ALL SAINTS CHURCH, RIPLEY WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY
Julia and David’s wedding was truly unforgettable—complete with goats, swords, and even a cake served from a JCB!
My day began early at the Purple Palace in Matlock—also known as the Premier Inn for those unfamiliar—since the bridal prep started bright and early, requiring an overnight stay. Julia had thoughtfully booked a charming Airbnb cottage with breathtaking views over the Derbyshire Dales, where she and her bridal party spent the night before the wedding and planned to relax afterward.
With a 12 pm ceremony scheduled, the morning was a whirlwind from 9 am onward, as friends took turns getting their hair and makeup done in a perfectly timed sequence. It was like a well-coordinated operation to ensure everyone was picture-ready on time!
The wedding was deeply emotional throughout, and I was honored to capture a particularly touching moment between Julia and her Uncle Felix as she stepped into her wedding dress—one of the many heartfelt images from this special day.
The ceremony took place at All Saints Church in Ripley, a venue close to my heart, having photographed there during my first year as a wedding photographer back in 2017. Returning to this beautiful church felt like coming full circle.
With David serving in the Navy, formal officer suits were a must, along with the ceremonial swords—more on that memorable detail shortly!
The wedding ceremony was beautifully intimate and deeply personal for Julia and David, especially meaningful since it took place in David’s own church. After the legal vows were exchanged, the newly married couple proudly walked back down the aisle together, marking the start of their married life.
While Julia and David waited inside the church, their family and friends gathered outside, ready to celebrate with confetti. But before the joyful toss, the traditional military sword salute was performed—a powerful tribute honoring David’s service and adding a unique touch to the ceremony.
Then came the unforgettable confetti moment. Most guests carefully sprinkle confetti from the packets, but one of Julia’s best friends opted for full theatrical flair—sending the entire packet flying and hitting David squarely in the face! It was a hilarious and candid moment that added a fun, lighthearted memory to their wedding day—though David might have been slightly less amused than the rest of us!
Julia didn't want to wait to long at the Church; she was eager for everyone to head over to David’s family farm and enjoy the unique DIY wedding that Julia had planned and worked hard to create.
I was truly amazed by the incredible transformation of the family farm into a stunning wedding reception venue. The vision and flawless execution were spectacular—clearly, a tremendous amount of love and effort went into making the day absolutely perfect.
Once all the guests had arrived and taken their seats, it was time for the wedding speeches. And let me tell you—an impressive one hour and 45 minutes of heartfelt speeches! While that might sound long for wedding speeches, the time simply flew by. Each speaker shared touching and hilarious stories, keeping everyone engaged and entertained from start to finish. Capturing these genuine moments was an absolute highlight of the day.
The early evening kicked off with the traditional cake cut on a non-traditional JCB… another unique idea which worked so well, and obvs made sense to cut the cake with a sword.
After the cake cutting, the celebration moved to the central courtyard of the farm for the couple’s first dance. The atmosphere was magical as a talented Big Band played their chosen first dance song, setting the tone for an unforgettable evening. As the sun set, the band kept the energy high, rocking the rest of the night and creating the perfect soundtrack for this beautiful farm wedding reception.
SOME KIND WORDS FROM JULIA & DAVID
“Andy was such a brilliant photographer, the photos were completely mind-blowing and exactly what we wanted. The guests also loved him :)”
-Julia & David
HOW ABOUT SOME MORE ALL SAINTS CHURCH, RIPLEY WEDDING PHOTOS?
I HOPE YOU LIKED THESE DIY FARM WEDDING PHOTOS?
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ALL SAINTS CHURCH, RIPLEY LOCATION AND INFORMATION
Address - Church St, Ripley DE5 3BU.
Contact Info - http://www.allsaintsripley.org.uk | Tel: 01773 57 00 11 | enquiries@allsaintsripley.org.uk