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Albert Hall Manchester Wedding

Couple kiss in the street outside Albert Hall Manchester on their wedding day.

When I first met Fran and Ben in a chic little bar in Manchester’s Northern Quarter I knew I was on for a good wedding, not only had they chosen one of my favourite (and one of the coolest) venues in Manchester to host their wedding, but Fran is also an event planner so I knew everything was going to be spot on, from having their own unforgettable hash tag in lights #TEAMCRUSE to having water and hang over packs ready for guests on the way out Fran had thought of everything in advance meaning Ben and Fran and all of their friends and family could just relax into the day, knowing that everything was sorted and it was spectacular perfect.

Thanks to my awesome second shooter Marni V Photography for being a general legend through the day and every day.

The Albert Hall

The Albert Hall was an old Methodist central hall built in 1908 and is now used mainly as a music venue and a pretty epic one at that. A grade 2 listed building with a lot of the buildings old period features, including beautiful old tiled walls, a horse shoe gallery, magnificent 19th Century Organ towering over the room in centre stage, it really is something to behold. The huge beautiful stained glass windows either side of the building let in oddles of natural light during the day time and then when the sun goes down and the party gets started you have The Albert Hall’s professional concert lighting to give your party that extra edge.

Couple stand infront of stain glass window at Albert Hall Manchester on their wedding day.

Getting Ready

Fran and Ben both got ready with their bridesmaids, groomsmen family and friends at the Principal Hotel in Manchester. I love this hotel, the huge sash windows make way for loads of natural light and the rooms are nice and HUGE meaning there’s loads of space for you and your mates to have a nice chilled wedding morning together. The Principal hotel isn’t really very far from the Albert Hall so the boys walked while the girls jumped in a traditional Manchester black cab.

The groom doesn't know which way to turn at Principal Hotel Manchester

The groom catches the photographer snapping him in the bathroom mirror.

The groom has his groomsman fix his suit for him.

The groom fixes one of his groomsmen's ties.

The mother of the bride sits to have her make up done.

Bridesmaids react to the bride wearing her wedding dress.

Mother of the bride is saying something big with her arms.

Little girl sits on a chair, her eyes lit by window light.

The bride leaves her hotel to get to the church, surrounded by her bridesmaids beautiful white and green bouquets.

The Ceremony

Fran and her bridal party made their way across the main hall floor while their friends and family looked on from the stalls and cheered, before making it up onto the stage to get married! The Albert Hall lighting techs even added a little bit of smoke, to give the huge room the hazy atmospheric effect you can see in the photos.

Wedding guest in yellow is helped to her seat in the stalls at the Albert Hall Manchester.

Bridesmaid and groomsmen walk together across the hall.

Another bridesmaid and groomsmen make their way across the hall laughing.

Bridesmaid and groomsmen walk flower girl Matilda to the stage in the Albert Hall, Manchester.

Wedding guests stand cheering from stalls.

The Bride raises her flowers up to a cheer from her wedding guests as she enters the hall with her father on her arm.

Bride and groom take their first look at one another on the stage.

Bride laughing as the officiant makes a joke.

Bride and groom listen as friend gives a reading

Guests watch the bride and groom take their vows from the stalls at the Albert Hall Manchester.

The bride and groom put rings on one and other.

The bride and groom kiss, centre stage at the Albert Hall in front of their friends and family.

Bride and Groom laugh as the bride holds their marriage certificate.

Bride and groom raise hands in the air as they make their way across the main hall floor to an audience of cheering guests!

Albert Schloss

One great little perk they have at the Albert Hall Manchester is Albert Schloss, the huge, beautiful bar and restaurant down stairs, calling itself Manchester’s first bohemian bier it does have a strangely warm and cosy vibe for somewhere so huge! While the staff at the Albert Hall got stuck into getting the room ready for dinner and speeches, Fran and Ben’s Wedding guests were able to go and grab a drink at their own reserved part on the bar

Mother of the bride wearing a creme suit and hat.

Wedding guests chat in Albert Schloss Manchester

Black and white photo of wedding guest laughing.

Wedding guests have a drink and laugh together in Albert Schloss.

Wedding guests smiling playing with children

Three male wedding guests laugh together.

This little break in the day gave us the perfect opportunity to grab some friends and family portraits and a few quick couple shots before dinner.

Bride sits in the middle of her female friends laughing as they try and poke her in the face, huge TEAM CRUSE sign behind them.

The couple stand holding hands in front of a huge stain glass window.

Bride and groom laugh in pocket of window light, Albert Hall Manchester.

Bride and groom kiss in window light, Albert Hall Manchester.

Couple embrace in a pocket of strong window light.

Speeches

Once the room was turned around we were all ushered back up into the Albert Hall for speeches and some epic scran. Fran and Ben took a few moments to watch their guests enter from the stalls, seeing them finding their wedding favours on their tables. It was Fran’s idea to let everyone have a chance to be the Bride and Groom, a veil for the girls and a cheeky glasses and nose mask for the boys. Poor Ben! Lol.

Bride and groom sit laughing watching their guests arrive for the wedding breakfast.

Tables are set up with #TEAMCRUSE sign in the middle.

Wedding table set up, Albert Hall Manchester.

Brides table setting, with wooden bride calving.

Bride laughing with mother of the bride and her bridesmaid.

Wedding guests laugh trying on their veils.

Mother of the bride and her father hold hands.

Guests try on their glasses and nose masks.

Bride laughs while listening to fathers speech.

Bride smiles listening to fathers speech.

Groom makes his speech as his parents laugh.

Groom raises a glass to his bride at the end of her speech.

Best man open his speech in a flamboyant way.

Bride and groom raise their glasses to cheers the best mans speech.

Wedding guests applause the end of the speeches.

Two guests take refuge on a sofa next to a big white balloon.

The Party

After the speeches we took another little breather from the hustle and bustle of the wedding outside to grab a few more portraits in the street outside The Albert Hall Manchester, before re-entering to have the party start with the awesome The Herringbone Cocktail Club had people up and dancing straight away and right up until Fran and Ben’s last dance at midnight, sealed off with golden confetti canons and Fran and Ben making it up onto the stage for and end of night bow. An absolute belter of a wedding!

Bride and groom sit on pavement outside Albert Hall surrounded by star shaped glitter.

Bride and groom sit on the floor together.

Bride and groom laughing surrounded by glittering stars.

Bride and groom sit laughing together over the road from The Albert Hall Manchester.

Bride and groom kiss in the middle of the road outside the Albert hall, Manchester.

Bride and groom stand laughing in the middle of the road.

The Albert Hall Manchester in the sun light.

Two male wedding guests dancing with their legs in the air.

Bridesmaid dancing pulling a funny face.

Bride and grandad laugh together at the Albert Hall Manchester.

Wedding guest with shocked face and hands in the air.

Blonde wedding guest smiles dancing in the crown.

Female wedding guest dances raising her hand s in the air.

Band play in the middle of the dancing crowd at The Albert Hall, Manchester.

Bride raises her hand in the air singing to the music.

Male weddings guests dance with their ties tied around their heads, Rambo style.

Bride dances in the middle of her friends swishing her skirt around.

Packed out dance floor at The Albert Hall Manchester.

Bride hugs her friend on the dance floor.

Groom sits on his friend shoulders with his hands in the air at The Albert Hall, Manchester.

Bride sits on a guests shoulder, her hands in the air singing on her wedding day at The Albert Hall, Manchester.

Bride and groom dance the final dance of the night surrounded by their family and friends at The Albert Hall Manchester.

Suppliers

A shout out to Fran and Ben’s Awesome hand picked wedding suppliers who did an awesome job!

Venue - https://www.alberthallmanchester.com/

Hotel - https://www.phcompany.com/principal/manchester-hotel/

Dress - Knutsford Wedding Gallery

Shoes - Office

Bridesmaids - Needle and Thread

Band - The Herringbone Cocktail Club

Love letters - The Word is Love

Florist - Frog

Suits - Ted Baker

If you were a supplier that worked at this wedding and your name is not listed here, please get in touch, I’ll be more than happy to link to your site!

Like what you see? Getting married? Need a photographer? Get in touch!

Oxfordshire Wedding Photographer - Village Hall Wedding

St Mary's Church in Aldworth & Letcombe Regis Village Hall Wedding

Click on the image above to go to Jess and Scott’s FULL WEDDING TRAILER!

So in early September this year I had the absolute pleasure of travelling down to South Oxfordshire to shoot Jess and Scott’s Wedding. It has been a wedding I’ve been looking forward to for a while as Jess and Scott are absolute sweethearts and I was so excited by Jess’s description the the beautiful 13th Century Church her and Scott were getting married in. I was also going to get to see some old faces at the wedding (Hey Kate and Tim) which always makes for a extra special day.

Jess wore a gorgeous dress from Rock the Frock Bridal Boutique in Berkshire on her wedding day teamed with a gorgeous silk flower crown her bridesmaids had bought her for her hen do, it ended up being so beautiful and going with Jess’s dress and make up so well that it was a main feature of her wedding outfit.

Jess and Scott rented out a local Village Hall in Wantage for a lovely, relaxed village hall reception. Anyway I’m giving away far too much… I’m going to let Jess and Scott take it from here in their own words.

If you would like to see the full wedding trailer click on the image above. ;)

Jess and Scott’s Story

“We met at a heavy metal nightclub! Scott was the DJ, and I went up and asked him to play a song by Polish death metal band Decapitated. We got chatting about death metal and had a bit of a flirt. He disappeared briefly to the loo and I left to get a kebab (I was a bit worse for wear). Fast forward a week and I spotted him loitering at another rock night - turns out he was trying to find me! We literally talked for about 5 hours, and then agreed on an official first date a few days later. I think he fancied me first, but I was the one who officially announced our relationship to all my friends at a party (with Scott standing next to me). I think that was the first he knew of it as well.”

“Scott asked me to marry him underneath the liberty statue in Budapest on a very misty autumn day in November. We were sitting quietly together on a bench, and he asked me suddenly. It was one of the best moments of my whole life.”

Jess on Scott: “He's kind, loyal, and is fiercely protective of the relationship we've built. He's the best man I've ever met.”

Scott on Jess Jess: “Is loving and caring, emotionally strong, always positive, clever, very fun :)”

St Mary's Church in Aldworth, South Oxfordshire

“I did postgraduate work on medieval literature and culture, and St Mary's Church is a stunning example of Transitional Norman architecture, and the inside of the church contains these amazing 13th century stone effigies! It felt super intimate, very English and had a melancholic beauty (basically my dream aesthetic).”

Letcombe Regis Village Hall

“We had the reception at Letcombe because we wanted a proper old English knees-up. The cricket field outside and the amount of natural light in the venue just swung it for us. We were also planning on doing nearly all the decorating ourselves and a village hall gave us the freedom to do that.”

Wedding Suppliers

“For my dress I went to Rock the Frock bridal boutique in Berkshire. I used RTF because I liked the idea of choosing from a small collection of thoughtfully curated dresses rather than a huge collection of dresses that all look basically the same. I also knew I wanted something a bit different, and something that would complement my body type. The wedding dress industry is often super focused on making brides look like a completely different person on their wedding day - I didn't want that. The atmosphere at RTF was completely relaxed, un-pressured and lots of fun. I ended up going for a dress I thought I would hate before I tried it on, and then fell in love with as soon as I walked out of the dressing room in it.”

“I used the artisan dried flower company for my bouquet and accessories. I get to keep my bouquet forever (well, almost...) and it was about a third of the price of fresh flowers. I cannot recommend dried flowers highly enough - they are much more cost effective, they look incredibly elegant and feminine, and you get to keep them after the wedding. Dried flower confetti is also muck kinder for the environment!”

Dried flower button hole, featuring a red rose and gypsy grass.

Bride and Groom leaving St Mary's Church, Aldworth together as a married couple.

Bride and Groom laugh together and their wedding guests throw dried petal confetti at them at St Mary's Church, Aldworth Village on a beautiful sunny day.

“My best friend baked my wedding cake. This was one of the most special parts of my whole wedding. He made a three tier cake - chocolate and porter fruit cake, amaretto drizzle cake, and citrus gin drizzle cake he decorated it with a thin layer of buttercream icing, gold leaf, dried rose petals and bee pollen. It was stunning.”

“We made the majority of the decorations ourselves - I painted glass jars for candle holders, hemmed and sewed my own cloth napkins and painted my table plan by hand. It was a huge amount of hard work, but incredibly rewarding to see it all come together on the day. Seeing all of our nearest and dearest hanging bunting and ironing table cloths the day before was a very emotional experience and made us both feel so loved.”

Hand Painted Table Plan Featuring English Flowers, Outside Village Hall Wedding Reception in Oxfordshire.

Stationary welcoming guests to the wedding with window light shining on it at village hall wedding reception in Oxfordshire.

”We had a South African braai! Scott was born and raised in South Africa so we wanted to keep the food super authentic, casual and just plain tasty. Everyone loved the food and we were both chuffed to see people up for seconds. I knew I didn't want a sit down meal, and queuing with my plate for boerewors and Mrs Balls chutney was one of my fave little moments of the day! Flame BBQ did an epic job.”

“Our pictures from the day are beyond what we expected - natural, intimate, stylish, and all suffused with a genuine warmth. Katie got some absolutely magical shots and provided a calming presence when I was getting ready in my bridal suite. I'm actually trying to think of excuses to book her again! Do you do 30th's Katie?”

Ha, ha the answer is yes I do. ;)

Is there anything you wish you could have done differently?

“I wish we hadn't allowed the stress of all the last minute organisation to get to us as much as it did. We were stressed out, exhausted from all the work and bickered a lot. When you spend so long planning a wedding, it becomes the biggest thing in your life and any little problem gets very easily blown out of proportion. I wish we'd have maintained a greater sense of perspective and not allowed the stress to impact us.”

Advice from Jess and Scott for other Couples

“No matter what goes wrong on the day, you will still be on cloud 9. Stop worrying about worst case scenarios, because on the day you absolutely won't care! You've just married the love of your life - congratulations!”

Thanks so much for having me Jess and Scott it was a bloody marvellous wedding indeed!

Lots of Love Katie xxxx

Dress was by https://www.rockthefrockbridal.co.uk/

Flowers by https://www.artisandriedflowers.co.uk/

Food by https://www.flamebbq.co.uk/

If you are looking to book your wedding photographer and would like a little bit more info get in touch with the form below. ;)

Creative Documentary Wedding Photographer - Manchester - Cristal & Max.

Creative Couples Shoots are the Best!

I love couples shoots, it’s always a nice fun relaxed way to get a load of photographs of you both together, there’s more time to mess around, be creative and get the kind of photos or travel to kind of places that you might not have the time (or the motivation to) get to on your actual wedding day

How Does A Creative Documentary Couples Shoot Work?

Sometimes people ask how Documentary Photography and things like couples portraits can work together and I suppose it differs from photographer to photographer, but generally getting people to relax and be themselves and mess around together in a place of special meaning to them, makes for the perfect mix of context and emotion for the photographs to work. We obviously set up these scenes but I promise you the fun and laughs in these photographs are very, very real! ;)

Falling In Love In Manchester

Photographing Cristal and Max was an absolute dream! Manchester is a really special place to them as it’s where they met at Manchester University before travelling back home together and getting engaged. They visit the UK and Manchester every 4 years if they can, to check out their old haunts, see old friends and see how the landscape has changed since their last visit.

Remembering the Normal Every Day Parts of Your Story as A Couple.

We visited their favourite KFC, the Sainsbury’s where they would have “shopping dates” (I was in awe of the practical time use of that one!), their favourite bars and cafes, their university and old university halls and a dozen other places with special meaning to them both and their individual story as a couple. Cristal and Max did this all while donning their stylish wedding gear and they both totally rocked it!

Cristal and Max

Cristal and Max will be getting married on the 2nd of February 2019 in Singapore.

Cristal and Max I wish you both a wonderful married life and future together, it was an absolute delight to be a small part of your adventure. Thanks so much for having me along for the ride! Lots of love Katie xxxxx

Couple laugh while eating chicken in KFC.

Couple shopping together in Sainsburys Manchester.

Couple in supermarket shopping wearing full wedding outfits.

Couple pause together with shopping trolly in supermarket, Manchester.

Bride whispers into grooms ear in supermarket.

Couple laughing together in the supermarket.

Couple have a moment together in supermarket.

Groom pushes bride around in shopping trolly.

Groom pushes bride down the aisle in shopping trolley.

Couple have a moment together as bride sits back in shopping trolley.

Bride poses in rock and roll pose as Groom pushes her down the aisle in shopping trolley.

Couple stand together in front of a wall full of Ivy at Manchester University.

Bride and Groom laughing together in front of a wall full of ivy.

Couple stand together under Manchester University sign.

Couple have a cuddle in the Manchester university archway.

Couple embrace outside Manchester university, where they first met.

Couple laughing together in front of sunshine graffiti in Manchester's Northern Quarter.

Couple stand together in Northern Quarter, Manchester.

Couple stand together in Wedding gear in front of Aflecks Palace, Manchester.

Couple hold hands outside of Aflecks Palace, Manchester.

Couple laughing together outside Afleck's Palace.

Couple standing outside Fresh Bites, Northern Quarter, Manchester.

Couple Holding hands outside Fresh Bites take away in Manchester's infamous Northern Quarter.

Couple laugh together at Home Street Home Manchester.

Couple pushing each other around laughing.

Couple give each other an eskimo kiss in front of old couple graffiti.

Couple walking together down an alley in Manchester.

Couple holding hands and walking together in Northern Quarter alley, Manchester.

Black and White photo of couple in Sugar Junction.

Couple sit together in Sugar Junction, Northern Quarter.

Couple laugh together in the archways of Manchester Town Hall.

Couple smiling under the Manchester Town Hall Archways.

Couple cuddle in between two red phone boxes Manchester.

Couple in between two red phone boxes in Manchester.

Couple laughing together on Manchester Town Hall Steps.

Couple laughing together in Manchester City Centre.

Couple walking together in front of Manchester Town Hall.

Couple stand together in front of their favourite bar in Spinning Fields Manchester.

Couple cuddle in front of their favourite bar.

Couple sit together in Spinning fields Manchester remembering old times together.

Couple enjoy time together in a modern beer garden in Manchester City Centre.

Couple hold hands, close up of engagement ring on Cristal's Red dress and white flowers in the back ground.

Couple stand outside Max's old University Halls on a bridge looking off into the distance.

Couple stand on bridge in Manchester laughing together.

Couple laughing outside Max's old University Halls. Cristal wearing a red dress.

Couple stand together outside Manchester's Food Court, Market Street.

Couple embrace outside Market Street Food Court.

Couple stand outside Shakespeare pub Mancheseter.

Couple get ready out side China Town Arch Manchester. Focus is on China town arch.

Couple stand under China Town Archway together.

Couple kiss under China Town Archway. Focus on arch.

Groom gives his bride a kiss and she beams with delight under China Town Arch.

Couple walk away together taking one last look behind them. Focus on Arch.

Lowry Theatre - Documentary Wedding Photographer

Les and Stacy

When I first met Les and Stacy for their Engagement Shoot in Heaton Park Manchester, I knew I was in for a treat. We had a right laugh together and the session flew by, while Les and Stacy mucked about taking the piss out of each other and we strolled around the park hunting for nice light and back drops, it was completely obvious they absolutely adored one and other.

I was a bit nervous meeting Les for the first time, as he's a super talented Wedding Photographer himself, but he was such a lovely warm mischievous character I felt comfortable straight away just chatting rubbish with them and snapping away as per usual, plus I knew pretty early on that if Les was gonna give me any grief Stacy had my back! lol

Morning Preparations

When the day of the Wedding arrived I met Stacy and her excited bridesmaids at her Maid of Honours house and Les's Best Mans house (these two still deny setting Les and Stacy up... but I'm pretty sure they had something to do with it!) They had a lovely relaxed morning together the girls getting ready for the wedding while Les's best man made the finishing touches to his speech downstairs. Then we all jumped into the teal vintage wedding cars (how cool are they!) and made our way to The Lowry Theatre.

Compass Room

The service was super emotional, there were plenty of tears of happiness from all the major players while Les and Stacy said their vows under the beautiful twinkling fairy lights of the Compass Room in The Lowry Theatre. Once the Wedding ceremony was finished everyone headed down to the bar to get the party started and what a wedding party it was! I Let the photos tell the rest of the story, but before I hop off. Here are a few words from Les and Stacy themselves...

Les and Stacy's Story...

"We met in my cousins car on the way to a wedding that Lester was the photographer for I'd been asked to go last minute due to her husband being unable to attend. (still think it was a setup even though they both to this day deny any of it). Of course he was sat in the back next to a 4 year old while I rocked it up front."

The Lowry Theatre as a Wedding Venue.

"We wanted a city wedding but something different that wasn't a hotel. I love all things theatre and have been going with my mum since I was little so as soon as we saw it we knew it was perfect for us."

Advice for Future Couples

"It's as much the grooms day as it is the brides. Always think about others but what you and your partner want should be paramount in it all. It's the one day you get to have exactly what you want do it your way and enjoy it."

Bridesmaids putting make up on in the mirror at home in Manchester

Girls getting ready in front of a window. Back lit natural scene.

Maid of honour smiles at camera while putting her make up on.

Best Man adding finishing touches to his speech.

Bridesmaid putting make up on in mirror framed by a doorway, stained glass window in the background of the frame.

Camera peeking through the doorway to catch brides reflection in the mirror as she has her hair done.

Mother of the bride looks excited waiting for her daughter in the hallway.

Bride has finishing spray, sprayed onto her face, the spray is lit up by the window light. Photograph in black and white.

Bridesmaids help to dress another in front of a window, the wedding dress hangs from the curtain rail above the window.

Bridesmaid waits outside the door for the bride, we see her in the foreground and back ground of the photograph as she is reflected in the mirror beyond the door.

Bride looks out of the window and her bridesmaids help fix her dress.

Close up of lace detail on the brides dress.

Brides reflection in the mirror as she wears her wedding dress.

Silhouette of bridesmaids getting ready in front on the window.

Bridesmaid leans forward laughing holding her flowers.

Teal Vintage Wedding Cars arrive at Lowry Theatre.

Groom looks on at guests smiling as he waits for his bride.

Bride and her father share a moment together before entering The Compass Room.

Bride and her father walk down the aisle in The Compass Room.

Bride looks at her groom while still holding on to her father.

Bride and Groom Stand together as the mother of the bride gives her away.

Best Man watches on with tears in his eyes.

Bride and Groom hold hands with fairy lights twinkling behind them.

Wedding guest appreciates artwork in hall way.

Glasses of Prosecco await wedding guests.

Young wedding guest looks pleased with himself.

Bride and Groom are greeted by the Grooms Parents.

Bride and Groom talk to wedding guests while they eat sweets.

Bride and Groom sit in their camper van.

Bride and Groom exit the Lowry Theatre to have confetti thrown at them by wedding guests.

Bride and Groom Laugh as they have confetti thrown at them.

Bride and Groom look happy as they have confetti thrown at them from all angles.

The floor is covered in pink and teal confetti.

Bride and Groom stand together in front of metal wall.

Black and white photo of bride and groom together.

Colour photo of groom hugging bride from behind.

Bride and Groom have a photo on the bridge,

Bride and groom walk down the bridge together.

Bride and Groom stand in front on The Lowry Theatre.

Bride and Groom with The Lowry Theatre behind them.

Bride and Groom go nose to nose outside the Lowry Theatre.

Bride and Groom go shopping in The Lowry Theatre Gift Shop.

Bride and Groom stand around in the art gallery.

Roses in glass jars on the wedding table.

Wedding cake with sheet music and peach rose detail.

Groom looks like batman behind the wedding cake.

Little boy enjoys the view at The Lowry Theatre.

The Bride and Groom enter the Compass room like legends.

Wedding guests look on wishing this was their wedding.

Mother of the bride has a laugh with father of the bride.

Flower girl eats sweets at wedding table.

Grooms family look on, looking very proud.

Groom looks on at his bride while giving his speech.

Pink shoe and jacket combo have been abandoned.

Mother of the bride hits the dance floor.

Everyone literally starts hitting the dance floor with their bare hands.

The Wedding Singer gets all the men to do The Chair. They aren't very good.

The Groom finds an inflatable saxophone.

First Dance in The Compass Room, Lowry Theatre

Les and Stacy's Wedding Suppliers

Bloomin Ells (Ellen Stone) - Florist and Venue Dresser http://www.bloomin-ells.co.uk/
Wed2b - Wedding Dress and Bridesmaid Dresses https://www.wed2b.co.uk/
Lovely wheels - Wedding Cars http://www.lovelywheels.co.uk/
The Lowry Theatre and Lucy Markey - Venue and Organiser https://www.thelowry.com/
Liz Hendry - The Live Piano Experience Pianist http://www.thelivepianoexperience.com/liz-hendry/
Wayne Farrow - Wedding Singer https://www.waynefarrow.co.uk/
Swarbricks Formal - Grooms and Groomsmen Suits https://swarbricks.co.uk/
Stitches Manchester - Alterations http://www.stitchesuk.co.uk/

Chetham's Library Wedding Photographer Manchester - Maddy & Craig

Maddy and Craig's Story

"We met at work and had known each other for a while before one fateful night at the Liar's Club sparked the start of something. We had our first date the very next day

We got engaged in Copenhagen, which Craig managed to surprise me with for my birthday - I didn't even know we were leaving the country until we turned off the m56 for Manchester airport. He had even packed miniature toiletry holders so I could repack my shampoo etc without having to tip me off in advance. Craig proposed almost as soon as we got to the hotel, I think the stress of getting the ring through security without me noticing had taken it's toll! It was a beautiful weekend in the snow in January."

Chetham's Library and Lock 91 as Wedding Venues

Maddy and Craig got married in one of Manchester’s hidden gem wedding venues, Chetham’s Library. It’s a beautiful venue with loads of character and wonderful little pockets of light and shadows that make for a wedding photographer’s dream! So if you are getting married there and reading this, give me a shout! Your wedding guests are also able to wander around the library and explore the stacks of old antique books while they catch up with one and other and sip on their champers. It’s a really unique wedding venue and all in Manchester city centre! Making getting there, staying there or hoping off to somewhere else all super convenient possibilities. In this case Maddy and Craig hopped over to Lock 91 in Deansgate to continue the party, which is another great venue for a lot of the same reasons Chetham’s Library is, without the epic Library to wander though of course!

Here’s what Maddy and Craig had to say about Chetham’s Library as their wedding venue:

"We wanted casual but classy venues for the wedding and we wanted to keep to a strict budget. We visited Chetham's Library and fell in love with how beautiful it was and all of the history behind it. We thought about having the full day there but really wanted to put our own stamp on the party and keep it quite casual and Lock 91 was perfect for that. It was also extremely reasonably priced to have the ceremony at the library's Baronial Hall and we had exclusive use of the library itself for photos and for guests to explore after the ceremony. It turned into a wedding of two halves really, with a fairly traditional civil ceremony at the library followed by a raucous party at the bar!

Lock 91 were completely relaxed and accommodating, which was extremely helpful as we were maybe a bit too laid back with the planning until quite last minute. We had caterpillar cakes for our wedding cake which I completely forgot to buy until I went to drop everything off the night before and Andi (the manager) helpfully reminded me and I made a mad dash to Tesco! Simon at Chetham's was brilliant as well, we were very fortunate with everyone we dealt with.

In choosing the venues (and in choosing everything) within budget we decided to focus on what was important to us and what wasn't. I got a taxi to the venue as neither of us is particularly interested in cars. Our two wedding cakes cost £10 from Tesco and who doesn't love caterpillar cake!? The biggest outlays of the day were on drinks, food and the band and as the aim of the day (besides getting married) was to have a really great time with friends and family, drinks food and music were our priority and therefore where chose to put our money. Craig is a big music fan and spent much of the year building up to the wedding making Spotify playlists for pre-ceremony, ceremony, drinks reception etc."

Suppliers

"I got my dress and hairpiece from case of the Curious Bride in Sale and the dress designers are Hazaar of London (the headpiece was done by Melanie from case of the curious bride). Craig bought his suit online in the sale and the groomsmen wore their own blue suits. Bridesmaid dresses were from Dorothy Perkins (also in the sale!) And Jasmine's dress and shoes were monsoon. Flowers were amazing and were done by Emily at Bloomin Altrincham Market. The food was done by Cafe Mozaic in Ashton and everybody loved it! Mr Wilson's Second Liners were the most incredible band we could have wished for. We bought shed loads of prosecco for the drinks reception at Chetham's from Sainsbury's. Rachel McDonnell did my dress alterations. Rachael Dutton did hair and make up. We had the most amazing wedding night at Hotel Gotham and they were very patient when we completely overslept our check out time.

Also we had THE BEST PHOTOGRAPHER EVER and I highly recommend her to anyone looking for a wedding photographer!"

Little girl looks on at Brides Dress hanging up.

Brides dress hangs on wardrobe, Manchester.

Mum and Bride have a hug in the kitchen on the morning of her wedding day.

Bridesmaids do each others hair in hallway of the brides house, Manchester.

Bride, her mum and a bridesmaid hand out in the kitchen together taking photographs with their phones.

Bridal party laugh together in brides kitchen as she gets ready for her wedding.

Bridesmaid smiles watching bride getting ready.

Bride spends some quality time with her cat on the morning of her wedding.

Mother of the bride cuts pizza for everyone.

Bridal party laughing together in Chorlton.

Groom welcomes wedding guests under umbrella outside Chetham Library.

Groom waiting for Bride inside Chetham's Library.

Petals lining the aisle at Chetham's Library.

Wedding guest does a magic trick for his son inside the ceremony room at Chetham Library.

Bridesmaids arrive at Chetham's Library Manchester.

Bride arrives at Chetham's Library Manchester.

Groomsmen laugh together waiting for the Bride to arrive.

Bride is walked down the aisle by her father at Chetham's Library.

Bridesmaid sits with groomsmen looking very excited!

Bride looks at Groom, looking very happy at Chetham's Library Manchester

Groom stands next to bride at Chetham's Library Manchester.

Bridesmaid reads and the Bride and the Groom look on.

Bridesmaid jumps off the stage as the Bride and Groom clap.

Bride takes her ring at Chetham Library Manchester.

Bride and Groom stand together with a row of Bridesmaids behind them at Chatham Library Manchester.

Bride and Groom stand married in front of their wedding guests at Chetham's Library Manchester.

Hugs in the door way at Chetham's Library Manchester.

Bridesmaid stands in window light at Chetham's Library Manchester.

Bride and Groom have a moment in the doorway at Chetham Library Manchester.

Bride and Groom walk through Chetham Library together.

Bride and Groom laugh together at Chetham Library.

Bride and Groom sit together smiling at Chetham's Library Manchester.

Portrait of the Bride and Groom at Chetham's Library.

Portrait of the Bride and Groom at Chetham Library.

Black and White Portrait of the Bride and Groom.

Wedding guests walks down the library stairs.

Bridesmaid walks down Library stairs holding flowers.

Bride and Groom exit Chetham Library to be greeting by wedding guests throwing confetti.

Bride and Groom have confetti thrown at them outside Chetham Library.

Bride and Groom look at one and other outside Chetham's Library.

Bride and Groom have confetti thrown at them by their wedding guests outside Chetham Library and look very excited about it!

Little boy picks confetti up off the floor.

Brides dress, flowers, shoes and confetti.

Toddler hangs of bar at wedding reception at Lock 91.

Wedding Guests sit on Balcony at Lock 91.

Wedding Guests waves at camera at Lock 91 Wedding.

Wedding guest sitting on balcony at Lock 91.

Bridesmaid sits in room full of people and is the only one to notice the camera at Lock 91 Wedding.

Wedding guest laughs while looking through hand bag.

Little boy draws in colouring book at Lock 91 Wedding.

Wedding Guests chat in window light at Lock 91.

Bride and Groom arrive at Wedding at Lock 91.

Bride and Groom enjoy welcome drinks at Lock 91.

Bridesmaids walk together outside Lock 91.

Bride and Bridesmaids stand in front of puddle outside Lock 91.

Wedding guests wait for their dinner at Lock 91.

Little boy and his Dad play on balcony at Lock 91.

Bride and Groom Listen to Speeches at Lock 91.

Wedding guests raise their glasses to the speeches.

Mr Wilsons Second Liners Wedding Band Arrive at Lock 91.

Bride laughs as she is surrounded by Mr Wilson's Second Liners.

Bride and Groom throw some shapes at Lock 91 Wedding Reception.

Looking for your wedding photographer? Get in touch!

Lancashire Wedding Photographer - Stanley House Wedding - Daisy & Phil

Daisy and Phil's Story in Daisy's words...

"Me and Phill met at college, I fancied him because he had really big muscles and after our first date I realised he was sweet and unlike any other guy that I’d met.
Phill proposed in Croatia, I knew something was wrong because he said we’d go for a walk the first day we got there (he hates walking). I thought nothing of it after that. We were sat next to the sea after our walk and I was distracted by 2 guys jumping into the sea, I thought they’d not come up for air for a while and maybe something had happened to them. Phil was telling me he loved me and then reached into his swimming shorts and pulled out the ring box because he had no where else to put it without me seeing I said yes apart from I couldn’t wear the ring for the next week as it was too big!"

Why Stanley House?

We went round 2 venues and when we went to Stanley house we both fell in love it was the prefect size and the staff were fantastic from the beginning.

Stanley House

Is a Hotel and Spa wedding venue in the beautiful Ribble Valley, Mellor, Lancashire. With stunning scenery and it’s own hotel and spa on site, it’s a great venue for you and your guests to relax for the whole weekend if you want to.

The Wedding Day

Daisy and Phil had a civil ceremony at Stanley House and enjoyed the rest of the day and night there. The weather and setting were beautiful. Daisy and Phil both looked amazing, the only problem was the wedding party had gone to a restaurant together the night before and half of them were struck down with food poising including poor Phil! Meaning he was running back and forth to the toilet during speeches and lasted long enough to get some confetti thrown and have a few photos before he sent himself off to bed. The evening guests arrived and the party went on, Daisy had a dance with her Dad and then her Dad surprised everyone by dressing up as Elvis and doing some amazing Elvis performances that really lifted everyones spirits, it looked like we might have seen the last of Phil, but like a true trooper he made a grand entrance just in time to cut the cake and have his first dance with Daisy.

Thank you for having us Daisy and Phil, in the face of adversity you guys still nailed getting married and had an awesome fun packed wedding day, I'm just so sorry Phil was ill for a lot of it.

Also a big shout out for my wonderful second photographer Katy Mutch for being a photographic and general legend as always!

Wedding Advice for Future Couples from Daisy and Phil

Make sure you get a cracking wedding band.

Get a parent to pay for the bar.

Don’t let your husband get food poisoning.

Enjoy every moment of the wedding and take 5 minutes to take it all in with the person your going to spend the rest of your life with (in between them being sick in the champagne bucket ).