The Riding School at Calke Abbey Wedding Photos

The History of Calke Abbey

The Riding School at Calke Abbey really is stunning place for your wedding photos. Calke Abbey is so close to my heart. I’ve walked here with my family and dogs since I was little girl. It was also one of my gran’s favourite places and she even had a favourite tree. It’s also where Ben & I had our first kiss, and now 13 years later we’re still married, so to be able to bring our cameras and photograph weddings here is a real privilege!

Calke Abbey is in the tiny South Derbyshire village of Ticknall not too far from Derby. The current Calke Abbey stands on the site of a medieval religious house, Calke Priory. Unfortunately the priory was later dissolved by Henry VIII. In 1622 the estate was sold to the Harpur family for just over £5,000 and it stayed in the family until the National Trust took it over in 1985.

To the side of the main mansion house is a range of coach houses including The Riding School. This is the location for weddings! A truly historic and stunning building full of exposed brick, distressed paintwork and a gorgeous high ceilings. It makes for such an impressive and unique wedding venue. It’s a huge space with lots of light and it can be skillfully sectioned using the huge white drapes. This means you can have your wedding ceremony in a different section to your wedding breakfast. Photographically, there are lots of interesting bits of light around the venue as the sun moves overhead and sets beautifully over the field. This creates the most amazing golden hour sun light to photograph in and really create some dreams sun flared photos. Honestly, it’s a photographers dream. This venue is run by the wonderful Helen & Sally from Honeysuckle & Castle, so if you’re interested in having a viewing – get in touch with them before it’s fully booked!

The grounds of Calke Abbey & The Riding School

As wedding photographers based in Derbyshire, we know Calke Abbey and the surrounding area really well. We walk our dogs there all the time so we know all that it has to offer. Apart from the beautiful buildings of the Riding School and courtyard, the bride & groom can also take advantage of the stunning countryside, parkland and walled gardens that the estate has to offer. After the ceremony, there is open parkland next to the Riding School where sheep are often roaming. Such a lovely spot for formal family photos and walks with the bridesmaids and groomsmen. Then a handy golf cart takes us over to the walled gardens and the historic orangery which is totally perfect for portraits! Its also great to have a little bit of time away for everyone, just as husband and wife.

Civil ceremony & wedding breakfast – an epic space

The Riding School is an epic space. They are licenced for civil ceremonies meaning you can get married there. There are also onsite cottages which means you can do everything in one place and the bridal party can stay over too. Calke recommend numbers up to 160 but can accommodate as many as 240 which makes it perfect for Indian and Asian wedding too! What a wedding party! For your catering they work alongside the excellent The Black Peppermint Food Co who can offer a huge range of food rather than the usual boring 3 courses.

So, I guess what were saying is we love The Riding School, so if you’re looking for a Calke Abbey Wedding Photographer, we’d love to be a part of you day.

Don’t hesitate to GET IN TOUCH with us.