of the house for speeches in the open air. There was a lovely family feeling and heaps of laughs in the afternoon sun.

We took a quick break away with the two of them for some photos just across the road. The fields of sheep and big blue skies were the perfect Peak District backdrop.

Alex & Martin cut their wedding cake -actually three cakes each made by a different friend- then announced the buffet open. Guest spread out round the gardens and ate their fill. There was fun and games continually throughout the day: from conkers and tree climbing, croquet on the lawn and drinking games in the dining room later on.

Guests blew bubbles around them for their first dance, then madness pretty much filled the dance floor for the rest of the night. Their friends had heaps of skills and enthusiasm on the dance floor. Others had a more chilled out vibe, sitting chatting in the lounge next door.

We loved hearing everyones stories in the dining room the next morning (plus the YHA do an excellent cooked breakfast!)

Thanks for welcoming us into your huge, mad, wonderful family. We had a blast! - Nom