Thornbridge Hall Wedding Photographer

“If you’re thinking of booking Simon as your wedding photographer, DO IT!

We really wanted photographs of our day which felt natural, captured the little moments we might miss, and didn’t take us away from the fun too much.

Every single photo Simon captured is so full of feeling; we are still completely blown away by how beautiful the photographs of our special day are, and will cherish them forever.”

Robyn & Gabriel

Robyn & Gabriel’s ceremony took place at The Church of All Saints in Hassop, Bakewell – which a gloriously unique church in the Derbyshire peak district, built as a private chapel for the Eyre family of Hassop Hall. They then headed back back to the spectacular Thornbridge Hall to celebrate. 

They celebrated with a wedding breakfast in the Carriage House, with emotional speeches interspersed between the courses. Entertainment was provided by a swing singer and Robyn’s uncles band – Vaguely Savoury (the same uncle can be seen elsewhere in the photos encouraging children to aim firecrackers at his backside.- so, providing entertainment on several levels )

It was also one of those dreaded rainy wedding days – but the rain rolled away for confetti and a handful of portraits snatched between showers (we even got a rainbow). And the wedding was full of warmth and laughter. Robyn & Gabriel are such a classy, easy going couple and just rolled with it. I also had help on this wedding from the wonderful Jenny Macare, who acted as my second shooter for the day. 

Why Thornbridge Hall is the Ultimate Backdrop for Documentary Storytelling

If you’re getting married at Thornbridge Hall, you’ve likely chosen it because it’s the “Quirkiest Stately Home in the UK.” It’s a venue that refuses to be stuffy. For a documentary photographer, this mix of high-end grandeur and eclectic, personal detail is a goldmine for capturing a day that feels both epic and honest.

1. The Great Hall: A Masterclass in Perspective

Most photographers stand at the front of the ceremony and stay there. But the Great Hall at Thornbridge features a stunning Minstrel’s Gallery. This allows me to capture the ceremony from a “bird’s-eye” cinematic perspective—showing the scale of the room, the way the light falls through the high windows, and the genuine, unposed reactions of your guests from a distance. It’s about seeing the whole story, not just the two of you at the altar.

2. The Carriage House: Light and Motion

The Carriage House is where the party really happens, and it’s a dream for natural light photography. With its massive floor-to-ceiling windows looking out onto the courtyard, I can shoot your wedding breakfast and speeches using almost entirely ambient light. This preserves the real “feeling” of the room. Instead of freezing a moment with a harsh flash, I can capture the movement, the clinking of glasses, and the roar of laughter in its truest form.

3. Portraits That Don’t Feel Like “Portraits”

Thornbridge has 12 acres of gardens, including the Italian Gardens and the Scented Terrace, but we won’t be spending two hours there doing “prom poses.” My approach at Thornbridge is more like a walk through the grounds. The textures of the Peak District stone and the quirky outdoor sculptures provide a natural frame. We find the light, you have a moment to breathe away from the crowd, and I capture the “stills from a film” version of your first minutes as a married couple.

4. The Underground Bar: The “After-Hours” Vibe

One of the best things about Thornbridge Hall is the Underground Bar. It’s moody, intimate, and feels like a secret club. This is where my “Street Photography” roots come out. When the formal part of the day is over and the Thornbridge Brewery beer is flowing, the low-light, high-energy atmosphere of the bar is perfect for those raw, grainy, high-motion shots that define the end of a great night.

If you’re planning your wedding at Thornbridge Hall and want documentary wedding photography that feel honest, relaxed, and full of story — rain or shine — I’d love to be there to capture it.