Ella & Ciaran - An Elegant Black Tie Wedding at Gorton Monastery - Manchester Wedding Photographer
“Girl, if I could only make you see and make you understand
Girl, your love for me is all I need and more than I can stand
Oh, well, babe
How can I explain all the things I feel?
You’ve given me so much, girl, you’re so unreal still
I keep loving you more and more each time
Girl, what am I gonna do? Because you’re blowin’ my mind”
As a Manchester wedding photographer, there are some venues that make your heart skip a beat – and Gorton Monastery is right up there. This was actually my very first time photographing at this iconic, historic building, and I can confidently say it won’t be my last. It’s an absolute dream location for a wedding.
Today I had the absolute joy of capturing Ella & Ciaran’s incredible celebration here, and it truly was the perfect day for such a wonderful couple. Their story is one for the ages – they first met in nursery way back in 2000, but it wasn’t until nearly ten years ago that they officially got together. From that moment on, they’ve been inseparable, and you can see that deep connection in every glance, every laugh, every moment they share.
The day itself was pure elegance with a twist of fun. The black-tie dress code was embraced wholeheartedly by their guests, who looked spectacular against the grandeur of Gorton Monastery’s architecture. After a heartfelt ceremony in the breathtaking main space, everyone spilled out into the courtyard for a champagne reception, where a gospel choir brought smooth, soulful vibes that had people subtly grooving along in the sunshine.
We returned to the cathedral-like main hall for the wedding breakfast, and I have to say – the speeches were something special. There were tears, there was laughter, and the love in the room was almost tangible. Gorton Monastery’s soaring ceilings and stunning light made it all feel extra magical, a true dream for any Manchester wedding photographer.
Ella & Ciaran were a joy to photograph. They were completely up for some fun, creative portraits, balancing a chic, contemporary aesthetic with their own sweet, goofy charm. I love couples who can go from smouldering to silly in seconds – it makes for such genuine, joyful images.
Their first dance was to Barry White’s Can’t Get Enough of Your Love, and it could not have been more perfect for them – romantic, playful, and brimming with personality. Then The Rush wedding band took over, filling the dance floor in seconds and keeping the energy high well into the night.
It was such an honour to capture this day for Ella & Ciaran. A Gorton Monastery wedding is always special, but this one felt truly extraordinary – and I cannot wait to be back photographing here again.
