A sun-soaked weekend wedding at Hargate Hall in the Peak District. Ben & Nienke’s day was full of sunflowers, stained glass, heartfelt vows and a dance floor that didn’t stop, with Ben even getting behind the drums!
Tucked away in the beautiful Peak District, just a short drive from Buxton, you’ll find the stunning Hargate Hall. On 15th August it played host to a very special day: Ben & Nienke were getting married!
I’ve known Ben since university, and he’s been absolutely smitten with Nienke from day one. The two of them have shared so many adventures, including an incredible trip to Peru earlier this year, so it felt only right that their wedding was a whole-weekend affair. They’d hired Hargate Hall for the entire weekend (because why not!) and even managed to bag glorious sunshine the whole way through. In the Peak District, that’s no mean feat!
I love a weekend wedding where everyone stays on site. With most guests arriving the day before, the wedding morning feels so much more relaxed. Everyone can enjoy a slow start getting ready, the couple gets real quality time with the people they love, and the party is always legendary because no one has to worry about getting home!
The Morning of 15th August...While the rest of the guests busied themselves getting ready and catching up, and a few wonderful family members set up for the day, Nienke was getting ready with her mum. Her brother painted her nails while her mum styled her hair. Her dress hung at the top of the window, and her sunflower bouquet sat on the coffee table beside a little basket of confetti.
Meanwhile, Ben was running through the vows he’d written for Nienke. He was so excited, and maybe just a little nervous, about the hours ahead. Before heading down, the boys had their photos taken in front of Hargate Hall’s beautiful stained-glass windows.
The CeremonyGuests gathered for the outdoor ceremony, and the wedding party, made their way down the aisle, followed by the flower girls in white, who were the sweetest things. Then came Nienke on her dad’s arm, and it’s safe to say there were a few tears.
Ben and Nienke shared a knowing look as they came face to face. Their vows were perfect, and just as Nienke began to read hers, the sun broke through and lit her up!
The Reception...After the ceremony, Ben and Nienke snuck away for a few quiet moments together while the guests gathered at the front of the house. Then the newlyweds stepped out onto the terrace to a huge cheer and a sprinkle of confetti!
Drinks flowed as guests played games and caught up in the sunshine. Meanwhile, we rounded everyone up for group photos and grabbed some lovely portraits of Nienke on Hargate Hall’s beautiful grand staircase.
Wedding Breakfast in the MarqueeThe speeches were some of the best I’ve heard. Nienke’s dad, Ben’s dad, the best men and Ben and Nienke themselves all took a turn, and there was plenty of laughter, a few tears and lots of cheering. Then there was the cake, which was beautifully decorated with sunflowers to match Nienke’s bouquet and topped with little Lego versions of the couple, complete with Ben on drums!
After dinner, everyone headed out onto the lawn for a game of ‘Who Knows Them Best?’, which went down a treat!
Evening Celebrations...The sun set beautifully over the Peak District, and we got some impromptu group pictures. What followed was a shockingly good first dance! We danced in the hall for hours with an amazing DJ. Ben even got behind the drums - the cake wasn’t wrong!
Thank you Ben and NienkeBen and Nienke, thank you so much for having me as part of your wedding day. It was an absolute honour to photograph two people I care about so much, surrounded by the people who love you most. From the sunflowers and the stained glass to the speeches and Ben on the drums, it was a day full of joy, laughter and so much love. I can’t wait to see where your next adventure takes you!
