As I write up this gorgeous styled wedding for you today, I’m humming “Black Tie“. Having spent Friday evening watching the incredible left-wing, butch lesbian protest folk singer Grace Petrie in Gateshead, this joyful LGBTQ+ wedding inspiration couldn’t feel more perfect to share with you today. For any wedding photographers reading, please send in your photoshoot and real wedding submissions here!

Photography https://doodahphotography.co.uk/
Retro Arcade, Love Letters, Neon Signs and Audio Guest book https://www.dreamsceneeventsandweddings.co.uk/
Venue https://derbymuseums.org/museum-of-making/venue-hire/
Make up https://www.lifeofabeautygirl.com/
Hair https://www.facebook.com/killercontourz
Suit https://www.jonpaulmenswear.co.uk/
Dress https://www.ashleighrichards.co.uk/
Rings https://www.invictusrings.com/
Flowers https://somethingnewflorals.com/

Getting married in one of Derby Museums’ prestigious venues comes with benefits. “We couldn’t resist styling a photoshoot in which we imagined our models, Sammy and Liv had snuck away from their reception for a few minutes alone-time amongst the museum’s varied and unusual collection of exhibits.” ~ Venue Hire Assistant and photoshoot coordinator Annie Bayliss

Recently engaged real couple, Sammy and Liv were only too happy to get glammed up and have a practice run at wedding photos ahead of their big day. Liv was dressed in traditional black tie. Her suit, supplied by Jon Paul Menswear, features a dinner jacket with narrow shawl lapels to suit her petite frame and a horseshoe waistcoat for a formal look. Her outfit is fashionably oversized, with long sleeves and slouchy trouser legs. Pairing the suit with a casual boot instead of formal footwear gives this traditional outfit a more grungy alternative twist.

Sammy wears a beautiful strapless gown from Ashleigh Richards, which offers a flattering silhouette and is a timeless classic. The beaded shoulder details add a touch of evening glamour to the clean lines of this unfussy dress. As does the cape-style veil which flows from the back of the dress rather than the head. The cut of this dress fits really well with the placement of her tattoos and Sammy brings a touch of personality to the look by sneaking a pair of white Converse Chuck Taylor high tops under her dress.

Sammy’s wedding ring was created by Invictus Rings who offer hard-wearing, hypoallergenic rings designed to stand the test of time. This design is made by blending two different grades of stainless steel to create a Damascus pattern which will appear differently if you choose a beveled or a curved ring profile.

Both of the ladies’ make up was done by Life of a Beauty Girl. Sammy wears a dark smokey eye which perfectly compliments the evening dress and her dark hair. Liv has gone for a barely-there make up look with peachy skin tones and a beautiful highlight on the cheek to give her dewey, fresh looking skin. Their hair was styled by Killer Contourz, Sammy wears her long hair in a fashionable up do at the nape of her neck with long curls framing her face. Liv’s short hair is dramatically swept to the side and given lots of body and texture.

Flowers were supplied by Something New Florals. The bouquet features anthuriums, hydrangea and trailing amaranthus in muted green tones for a structural look; complimented by softer peach anemones, white peonies and purple stocks. The bold purple calla lilies add contrast and drama. The same blooms are used in the modern pocket square arrangement which takes the place of a traditional buttonhole.

Derby Museums offer several unique spaces across the city in which to get married. Amongst them is the Museum of Making. Housed in an old silk mill, which was the world’s first factory, the Museum is a celebration of manufacture and industry. It boasts a large function room suitable for ceremonies and receptions; but it was a rather special area called ‘The Assemblage’ where the team whisked Sammy and Liv for some intimate portraits amongst the museums collection of over 30,000 objects which catalogue over 300 years of making.

Photographer Emma Duder of Doodah Photography said “This shoot was so much fun. I gave our models the brief that they were slightly tipsy, and had run away from their party at the end of the evening to snatch a few private moments together. They absolutely nailed it and we ran the shoot exactly as I would a real wedding portrait session, resulting in some natural and fun moments which perfectly capture their excitement, joy and love for each other”

To add to the fun, a few hireable props were snuck in amongst the museum’s collection. The retro arcade, LOVE letters, Neon signs and audio guestbook were all supplied by Dream Scene Events and Weddings. These gave the models something to interact with in order to capture some candid, unposed moments and really added to the fun and relaxed atmosphere which needed no staging.

So, this is your permission to take the time at the end of the day, when all the stressful bits like aisle-walks and speeches are done, to run off for a few moments together, with your photographer in tow, to make and record some core memories. And remember, this photoshoot really proves that when a venue speaks for itself, you should let it do all the talking.