Lisa and Andy’s Leek Wedding was entirely in their hometown in Staffordshire.  Starting at St Edward’s Church and moving to The Silk House just down the road on St Edward’s Street. Their day perfectly shows what’s possible when you embrace your local area – especially when you’re near the Peak District.

Documentary Wedding Photography in Staffordshire

During their consultation, Lisa and Andy were clear about wanting relaxed, documentary-style photography. They wanted candid shots over posed ones, which suits how I work. I focus on reportage-style images that capture what actually happens on the day rather than staging moments. If you’re the type of couple who’d rather have photos of real laughter than forced smiles, this approach might be for you.

Getting Ready in Leek

Having everything local made the day straightforward. I started with Andy at home, covering the final prep stages with his daughter, dad, mum and brother. There’s always a different energy in the groom’s prep – usually a bit more low-key, some nervous jokes, and last-minute tie adjustments.

After getting enough shots there, I moved to Lisa’s location, where she was with her bridesmaids. Lisa’s prep was relaxed; their hair and makeup were done when I arrived, so I mostly captured the final bits: jewellery going on, bridesmaids helping with the veil, and general banter between everyone.

This is one of the benefits of keeping your wedding local. I can easily cover both partners getting ready without rushing or missing key moments.

The Church Ceremony at St Edward’s

Most guests were already seated when I arrived at St Edward’s. I like church ceremonies, the longer walk down the aisle and interesting light streaming through the stained glass windows make for good photography opportunities. There’s something about the stone architecture and high ceilings that adds weight to the moment.

During the ceremony, Lisa and Andy’s daughter comically wandered around the church and eventually decided to take a nap in the pulpit. I was in a bit of an awkward position but managed to get a few shots of this, one of those unexpected moments that perfectly sums up a family-focused day.

After the ceremony, L&A were greeted by their guests throwing confetti outside in the churchyard. I then took Lisa and Andy around the church grounds – taking in the old cobbled paths and weathered stone walls, which gave us some texture and historical character, before we headed up to The Roaches.

Peak District Wedding Photography at The Roaches

Lisa and Andy really wanted portraits at The Roaches, and I was keen; it’s an amazing location when the weather’s right. The dramatic rock formations and moorland views make for striking backdrops. We got lucky. Conditions were perfect, just a bit breezy at times, which actually added some movement to Lisa’s dress and Andy’s suit.

We spent about twenty minutes up there. The landscape is rugged and wild, completely different from the traditional church setting. I came away with one of my favourite portraits from 2024. The photograph is of Lisa and Andy framed against a cloudy sky, looking like a hero shot out of a movie. I later entered it into MyWed and won several awards with it, including ‘Picture of The Year’, ‘Picture of The Week’ and an ‘Editor’s Choice Award’.

Worth noting: The Roaches isn’t easy terrain in wedding attire. Lisa and Andy had proper mountain goat skills and nailed it, but it requires switching out shoes or being comfortable with some scrambling across uneven ground and rocky outcrops. Not for everyone, but the photos are worth it if you’re up for it. If you’re planning a Peak District wedding and want dramatic landscape portraits, locations like this are what set your photos apart.

Reception at The Silk House

From The Roaches, we headed to The Silk House, where guests were waiting, enjoying a drink and some food. The venue has a warm, intimate feel, exposed brick, and lots of character, surrounded by Tudor buildings on a lovely street.

The speeches were good fun to photograph, lots of laughter, a few tears, those moments where you can see people genuinely moved. These were my last bits of coverage for the day.

The whole wedding was relaxed and showed off Lisa and Andy’s love for keeping things local. Every part of their day was in Leek or just outside it. They were brave enough to tackle The Roaches in wedding gear, and it paid off. The pictures really show them and what their day was about—no fuss, just good people, good location, and genuine moments.

Here’s my usual selection of 50 from the hundreds I took. Enjoy.