Uncategorized Archives - Manchester Wedding Photography

Jan

Best of 2022 –
A selection of favourites

Less of the formalities. More of the fun.

A huge thanks again to the wonderful couples who booked me to shoot their weddings in 2022. What a privilege it is for me to be there on such special occasions, and what a joy to relive them when making the selection below.

For couples who want their day to go their own way, with no fuss or pressure … I’ve got you.

As Ellie so kindly puts it…

“I don’t even have the words to express how spectacular these photos are. They made us feel like we were right back in those moments. We are so grateful that you perfectly captured our day. Thank you so so much. I keep crying when I look at them…but can’t stop!” – Ellie & John

If you like my work and feel it could be a good fit for your wedding, get in touch to chat some more. I’d love to hear from you.

Dec

Rivington Hall Barn Wedding Photographer –
Paula & Mike

Rivington Hall Barn Wedding Photographer

Rivington Hall Barn is a superb wedding venue located just a stone’s throw from Manchester, and from my home, in fact! It is a treat for couples getting married, and a treat for photographers like me to capture the occasion. I totally hit the jackpot then, when Paula and Mike asked me to be their wedding photographer at this impressive, romantic and unique venue at Rivington Hall Barn.

Weddings have been hosted at Rivington Hall Barn since 1953 no less, so the team there know a thing or two about putting on a perfect wedding day. Couples get exclusive use of the whole site, including the grade II listed barn, two grand dressing rooms in the Georgian Hall, as well as the glorious grounds themselves overlooked by a fabulous terrace. What a place to have a wedding!

Luxury Bridal Prep

Photographing the bride’s preparations is one of my favourite parts of the day. The anticipation, excitement, laughter and tears make for great photographic stories and lovely images. And when the space provided for getting ready looks like this, well… happy days! I found Paula and her pals enjoying the light and airy, spacious and beautifully-appointed rooms dedicated for bridal prep. Flooded with light and enhanced with mirrors everywhere, the two grand dressing rooms provided the perfect location for some emotional moments and beautiful photographs.

Historical setting for contemporary weddings

The Grade II Listed Saxon Barn is a uniquely beguiling place for a wedding ceremony. High ceilings, original beams and period features have been lovingly paired with modern lighting and drapery to create a magical space in which to get married. Paula and Mike’s glamorous wedding ceremony looked just the part under the spotlights, in the ambience of this distinctively stunning Rivington wedding venue.

A Photographer’s dream

The photography gifts kept on coming! One gorgeous couple, a bevy of beautiful guests from all four corners of the globe, all looking their best, having a great day with their loved ones in fabulous late summer weather, at an incredible wedding venue. What’s not to love?! From drinks on the terrace to fun group shots on the lawn, romantic portraits in glorious evening sunlight, and touching, multi-lingual speeches bringing laughter and tears. And what about that EPIC party to finish it all off?! Just WOW! I’m feeling breathless as I type this.

There is so much more I could say about this fabulous wedding, but I’ll leave it there. Thank you Paula & Mike for choosing me to photograph your incredible wedding at Rivington Hall Barn.

I shoot the day as I find it, with minimal posing and interruption from myself. If you like the sound of this and are looking for a wedding photographer for your wedding at Rivington Hal Barn, or for another fabulous venue, please check out some more of my featured weddings and my portfolio. Why not drop me a line to chat more. I can’t wait to hear from you.

Big shout out to these fantastic suppliers. It was a pleasure working with you all!

Video: Chumley Films

Entertainment: Six15 Events

Dress: Justin Alexander by Lillian West

Shoes: Pedro Miralles

Hair: Lily & Remi

Makeup: Kathryn Elizabeth

Nov

Browsholme Hall Wedding Photographer –
Carly & Tom

Browsholme Hall Wedding Photographer

When Carly and Tom booked me to be the photographer for their Browsholme Hall wedding, I was excited for all sorts of reasons. First of all, Browsholme Hall and Tithe Barn is a fabulous wedding venue and any photographer would jump at the chance to shoot a wedding there. Secondly, Carly and Tom are a fab couple who are just a real pleasure to work with and have fun with. But also, because I photographed the wedding for Carly’s cousin a while back and so it was going to be really great to catch up with them and many other familiar guests. Word of mouth recommendations are always warmly welcome.

The heart of the Ribble Valley

Our couple chose the rather lovely Spread Eagle Inn in Sawley for their wedding preparations. Nestled within the forest of Bowland, this old coaching inn has been stylishly appointed and provided some cosy moments for wedding prep photos. It was definitely dark in there, but that can make for some creative and evocative scenes. Once ready, it was just a short drive through the spectacular Ribble Valley countryside to Browsholme Hall for the wedding itself.

contemplative bridal prep moment in dark hotel room

pretty shot of bride in mirror with final hair styling

wedding dress hangs up with bridesmaid atop stairs behind

final dress adjustments from bride's mum

dramatic shot of bride with veil being adjusted

tight squeeze from Dad as he seems bride for first time

Tithe Barn Wedding Ceremony near Clitheroe

Reputedly Lancashire’s oldest ancestral family home, Browsholme Hall is an award-winning venue that has been hosting weddings for many years. These guys know a thing or two about hospitality and making sure your wedding goes off with a bang. Set in over 600 acres in the Forest of Bowland – itself an area of outstanding natural beauty – this stunning, exclusive-use wedding venue actually offers a number of locations on site for your ceremony and reception. On this day, Carly and Tom chose the historic Tithe Barn and Courtyard for their big day. The ancient stone walls, rustic beams, and twinkly ambiance is just made for fairy-tale weddings. After enjoying some late summer sunshine in the courtyard, complete with ice creams and pizzas, we explored some of the magnificent grounds for portraits before heading back for a killer knees-up back in the barn.

ceremony candles and bokeh in background

wedding guests and children waiting for ceremony

wide shot of tithe barn wedding ceremony

coy look from bride to groom during ring exchange

cute expression from toddler to adult relatives

one toddle looking enviously at another eating sausage

wedding drinks and canapes in Browsholme Hall courtyard

bride's son giving mum's aunty a quizzical look

young family enjoying colouring in courtyard

wide shot of Browsholme Hall wedding breakfast

groom hits the target with wedding speech

sweet look from bride to groom during speech

father of bride keeping his eye on new son-in-law

raucous laugh and objection from wedding speech victim

affectionate look from bridesmaid during speech

back of best man's head and twinkly hall lights in background

groom shows best man he enjoyed the speech

A kiss for the bride in front of wedding venue

walking hand in hand towards wedding hall

happy couple walking in front of Browsholme Hall

wedding portrait at Browsholme Hall pond

newlywed portrait around Browsholme Hall pond

strolling back from browsholme hall pond

bridal portrait in browsholme hall lawns

side-eye from wedding guest as bride dances freely

bride and groom strike a pose on the dancefloor

groom wags finger at wedding photographer

father of the bride giving it dance floor moves

hands in the air at Browsholme Hall wedding

guest wants to join the band with inflatable guitar

pregnant bridesmaid still dancing late at wedding

End of night newlyweds dancefloor action

Thank you Carly and Tom for choosing me to photograph your wonderful wedding at Browsholme Hall Tithe Barn in the Ribble Valley.

I shoot the day as I find it, with minimal posing and interruption from myself. If you like the sound of this and are looking for a wedding photographer for your wedding at Browsholme Hall, or for another fabulous venue, please check out some more of my featured weddings and my portfolio. Why not drop me a line to chat more. I can’t wait to hear from you.

Nov

Alternative Wedding Photographer Yorkshire Dales – Christina & George

Alternative Wedding at Kilnsey Park Estate, Yorkshire

Life can be complex. And yet, it is also beautifully simple too. Take our lovely couple here. These guys work at the sharp end of global IT, for companies you have definitely heard of. We’re talking cutting edge, mind-boggling future tech. Complex. And yet, their idea of a perfect wedding is all of their best mates, in a field, with a tipi, a donkey, some homemade stuff and a whole lot of fun. Simple. I love photographing alternative weddings for couples who do things their own way, and this one in the Yorkshire Dales pretty much sums that up to a tee.

Wide view of wedding tipi in Yorkshire Dales and fields of sheep

Good friend hugs newlyweds with huge smiles

Alternative wedding in the Yorkshire Dales

Who says you have to have a wedding in a certain way? Christina and George certainly don’t buy that. This was their wedding, their way – right from the start. Bride and groom prep together in the same space? Why not! Homemade flowers, homemade cake, homemade décor? Absolutely! Rings delivered by donkey? Well the alpaca was poorly. From start to finish, this wonderful wedding had a really alternative feel in a glorious outdoor setting, complete with fabulous weather and epic Pennines surroundings. I’m massively grateful that I was asked to be the wedding photographer for this awesome alternative wedding in the Yorkshire Dales.

Sneaky kiss for beride and groom during prep in same space

guests arrive at tipi wedding with yorkshire crags in background

guests gleefully help themselves to wedding cake

DIY wedding ideas

Hair and makeup artists, florists and cake makers are great, but you don’t have to have them! Why not do-it-yourself? That’s what this lovely couple and their family did and it worked a treat. Christina and her sisters took care of the makeup, aunty stepped up with hair. Many hands made light work of the wedding cake. Even the boys got involved with flower arrangements. Table decorations, crocheted bunting, even the main wedding meal itself was all lovingly hand-made and served up by the family. Sustainable, ethical and beautiful.

Less of the formalities. More of the fun.

Some people go all in for the traditional wedding formalities. Tried and tested. Stick to the formula. Others, like George and Christina here, eschew all of that. Conformity isn’t their thing. And I’m down with that. When you focus on doing the right things, rather than doing things right, then the process trumps the outcome. But you know what? What they created, was magic.

Thank you Christina and George for choosing me to photograph your wonderful alternative wedding in the Yorkshire Dales.

I shoot the day as I find it, with minimal posing and interruption from myself. If you like the sound of this and are looking for a wedding photographer for your wedding in Yorkshire, or anywhere else for that matter, please check out some more of my featured weddings and my portfolio. Why not drop me a line to chat more. I can’t wait to hear from you.

sister helping with bride's hair in mirror

mirror shot of groom and brother with button holes

arty black and white shot of groom's mother

busy bridal prep scene with many guests with cameras

groom and best man welcome guests to ceremony field

wedding guests all turn to watch bride's arrival

wide shot of groom during reading by mother of groom

wide shot of bride during reading by mother of groom

donkey ring bearer spotted approaching in distance behind wedding guests

blurred couple holding hands with guests sharp in the background

newlyweds kiss with wedding guests looking on from ceremony field

reomantic moment for dreadlocked couple looking over Yorkshire Dales

bride and groom lead guests out of ceremony field

wedding guests file out of ceremony field

wedding guests walk to the right whilst sheep skip to the left

wide view of wedding guests procession through yorkshire dales

bridge and groom head wedding procession with smoke bombs in green and white

procession with smoke bombs head towards tipi

buttercups in foreground. tipi wedding in background

bride leads guests into tipi wedding reception

closuep of homemade crocheted wedding bunting

bride and friend admire homemade crocheted bunting

Couple asleep in the setting sunshine at tipi wedding

Reflection in sunglasses at tipi wedding

big laughs for wedding guests arriving at tipi

wedding guest with plate of home prepared food

kids chasing bubbles with Yorkshire crags behind

high five for skittles in alternative tipi wedding

wedding guests daft trampoline game with ball

finger in window of car points to where cake should be taken

finishing touches to homemade wedding cake

tipi full of guests at alternative wedding

wide view of cheers moment in wedding speech in tipi

groom finding bestman's speech hilarious

fond looks from bride to dad during speech

mum gives knowing look and groom wipes tears from eye

groom addresses tipi guests during speeches

newlyweds portrait in pocket of golden light

wedding portrait by river - looking into setting sun

wedding portrait in yorkshire dales woodland

wide view of tipi wedding, taco van and yorkshire dales scenery

dog peering round chair at the smell of food

guest having a laugh with wedding vendor

high motion drunken mock-fight on the dance floor

Silhouette of wedding guests in tipi field

Kilnsey Park Estate Wedding Venue

Set within 1000 acres of fields and woodland within the Yorkshire Dales National Park, Kilnsey Park Estate channels all the surrounding natural beauty into a spectacular wedding venue. And it does so in an ethical and sustainable manner too. The team there has a philosophy and approach to weddings that puts the environment right there with you at the top of the agenda. From the simplicity of its licensed ceremony field with hay bale seating, to the magnificent riverside reception meadow – Kilnsey Park Estate is the right place for a wholesome, bespoke and beguiling outdoor wedding for couples who love planet Earth.

Nov

Portico Library Wedding Photographer –
Lauren & Richard

Portico Library Wedding Photographer

I feel so honoured to have been asked by Lauren and Richard to be the photographer for their beautifully bijou wedding at the enchanting Portico Library in central Manchester. What an incredible and highly unusual wedding venue and a joy to photograph! I love shooting weddings for couples who do things their own way. This perfect occasion was short and sweet, cosy and intimate. It was everything that mattered most.

Central Manchester Hotel Prep

Our couple chose the fabulous Abode hotel for their wedding preparations – gathering all of their guests in the same place, just a short walk through the centre of Manchester to the ceremony venue. Keeping it brief and easy, I just dropped by for some quick shots in the contemporary surrounds of this stylish hotel. I just loved that intense blue in the bridal suite, and brief glimpses of the city beyond the windows. A cool place indeed. From there, I took a stroll with Richard and his groomsmen through the city centre to the library.

silhouette of makeup artists and Manchester through the window

cheesy grin as page boy has bow tie sorted

contemplative moment for maid of honour with husband

bride getting hair and makeup at same time

art deco hotel with groomsmen at the bar

Getting dad sorted with his button hole flower

Groom with Elton John photo in background

Manchester street reflection of groomsmen

Groomsmen strutting down Mosley Street Manchester

Portico Library – A Hidden Gem in Manchester

The Portico Library itself is a hidden gem right in the heart of Manchester city centre. I’ve lived here for over twenty years and have only just heard about it! Founded in 1806 at the height of the industrial revolution, and home to some 25,000 books, the story of the Portico Library is the story of Manchester itself – the first modern city in the world. The Portico Library combines that very history with literature, creativity, artistry and sanctuary to make for a very special place indeed.

The main library and exhibition space is situated under a glorious glass dome and flanked with shelves of ancient books. It’s a fabulous place for wedding guests to gather and enjoy drinks etc. Even more glorious though, is the members’ reading room where the wedding ceremony took place on this occasion. Such an unusual and splendid backdrop for a wedding.

Best man and groom checking out the rings

Bride's dad with a welcoming word in groom's ear

Shadowy image of flowergirl adjusting bride's wedding dress

Signing the marriage register at Portico Library

Bridal portrait in members' reading room

Newlyweds leaving Portico Library together

A Manchester Icon

On a high from this unusual, elegant and sophisticated wedding, we had a quick walk through the city centre grabbing some casual portraits along the way. Stopping off for a shot outside Sandinista, where Richard and Lauren first got acquainted, we then headed down to the Blackfriar Pub for some emotional speeches and a meal in a beautifully appointed private room. This pub is another Manchester icon – well, Salford technically – and for good reason. Lovingly restored and recently reopened, it played perfect host to finish this splendid wedding day.

Thank you Lauren and Richard for choosing me to photograph your perfect wedding in the Portico Library, Manchester.

I shoot the day as I find it, with minimal posing and interruption from myself. If you like the sound of this and are looking for a wedding photographer for your wedding in Manchester, or anywhere else for that matter, please check out some more of my featured weddings and my portfolio. Why not drop me a line to chat more. I can’t wait to hear from you.

Happy couple striding down King Street Manchester

Newlyweds walking through Manchester City Centre

Groom shares a drink with father of the bride

Cute boy photographed through dinnerware

Father of the bride gets a wry smile from daughter

Emotional bride watches mum deliver surprise speech

Uncle of the bride during wedding speech

Nov

Liverpool Wedding Photographer –
Jade & Nathan

Photographing a Liverpool City Centre wedding

When Jade and Nathan asked me to photograph their special day in Liverpool, I jumped at the chance. I love to shoot weddings for couples who do things their own way and these guys knew exactly what they wanted. One beautiful couple, three iconic venues, and a whole heap of fun wrapped up in a perfectly unique Liverpool wedding. Boss!

Titanic Hotel wedding prep

The Titanic Hotel Liverpool is located on Stanley Dock, just minutes away from Liverpool city centre. This once historic warehouse has been transformed into a chic, contemporary hotel worth a special visit just for its own sake. Exposed brickwork, steel columns, concrete ceilings and the original windows combine with stunningly modern and unfussy décor throughout. It is a photographer’s playground at every turn. Jade had the wedding suite booked for her bridal prep; Nathan was just down the corridor. Boy did this place deliver with the photography gifts!

bride's dress and two pairs of shoes in Titanic Hotel Liverpool window

bridal trainers for later - dress in mirror

bride looks out of window behind hanging dress

bride's dress and daughter in hotel room

bride with hat and daughter. dress in background

toddler reaching for something under breakfast table

nap time for toddler in perfect window light

happy moment for bride during makeup prep

quick mirror check for bride with Albert Dock in background through window

mother of bride smiling to make up artist

Wide view of busy scene in dramatic light

Titanic Hotel dramatic window light bridal prep

bride's daughter in dramatic window light

bride's sister and child looking out of hotel window

bride's daughter with bridesmaid in window light

bride puts on grandma's earrings while dress hangs in window

Peaceful scene of bridesmaid in dark room

Bride ready with flowers sat in rainy window

Early stage groom prep Titanic Hotel Liverpool

Bestman retrieves wedding rings from inside shoes

Titanic Hotel reflection shot of groom's dad

Groomsmen walking in formation Albert Dock

St George’s Hall Wedding Ceremony

From there it was on to St George’s Hall for the wedding ceremony itself. Built in 1854, this neoclassical Grade I listed building is located right in the city centre of Liverpool. Nathan and Jade’s family and friends were all packed in to witness a beautiful ceremony in this celebrated Liverpool wedding venue.

Wedding Reception in the Baltic Triangle Liverpool

Just a short walk south of Liverpool city centre is the Baltic Triangle, an alternative hub for cool kids and creative types to hangout. I love these neighbourhoods, and Liverpool hipsters have really got it made with this one. Jade had some clear ideas about locations for portraits using the street art and murals that are found around here. Night was falling so I had to get creative with off-camera flash which definitely added some drama to the images. Then it was off to the Baltic Social for a meal and party time. What a way to end a fabulously unique Liverpool wedding. This venue has now unfortunately closed, but it just goes to show how important it is to capture key moments and memories from your wedding day in photos that you will treasure forever.

Thank you Jade and Nathan for choosing me to photograph your incredible wedding in Liverpool.

I shoot the day as I find it, with minimal posing and interruption from myself. If you like the sound of this and are looking for a wedding photographer for your wedding in Liverpool, or anywhere else for that matter, please check out some more of my featured weddings and my portfolio. Why not drop me a line to chat more. I can’t wait to hear from you.