Felicity & Dominic - A Kid-friendly Manchester City Centre Wedding - Manchester Town Hall Wedding Photography

“He’s not perfect. You aren’t either, and the two of you will never be perfect. But if he can make you laugh at least once, causes you to think twice, and if he admits to being human and making mistakes, hold onto him and give him the most you can.”

—

There’s something I absolutely LOVE about a Manchester city centre wedding. A brilliant bunch of people, a gorgeous ceremony, a really good pub and the city doing its thing around you. Felicity and Dominic’s wedding on Friday 2nd October had all of that, plus approximately one million small children, two sneaky portrait sessions and a LOT of love.

We started the day at Felicity and Dominic’s home in Prestwich, where Felicity was getting ready with her mum, sister and their seven-month-old daughter, Phoebe. I always love photographing prep at home. There’s something so lovely and personal about beginning your wedding day in your own space, particularly when there’s a tiny baby involved too. It was relaxed, happy and properly family-focused from the very beginning.

Once everyone was ready, we hopped into Ubers and headed into Manchester for their ceremony at Manchester Register Office. Felicity and Dominic had been really intentional about their guest list: 55 of their closest friends and family for the ceremony and daytime celebrations, with another 40 or 50 joining them later in the evening. Nothing felt like it had been included simply because weddings are supposed to have it. They chose the people and the things that actually mattered to them, and you could feel that throughout the whole day.

There were lots of little people amongst the guests too, with so many thoughtful touches to make sure they were properly included in the celebrations. It was very obvious that this is a genuinely close group of friends and family. Lots of hugs, people mucking in, children weaving between grown-ups and that lovely feeling of everyone knowing everyone.

After the ceremony we crossed Albert Square to The Fountain House for the reception, stopping to make the most of the newly revealed Manchester Town Hall along the way. FINALLY! We took family photographs with that rather spectacular backdrop before I whisked Felicity and Dominic away for a few portraits around the city.

And then, because I am me, I stole them away again later.

I will forever champion two tiny portrait sessions over disappearing for one enormous wedding photoshoot. A few minutes here, another few minutes when the light changes, then straight back to your favourite people. You get beautiful photographs without feeling like you’ve missed your own wedding. Everybody wins.

Felicity and Dominic were an absolute joy to photograph. Warm, funny, completely besotted with each other and clearly surrounded by people who adore them. Their Manchester city centre wedding was thoughtful without being overly formal, beautiful without feeling fussy, and completely centred around family, friendship and having a bloody lovely time.

Exactly as a wedding should be.