Stretton Manor Barn Wedding

Smiling couple during wedding ceremony inside venue.

A Rustic Derbyshire Wedding at Stretton Manor Barn: A Love Story Captured

In the heart of Derbyshire, nestled amidst rolling hills and picturesque landscapes, Stacey and Kyle’s love story unfolded at the enchanting Stretton Manor Barn. With a vision for a rustic, understated celebration that reflected their unique personalities, they embarked on a journey of planning that would lead to an unforgettable day filled with joy, laughter, and heartfelt moments. As a Derbyshire Wedding Photographer, I had the privilege of capturing every precious detail of their special day, from the emotional first look to the energetic dance floor revelry.

Wooden building under stormy sky with greenery.

The Love Story and Proposal

We met on online dating, I’m a hermit!!

We first met up in the real world on Alfreton Park when I was taking the dog for a walk, and he said he spotted me a mile away with my bright-coloured hair.

Kyle proposed at Hickorys in Nutall; he chickened out on doing it in the busy restaurant, so he decided to wait till we got back in the car to drive home, where he told me he had a stomach ache, so he couldn’t drive for a minute (clearly, gathering himself for what he had to say)

He then told me how much he loved and adored me, then gave me the fright of my life when he told me he couldn’t marry me……..after a long pause he said ‘Because we aren’t engaged yet’ so will you marry me 🤣🤣

The Wedding Planning

What was your overall vision and theme for the wedding day?

Rustic, understated, unique to our personalities

What were your top three priorities when planning your wedding?

Barn venue
Ceremony and reception in the same venue
IPA available

What made you choose Stretton Manor Barn?

The venue offered a suitable package, had good photo opportunities, and wasn’t too far for family and friends to travel.

Describe your planning journey

The most challenging part of wedding planning was remembering the correct time of the wedding itself, I sent out the wedding invitations with the wrong time on them!

The easiest and most enjoyable aspect was ordering all the little details to make the wedding day and venue special. Social media was a helpful resource for inspiration from other weddings.

My advice to couples currently planning their wedding is to start early and purchase items each month to reduce stress. I made a spreadsheet to help with wedding planning and this was a big help

What about the dress?

I always knew I wanted a black wedding dress. But between not many stores having them in stock to try on and ordering them at higher costs, I chose to order online and hope and pray for the best. It worked out perfectly😊

How about the shoes? They were awesome!

Loads of guests liked them; I love pink hair; it’s part of my identity, plus I love Doc Martens, so why not? I think they looked really cool with my black dress. They were getting heavy by the end of the day, though!

Woman in black dress with child at event

Couple holding hands at a wedding ceremony.

The Wedding Day!

Describe the moment you first saw each other on your wedding day.

I felt overwhelming happiness, like a million butterflies/bats in my tummy, I couldn’t stop smiling. Kyle, while also happy, giddy and excited, admitted feeling quite nervous about saying his vows.

What was your favourite part of the ceremony?

Seeing my husband at the end of the aisle or the look of pure happiness when we both said I do

Couple smiling during wedding ceremony, rustic venue.

What song did you have for your first dance and why that one?

Jasmine Thompson – Like I’m Gonna Lose You.

It’s a lovely slow song about loving each day and making each other happy as a couple, as you aren’t guaranteed a tomorrow.

Was there a funny or unexpected moment that happened during the day?

Otis (our 2 year old) fist bumping guests during the ceremony!

The Wedding Photos

How did you find me and what made you want to book me?

We found you through a Google search of photographers in our area. You made us feel very at ease from the first meeting with you. Nothing was too much. Professional but in a very approachable and friendly manner.

It was more like having another friend at our wedding rather than a stranger.

Your wedding gallery contained just under 600 photos. Which one was your favourite and why?

We are unable to say what our favourite is. So many photos were amazing for different reasons.

Ceremony photos capturing the amount of love seeping from us, sparkler photos that were mastered to look super cool, fun smoke bomb photos…..

What elements of your wedding were you most proud of, and were there any suppliers that exceeded your expectations?

The venue, Stretton Manor Barn, provided exceptional service from start to finish, ensuring everything ran smoothly. We were also thrilled with our photographer, who did a superb job capturing our special day.

A standout DIY project was turning our full-length bedroom mirror into a unique itinerary, menu, and table plan display. Adding a personal touch, we had hand-engraved name places and handcrafted music note rose bouquets and buttonholes.

Wedding table setting with personalized heart favor.

Woman adjusts boutonniere on man's suit jacket.

Final Thoughts

If you could describe your wedding day in three words, what would they be?

Memorable
Happy
Tiring

Is there anything else you’d like to share about your wedding experience?

Take in every moment as it goes by so so quickly. People tell you, but you don’t realise until the day and it’s nearly over.

Stacey and Kyle’s wedding day was filled with love, laughter, and unforgettable moments. From the overwhelming happiness they felt seeing each other at the ceremony to the delicious food and their heartfelt first dance, every detail reflected their unique personalities and love story. Despite the minor hiccup of sending out invites with the wrong time, the day was a huge success, thanks in part to the exceptional service provided by Stretton Manor Barn and the photos that captured it all. With personal touches like hand-engraved name places and a repurposed mirror itinerary, the couple created a wedding that was truly memorable, happy, and a bit tiring, but most importantly, a perfect reflection of their love for each other.

Contact me today to schedule a consultation and discuss how I can capture your wedding day, ensuring that every detail and emotion is captured, giving you a lifelong reminder of the best day of your lives!

Contact Me!