lower damgate farm outdoor wedding | Colin Perkins Photography

It’s 7:30am and for the second time in the space of a week I find myself at a Wedding with camera in hand and my running kit on. I think I’ve found my niche.

Clare & Lee met at a local running club and have had many adventures on the trails of the Peak District, so a Wedding morning trail run with friends was always going to be in the plans for their wedding day. We all set off from Lower Damgate Farm on the southern tip of the Peak District for a run through Dovedale over Thorpe Cloud and back. Glorious.

Having freshened up after the run (thanks Jon & Julie) it’s onto the wedding prep proper with the wedding party and guests getting ready in the on-site accommodation. Everything being in one location means I can float between it all; capturing Bride, Groom and guest arrivals. Clare & Lee don’t quite leave the running attire behind entirely, as Clare dons a white pair of Inov-8 trainers whilst Lee has a classic pair Walsh on his feet.

An outside ceremony was high on Clare's wish list for the day and the weather played ball long enough for it to come true, and Clare’s brother composed the music for the aisle walks which added an extra emotional layer to the proceedings.

Celebratory reception drinks and hugs were held in the barn, whilst the wedding couple took a stroll around the venue's grounds for some photos. It was then onto MC Jon (every wedding should have an MC Jon) to shake the Swiss Cow Bell and call everyone in for the wedding breakfast and speeches.

Lower Damgate Farm is also an animal sanctuary, so one of the highlights of hosting your wedding here is feeding the Alpacas. One of whom really wanted to be in the big group photo.

Then it was Ceilidh time, which was the usual beautiful organised chaos that only a Ceilidh dance brings to a wedding. Everybody was up, everybody was dancing, one person rocked a dinosaur costume throughout.

Loved this day from start to finish.

If you’re planning an outdoor alternative running wedding get in touch