Katie and Dan’s Hazel Gap wedding was at a venue that had been on my list for quite a while. Like the rest of the Cripps & Co barns, it certainly didn’t disappoint! As their wedding photographer, I got to capture a classy, beautiful day that was full of surprises. Below is my Hazel Gap wedding photography from their late summer day, from a cottage morning to sparklers at the end of the night.

A cottage morning

Katie got ready at a charming little cottage just down the road, which the venue recommends to all their brides. I can see why. It was the perfect hideaway for a wedding morning and made for a lovely, relaxed start to the day.

She had two close friends and her mum with her for an incredibly relaxed and loving morning. Katie is one of those people you instantly feel at ease around. It’s my favourite kind of wedding morning.

Her mum helped her into her dress, then her bridesmaids saw her for the first time. Meanwhile Dan and his groomsmen got ready in green three piece suits.

An oak barn ceremony at Hazel Gap

Hazel Gap Barn sits in the Nottinghamshire countryside near Worksop, on the edge of Sherwood Forest. The venue has a grand stone manor house, a brick and oak barn, lime tree avenues and woodland.

It’s a proper barn wedding venue. There’s a huge mix of backdrops within a short walk and the light inside the barn is gorgeous. For wedding photography it’s a dream.

Their ceremony was in the barn, under hanging greenery. Katie walked down the aisle with her mum and Dan’s face said it all.

It was a truly special moment between Katie and Darren, wait, Dan! It’s one I’ll remember for a long time, even after 17 years of weddings. As a wedding photographer, I love moments like that.

Confetti, drinks and a VW Beetle

After the ceremony, their guests lined up outside the barn with handfuls of confetti. Then it was drinks in the courtyard while I caught relaxed photos of family and friends.

Katie and Dan hopped into a classic white VW Beetle for a few photos. Then we did a quick photo with the bridesmaids and groomsmen. We kept the group shots simple so everyone could enjoy the drinks.

Couple portraits under the lime trees

For couple photos we explored the grounds, from the lime tree avenue to the woodland and the old timber barns. It was so relaxed and natural, with the two of them just enjoying the day.

My wedding photography doesn’t have a fancy label. I let the day happen in front of me, with a few gentle prompts along the way. I love it when couples have that much fun together.

The grand stone manor house at Hazel Gap Barn in the Nottinghamshire countryside near Worksop

Ceremony table and flowers by the fireplace in the oak barn at Hazel Gap

Welcome sign and hanging greenery in the oak barn at Hazel Gap Barn ready for the vows

Wedding dress hanging up and the bridal bouquet waiting at the cottage near Hazel Gap Barn

Bridal shoes and a pearl hair piece laid out on the morning of the wedding

Katie having her makeup done at the cottage on the morning of her Hazel Gap wedding

Katie smiling during her makeup at the cottage just down the road from Hazel Gap Barn

Katie's mum fastening her wedding dress, a special moment on the morning

Looking through the bedroom doorway as Katie stands in her wedding dress while her mum helps her get ready

Black and white photo of Katie walking down the staircase in her wedding dress on the morning of the wedding

Katie in a stone archway and sharing a moment with her mum

Katie with her bridesmaids at the reveal as they see her in her dress for the first time

Groom Dan and his groomsmen getting ready in green three piece suits

Classic white VW Beetle decorated with flowers for the wedding at Hazel Gap

Wide view down the aisle in the oak barn at Hazel Gap as Katie walks in arm in arm with her mum and Dan waits at the front

Katie and Dan beaming at each other as she reaches the front of the aisle in the barn at Hazel Gap

Dan and Katie at the front of the ceremony in the brick and oak barn at Hazel Gap Barn

Katie and Dan smiling at each other during their vows in the barn at Hazel Gap

Katie listening during the vows, a quiet moment in the barn near Worksop

Wide view of the ceremony in the oak barn at Hazel Gap Barn in Nottinghamshire

Katie and Dan walking back up the aisle at Hazel Gap Barn as husband and wife

Confetti flying over Katie and Dan as they walk out of the ceremony at Hazel Gap Barn

Bridesmaids and groomsmen with the bride and groom in the gardens at Hazel Gap Barn

Katie and Dan sitting in the classic VW Beetle at Hazel Gap Barn on their wedding day

Katie and Dan in the lime tree avenue at Hazel Gap Barn, a favourite spot for couple photography

Couple portraits under the lime trees at Hazel Gap Barn in the soft afternoon light

Katie in the woodland at Hazel Gap Barn with the trees around her

Katie and Dan walking together through the woods at Hazel Gap near Sherwood Forest

Katie and Dan by the old timber barn in the grounds of Hazel Gap Barn

Black and white portrait of Katie and Dan by the timber barn at Hazel Gap

Dan leading Katie across the lawn at Hazel Gap Barn back towards the party

Speeches and a perfectly timed joke

The wedding breakfast was in the oak framed reception room, with round tables and trailing greenery overhead. It’s a gorgeous space full of natural light.

During the speeches, Dan’s dad made a perfectly timed joke that had everyone gasping. Even I was surprised, after the hundreds of speeches I’ve heard. Dan’s face, mid sip of his drink, was priceless.

Golden hour and marshmallows

Afterwards we headed out for golden hour as the sun went down over the fields.

Ask any wedding photographer and they’ll tell you golden hour at Hazel Gap Barn is worth the wait. The fields behind the venue glow and it only takes ten minutes.

The evening started with garden games in the courtyard and marshmallows toasted over the fire pits.

A first dance and a mobility scooter

Then Katie and Dan had their first dance in the barn, under the hanging greenery and the disco ball.

At one point Katie cheekily borrowed a guest’s mobility scooter and drove it around the dance floor, with Dan running after her to keep her dress out of the wheels!

The night ended with sparklers and a packed dance floor. What a happy end to an amazing Hazel Gap wedding.

Photographer’s tips

Hazel Gap wedding photography tips

Allow 15 to 30 minutes for couple photos.Your wedding photographer can make the most of the lime tree avenue, the woodland and the barns, which are all a short walk apart.
Book the cottage for the morning.It’s just down the road and makes for relaxed, natural photography from the very start of the day.
Save time for golden hour.The fields behind the venue glow at sunset, so ten minutes outside with your wedding photographer is well worth it.
Plan an evening fire pit.Marshmallows and sparklers make brilliant wedding photos at the end of the night.

The team behind the day