Stacey & Jay
Colwick Hall Hotel, Nottingham | Wedding Photography
Two archaeologists getting married in a historic country house. I mean, you couldn't really make this stuff up, could you?
Meet Stacey and Jay. Both archaeologists, both rather familiar with digging up the past, and now both officially married.
And where better for two people who spend their working lives surrounded by history than Colwick Hall Hotel in Nottingham?
I suspect these two know considerably more about old buildings than I do. My expertise largely extends to looking at one and thinking, "That'd make a cracking photograph."
Different professions. Equally important, obviously.
A little history, a lot of personality
Colwick Hall is one of those venues that really knows how to make an impression.
Tucked away from the bustle of Nottingham, this historic country house has everything you'd want from a grand wedding venue. Beautiful architecture, impressive grounds and enough character to keep a photographer entertained for hours.
There's something rather fitting about Stacey and Jay choosing somewhere with a past as interesting as Colwick Hall's.
After all, when you spend your days studying history, a modern function room with grey carpets probably isn't going to cut it.
The building itself makes a fantastic backdrop for wedding photography. The grand exterior, the architectural details and the surrounding greenery offer a lovely mix of traditional elegance and natural surroundings.
And for someone like me, who loves photographs with a bit of atmosphere, that's an absolute treat.
Two archaeologists, one wedding
I think one of the best things about being a wedding photographer is meeting people whose lives are completely different from my own.
Every couple has their own interests, personalities and little quirks. And sometimes you meet two archaeologists getting married in a historic Nottinghamshire mansion.
That's a first for the portfolio.
What makes weddings interesting isn't necessarily how extravagant they are. It's the people behind them.
The venue might set the scene, but it's the couple who give the photographs their personality.
And Stacey and Jay certainly brought an interesting story to theirs.
Colwick Hall through the lens
As a documentary wedding photographer, I love working at venues that give me plenty to play with visually.
Colwick Hall has that lovely balance of grandeur and character. It's impressive without needing to dominate every photograph.
The grounds provide space for relaxed portraits, while the building itself offers those beautiful architectural backdrops that work so well with a slightly editorial approach.
It's the sort of setting where you can create photographs that feel elegant without making everything look overly staged.
A bit of direction when it's useful, plenty of room to be yourselves, and absolutely no need to spend half your wedding standing around wondering what to do with your hands.
Although, given their professions, I imagine Stacey and Jay are both quite comfortable holding a trowel.
Sorry. Had to get one archaeology joke in.
Making a little history of their own
There's something quite lovely about the idea of two people who spend so much time uncovering other people's histories having a day that becomes part of their own.
Not that I expect anyone to excavate their wedding album in 500 years, although I'd be quite flattered if they did.
For me, wedding photography is about making a record of things as they actually happened. The people, the personalities, the surroundings and all those little details that might otherwise disappear into the background.
And with Stacey and Jay, at a venue like Colwick Hall, there was plenty of character to work with.
Stacey and Jay, congratulations to you both. Here's to making history rather than digging it up for a change.
Getting married at Colwick Hall?
I'm Jay, a Derbyshire-based wedding photographer covering Nottinghamshire, the Midlands and the rest of the UK.
My approach is relaxed, natural and a little editorial. Think beautiful portraits, genuine moments and photographs that actually feel like your wedding, rather than somebody else's Pinterest board.
Whether you're planning a grand celebration at Colwick Hall or something completely different, I'd love to hear what you've got in mind.
Archaeology qualifications entirely optional.
