When it comes time for me to blog about a wedding day, I usually find some way to write anecdotally about the venue, the details, the couple and how much I adore them (and I truly, legit ALWAYS do - it’s a hazard of the trade the post-wedding heartbreak when I realise we’re not going to have the same regular communication). But Saturday’s wedding of two EXTRAORDINARY humans, though styled to perfection in one of my FAVOURITE Manchester city centre wedding venues, wasn’t about me at all so it would feel wrong to insert my perspective into the narrative. David and James’ gloriously triumphant whirlwind of a wedding day was a 15-years-in-the-making fairytale, a celebration of PRIDE because when they first got together, marriage was not a legal option for them. This wedding was a breathtaking example of making their wedding day about who they are as a couple and how they want to share their story with the people they love the most in this world. And what a day it was…

The wedding celebrations actually began a couple of days earlier when we met on the steps of Sale Town Hall for their legal civil ceremony with just their parents in attendance. It was short and sweet and helped to build even more anticipation for Saturday’s soiree.

I arrived at Kimpton Clocktower Hotel Saturday early afternoon to slightly overcast skies (win!) and was greeted by our gorgeous couple in the final stages of getting dressed. Their custom suits by The Edit complemented each other without feeling too much like twinsies and I loved that they accessorised in a way that felt authentic to who they are as a couple - especially with David in pristine white trainers and James in elegant burnished Loakes brogues. The excitement and nerves were palpable but we settled those a bit with our leisurely walk over to HOME via the canal, stopping every now and then for calming & grounding portraits. With such a beautiful pair, I was in photographer heaven!

The incredibly emotional ceremony was performed by the exceptional celebrant Kerrie from The Birds and Bees Celebrancy. In continuing to break from tradition, the ceremony included a handfasting performed by David & James’ mothers, a candle lighting by their fathers and a shared drink of wine from a loving cup made by ceramicist David. Along with a beautifully personal service from Kerrie, there wasn’t a dry eye amongst the guests gathered (apart from ring bearor Oscar who chose the perfect moment for a little sleep).

The rest of the day stretched ahead, relaxed and perfectly summery as befitting a wedding day on a roof terrace. There were stunning speeches made (and so many more tears), an impromptu first dance and of course, more opportunities to sneak out for some gorgeous golden hour portraits. It was one of those halcyon days that you never want to end, a work day that doesn’t feel at all like WORK.

And one more thing. David and James’ wedding was the purest, most exquisitely felt celebration of, above all, LOVE. A much more articulate Best Woman Anna mentioned this in her barnstorming speech but only 34 countries in the world have legalised gay marriage. That’s it. There are 64 countries that still have laws criminalising homosexuality. I’m in the business of peddling love stories and cannot for the life of me ever fathom believing ANYTHING other than love conquering all . When you find the person you are meant to share your life with, that JOY should be shouted from the top of the damn rooftops with PRIDE. Our beloved LGBTQIA+ community is still under attack, still battling antiquated bullshit ideas of who and how they should love and if my teeny tiny corner of the internet can only uplift their love stories and amplify more of their joy, I always ALWAYS will.

Thank you so so much to the utterly dreamy David & James for inviting me along to tell their love story, to share in their joy and to be embraced so warmly by their beautiful family and friends. I hope I’ve done you justice…here’s a sneak peek of what we got up to.

Dream Team

Venue - HOME Manchester https://homemcr.org/venue-hire/weddings-parties/

Celebrant - Kerries from Birds & Bees https://birdsandbeescelebrant.com/

Suits - Edit Suits https://www.editsuits.com/manchester-tailors

Band - Bigote Trio https://andrewdmeyer.com/bigote-trio/

James’ Shoes - Loake https://www.loake.com/

Styling - Florence & Vera https://www.florenceandvera.co.uk/

Florals - Diddibox Flowers https://www.diddibox.co.uk/

Cakes - Candy’s Cupcakes https://www.candyscupcakes.co.uk/