Great John Street Hotel Manchester Wedding Photography

Manchester City Wedding

More city weddings please! I absolutely loved being in Manchester city centre capturing the wedding day action for Charlotte and Andrew and it was my first ever visit to Great John Street Hotel!! Wow what a venue! It is so tastefully converted, it use to be a old Victorian school house and still has lots of little nods to its heritage which I adore. Of course it has been updated and is super modern with a stunning roof top terrace, perfect for drinks and viewing the city scape from a different angle! It is located quite near to the Science and Industry Museum and the old building for Granada studios, perfectly placed for a little wander around the city for some couple portraits!

Bridal Preparations at King Street Townhouse

I met up with Charlotte, her bridesmaids and her mum who were getting ready over at the sister hotel, King Street Townhouse, again a stunningly beautiful hotel which has epic views of the city and an infinity pool, (its on my personal wish list to return and use!) Hair and makeup was in full swing, as were the drinks and there was a lovely chilled vibe to the whole morning. I spent quite a bit of time taking pictures of Charlottes gorgeous Stella York dress, omg what a dress! Backless, a plunging neckline and a full tulle skirt - heaven!

Ceremony At Great John Street Hotel

Andrew was waiting for his beautiful bride at the hotel where my second photographer, Kirsty from Alfred and Co photography went to meet him, their two boys and his best man to take some very informal and natural groom preparation pictures, obviously making full use of the redbrick walls of the hotel! The flowers and buttonholes were all arriving at the venue and the couple had chosen a full botanical and foliage theme. I have seen a couple of botanical bouquets before, however Charlottes smelt amazing, so strong of eucalyptus and rosemary - divine!

Charlotte arrived in a white taxi and headed up to the roof terrace where the ceremony was going to be taking place, all the guests were now seated. There was a lovely atmosphere as Charlotte met Andrew with her father by her side giving her away, Andrew was quite taken aback as his wife to be looked so beautiful. Once the vows and the rings had been exchanged, a little reading was given by their eldest son and his friend, there were a few teary guests at this point. Finally the time had come to seal the wedding with the traditional first kiss upon which the room broke out with lots of clapping and cheering!

Natural Wedding Photography

All the guests enjoyed the wedding drinks reception whilst I took family and the newlyweds outside to the front of the hotel for some group formal images, before whisking the couple away for some natural couple portraits. We literally had a walk around the city area immediately where the hotel is, Charlotte and Andrew were so relaxed with each other no direction was needed from me, a dream session! I wanted to use the hotel terrace for some extra relaxed portraits, and to try and incorporate the well known city landmark Beetham Tower (the Hilton hotel). It looked great and we were lucky with the weather staying bright and sunny as it was the end of October.

The wedding breakfast meal was enjoyed before speeches and then it was party time! The newlyweds had told me when we met up prior to the wedding, that they really wanted to have photographs with sparklers as it was a winter wedding! I was happy to help, and with the immediate bridal party we gave Charlotte and Andrew the sparkler portraits they wanted, it did look lovely on the roof terrace with the city skyline in the background.

Following the cake cutting and the first dance, I left the couple to continue celebrating with family and friends. Thank you so much to Andrew and Charlotte for choosing me to be their Manchester wedding photographer. I really did have the best day and learnt that I love city weddings!!

Here’s a selection of my favourite images from their day, enjoy.

Love Laura xx