Royle Forest is an outdoor wedding and events venue located within a 200-acre ancient woodland on the border of Derbyshire and Staffordshire.
If you’re searching for inspiration for your own Royle Forest wedding, Beth and Jack’s stunning summer celebration is guaranteed to spark ideas. Set within the magical woodland surroundings of Royle Forest Weddings, their day was filled with beautiful florals, emotional moments, colourful confetti, smoke grenades, and an unforgettable party atmosphere.
As a Royle Forest wedding photographer, it’s always a privilege to capture weddings at this incredible venue. Every corner of Royle Forest offers unique opportunities for natural, relaxed and timeless wedding photography, and Beth and Jack made the most of every moment.
A Beautiful Summer Wedding at Royle Forest Weddings
Nestled in the heart of the Derbyshire countryside, Royle Forest Weddings is one of the most sought-after woodland wedding venues in Derbyshire and Midlands. With its enchanting outdoor ceremony spaces, rustic woodland charm and stunning natural backdrops, it’s easy to see why couples fall in love with this venue.
Beth and Jack chose a glorious summer day to say their vows, surrounded by family and friends in the beautiful woodland setting. The warm sunshine filtering through the trees created the perfect atmosphere for a relaxed and romantic celebration.
From the moment guests arrived, every detail reflected the couple’s vision – elegant, colourful and full of personality.
Colourful Summer Wedding Flowers
One of the standout features of the day was the incredible floral design created by local florist Laurenne Hopkins Flowers, one of my recommended suppliers and always a pleasure to work alongside.
The floral styling perfectly complemented the woodland surroundings of Royle Forest. Soft blush tones, peach dahlias, delicate pink blooms and vibrant purple accents created stunning bouquets and arrangements that looked incredible both in person and in photographs.
Beth’s bouquet was a true statement piece, bursting with seasonal flowers and colour, adding a romantic and modern feel to the day.
Bridal Beauty by Local Wedding Experts
Beth looked absolutely stunning thanks to a talented team of local wedding suppliers.
Make-up: @soiemakeupcharlotte
Hair Styling: @lauren.amyhair
Together they created a timeless bridal look that perfectly suited the relaxed elegance of the venue. Soft waves, glowing skin and natural beauty allowed Beth’s personality to shine throughout the day.
For couples planning a Royle Forest wedding, choosing experienced local suppliers who understand the venue can make a huge difference in creating a seamless wedding morning experience.
A Romantic Sweetheart Table for the Wedding Breakfast
After the ceremony, guests made their way to the Tipi where Beth and Jack had chosen a beautiful sweetheart table for their wedding breakfast.
The sweetheart table allowed the newlyweds to enjoy a few precious moments together while still being surrounded by their loved ones. Decorated with stunning florals and styled beautifully within the venue, it became a gorgeous focal point of the reception space.
As a Royle Forest wedding photographer, I love photographing sweetheart tables because they create so many natural opportunities for genuine interactions, laughter and emotional moments between couples throughout the speeches. Having your speakers come and stand beside you like Beth and Jack’s best man did is a great way to really bring the room together for speeches.
The Perfect Confetti Moment
One of the highlights of the day to get everyone involved and having fun is always the confetti exit. Beth and Jack’s exit was no exception.
Guests lined the pathway ready to celebrate as Beth and Jack walked hand-in-hand through a shower of colourful confetti. The excitement, laughter and reactions from family and friends created some of the most joyful photographs of the entire wedding day.
Confetti shots are always a favourite at Royle Forest Weddings because the venue’s outdoor spaces provide plenty of room for guests to create an amazing tunnel while the woodland backdrop adds beautiful depth and colour to every image.
Natural Wedding Photography at Royle Forest Weddings
One of the reasons I love photographing weddings at Royle Forest Weddings is how naturally the day unfolds. The venue’s relaxed woodland setting encourages guests to be fully present, creating genuine moments that make for the most meaningful photographs.
Throughout Beth and Jack’s wedding day, there were countless natural moments to capture – from nervous smiles before the ceremony and emotional hugs with family, to laughter during the drinks reception and joyful celebrations on the dance floor. Rather than interrupting these moments, my approach is to quietly document them as they happen, allowing the story of the day to unfold naturally.
Royle Forest Wedding Venue offers so many opportunities for authentic wedding photography. The beautiful outdoor spaces, woodland pathways and open gathering areas allow guests to mingle, relax and enjoy the day, resulting in candid photographs full of emotion and personality.
Some of my favourite images from Beth and Jack’s wedding weren’t the posed portraits, but the in-between moments – a glance between the newlyweds during the ceremony, guests laughing during the confetti throw, and the excitement shared amongst friends and family throughout the day. These are the moments that truly tell the story of a wedding.
For couples planning their wedding at Royle Forest, you don’t need to spend hours away from your guests posing for photographs. The beauty of natural wedding photography is capturing real memories as they happen, preserving all the emotion, atmosphere and joy of your wedding day in a way that feels authentic to you.
Smoke Grenades in the Woodland
As the evening approached, we headed into the woodland and fields for exciting activity for the bridal party – the smoke grenade portraits.
Using soft pastel smoke colours that complemented the wedding styling, we created a series of dramatic yet romantic portraits amongst the trees. The combination of woodland scenery, golden summer light and colourful smoke created something truly special.
Smoke grenades are a fantastic way to add creativity and personality to wedding portraits, and Royle Forest provides the perfect backdrop for these kinds of unique images.
A Dream Golden Hour at Royle Forest Wedding Venue
One of the most magical moments of Beth and Jack’s wedding day came as the sun began to set over Royle Forest Wedding Venue in Derbyshire. Golden hour at Royle Forest is something truly special. As the evening light filters through the trees, the woodland takes on a warm, golden glow that creates the most romantic atmosphere imaginable.
We slipped away for a few quiet moments together while their guests enjoyed the evening celebrations, making the most of the beautiful Derbyshire countryside surrounding the venue. The soft sunlight illuminated Beth’s stunning dress and bouquet, while the woodland pathways and open clearings provided the perfect backdrop for natural, relaxed portraits.
As a Royle Forest wedding photographer, golden hour is always one of my favourite parts of the day. The combination of warm light, peaceful surroundings and genuine moments between newlyweds creates timeless images that couples treasure for years to come.
Royle Forest Weddings is perfectly positioned to take advantage of those dreamy summer sunsets, and Beth and Jack’s portraits are a perfect example of why so many couples choose this incredible Derbyshire wedding venue. The golden light, colourful florals and woodland setting came together beautifully, creating some of our favourite photographs from the entire day.
If you’re planning a wedding at Royle Forest Wedding Venue, I’d always recommend setting aside 15-20 minutes for golden hour portraits. Not only does it give you a chance to pause and enjoy a quiet moment together, but it also produces some of the most beautiful and atmospheric wedding photographs of the day.
Live Music from The Watchtower Band
As day turned into night, the celebrations continued with live entertainment from The Watchtower Band.
The Watchtowers are a highly rated, Nottinghamshire-based folk-pop and rock trio that frequently perform in and around Derbyshire for weddings, private events, and festivals. They are well-known for putting a charming, upbeat acoustic spin on classic and modern hits
A great live band can completely transform the atmosphere of a wedding reception, and they certainly delivered. The dance floor was packed, guests were singing along, and the evening finished with the kind of energy every couple hopes for on their wedding day.
The combination of live music, beautiful surroundings and an amazing group of family and friends made for an unforgettable celebration.
Why Royle Forest Weddings is One of Derbyshire’s Best Wedding Venue
Having photographed many weddings here over the years, I can confidently say that Royle Forest Weddings offers everything couples could want for a relaxed and unforgettable wedding day.
Some of the reasons couples love Royle Forest include:
- Stunning woodland ceremony spaces
- Beautiful natural light throughout the day
- Endless photography opportunities
- Exclusive-use venue experience
- Rustic yet elegant styling options
- Incredible indoor and outdoor settings
- Perfect backdrops for confetti and smoke grenade photos
Whether you’re planning a summer wedding like Beth and Jack or a cosy autumn celebration, Royle Forest provides a truly magical setting.
Looking for a Royle Forest Wedding Photographer?
If you’re planning your wedding at Royle Forest Weddings and are looking for a relaxed, natural and creative Royle Forest wedding photographer, I’d love to hear about your plans.
Having photographed weddings at Royle Forest multiple times, I know the best locations for portraits, golden hour photographs, confetti moments and all those natural candid memories you’ll treasure forever.
Get in touch to check availability and find out more about wedding photography at Royle Forest Weddings.
Wedding Suppliers
Photographer: Fly on the Wall @flyonthewall_wedding_photo
Venue: Royle Forest Weddings (@royleforest)
Make-Up: Soie Makeup Charlotte (@soiemakeupcharlotte)
Hair: Lauren Amy Hair (@lauren.amyhair)
Florist: Laurenne Hopkins Flowers (@laurennehopkinsflowers)
Band: The Watchtower Band (@thewatchtowerband)
