Castlefield Rooms Wedding Photography | Laura & Richard

In the heart of Manchester city centre, I had the pleasure of shooting Laura and Richard’s wedding photography at The Castlefield Rooms

A poignant spot

Laura and Richard were childhood friends but only got together in 2016. However, Castlefield holds special memories for the couple, not only for the urban architecture which they both love.

Laura moved to Manchester 11 years ago and Richard relocated to the city the following year. Shortly after Richard had moved to Manchester they went for a meal in Dukes 92 along with Laura’s Dad. After the meal they went for a walk along the canal to Salford. During the whole walk, Laura was wishing that Rich was more than just a friend.

Laura says that staying over in the Lock Keepers Cottage (directly opposite the Castlefield Rooms and Dukes 92) was an absolute treat. “Waking up on the morning of the wedding and looking over at the exact spot where we’d eaten, chatted and walked along the canal 10 years ago with my Dad. It had taken us a long time to get together after decades of being friends so when the day of the wedding was finally here, we were both very excited!”

Castlefield is also a very memorable place for me too. It is the first place in Manchester I lived and worked when I moved to the city back in 2006. I love the industrial heritage that is in abundance in the area. And I love to take snaps here having done several weddings and pre wedding photography shoots here.

A part of the community

After taking some snaps of Laura and her bridesmaids getting ready at the cottage in the morning, we headed over to St Clement’s Church in Openshawe. Laura has been a part of the church community since moving to Manchester. It was very poignant that the service was delivered not just by a Vicar but also a friend.

I loved that after the ceremony there were pies and cakes in the church hall for all of the guests (and the photographer too!). After a quick bite to eat, the guests were transported from the church to The Castlefield Rooms in a beautiful vintage double decker bus.

Industrial heritage

The Brindley room at The Castlefield Rooms was beautifully decorated for the reception with fairy lights and bunting. I managed to get some time with the happy couple to take some shots in and around Castlefield. We took in the lock, Bridgewater Canal and the beautiful brickwork and wrought iron viaducts. This is industrial Mancunian urban architecture at its best.

I had a great time photographing Laura and Rich’s Manchester wedding at The Castlefield Rooms. Thanks so much to both of them for letting me be a part of their day. Laura sent some very kind words to me after the wedding…

“I’d seen Mike’s work on some wedding blogs and knew instantly that I wanted to meet him to ask about him doing our wedding. Neither of us would have wanted a very posed style of photography and looking though Mike’s photographs, I knew he was gifted with being able to capture precious moments of people being natural and enjoying themselves.

Mike has an amazing skill of being able to blend into the wedding celebrations…for a lot of the time we didn’t know he was there! He certainly looked the part with his leather camera holster and bow tie!

Having got the photographs back (in record time compared to most of our friends who have got married before us), we are thrilled with the collection of memories Mike has captured for us. We’ve shared them with friends and family and they are impressed with the quality of the photographs, but more than that, they are grateful for the moments of joy that Mike has been able to capture. Something that is a very precious thing to forever hold!”