
Oh, we do love a countryside elopement! This Peak District wedding was sent to us by our Unconventional Willow & Rust – we love its back-to-basics simplicity, as well as the romance of running away to tie the knot! Keep scrolling for an outdoor wedding ceremony, a wild picnic, and dreamy wedding photos.
Photos by EKR Pictures, written by Willow & Rust Weddings



How to rock a countryside elopement
Location location location!
The location was everything for this shoot, so take your time to research and visit locations. With an elopement, the photographs are all you have to show your friends and family, so make it amazing!
Parking Logistics
Make sure there is somewhere close by to park. You don't want to be dragging your picnic and bouquet for miles to get to your chosen spot. If there is no parking, plan exactly what you need to take with you.
The Right Suppliers
Choose your celebrant and photographer wisely. If they're going to be the only other people there on your special day, make sure you're comfortable with them.
A Peak District Wedding - Why Elope?
I collaborated with Ellie from EKR Pictures on this Peak District wedding shoot. After some location scouting, we chose the amazing backdrop of Winnats Pass in Castleton. The weather could not have been more perfect and the scenery definitely did not disappoint!
The models were a real couple, Kerry and Anthony, whose wedding I will be styling in May this year. After having to postpone twice, I wondered if they might like the opportunity to play dress up in the beautiful Derbyshire countryside and they jumped at the chance!
I wanted to show that you can elope fairly quickly and easily. As long as the legal part is taken care of beforehand, you can pretty much choose whatever location you like! This opens up some of the most amazing and beautiful spots around.
I also wanted to show that it doesn’t have to be costly, to your bank balance or the environment. By using second-hand or hired wedding wear and using shoes and accessories you already own, you are not spending the earth and also doing your bit to be kinder on the planet.




Sustainable Countryside Elopement Ideas
As always, sustainability was at the front of our minds for this Peak District wedding. Eco-florist Fran from Limewood Flowers created a beautiful bouquet and arrangement for the picnic set up, with locally grown flowers and foliage.
I sourced the second-hand wedding dress myself from a bride who had had her special day and wanted her dress to continue its journey. The leather jacket was also a re-loved piece that I found online and hand-painted. We rented the groom’s suit from The Wedding Boutique Ilkeston.
The picnic set up brought together vintage, reclaimed, and reused items including a gorgeous vintage picnic basket with all of the original parts inside. We all enjoyed eating the cake and brownies I had made after the photos had been taken!
Hayley Marie MUA as always did a great job with the make-up and helping Kerry get ready in the back of Ellie the photographer’s van in the middle of the car park!




Peak District Wedding Ceremony
It was so much fun running around the countryside with a bouquet of flowers and a picnic basket. As we stood on top of the pass with the winding road below us doing the celebrant ceremony with Esquiress Ceremonies, passers-by far below us beeped their horns thinking it was a real wedding.
Plus, when a couple pulled into the car park on a beautiful cream Vespa, we just had to ask if we could use it in some shots and they were more than happy to oblige!
Elopements are a great way to avoid all of the stress that planning a large wedding can bring and make the day about you and what you want. Whether it’s the Derbyshire hills, a Loch in the Scottish Highlands, or a beach on the Cornish coast, the options are endless. Plus, you can always decide to have a party at a later date!
Have you loved this Peak District Wedding? You might also love: Eco-Friendly Beach Elopement Inspired By The Tempest.










Featured Members
The Team Behind This Contryside Elopement
Planning and Styling – Willow & Rust Weddings
Photographer – EKR Pictures
MUA – Hayley Marie MUA
Florist – Limewood Flowers
Celebrant – Esquiress Ceremonies
Wedding Dress – Willow & Rust Weddings