Sophie & Dec | Stirk House Wedding
Nestled in the heart of the Ribble Valley, Stirk House is a captivating blend of history and modern luxury. With over 400 years of heritage, this award-winning venue combines stunning architecture with 22 acres of landscaped gardens and woodland. Known for its exceptional hospitality, sustainable ethos, and picturesque countryside views, Stirk House offers the perfect setting for weddings, retreats, and celebrations. Whether exploring the nature trails or indulging in fine dining at Seasons Restaurant, every visit promises relaxation and unforgettable memories. Learn more at Stirk House’s website.
Tell me more about the two of you?
We met in 2018 at a house party playing against each other in a game of beer pong. Then we met up a few months later and started dating! We took a plunge by buying a house together 6 months later – before we’d even said ‘I love you’. It felt like a good investment for us and the gamble paid off because we are still together of course. We love to travel so we’ve spent our years heading off to different countries together. We love our holidays and everyone knows we do as they are always asking us where next!? We’ve been to Chernobyl in Ukraine together which was probably our strangest trip alongside quadbiking and paragliding in Turkey, exploring an active volcano in Greece and basically any extreme sports we can sign up for! We love Whitby and attending Whitby Goth and Steampunk events – We go every year together. We finally got engaged in 2022 in Madeira up in the mountains in a place called Nun’s Valley. We love each others adventurous side and that we can enjoy adventures together. We both have the same outlook on life and enjoy being active. We have a 5 year old husky cross Carpathian shepherd dog (Newkee) and a 1 year old (Hilda) together too.
Tell ME about the Proposal.
It was September 3rd 2022 and we were on the island of Madeira, Portugal. We went on a tour of Nun’s Valley which is a small parish surrounded by mountains. It’s really beautiful. The sun was shining and we had an hour before we got back on the bus as we were on a small group tour. We grabbed some ice cream and sat in a pretty park. I’d just turned around and was busy enjoying an amazing cookie cone ice cream when i turned back to find Dec had a ring out ready to ask me the question. It took me completely by surprise especially since we’d witnessed 3 weddings that same day at various points around the island!
Why Did you Choose Stirk House for your wedding day?
We went to view the venue in October 2022 and the moment we walked through the door we knew it was the one for us. The fire was blazing making it feel cosy and the drive up to it in the dark with the lights twinkling was very exciting. The wedding coordinator was so friendly and made us feel at home and we just fell in love. The day we viewed the venue was eventful – That very morning i’d done a pregnancy test and found out I was pregnant. Dec didn’t know and I kept it quiet until after we’d viewed the venue. I didn’t want to distract him from being able to think about the wedding and whether this was the right venue for us. After we’d viewed it I told him under one of the sparkly trees that we were having a baby! So this makes the venue extra special!
On your Wedding day, How did you personalise Stirk House?
Everything about the wedding is made especially for us or by us. Majority is handmade by us or family. The only thing we haven’t scrimped on is our suppliers as we wanted to put our money in to the things that matter! We’ve been really frugal as that’s what we are like – Even my wedding dress is secondhand from Oxfam! I designed all the wedding signage, invites, save the dates and Dec made the pallet signs. Dec made the groomsmen pocket squares, Newkee’s outfit, designed his own Vans and is currently in the process of drying out petals for confetti. We even created our own favour packets, centerpieces and all decor. The DJ is a family friend and even the makeup artist is related to me! It’s a real budget family DIY wedding.
Morning Wedding Preparations.
Both Sophie and Declan opted to get ready at Stirk House, a fantastic choice for its convenience and relaxed atmosphere. By being already at the venue, the day began smoothly for both wedding parties. They selected Wedding Photography Package 2, which included two photographers—one with the bridal party and the other with the groomsmen. Both groups were filled with excitement and calm anticipation for the day ahead. During this time, I adopted a candid approach, capturing the natural, heartfelt interactions that unfolded, ensuring every moment felt authentic.
Stirk House Wedding Ceremoney.
The ceremony at Stirk House was nothing short of breathtaking—a truly magical setting for Sophie and Declan’s special day. The venue’s historic charm and natural light created an elegant, romantic atmosphere that perfectly complemented their love story. Surrounded by loved ones the scene was set for an unforgettable moment. Every detail, from the arrangement of the space to the couple’s personal touches, added to the warm and intimate feel of the occasion. Sophie and Declan’s vows were heartfelt and full of emotion, sealing their bond with a first kiss as husband and wife. This touching moment was met with warm applause and cheers from their guests, marking the start of their married life together. Beaming with joy, the couple made their way back down the aisle, hand in hand, sharing smiles and laughter with everyone around them.
Group Images
Group photos at Sophie and Declan’s wedding were laid-back and fun, just the way they should be. We used some of the best spots around Stirk House to make the most of the gorgeous surroundings. Everyone felt at ease as I kept things light and natural, giving just enough guidance to get those lovely, polished shots. The in-between moments of laughter and chatter were brilliant too, adding a real sense of personality to the pictures. It was all about keeping it relaxed and capturing genuine connections.
Couple pictures around Stirk House.
Sophie and Declan’s couple portraits around Stirk House were a perfect mix of relaxed and stunning. We kept things simple with light, natural posing, letting their connection shine through in every shot. To add a unique touch, I used the drone for some creative angles, capturing the gorgeous venue and its surroundings in a way that felt truly special. In just 20 minutes, we created a beautiful variety of images that reflected their personalities. They were amazing to work with, making the session feel effortless and fun.
Wedding Day Speeches.
The speeches at Sophie and Declan’s wedding were an emotional highlight of the day, filled with genuine warmth and love. I stayed completely candid throughout, capturing those authentic moments—tears, laughter, and all the little in-between reactions. The speeches were delivered before the wedding breakfast, giving everyone a chance to relax and fully enjoy the meal without the rush of formalities. The heartfelt words shared between family and friends created a real sense of togetherness, making it a moment that not only moved the couple but also everyone present. It was a perfect balance of emotion and joy.
Evening Celebrations.
The evening celebrations at Sophie and Declan’s wedding were filled with fun and memorable moments. They kicked things off with a beautiful cake cutting, followed by a first dance that set the tone for the party ahead. As twilight set in, we took advantage of the soft evening light for some stunning couple portraits, capturing the magic of the moment. To add something a little different, we also ventured into the darkness for some unique shots that perfectly captured the energy of the night, creating a beautiful contrast to the daylight images.
A Review from Sophie & Dec
The moment we saw Dave’s images we were impressed and knew we wanted to set up a meeting! From the offset he was extremely organised, professional and really set the scene for our big day. We could tell we made the right choice from the level of communication and attention to detail we got right from the start! When it came to the big day we were confident he knew EXACTLY what we wanted capturing yet he still managed to exceed our expectations.
From the moment Dave arrived for bridal prep I felt at ease. The relaxed environment Dave created really made us all feel comfortable and I had a great laugh getting photos together with my bridesmaids.
We went for Package Two because we loved the twilight images Dave had on his website. We also liked the idea of having a second photographer and the use of a drone. This did not disappoint!
The second photographer allowed us to have our ceremony captured from both viewpoints and we have wonderful photos as a result. They also worked so well together as a team bouncing off each other’s energy. The drone enabled us to get some epic group shots and views of the venue too. It also impressed our guests!
Twilight photography was a lot of fun and we really enjoyed this aspect. Dave and the second photographer took their time setting up the lighting for these shots to get it absolutely perfect.
We couldn’t be happier with our photographs. They were delivered quickly and the preview on the day was such a special touch. The guests loved it and it got everyone talking. We were also really excited to see the photos on the screen as they looked amazing and we were so impressed!
The best thing about Dave is that he absolutely made our day. We enjoyed the photoshoots so much it is a highlight of our wedding. We had such a good laugh with him and his 2nd photographer, we genuinely felt so relaxed it set the tone for the whole day.
I think a photographer can make or break your wedding and it’s probably the most important supplier you can choose… So we highly recommend Dave Waller as you will not be disappointed! The photographs are so creative and they capture the magic of our day perfectly. Thank you Dave for making our wedding unforgettable!
Sophie & Declan
