Celeste + Theo

A wedding that always sticks out in my mind from last year, is Celeste + Theo's summer Manchester wedding. It's rare these days that I get couples that opt to marry in a church, let alone have their whole day based around it, but that's just what these two did, and it was perfect.

When Celeste got in touch with me, it was about 6 months until the wedding date, she told me how important Holy Name Church has been to them as a couple, their relationship together, their families, and forming a community in Manchester. Their faith was a really important part of their relationship, and their vision was to not only have their ceremony at Holy Name Church, but to host their entire day there. Which was no easy feat - obviously both had a close relationship with the church and priests, what the obstacle was, was getting the disused grounds and adjacent buildings to point where they'd be proud to host their wedding there. What they did was a complete labour of love, overhauling the grounds and garden, weeding, landscaping, installing a gazebo and marquee to host their dances, speeches and meals, and cleaning out the buildings to use as an overflow space, and Celeste's artist studio.

It was amazing to witness the result of all their work, which their friends and family also pitched in with, and how a community can come together to create something incredible, all for two wonderful people and a celebration of their love. Celeste got ready with her mum and bridesmaids in their plant filled apartment, wearing a dress that she got off the rack, and customised with voluminous sleeves. She looked incredible, so elegant and perfectly fitting for the grandeur of the Church. Theo greeted their guests as they arrived, and waited for Celeste. I loved having the opportunity to shoot in such an amazing space, not like most churches, it had the most beautiful, soft light, which seemed to hang draped with the incense from the ceremony. It really lent itself to leaning into the mood and atmosphere, with the ceremony being solemn, but emotional and personal. After the ceremony, we used the inside of the church for portraits, and the day naturally flowed into their relaxed and informal meal, speeches and dancing.

This was a day that was so deeply personal - it was an honour to witness and capture.