Shanna & Darren - An Intimate, DIY Family Altricham Town Hall Wedding - Altrincham Wedding Photographer

There’s something truly special about intimate, small wedding photography — the kind where every smile, every glance, and every laugh feels like it’s shared just between family and close friends. Shanna and Darren’s Altrincham Town Hall wedding on Saturday was the perfect example of that kind of magic — heartfelt, beautifully simple, and full of joy.

We started the morning at Altrincham Market, one of my favourite places in Cheshire (and not just because of the amazing food!). It’s a spot that holds a lot of happy memories for me personally, so to begin my last wedding of the year there felt especially lovely. Shanna wandered between the market stalls, choosing her bouquet from the flower stall — a flurry of soft blooms and fresh greenery bundled together with care. Flowers in hand, we made our way down to the Federal Coffee van for some pre-ceremony caffeine! There was such a calm, organic charm to it — the kind of spontaneous moment I adore capturing as a Cheshire wedding photographer.

From there, we walked just a few minutes down the road to the beautiful Altrincham Town Hall for their ceremony. With only their closest family present — Darren’s parents and brother had flown all the way from Australia to meet their new baby — it felt intimate, heartfelt, and wonderfully relaxed. Every detail had been pulled together in just a couple of weeks, a true DIY labour of love that made the day feel all the more personal.

The light that afternoon was pure magic — golden and soft, the kind that photographers dream about. After the “I do’s,” we lingered outside for portraits, the Town Hall’s brick and winter glow making the perfect backdrop. There’s something about photographing small weddings like this that fills my heart right up — no fuss, no stress, just real moments and honest joy.

After the ceremony, everyone strolled back to Altrincham Market for a champagne toast (because how could you not?), before hopping on the tram into Manchester for a cosy private dining celebration at Hawksmoor.

As the year’s final wedding, it couldn’t have been a more beautiful note to end on — full of love, laughter, and a touch of market magic. Here’s to Shanna and Darren, and to all the wonderful Cheshire weddings still to come.