Izzy and Harry’s Colourful DIY Wedding at Peak District Holiday Barn - Buxton Wedding Photography
Where do I begin with Izzy and Harry? I suppose I’ll have to start by explaining that they’re the nicest people. The shedloads of people who came to their wedding are testament to that, but I have to say they’ve also been just gorgeous to work with. Izzy and Harry got married in a civil ceremony at Peak District Holiday Barn near Buxton, on a sunny Saturday in August. They had explosions of confetti, so much pink and orange, cutouts of their lovely cats. Mostly though, they were surrounded all day long by the joy we all wish for in the big moments of our lives. Every part of the day was shot in my signature documentary style, including their highlights video.
I’ve put together a bit of a guide on The Peak District Holiday Barn, Izzy and Harry’s highlights video, a vendor/supplier list, and a compilation of my favourite photos from their wedding.
Peak District Holiday Barn
If you’re reading this blog because you’re looking for a DIY venue with a rustic feel in the Peak District, then this section’s for you. This is the third wedding I’ve photographed at Peak District Holiday Barn, and I can honestly say it’s one of my favourite venues. You can have your ceremony indoors or outside. There’s a huge field for parking. Dogs can be accommodated. The onsite accommodation has enough capacity for the key people you want to stick around, and you get access to it for several days. I think these two things together are crucial - not only do you get ample time to set up, have the wedding and pack down with a hangover, you can also enjoy the process. There’s a games room, shared dining space, and shared relaxing space too. There’s even a massive pizza oven.
It’s a DIY wedding venue
Each wedding I’ve been to at Peak District Holiday has looked markedly different - unique. This is thanks to it essentially being a very good empty shell. You’ve got the main house for accommodation, with a secondary cottage with a couple more bedrooms. Then you’ve got the barn itself, which has an bar, kitchen, games room, and a big empty space. It’s up to you how you want to use it and how you want it to look. If you want to see other weddings I’ve photographed at the Holiday Barn they’re here and here.
Izzy and Harry opted for a pink and red colour scheme, with different tones here and there, broken up with pops of orange. From the florals, to the napkins, these colours were everywhere. My favourite burst of colour was in their Flutter Darlings paper confetti. They also strung up shiny silver streamers to cover the exposed breezeblocks in the barn and switch from rustic to disco without too much fuss. It was a genius move!
Izzy and Harry’s Celebration
I started the morning with Izzy as she got ready with her bridesmaids and auntie. I was pleasantly surprised to walk in and find Laura of Craft Makeup making Izzy look brilliant - I’d last bumped into her when we were on the same plane back from Berlin last year! This industry really is a small place.
It was surprisingly calm, with everything on schedule and everyone pulling together to sort out last minute bits and bobs, so I popped into the cottage to see Harry for 30 minutes. The slow build up culminated in Izzy getting in her dress with her auntie and cousin helping her, before revealing her outfit (in a low key way) to her dad and friends.
Opting for a civil ceremony meant using the inside of the barn (the barn itself is licensed). It was a simple ceremony, with Izzy walking down the aisle with her dad, and then readings from Izzy’s aunt and Harry’s mum. At the end of the ceremony, the Dizzy Brasscals brass band burst into the room with a brilliant rendition of Crazy In Love, and led everyone out into the courtyard for confetti.
A couple of hours of drinks, canapés, relaxing, and group photos followed, then it was time for food and speeches, before a few couple photos and some dancing (with more confetti).
The Highlights Video
Izzy and Jack asked me to shoot a highlights video alongside their photos. This is an option available upon request to a maximum of 10 weddings per year, and I offer it alone or with a second shooter. They opted to have just me, which avoids the feeling of having a media circus with you on your day. I was able to build up a good relation with them prior to the wedding day itself, so by the time they were getting married I felt more like a guest with a camera than a service provider. Here’s their highlights video.
The Vendors
Izzy and Harry pulled together some fantastic wedding vendors to help them realise their vision. I’m sharing them here in case it helps someone find their perfect vendor.
Venue: Peak District Holiday Barn
Photography and Video: Caroline Goosey Photography
Clothing: The White Yard, Tweed and Groom
Flowers: Greystone Flowers
Food: Greedy Pig Catering
Makeup: Craft Makeup
Band: Dizzy Brasscals
Photobooth: Old School Photo Booth
The Wedding Photos
Are you getting married at Peak District Holiday Barn and looking for a photographer? If you like my approach take a look at the packages I offer, and get in touch to see if I can create something bespoke for you.
