Modern Manchester Wedding with Vintage Film Vibes at The Deaf Institute
Helen and Tom’s wedding at The Deaf Institute in Manchester was one to be remembered — full of live music, relaxed energy, and many thoughtful DIY touches. As a Manchester wedding photographer who loves documenting creative, city-centre weddings, this one is one I cannot wait to show you.
The day started in the Green Room where Tom and his groomsmen got ready in vintage brown suits and sunglasses. The look suited the venue and the vibe perfectly. I captured some relaxed portraits before heading to Helen, who wore an incredible £23 charity shop wedding dress with £2 shoes — a brilliant find that looked stunning in motion. At one point I nearly fell down the stairs trying to capture the way the dress flowed as she walked down the stairs of the venue.
The weather was unseasonably warm for Manchester, with bright sun and a light breeze. After the ceremony, we took portraits both indoors on the stairs and outside in the city light. Family photos were taken out front and I used a mix of 35mm film, Polaroids, and digital throughout the day. I shot Portra 160 film on my Olympus Mju-II and finished a year-long roll of pink rose double exposures (which I’m soo excited to see developed , Analogue Wonderland are developing it for me at the moment).
Helen’s mum created a floral backdrop for around the cake, which featured two little cute cat toppers — a nod to the couple’s own pet. I took Polaroids of the cake cutting and wedding details, adding to the analogue mix of the day. The bridesmaids wore bold red, which happened to match the venue’s rich velvet curtains and music vibes.
Food arrived in the form of a huge Domino’s pizza order, which was slightly chaotic but perfectly on brand for this relaxed celebration. Their first dance was actually two songs — they couldn’t decide — and the evening evolved into a full-on memorable gig atmosphere.
The open mic session that afternoon featured several of the couple’s talented friends. The whole day was a reminder of why music-filled weddings in Manchester work so well. There was no formality, just a room full of warmth and creative people coming together. It. Was. Amazing.
I used the small fuji EF-X8 flash to give some of the low-light photos a little extra boost in the evening. And to give it the snap shot sort of look of disposable cameras. Looking back, this wedding really made me think more about prioritising film photography in future packages — especially for couples who want that tactile, nostalgic look. With a second shooter, I’d be able to offer even more 35mm film and Polaroid options.
If you're planning a Manchester city centre wedding, especially one with live music, creative styling, or a DIY feel, I’d love to hear from you. These kinds of relaxed, music-filled days are exactly what I love to document — and film just makes it even better.
