Ava & Louise’s Lower Damgate Farm Wedding (with Alpacas!)

Lower Damgate Farm Wedding Photographer

Yes, you read that right. Ava & Louise got married on an alpaca farm! Lower Damgate Farm is an animal sanctuary in the heart of Dovedale, in the Peak District. The farm is full of rescued alpacas, goats, horses and hens. On the morning of the wedding, everyone got ready in the barns on the farm, and you could hear the sheep in surrounding fields baa and bleat through the open windows.

You wouldn’t believe it from these pictures, but the morning of the wedding was a complete wash out! Fate intervened, and the sun dried the fields so the outdoor ceremony could go ahead at Lower Damgate Farm. The sunshine made the grass almost luminous it was such a lush green. Louise’s family had come to visit from France, and Ava’s from Scotland, both groups were treated to quintessential English countryside. Ava & Louise walked hand in hand across the field to stand in front of their guests, in what had to be one of the most beautiful wedding ceremonies I have ever seen.

Parts of Ava & Louise’s wedding were non-traditional, for example their speeches were ‘open-mic’! After the speeches on the top table, anyone was welcomed to say a few words if they wished to. It became an incredibly touching moment as friends and family gave their heartfelt wishes to the couple, and many French guests spoke English to recount stories of Ava & Louise.
After speeches, guests went back outside to have Greek street food in the sun (I can confirm this was utterly delicious). Later, the moment I had been most excitedly waiting for was when the alpacas and goats were ushered into the ceremony field for everyone to feed them! This was a dream to photograph, not only was it wacky but also everyone’s expressions were of pure joy.

Peak District Wedding Photographer

There are few more beautiful places in the UK than the Peak District. Ava & Louise embraced the countryside and in all their finery came with me for a walk into the hills! I always recommend setting aside some time in the evening for wedding photos together, as you’ll have more time to play with and the light is much softer. Golden hour light is unlike any other point in the day, and it can’t be replicated by editing, so if you want to capture those golden, warm tones, speak to your photographer!