The Hidden Hive Wedding Photographer
Natural, Unposed Wedding Photography at The Hidden Hive
I had an amazing day photographing this sunny May wedding at The Hidden Hive in Derbyshire. Helen & Keri wanted a relaxed, festival inspired day and this lakeside tipi venue was the perfect fit.
If you found this blog post and you are looking for a wedding photographer for your Hidden Hive wedding then take a look at the photos below to see if my style fits. I capture you and your guests as they are, showing real personalities and all the joy and emotions that come naturally at weddings.
Take a look at some of my favourite photos from the day, and a full list of suppliers at the bottom. You can read more about The Hidden Hive as a wedding venue below.
Suppliers:
- Wedding Venue – The Hidden Hive Tipis
- Wedding Glamping Village – Tinkers Bells Glamping Events
- Wedding Singer – Northern Nightingale
The Hidden Hive Tipi Venue
When you first lay eyes on The Hidden Hive, it’s hard not to love it. Nestled in the heart of the Derbyshire National Forest, surrounded by enchanting woodlands and a lake, this secluded venue offers not only the tipi space but a large blank canvas for couples dreaming of a rustic, festival-inspired day.
In my many years as a wedding photographer, I’ve worked with hundreds of couples across loads of venues in the UK and beyond. The Hidden Hive stands apart and it’s one of my favourite tipi venues. From the open green space, lake side forest area and ceremony space it’s a joy to photograph. Let’s explore why this tipi wedding wonderland could be the perfect place for your wedding.
The Venue
A Woodland Wonderland
Set deep in the National Forest, The Hidden Hive is beautifully private yet effortlessly accessible—just a few minutes from Swadlincote (5 miles) and Burton-on-Trent (15 minutes). The trees, the lake, the field all provide the perfect backdrop for your wedding.
Giant Tipis: Rustic, Romantic & The Perfect Party Space
The centerpiece? A cluster of giant tipis complete with wooden flooring, comfy lounge furniture, fire-pits, and tiers of fairy lights. Picture your first dance in a warm glow, or intimate couple portraits framed by tipi peaks. The tipis offer an amazing space for your reception, meal and dancing. Helen & Keri had half the speeches outside on the decking and the other half inside before the meal. It worked well to break up the speeches but still get everyone seated ahead of the food.
Flexible Space: Ceremony Barn & Outdoor Vows
The separate ceremony space, a wooden barn with clear walls, offers a sheltered yet open-feel location for your “I dos.” It’s a warm space that fits well with the tipis and outdoor vibes.
Photography at The Hidden Hive Tipis
Golden Hour
Photographing during sunset here is amazing. The glow filters through the woodland, reflecting off the lake and across the field and through the trees.
Fire-Pits & Ambient Emotion
With fire-pits blazing late into the night together with the fairy lights the evening looks amazing. For the photographers out there, I shoot in a shallow depth of field to capture the ambience (think 35 mm, f/1.4). This means that the galleries I deliver show not only what it felt like to be at the wedding but also how it truly looks.
Tipi Interiors & Details
Inside the tipi, the wooden flooring, relaxed lounge areas, and festoon lighting looks amazing. The dance floor speaker system ensures it’s loud on the dance floor but quiet enough to chat off the dance floor. Space around the bar and tables means it doesn’t feel small inside and there is even a smaller tipi with open sides outside for smoking or shelter.
Local Area: For Exploring During Your Wedding Stay
Swadlincote & Burton‑on‑Trent
A short drive brings you to Swadlincote or Burton-on-Trent—perfect for rehearsal dinners, casual brunches, or vendor meetups. These towns offer charming pubs, comfortable B&Bs, and easy transport links for your guests.
National Forest Adventures
Make the most of the stunning area by exploring nearby National Forest trails. As The Hidden Hive is right on the doorstep to the Peak District there are many walks and camping options.
Rustic Stays & Supplier Picks
Many guests embrace local charm with stays in farmhouse B&Bs or self-catering cottages. And vendors—florists etc often utilise the local area for inspiration. You can see the suppliers from this wedding above (they were all amazing).
Why I Love Shooting Here
- Visual Harmony: Trees, wood, lake, tipi—every area fits my relaxed style really well.
- Light-Friendly Design: The clear-fronted tipis and open woodland make natural light flow easily—ideal for documentary storytelling.
- Freedom & Flexibility: Couples can choose ceremony styles—registrar, celebrant, or humanist—leading to a more personal day.
Timeless DIY Potential: The venue supports creative customisation—bring your décor, props, and styling to layer on personal touches. This makes every wedding unique and photographically vibrant.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How many guests can it host?
Up to 150 people for seated dining — smaller weddings can work as well as the tipis scale accordingly .
Q: What’s included in the venue hire?
You’ll get tipis, catering tent, luxury toilets, heating, generators, bar service, fire-pits—and optional glamping.
Q: Are ceremonies licensed?
Yes. You can choose registrar or celebrant-led ceremonies in tipi or pavilion. You can get legally married at the venue.
Q: What if it rains?
The venue’s wooden flooring and cover guarantee the party stays on-track. Plus the ceremony area is covered.
Q: Accommodation nearby?
You can camp on-site with glamping units, like Helen & Keri did with their wedding camping village or book nearby Swadlincote and Burton-on-Trent accommodations
The Hidden Hive is just one venue in the Wonderland Wedding Venues group. See them all here. I have photographed many tipi weddings including another of their venues Bradbury Glade.
Listen to my experience at The Hidden Hive on my weekly wedding planning podcast, episode 51.
