Royle Forest Derbyshire Wedding Photographer
Nick and Jack’s wedding at Royle Forest was one of the most unforgettable days I’ve ever photographed. After more than ten years of shooting weddings, I can honestly say their dancefloor was the wildest I’ve ever seen — and the perfect finale to a day filled with joy, energy and connection.
A Woodland Wedding With Heart
Royle Forest is tucked away in ancient woodland on the Staffordshire and Derbyshire border. With winding forest paths, handmade features and a dreamy woodland setting, the venue feels like it has its own story before a single guest arrives. Their collection of connected tipis creates a warm and inviting space that blends perfectly into nature — rustic, atmospheric and incredibly photogenic.
Genuine Moments From Start to Finish
As a documentary wedding photographer, I’m always drawn to the moments that unfold naturally — the nerves before the ceremony, friends greeting each other, small private exchanges that happen when no one is looking. Royle Forest was the perfect backdrop for this kind of storytelling. There were so many little bursts of emotion throughout the day, and it was a joy to photograph them as they happened.
Nick and Jack had this wonderful mix of calm and excitement — a steady, grounding love beneath all the laughter and noise. Their guests brought so much personality as well, and it didn’t take long before the entire celebration felt alive.
When the Dancefloor Erupted
As evening settled in and the tipis began to glow with warm light, the mood shifted. Once the music started, the dancefloor exploded — people jumping, spinning, singing at the top of their lungs, and absolutely throwing themselves into the moment. There was no polite toe-tapping here; it was pure release, celebration and joy!
I’ve photographed a lot of wedding parties, but this one was something else. The energy was incredible, and I found myself laughing behind the camera more than once. It was the kind of dancefloor that reminds you how much people love to celebrate together when the moment is right.
Soft Spaces & Forest Quiet
Between the chaos of the party, there were quiet corners too. Guests slipped outside to the firepits, sat talking under the trees, or took a few minutes in the softer lounge areas inside the tipis. Those pockets of calm made the rowdy moments on the dancefloor feel even more electric — the perfect balance for storytelling.
A Celebration That Felt Alive
When I look back at Nick and Jack’s Royle Forest wedding, I won’t just remember the venue or the decorations — I’ll remember the energy. The way their friends and family threw themselves into every minute. The laughter, the embraces, the wild dancing and the genuine emotion running through the day.
It was a wedding full of character, heart and unfiltered joy — exactly the kind of celebration that makes documentary wedding photography so rewarding.
