11. June 2026
Charlotte & Isaac: The one with the tug-of-war at The Kedleston Country House a lovely summers day
As a wedding photographer, I’m a complete sucker for a beautiful hall, and Kedleston Country House in Quarndon, Derbyshire had me hooked from the moment I arrived. Nestled within stunning grounds and available on an exclusive-hire basis, this venue offers the perfect blend of elegance, character and a relaxed, homely atmosphere which is a family - run wedding venue and you can tell by the attention to detail and personalised experience you recieve. It was my first time here at the staff were so lovely and looked after me. Looking around you can see their mixture of awards they have won and finalist certificates showing what a fantastic job they are doing.
From the gorgeous orangery flooded with natural light for indoor ceremonies to the variety of beautifully styled rooms throughout the house, there are endless opportunities for stunning photographs whatever the weather. Outside, the floral-filled gardens provide colour and romance at every turn, while the surrounding countryside and gorgeous field backdrop create the perfect setting for relaxed couple portraits.
Whether you’re dreaming of an outdoor celebration, light-filled ceremony space or a venue that feels both luxurious and welcoming, Kedleston Country House truly has it all.
Now, let’s talk about the saxophonist – a word I still struggle to say without stumbling over it! If you know me, you’ll know that I absolutely love live music. There’s a very good chance you’ll spot me quietly singing along while taking photographs, completely caught up in the atmosphere and enjoying the vibes.
Live music makes such a difference to a wedding day, and George Platt brought a real sense of luxury and energy to this celebration. His performance created the perfect atmosphere for guests to relax, mingle and enjoy themselves, while his modern, upbeat tracks kept everyone engaged throughout. At one point, we even had a couple dancing along, which made for some brilliant candid moments. It’s those little moments of joy and connection that help make a wedding feel truly unforgettable.
In all my years photographing weddings, tug-of-war is not something I’ve come across before – and after watching it unfold, I think I understand why! The competition quickly became serious business, with the maid of honour giving it absolutely everything and ending up on the ground with a stained dress for her efforts, as she protected the bride's dress. Thankfully, the laughter, chaos and memories made it completely worth it - but not one for the faint hearted!
The guests were fully invested, and when the bride ended up going down too, it had everyone in stitches. These are the moments that make a wedding so memorable – completely unplanned, full of personality, and guaranteed to have everyone talking about them for years to come. Make sure you check out my social media for the video of it all unfolding!
When it came to the confetti shot, Charlotte had a vision of her own. Instead of the traditional confetti walk-through, she wanted all of her guests gathered on the stairs, showering the happy couple with confetti from above. It’s not a setup I’ve photographed before, but I have to say, I think she might have reinvented the confetti shot!
The result was fun, dramatic and packed with colour, with confetti flying from every direction and every guest getting involved. It created such a unique set of photographs and gave a fresh twist to a wedding-day classic. I’m officially calling it the “Charlotte Confetti Shot” and, honestly, I think it might just be the way forward from now on!
Thats all for now folks - Jane - Louise x