Lily + Dan | Sycamore Farm Barns + Arnot House

What a joy it was to capture Lily and Dan’s beautiful, lighthearted celebration! The day began at Sycamore Farm Barns in Matlock, where the couple and their loved ones got ready together in a relaxed, vibrant setting. The barns were bursting with summer colors, creating the perfect backdrop for a morning filled with laughter, a few happy tears (especially from Lily and her mum), and a heartfelt sense of togetherness.

One memorable moment was when Lily’s mum and sister turned to YouTube for a quick crash course on lacing up the wedding dress. Lily also carried a special something blue: her mum’s original blue stockings, adding a personal, vintage touch. Before the ceremony, Lily and Dan shared a heartfelt first look, soaking in a quiet, intimate moment together before unveiling their wedding-day looks to friends and family.

Dan and the guests headed out in a minibus to Arnot House, while I joined Lily and her mum in a split-screen VW campervan, where laughter, whisky toasts, and endless nature spotting out the window made the ride unforgettable. We even had a dog admiring through the window as we arrived in Nottingham, I think that was just after Lily’s excitement as seeing the Dinosaur crazy golf park; little side note, Lily has an obsession with Dinosaurs (I think).

As we waited for Lily and her bridesmaids to join us I couldn’t help but notice Dan’s awesome sock choice for the day as well (see the photo below). The ceremony at Arnot House was deeply emotional, and Lily’s mum certainly delivered the tears – no tissue was left unused! Dan took Lily’s surname, an incredible gesture of unity and love, and both clearly enjoyed the ceremony. Afterwards, Lily and Dan walked through a cascade of confetti petals they had dried themselves, a wonderful personal touch. In the lush gardens, we captured group and couple portraits before heading back to Sycamore Farm Barns, with Lily and Dan reflecting on the joy of their day so far and the newness of rings on their fingers. Even enjoying a quiet moment to just kick back and relax in the campervan. It was a comical end to the journey, though, as we met a tractor and tanker en route down the winding country roads, but without any stress, we were soon back at Sycamore Farm Barns for their reception.

Lily and Dan had designed their reception to focus on what mattered most: sharing time with loved ones. They skipped traditional speeches in favour of a relaxed atmosphere, with pizzas from their favourite spot, Street Slice, an acoustic performance from Dan’s old bandmate, and plenty of drinks and “cek” (cake!) to go around. We ventured down the lane for some stunning couple shots, with a quick stop at the road sign – the name was one of the main reasons they chose the venue, and I loved their shared humour! See the photo below to find the name of that one.

Lily was prepared for comfort with a pair of white Crocs, setting a trend as she wasn’t the only one rocking practical footwear! The evening wrapped up with a joyful first dance on the lawn and the smashing of a piñata, spilling fun surprises that delighted everyone. The day was full of love, laughter, and connection – exactly as Lily and Dan had envisioned. This wedding was truly a celebration of personality and togetherness, and I’m honoured to have captured such a joyful day for two wonderful people. Anyway enough from me, have a watch of their photo highlights video below or you can always scroll through the images underneath. Enjoy.

Suppliers…

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