Gibson Mill Wedding Photography | Beth & Alex | Hardcastle Crags.

Gibson Mill wedding photography, Hardcastle Crags. Beth & Alex were married on a beautiful summer’s day at Gibson Mill at Hardcastle Crags near Hebden Bridge. I met up with Beth at her parents’ house nearby where she was getting ready with her bridesmaids and family. The house was super busy, full of noise and laughter, which always makes for good photos!

Beth was mid-make-up when I arrived, so I jumped right in to get some shots of that – I normally like to ease people into my presence by shooting the dress and things before getting closer in but these guys didn’t seem bothered! Once Beth’s make-up was finished they all tucked into a breakfast of smoked salmon and scrambled eggs so I left them alone for a bit and got some detail shots in the conservatory and garden.

As always the time suddenly zipped by and before long everyone’s hair and make-up were finished and it was time to get dressed. I was a big fan of the colour-coded spreadsheet Beth had created to keep track of what needed to happen when and very impressed that we actually managed to stick to it!

When everyone was ready we had loads of time (thanks to the spreadsheet!) for photos in the garden and then the bridesmaids and I set off for Gibson Mill leaving Beth and her dad alone for a while.

All the guests parked at the main Hardcastle Crags car park so they could make the 1 mile (!) walk down to the mill together. With a Sangria stop halfway down – my kind of walking! I joined them all the way and got some great shots of everyone trekking down. Once we arrived at the mill I had time to get a few photos of everything set up for the ceremony before guests were asked to take their seats. I waited outside for Beth and her dad to be driven down in a vintage Morris Minor before heading in to take my place for the ceremony.

The ceremony room at Gibson Mill is lovely with lots of great natural light from the windows which the bride and groom stand in front of. Beth and Alex’s ceremony was made really personal by readings from Beth’s brother’s girlfriend and mum, and a poem from Alex’s mum telling the story of their relationship. Apparently their engagement was a long time coming, hahaha!

After the ceremony Beth and Alex waited at the top of the stairs to greet people as they came out (such a good time for candid photos of everyone with happy, excited faces!). The bridesmaids handed out confetti outside and everyone lined up on the bridge over the river to bomb Beth and Alex as they made their way across. They were absolutely covered – there’s no such thing as too much confetti!

Since everyone was already gathered together we decided to head round to the back of the mill to get a shot of everyone across the mill and with the mill in the background. Naturally a bug decided to make its way down the front of my top just as I called everyone to look at me for the photo – cue confusion as I turned around to frantically flap my top to get it out. Smooth! And I still got stung!

Once I’d stopped making a fool of myself and actually taken the photo the guests walked around to the river for drinks whilst I kept Beth and Alex for some photos of just the two of them. We hadn’t done an engagement shoot but clearly it wasn’t needed as they were complete naturals! We spent 15 minutes or so getting lots of lovely photos around the mill and in the surrounding woodland before re-joining the guests for drinks and the ever-popular group photos!

The reception was at a local farm belonging to a friend of Beth’s family, so mid-afternoon everyone started to wander back up to the car park to head over. The marquee (technically a “stretch tent”!) was perfectly placed on a hill with spectacular views across the surrounding countryside and Beth and Alex had decorated it beautifully with lots of photos, paper pompoms and other handmade touches.

Beth and Alex arrived in the Morris Minor and headed over to join everyone enjoying a drink (courtesy of Belle’s Bubbles) in the afternoon sun. Soon it was time for Beth’s dad to give his (rather excellent) speech and for everyone to take their seats for the meal. Alex’s speech followed the starters, with the three best men doing theirs after the mains. I think my favourite photos are when Alex is reminded of his uni obsession with McDonald’s Chicken Nuggets and chocolate sauce. I don’t think I even ate anything that weird when I was pregnant!

After a short break for cake and ice cream (my fave combo!) Beth and Alex started the evening party with their first dance which they had arranged to be interrupted by the New York Brass Band as a surprise for their guests. The band then moved out into the evening sun and everyone danced out in the field. The sun was just starting to dip down behind the hills and was a glorious golden yellow ,so I excitedly grabbed Beth and Alex for a few final photos in the long grass. They went back to dancing and I made my way home.

Thank you, Beth and Alex, for trusting me to capture your wonderful wedding and for taking such good care of me! If you’re planning a wedding at Gibson Mill please do contact me, I’d love to hear more! x

Suppliers:

Venue: Gibson Mill 

Florist: Willow Garden

Hair: Jodi from Hair Bar Hebden Bridge

Make up: Cerise make up Laura Power

Dress: Monsoon

Stretch tent: White Rose Tents

Caterer: Homegrown Hospitality

Cake: Homegrown Hospitality

Champagne Bar: Belles Bubbles

Brass Band: New York Brass Band