PEAK DISTRICT PRE WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY
A Guide to Planning a Pre Wedding Shoot in the Peak District
The Best Peak District Pre Wedding Photography Locations
The Peak District National Park is one of my favourite locations for UK pre wedding photography, and it is easy to see why. The beautiful scenery and dramatic landscapes make it the perfect setting for epic pre wedding shoots, and it is a unique area that provides a fantastic backdrop for photographs.
The 6 best locations in the Peak District for Pre Wedding Photography include:
Ramshaw Rocks
The Roaches
Mam Tor
Dean Rocks
Winnats Park
Curbar Edge
A pre wedding photography shoot in the Peak District will be full of variety and breathtaking scenery and will create photographs and memories that are really unique. As an experienced photographer with a passion for working with couples to create the perfect pre wedding adventure, I have had the honour of working with many amazing couples for sessions in the Peak District.
The area is an abolute gem in terms of the variety of landscapes it offers and its ability to provide the perfect backdrop for capturing amazing images. From the rolling hills and fields to the rugged peaks and serene lakes, the Peak District is the epitome of a photographer's dream.If you are thinking about taking your engagement or pre wedding shoot in the UK countryside, then this National Park should be a strong consideration.
Take a look at some of the best locations in the Peak District National Park for destination pre wedding photographs. You can look through some ideas to make the most of your time in the Peak District as well as see a few sample shoots from this beautiful part of England.
Ramshaw Rocks Pre Wedding Photography
Ramshaw Rocks in the Peak District is a beautiful location for pre wedding photos. With stunning views across the countryside and spectacular, unique rock formations, the area is the perfect setting for epic photography.
The Ramshaw Rocks ridge is easily accessed and very close to the road, so it takes virtually no time at all to get to some amazing backdrops and the area offers lovely 360-degree views of the English countryside. Along with the Roaches, Ramshaw Rocks is one of my favourite spots for pre wedding photographs due to its ease of access, lovely scenery and a great variety of backdrops within a short space.
The Roaches Pre Wedding Photography
Along with Ramshaw Rocks and Hen Cloud, The Roaches in the Peak District form a stunning gritstone ridge which runs along the southern Peak District, creating an amazing pre wedding photography location.
The Roaches offer something quite different from Ramshaw Rocks as there is a beautifully unique area of woodland which is filled with unusual rock formations creating a setting that is unlike anything I have ever seen before. I have had a few couples describe the area as looking like something from Jurassic Park, which gives you a good indication of how incredible this location is.
Mam Tor Pre Wedding Photography
Often described as one of the most dramatic views in the Peak District, Mam Tor is undoubtedly worth a visit for your pre wedding photography if you have the time.
The hike to Mam Tor is quite a steep one and around 2 miles, so you will need a reasonable amount of time if you want to include this in your pre wedding photography. I usually recommend leaving this if you have a limited amount of time although couples with the time to spare will be rewarded by stunning views over the Peak District National Park.
Dean Rocks Pre Wedding Photography
Imposing cliffs and steep drops into the reservoir that sits below it make Dean Rocks and the Saddleworth Moor area of the Peak District another excellent setting for pre wedding photography.
The hike is at least a 2-hour return journey, and so only the most adventurous couples will get to experience the views looking over the reservoir from Dove Stone Edge. I usually only recommend this for couples that are planning a multi-day pre wedding photography shoot in the Peak District.
Winnats Pass Pre Wedding Photography
Deep in the heart of the Peak District, Winnats Pass should be high on the list of any couple planning a pre wedding shoot in the UK countryside. The steep limestone Vally is filled with some stunning views, and the scenery is varied and stunning, making it a unique location for pre wedding photos.
This location is easily accessible too, and you can drive straight through the valley of the Pass, which makes it ideal for couples who want to capture different areas within the Peak District in a short time.
Curbar Edge Pre Wedding Photography
Curbar Edge is a popular pre wedding photography location in the Peak District. It is located above the Derwent Valley in Derbyshire. It is easily accessed by car, which makes it particularly well suited for couples visiting multiple locations in the Peak District.
The 180 decree views from Curbar Edge are stunning, and the benefit of this location is that there are many other spots close by for pre wedding photographs such as Baslow Edge, Froggatt Edge and many more incredible backdrops for photography.
Sample pre wedding photo shoots from the Peak District
Click on the links below to take a look through some sample pre wedding photography shoots from the Peak District in the UK to get more of an idea of my style and view some real shoots from this incredible place.
Getting to the Peak District for Pre Wedding Photo Shoots
Located under 3 hours drive from London, close to Stoke-on-Trent and Nottingham, the area is easily accessible by car or many of London’s main railway stations. There are also lots of coaches that service many of the surrounding towns and cities. Renting a car from London, Manchester or Nottingham is the easiest way you explore the Peak District as it allows you to explore many of the hidden gems and small villages within the Peak District National Park.
Many couples that I work with for Pre Wedding Photography sessions in the UK countryside are travelling internationally from Singapore, Hong Kong, China, Malaysia and other parts of Asia. I can work closely with you to create the perfect pre wedding photography itinerary that includes transport for the duration of there pre wedding photography shoot. Get in touch to explore ideas and options for your shoot, and we can put together an incredible destination pre wedding shoot in the UK. Let me know any thoughts that you have, and I can include these when working with you to come up with a plan for your shoot.
Hair and Makeup
I have several trusted makeup artists and hairstylists that I can recommend once you have an itinerary in place. Once we have dates and locations in place, then I will suggest some options based on the duration and locations for the shoot.
Where to Stay
The Peak District is a large area that is spread over five counties, and there are lots of great locations to stay that will all work well as a base. The best places to stay for a pre wedding photoshoot in the Peak District depend on the areas that we are going to shoot at as well as the length of the shoot.
For one day shoots in the Peak District National Park, I usually recommend Stoke on Trent as a great place to stay as it is close to some lovely locations, including Ramshaw Rocks and The Roaches.
For couples with two days or more, then I would recommend staying in the central Peak District area. This offers easy access to all areas of the national park and opens up several options for the locations that we can explore for your pre wedding photography.
Pre Wedding Photography Dress Hire
In the UK, the hire of wedding gowns and dresses is not very easy, and I always recommend that couples bring all of their attire for the shoot with them. It works out far less expensive to purchase dresses and suits in Asia, and this will also allow for time to try them on, have adjustments made and also to add any accessories before the shoot begins.
When to Visit the Peak District for Pre Wedding Photography
The Peak District looks incredible at any time of year and it is accessible all year round so there is never a bad time to visit. The best time to visit is between April and late June before the UK school holidays start or in September or October. To make sure that things are not too busy I always recommend taking the shoot during the week if possible. Weekends tend to be quite busy with walkers and visitors and so Monday-Friday is usually much quieter and better for your pre wedding photographs.
Itinerary Ideas for a Peak District Pre Wedding Photo Shoot
A full day or two-day shoot in the Peak District is recommended to make the most of the stunning scenery. However, itineraries can be fully customised for any length of visit. Whether you are thinking of a short 3-hour shoot or a multi-day adventure shoot, then feel free to get in touch, and I will work with you to come up with the perfect itinerary for your Peak District pre wedding shoot.
A few ideas about what is possible for different lengths of visits include:
3 Hour Pre Wedding Photography Shoot in the Peak District
With a few hours to spare I would suggest focusing on the southern part of the Peak District and the area around Ramshaw Rocks and The Roaches. Three hours is the perfect amount of time to cover both of these areas and give you a great mix of images.
Starting your pre wedding photo shoot around 3 hours before sunset will give us the opportunity to capture some sunset engagement photographs with incredible views, and I will suggest the best starting time for your session once a date has been selected.
1 Day Pre Wedding Photography Shoot in the peak district
With one day available, I would suggest taking photographs at The Roaches and Ramshaw Rocks and combining this with another location in the Peak District such as Winnats Pass or Curbar Edge. An alternative option would be to concentrate on the northern and central parts of the Peak District and one full day would allow multiple locations including Dean Rocks, Mam Tor and many more.
Take a look at a a sample shoot from the Peak District here.
2 Day Pre Wedding Photography Shoot in the peak district
If you have two days available for your pre wedding photography shoot in the UK, then many more options are available. Staying in the central Peak District and using this as a base to explore the whole area will give you the widest variety of location possibilities. Two full days for your pre wedding shoot would allow us to explore lots of the incredible backdrops that the Peak District has to offer.
View another sample pre wedding shoot in the Peak District National Park here.
Additional Locations and Combination Pre Wedding Photography Shoots
It is possible to combine a Peak District pre wedding shoot with other locations in the UK, Europe and around the world to create a unique combination of images. Some of the recommendations that work well with UK pre wedding photography in the Peak District include:
London
Scotland
The Lake District
The Cotswolds
Yorkshire Dales
Paris
Venice
London
If you are thinking about combining a Peak District pre wedding shoot with an additional location then take a look at the best locations in London for a pre wedding photoshoot here or some planning advice for a Scotland pre wedding shoot here the get in touch and let me know any ideas and thoughts you have about combining locations and I will come up with some suggestions for an incredible multi-location pre wedding shoot.
Getting Started
If you are interested in finding out more about a pre wedding shoot in the Peak District or anywhere else, then get in touch and can talk you through the next steps in planning your adventure.
More information to help plan your pre wedding adventure in the Peak District
Hopefully this information has been helpful and I am always available to help you make the most of your time in the UK and the Peak District. You can find out more about this incredible area via the UK Peak District information page here.
Get in Touch
Drop me a quick message and let me know when and where you are thinking of taking your pre wedding shoot, and I will send through some details and pricing information as well as some ideas to start planning your itinerary. You can also reach me on WhatsApp on +447515876975