Ellie & Connor - A Heartfelt, Family-focused Manchester Hall Wedding - Manchester Wedding Photography

Oh, these two. WHAT. A. DAY.

Yesterday I was back at one of my absolute favourite Manchester wedding venues, the always-wonderful Manchester Hall, for Ellie and Connor’s beautiful little wedding — just 30 of their very favourite people, lots of family over from Ireland, an enormous amount of love and, somehow, the most ridiculous candy-floss sunset to top the whole thing off.

And I’m still feeling a bit emotional about it, to be honest.

This wasn’t actually the day Ellie and Connor originally planned. They were supposed to get married back in June, but when their baby niece became very poorly, they made the decision to postpone everything until she was better. They wanted everyone they loved to be able to relax, be together and properly enjoy the day.

Which, if you’ve had the pleasure of meeting these two, will not surprise you AT ALL.

They are just incredibly kind people. Warm, laidback, endlessly positive and completely lovely to be around. Their journey to the wedding hasn’t exactly been straightforward either — there have been a few other hiccups thrown at them along the way — but they have taken everything in their stride. I’ve loved every minute of getting to know them and was SO happy to finally walk into Manchester Hall yesterday and see it all happening for real.

Connor is also one of us wedding people, working as a groundskeeper at Merrydale Manor, so he knows exactly how these days work. The attention to detail was gorgeous, but nothing felt overly formal or fussy. It was just THEM.

And with only 30 guests, the whole day felt like one enormous family hug. Connor’s extensive Irish contingent had travelled over, everyone seemed genuinely delighted to be together and I felt so completely welcomed into it all.

Our timeline was fairly bonkers and there was very little room for portraits, but I snuck Ellie and Connor away whenever I could — and OH MY GOD did Manchester deliver.

Just as the light was disappearing, the sky turned the most ridiculous shade of candy-floss pink.

Five minutes. Two very lovely newlyweds. One completely showing-off Manchester sky.

Sometimes that’s genuinely all you need.

Manchester Hall will forever be one of my favourite places for a Manchester city centre wedding. It’s beautiful without being stuffy, full of gorgeous little pockets of light and, the second you step outside, you have the whole city to play with. I absolutely love photographing there.

By the time I left, the dancefloor was PACKED, the party was properly underway and nobody looked remotely interested in going home. Including me.

Ellie and Connor — YOU DID IT.

After everything it took to get here, watching you surrounded by all those people who so obviously adore you felt extra special.

Thank you for trusting me with it. I loved this one so, so much.

Here’s your sneak peek

Emily & Tom - An Intimate, Floral-Filled Manchester Hall Wedding - Manchester Hall Wedding Photography

“I wanna be your electric meter
I will not run out
I wanna be the electric heater
you’ll get cold without
I wanna be your setting lotion
hold your hair in deep devotion
Deep as the deep Atlantic ocean
that’s how deep is my devotion”

— John Cooper Clarke

After a couple of weeks away from the camera to celebrate my own milestone (I turned 40 – complete with an epic surprise party from my husband and the loveliest time with family and friends), Emily & Tom’s wedding at Manchester Hall was the most wonderful way to return to work. It felt so good to be back doing what I love, and their day reminded me exactly why I adore photographing weddings in Manchester city centre.

Emily & Tom chose a more intimate approach to their day, booking me for a half-day wedding photography package – proof that you don’t need all-day coverage to capture the magic. In just a few hours I was able to document so many heartfelt moments, from their ceremony in Manchester Hall’s iconic first-floor Library ceremony room through to family portraits, couple photos, and a joyous confetti exit as they made their way back up the aisle.

The Library really is such a gem of a space – elegant, characterful, and perfect for smaller weddings in Manchester. It set the tone beautifully for Emily & Tom’s vows, and the love in the room was palpable. Afterwards, guests spilled out into the drinks and canapés reception, where laughter and hugs flowed as freely as the fizz.

Florals and food were hugely important to Emily & Tom, and The Flower Studio did the most incredible job of dressing the venue. Everywhere you looked there were rich, textured blooms that softened the grandeur of Manchester Hall and created a wonderfully warm and inviting atmosphere. It was an absolute dream to photograph, and the couple’s joy radiated through every frame.

I left just after a heartfelt toast in memory of Emily’s father, a poignant reminder of how weddings are as much about honouring love and family as they are about celebration. It was moving, beautiful, and such a privilege to capture.

Emily & Tom’s wedding was the perfect reminder that intimate Manchester weddings can be every bit as joyful and memorable as the largest celebrations. A smaller guest list or shorter coverage doesn’t mean fewer moments – it just means we focus in on the ones that matter most.

I’m currently taking bookings for 2025 winter weddings and still have some peak dates for 2026 and beyond, so if you’re planning your own Manchester city centre celebration at Manchester Hall or elsewhere, I’d love to hear from you.

Katie & Adam - An Intimate and Emotional Manchester Hall Wedding - Manchester Wedding Photographer

“We are weaned from our timidity
In the flush of love’s light
we dare be brave
And suddenly we see
that love costs all we are
and will ever be.
Yet it is only love
which sets us free.”

— Maya Angelou

Photographing Katie & Adam’s very intimate wedding at the historic Manchester Hall last Friday was truly an unforgettable experience. The couple exchanged their heartfelt vows in front of just 18 of their closest friends and family, with Katie’s brother joining in from Abu Dhabi via FaceTime. This close-knit gathering illuminated the importance of connection and love, no matter the distance.

The ceremony, led by their celebrant Julie, was beautifully personal and intimate. Katie and Adam poured their hearts into their vows, each word resonating with the love and commitment they share. Their ceremony included unique, touching rituals that celebrated their union and involved everyone present. One particularly moving moment was the family-unifying candle lighting ritual, symbolizing the coming together of two families and performed by their mothers.

Another special ritual was the ring-warming, where the rings were passed amongst the guests. Each person took a moment to hold the rings, sharing their advice and well-wishes for Katie and Adam’s marriage. This added an extra layer of love and connection to the ceremony, making it truly special.

After the ceremony, the guests enjoyed delectable canapés and champagne, which added to the joyous atmosphere. The sun shone brightly, enhancing the warm, inviting ambiance of the day. I then had the opportunity to take Katie and Adam out into the sunshine for some portraits. Their love for each other was evident in every frame, making my job as a photographer an absolute delight.

Katie and Adam had chosen my ‘teeny-tiny’ wedding package, which is designed specifically for smaller, more intimate weddings like theirs. The joy and love that filled the day emphasized that the size of a wedding doesn’t determine its beauty or significance.

Capturing these genuine moments and the love shared between Katie and Adam was truly a privilege. Their wedding day at Manchester Hall was a testament to the beauty of intimate celebrations, reminding us that love, in its simplest form, is always grand.