A Hargate Hall Spring Wedding – the daffs were out and Spring was trying, but it is Buxton and snow is never far away!

Our yearly visit to this Buxton wedding venue had come early! We were looking forward to our first Hargate Hall Spring wedding, our eighth Hargate Hall wedding since our first visit in 2008 :) And it’s no secret that we do love a Hargate Hall celebration. This Hargate Hall couple lived in New Zealand so it was tricky to catch up before their big day but we managed to meet Claire back at Christmas time and Giles we’d bumped into just a few days before the big day.

A very organised and prepared wedding day

We arrived at Hargate Hall a little early so headed down to the marquee were very surprised to see the marquee completely set up with everything in place for the wedding breakfast. This is usually a hive of frenetic activity when we get to Hargate Hall. Normally all hands to the deck putting in the finishing touches, of bunting, flowers, wedding favours – but today was calmness and serenity! We next headed up to capture Claire and her bridesmaids in the throws of make-up, hair and all the chaos that goes with bridal prep…Well everyone was ready, with two hours to go!!!! Claire and Giles do have a reputation for being super organised, but this was going a little too far and it turned out that the make-up artist was just a little OTT with being ready on time!! So once the make-up artist had left Claire promptly got out of her wedding dress and back in to her dressing gown to chill out with her friends ;) Always something new to experience with every wedding!

A few wedding ceremony nerves

Claire and her very proud dad entered the ceremony down the gorgeous dark staircase of Hargate Hall. The short walk to the end of the aisle and they meet an anxious Giles. A few tongue tied moments, lightened the mood, adding in a few chuckles for good measure :) With three readings by their close friends and a string trio their wedding ceremony had a great feel – as always with Hargate Hall :) And another first for Hargate Hall, two very friendly male registrars too!

Hargate Hall Spring wedding sunshine & afternoon teas

Claire and Giles exited as newly weds to a storm of confetti out into the Derbyshire spring sunshine! Yeah the sun had come out and it even felt quite warm! Congratulations, champagne, some family pics all rounded off by a scrummy looking afternoon tea and accompanied by the notes of the string trio floating out from the hall. Scones and cucumber sandwiches eaten, we set off for our wander through Hargate Hall’s grounds and the surrounding lanes, making the most of the bits of green that had emerged by early April.

Afternoon jazz & late night boogie

As we entered the hall the afternoon’s jazz entertainment had just begun and everyone chatted to the great music of Blue Note Mitch, providing a soundtrack to the afternoon. Time for more food, a few speeches and a bit of soggy sleaty snow – good timing whilst everyone was nice and dry inside the wedding marquee. Back up at the hall the party got going in full swing with more from Blue Note Mitch as they upped the tempo, with everything from Rock & roll, to pop, to ska – looking for a band then check these guys out!

Huge congrats to Claire & Giles, and thanks for being so up for everything – even climbing stiles in a wedding dress :)

Hargate Hall spring wedding