It was the most beautiful, bright, and sunny September day for Kim and Ben’s wedding day. I had the absolute joy of capturing every heartfelt moment in a documentary wedding photography style at The West Mill.

Relaxed Wedding Photography at The West Mill

The West Mill is an incredible Derby wedding venue, set along the banks of the River Derwent. With its exposed brick walls, towering ceilings, and stunning riverside views, it’s the perfect mix of industrial charm and elegance—ideal for couples who want something a little different. It provided the most stunning backdrop for Kim and Ben’s love story to unfold, and it’s quickly become one of my favourite venues to shoot at!

Candid Natural Storytelling

As a documentary style wedding photographer, I focus on capturing those natural, candid moments that truly reflect a couple’s love story. With a day as full of emotion as this one, there was no shortage of beautiful moments to document! Kim and Ben had the most beautiful connection and their day was filled with smiles and laugher, making photographing their wedding an absolute dream. They chose a later start time to capture just the end of preparations which gave me extra time to focus on the evening celebrations.

From the tender moment when Kim’s brother walked her down the aisle to the emotional exchange of vows, the whole day was filled with so much joy. The unexpected warmth of the September sun made the day feel even more magical. The outdoor drinks reception was bathed in golden light, and guests soaked up every second of the late summer sunshine. It also made for the most stunning couple portraits—we really couldn’t have asked for better weather!

Rust Orange Theme and Handmade Décor

Kim and Ben really made The West Mill their own with some gorgeous personal touches. Kim had spent so much time crafting beautiful handmade signs, which were dotted around the venue, adding such a lovely, personal feel. You could really tell how much love had gone into them! Their rust orange colour scheme tied everything together perfectly, bringing warmth and richness to the space while complementing the industrial charm of the venue. From the carefully styled table details to the beautifully decorated ceremony space, everything felt so thoughtful and completely ‘them’—it was a joy to photograph.

Being part of Kim and Ben’s wedding day was such an honour. From the golden sunshine to the love filled atmosphere, it was one of those weddings that felt truly special from start to finish. I’m so grateful I got to capture these memories for them, and I can’t wait to be back at The West Mill again soon!

Kind Words

“Lauren was the photographer for our wedding earlier this month and she did a phenomenal job. We had a few calls with her in the lead up to the wedding, and right from the first one she put us at ease. She had some great ideas for shots too, which we were glad she suggested as they ended up looking amazing.

On the day itself Lauren arrived with plenty of time and captured some simply breathtaking shots – everything from candid photos of us prior to the ceremony right through to tastefully staged shots of us with friends and family.

She was easy to work with, patient and helpful when orchestrating photos and sent through some sample images soon after the wedding. We’d have no hesitation in recommending her services to anyone looking for a friendly and professional photographer!”

Suppliers

Venue The West Mill

Hair and Make-up The Style Lounge

Flowers Boutique Florist

If you’re looking for documentary wedding photography at The West Mill and would be interested in booking me for your special day, get in touch here, I would love to hear from you!