A Magical Wedding at Manchester Art Gallery
I had the absolute pleasure of photographing a truly magical Wedding at the Manchester Art Gallery. As a Manchester wedding photographer, I’ve seen my fair share of venues, but this one really took the biscuit.
I kicked off the day at the voco Manchester Hotel, where the bride and her three bridesmaids were getting glammed up. A brilliant team of hair and make‑up artists flitted about, brushes in hand, transforming everyone into picture‑perfect models for the day. Just across the street, at The Alan Hotel Manchester, the groom and his best man were chilling with a cuppa, nervously buttoning up suits and practising their best man speeches. Fun fact: from both hotels you can peek into each other’s rooms—which made for a few cheeky photo ops!
By 6 pm, after the gallery had closed its doors to the general public, we all trooped up to Gallery 16 on the first floor. This room, lined with iconic Manchester artworks, provided an unforgettable backdrop for the ceremony. With forty of their closest friends and family in attendance, the couple said their vows under the soft strains of a string quartet. Honestly, I couldn’t have asked for a more picturesque moment—talk about wedding photography heaven!
Once the “I dos” were officially sealed, everyone spilled out onto the main steps for a confetti shower that looked straight out of a rom‑com. After capturing some tight family portraits, the newlyweds and I wandered through the gallery’s rooms, snapping them against centuries of artistry. It felt like we were in our own little private museum tour, and boy, did the light bounce beautifully off those canvases.
Dinner was served back on the first floor, in a gallery lined with more stunning pieces. Picture tables draped in crisp linens, laughter echoing off the walls, and conversations flowing as freely as the champagne. By the time the cake cutting rolled around on the ground floor, a live band was warming up, ready to welcome the couple into their first dance. The band nailed it, and soon enough, everyone was on the dance floor, celebrating until late.
If you’re scouting for a Manchester wedding photographer who lives and breathes wedding photography, especially at iconic spots like the Manchester Art Gallery, give me a shout. I’d love to chat about how we can make your big day as memorable (and as much fun) as this one was!
