Harri & Jamie - An Ultra-Glam Rock n' Roll DIY Wedding at the Deaf Institute - Manchester Wedding Photography
When you love your job as much as I do, work NEVER feels like work. I’ve reflected on 2019 properly HERE but it’s no exaggeration to say that I ended a year of EPIC proportions on an earth-shattering, bone-shaking, fist-pumping high. I’ve had the MASSIVE pleasure of capturing not one but two incredible weddings on the last weekend in December - Saturday took me to the edge of the forest and the WONDERFUL (and ridiculously photogenic) Charlotte & Sean at Wyresdale Park (check out that blog post HERE) followed by the INCREDIBLY stylish & sweet Harri & Jamie at the iconic Manchester wedding venue (and my pre-child regular haunt) The Deaf Institute.
Harri is the sister of the fabulously talented wedding photographer Olivia Whittaker so I was completely blown away when she and fiance Jamie asked me to capture their post-Christmas wedding extravaganza. They had in mind a massive party with all of their favourite people where the music takes centre stage alongside their carefully crafted outfits and details - indeed Harri not only made her own wedding dress (with a week to spare!) plus all three bridesmaids dresses, their felted flower bouquets, Jamie’s tie (working off their own design!) and meters and meters of celestial garlands. Jamie also used their graphic design background to create the Wes Anderson-inspired place cards/table plan and the efforts of all of both of their hard work only enhanced the natural gritty splendour of The Deaf Institute - one of Manchester’s foremost music and gig venues.
I initially met Harri & Jamie (and cutie pie pug Gilbert, who sadly is no longer with us - what a little legend he was) when we met for their pre-wedding shoot wandering through Fletcher Moss Gardens in Didsbury and we got on so brilliantly. I loved their ideas for their DIY wedding and how they carefully curated their design choices for the day. Music was incredibly important to them both - Jamie is a musician but also a videographer - so The Deaf Institute was really the only place for their wedding. What I was not prepared for was just how talented and creative these two actually are. Jamie had described a bit of what they were thinking of wearing for the big day but I was positively STUNNED by their sequinned cape from Junglade over a black and gold Twisted Tailor suit, mega-platforms and an embellished Manchester bee bowtie that I was sooo tempted to nick! In contrast to Jamie’s black and gold structured glamour, Harri designed an ethereal deep-v gold-starry gown with wide flowy sleeves worn with an UNREAL tiara and killer Melissa by Vivienne Westwood kitten heels - with their vibrant hair and IMPECCABLE makeup and nails, this gorgeous pair positively GLOWED.
Every now and then when I’m working, I catch myself stood to the side, eyes constantly moving, looking for the details, the quiet moments, the intense conversations and the ecstatic hugs. Above all, I’m searching connection of any kind and these connections anchor my heart and truly bring out the SOUL of the day. At Harri & Jamie’s celebration (and it truly was that, a GLORIOUS celebration of LOVE) I was truly madly spoilt for choice.
I literally have the very best job in a world and once again, I’m reminded just what a magical industry I’m lucky enough to work in. I miss my job, I’m mourning the 2020 season that got off to a false start. I’ve grieving for couples like Harri & Jamie who have had to put a hold on their plans and change the course of their wedding days. So here’s a bit of glitter, a bit of a bright spark to see you through until we can make wedding magic together again.
With MASSIVE thank you to the new Holker pair plus their extended family for welcoming me so warmly - and of course to Deaf Institute superhero Natalie for running such an incredible venue and making it my very favourite Manchester city centre wedding venue. Here’s a bit of what we got up to…
(and if you’re planning your big fat celebration for 2021 and beyond, PLEASE give me a shout to chat about your plans, I can’t freaking wait to get back to work!)
Dream Team of Manchester Suppliers
Venue - The Deaf Institute https://www.thedeafinstitute.co.uk/
Dress/Bridesmaids Dresses - created by the bride
Makeup - Charlotte Clutterbuck https://www.instagram.com/charlotteclutterbuckmakeup/
Suit - Twisted Tailor https://www.twistedtailor.com/
Cape - Junglade https://www.jungladedesigns.com/
DJ - Tom Hardwickhttps://www.facebook.com/djtomhardwick/
Florals/Decor - made by the bride
