Becky + Dan’s Vintage-Inspired Wedding at Victoria Baths, Manchester

Manchester Wedding PhotographerCheshire Wedding PhotographerDocumentary Wedding PhotographerVictoria Baths Wedding

15 Sept

Since becoming a wedding photographer, there have been a few things on my bucket list. Among them was photographing a wedding at Victoria Baths in Manchester, and this weekend, I got to tick it off. None of that would have been possible if it hadn’t been for Becky and Dan.

Before the Wedding

First I popped over to see Dan and his groomsmen at his aunt’s house. It’s rare that I get to capture both sides of the wedding during the morning prep, but it’s worth it just to introduce myself to some key family members, and capture some sweet moments. I then had time to stop in on Becky at Victoria Baths who was also finishing getting ready, with her mum, bridesmaids, and daughter. The dressing room at Victoria Baths is, like most of the building, worn but beautiful. Sunlight streamed through the antique windows, there was plenty of space for everyone, and Becky’s dad came in for a hug before we all went into the pool for the ceremony.

A Ceremony in a Swimming Pool

The piece de resistance at Victoria Baths is that you get married in a (drained) pool. It’s every bit as cool as it sounds. Laid out very simply with chairs and a ribboned archway, the architecture of the pool room speaks for itself. Becky and Dan had a simple civil ceremony with two readings. As a photographer, I loved how much space the pool provides so there’s scope to move around and get different angles on the whole ceremony. My favourite part of the ceremony was at the end, after the rings and the first kiss, when Becky and Dan invited their daughter over to them for a family hug.

The reception was held in the next room, in another pool. This one had a bouncy castle in it! It’s useful to think of Victoria Baths as a quirky space for hire, giving you latitude to put your on DIY touches and styling on the place. Guests helped themselves to bubbles and a wall of crisps while we took group photos and couple portraits, then they were able to go on a guided tour of the historic building.

Then it was time for food, speeches, dancing and eventually more food. The full sneak peeks are below, and I am so happy that Becky and Dan trusted me to capture their wedding at Victoria Baths.