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Clare & Rikki’s Pop Punk alternative wedding at the River Mill, Derby

Clare and Rikki’s wedding day at the River Mill was an elder emo's favourite sort of day, with great music, fantastic styling and a stunning red dress. Have a read to see how they achieved their pop punk wedding of dreams!

Alternative bride getting herself ready in front of a mirror
Alt bride sat with her bouquet
Alt bride and her bridesmaids before the wedding
Some floral styling details at the River Mill, Derby
Some wedding guests taking a selfie with the groom before the wedding
Alternative groom getting his floral buttonhole put on his jacket
A neon sign and some industrial style decorations at the River Mill, Darley Abbey
A view down the aisle of the styled ceremony area with a banner before the wedding at the River Mill
Some wedding guests mingling before the wedding ceremony at the River Mill
A guest smiling with some family during the wedding ceremony at the River Mill, Derby
A view of a styled ceremony area before the guests arrive at the River Mill, Derby
A banner behind the wedding ceremony area and some floral styling

AN INTIMATE AND ALTERNATIVE WEDDING VENUE IN DERBY

The River Mill is a delicious little venue in the heart of Darley Abbey, Derbyshire. Not only is it one of my favourite venues of all time, but I’m also lucky enough to be a recommended supplier there. The lighting is perfect all day, and always lends itself to gorgeous ceremony photos. Its quirky, industrial charm really does make it a perfect alternative venue for couples who are looking for a little bit of edge.

Some custom wedding signage in a pop-punk style
A custom wedding banner placed behind the ceremony area
Some floral styling next to a custom wedding mirror sign
A custom sign to let wedding guests know to keep phones and cameras away
An alternative, pop-punk themed seating plan for wedding guests
An alternative sign for the order of the wedding day
A wedding guest with a customised jacket

DIY WEDDING SIGNAGE

DIYing your own wedding signage comes with numerous benefits. Not only does it allow for complete customisation, but it also helps save money compared to hiring a professional. Handmade signs can reflect your unique style as well as create meaningful keepsakes. Clare went to town on her signage, and created gorgeous emo inspired wedding signage that I still think about to this day.

Some flower girls spreading petals before the bride walks down the aisle
An alt bride walking down the aisle for her wedding ceremony
Alternative bride and groom holding hands during their ceremony
Bride laughing during wedding ceremony at the River Mill, Derby
Groom placing a ring on the finger of his bride
Alt groom smiling at his bride during their wedding ceremony
Alternative bride and groom sharing a first kiss at the River Mill, Derby
Bride and groom sharing their first kiss after their ceremony at the River Mill, Derby
Alt bride and groom sharing a kiss whilst signing the wedding register
Bride and groom walking down the aisle after their ceremony at the River Mill, Derby
Alternative bride and groom walking out through bubble confetti outside the River Mill
Bride and groom sharing a kiss under some bubble confetti
Groom smiling with bubble confetti outside the River Mill, Derby
Bride and groom sharing a kiss under some bubble confetti outside the River Mill, Derby
Some bubble confetti in front of a red wedding cape and dress

ECO-FRIENDLY CONFETTI ALTERNATIVES

Confetti can truly be anything you want it to be! Bubble confetti is a fun, eco-friendly, and mess-free way to celebrate that just hitched feeling. Unlike traditional confetti, which can be difficult to clean up and harmful to the environment, bubbles create a joyful vibe without leaving any waste behind. Bubbles are also safe for venues with strict cleanup policies and are a great choice for guests of all ages.

Some tasty looking chocolate-covered strawberries on a wedding treat table
A red floral styling detail in the River Mill, Derby
A hand made wedding treat table sign at the River Mill, Derby
Some tasty looking treats laid out for wedding guests at the River Mill, Derby
Heart shaped jam tarts surrounded by vegan cakes for wedding guests to enjoy
Dessert table for an alternative wedding at the River Mill, Derby
Some beautifully styled cupcakes, part of a wedding dessert table at the River Mill, Derby
Vegan cake pops themed for a pop punk wedding at the River Mill, Derby

ALTERNATIVE VEGAN WEDDING CAKES

Clare & Rikki are big ol’ animal lovers, and their diet reflects that. It was important to them that their cake and food was all to be vegan. Clemie’s Vegan Cakes absolutely nailed the brief, and created a stunning dessert table with an abundance of treats that everyone would enjoy. From tarts to cake pops, her creative sweets looked not just tasty, but absolutely gorgeous too.

Bride laughing with her bridesmaids whilst one holds her cape aloft outside the River Mill, Derby
Alternative bride laughing with her bridesmaids walking outside the River Mill, Derby
Alternative newlyweds with bridesmaids celebrating after their wedding ceremony
Bride and groom with bridesmaids and bouquets outside their wedding
Alternative wedding couple having a group shot with family and friends
Groom holding his bride's red cape whilst she smiles back at him outside the River Mill
Bride and groom with their wedding party outside the River Mill, Derby
Alternative bride having a fun moment with her mother

COUPLE PORTRAITS PERSONAL TO YOU

I’ll say it once and I’ll say it again, having portraits that bring out the best of both of you is so important! I would never want any of my couples to feel like they aren’t themselves in their photos, and that’s why I like to keep things fun, relaxed and as un-posed as possible on the day. I’m sure we can all agree that Clare & Rikki’s personality really does shine through in their photos at the River Mill, and they make me do the biggest, goofiest smile ever looking back on them.

Alternative newlyweds sharing a kiss outside
Alternative couple showing off their tattoos
Bride and groom holding hands on a bridge outside the River Mill, Derby
Alternative bride in red dress and cape with groom holding bouquet
Bride and groom holding a keepsake together and smiling at the River Mill, Derby
Bride and groom holding each other by the river outside the River Mill, Derby
Alternative bride with red dress holding hands with her newly wedded partner
Alt bride and groom holding hands going up some stairs outside the River Mill, Derby
Alternative wedding couple laughing together outside the River Mill, Derby
Alternative bride kissing her newly married groom's head
Alt bride touching the groom's nose whilst he jokingly frowns at her
Alt newly wedded couple laughing together outside the River Mill, Derby
Groom holding a keepsake of his cat
Groom sticking out tongue joking around with bride outside the River Mill, Derby

ALTERNATIVE WEDDING DRESSES: YOU DON’T HAVE TO PICK WHITE!

An absolute showstopper. Clare decided to throw out tradition and picked a dress that felt more like herself. Clare didn’t feel like white suited her vibe at all, so instead, opted to pick a gorgeous prom dress to be her outfit of choice! Her nana even made her a cape instead of a veil, which is such a sentimental option.

Some alternative wedding table styling at the River Mill, Derby
An alternative wedding banner behind the bride and groom at the River Mill, Derby
Some floral wedding styling with dark, alternative themes in the River Mill, Darley Abbey
An alternative wedding singer, Lily Kerbey, singing at the River Mill, Derby
Bride and groom holding hands walking through the River Mill, Derby
A fully styled alternative wedding venue, the River Mill, in Derby
Alternative bride and groom smiling together and holding hands in the River Mill, Derby
Alt bride and groom showing off their name placecards at their table
Bride and groom walking round the River Mill, Derby, together
Alternative bride in red dress hugging a guest at her wedding
A Neck Deep themed wedding table sign at the River Mill, Derby
An alternative bride laughing with her wedding guests at the River Mill, Derby
A wedding table set up for the bride to be
Some alternative themed coloured bunting hanging from a pillar in the River Mill, Derby
Lily Kerbey, alternative wedding singer, at the River Mill, Derby
A young wedding guest checking out some musical-themed table plans at an alternative wedding
A Nickelback themed wedding table sign at the River Mill, Derby
Some wedding guests sat at their tables in the River Mill, Derby

BADASS WEDDING THEMES & MUSIC

Clare and Rikki are BIG music lovers and went balls to the wall with their theming. Instead of table numbers, they opted for their favourite bands to name the tables instead. Clare also handmade a gorgeous banner with lyrics to one of their favourite pop punk love songs.

Rikki is a super talented alternative DJ in Chesterfield, and his talent truly shined when he pieced together their wedding playlist. He kept the mood right with songs that everyone would love, all whilst keeping it within their personal tastes. Paired with live music from the incredible Lily Kerbey, the atmosphere at the River Mill was perfect all day.

Photographer: Marilyn Denise Photography

Venue: The River Mill

Cake: Clemie’s Vegan Cakes

Hair: Hair By Leah Rose

MUA: Lauren Yates Pro MUA

Florals: Foxgloves and Lillies

Musician: Lily Kerbey Music

Alternative bride dancing and singing with some of her bridesmaids
Alternative newlyweds having a champagne spray photo outside the River Mill, Derby
Alternative bride and groom having their first dance at the River Mill, Derby
An alternative wedding portrait - alt newlyweds celebrating their marriage together
Bride and groom kissing surrounded by friends and family holding sparklers
Bride and groom laughing together holding sparklers outside the River Mill, Derby
Alt bride hugging a guest after their wedding at the River Mill, Derby
An alternative bridal portrait wearing a red dress at the River Mill, Derby
Just married couple sat at their wedding party with friends at the River Mill, Derby
Newly married couple laughing together with friends at the River Mill, Derby
Alt bride dancing at her post wedding party at the River Mill, Derby
Newlyweds laughing and feeding each other wedding cake at the River Mill, Derby
Alternative newly married couple having their first dance at the River Mill, Derby
Newly married alternative couple dancing with friends at the River Mill, Derby
Alternative bride laughing with her hand in the air at the River Mill, Derby
Bridesmaids resting for a moment during the post-wedding party at the River Mill, Derby
Newly married groom sat talking with guests at the River Mill, Darley Abbey
Wedding guests seated together chatting at the River Mill, Derby
A wedding guest dancing the night away at the River Mill, Derby
Wedding guests taking part in a post-wedding quiz at the River Mill, Derby

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Marilyn Denise Photography

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