Authentic, Creative and Emotional Wedding Photography, For Couples who value real in Manchester & the North West.
Fitzpatrick Photography came about from the idea of doing something different!
To move away from the traditionally uncomfortable, staged wedding photos we all know so well! Instead, we wanted to create memories, authentic, emotional and genuine mementoes of each day.
To Photograph how we knew we would want to be photographed!
Manchester has long been a favourite city of mine. As someone with a nerdy confessed fascination with architecture, it is a city of few rivals. A product of the industrial revolution and often known as the first modern city, Machester is a city whose history is clearly on display.
For weddings and wedding photography, Manchester offers so many possibilities. From intimate venues hidden in the city's heart, such as King Street Townhouse or the Castlefield Rooms, to Splendid Grandeur, such as Manchester University and Whitworth Hall. Manchester has the lot!
As a social and cultural melting pot, Manchester doesn't look so much to blend styles as to bring them crashing together in its own unique style, meaning you are free to do the same.
Street photography is something I have loved for many years and something I love to incorporate into my city weddings. Like in Liverpool and Chester, I love getting out and celebrating the city with my Manchester couples. Using not only the venue but the city as a backdrop creates some truly unique images. While it can feel daunting at first, it often feels like the whole city is celebrating your day with you.
If you love Manchester, but the city isn't quite your style, you will be pleased to find Greater Manchester also offers an abundance of unique venues. Within easy reach of Manchester, you will find to name just a few, Beeston manor, Simply Fields, Rivington Hall and The Saddleworth Hotel.
5 TIPS FOR YOUR MANCHESTER WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY
1. How many photographers do you need?
Julia and I often work as a team, even at smaller Manchester venues. Working as a team is only possible due to the extended time we spend working with each other. At most weddings, we typically know where each other will be and where they will be pointing their camera without looking. Otherwise, at smaller venues, one photographer is usually perfect.
Having two photographers for larger weddings and venues can make an enormous difference.
2. Plan ahead!
In a city like Manchester, you could quite easily spend a whole week, if not longer, exploring. Therefore, decide on priorities in advance if you want to use the city as a backdrop to your photos. Speak with your photographer beforehand, so they know what's important to you and can help create a plan.
3. Golden Hour Wedding Photography
The "Golden Hour, " the hour before sunset, is widely considered the best light for portraits. But in a city such as Manchester, with tall buildings choosing the perfect location may need extra planning.
Rooftop bars, inner city parks, and open spaces can provide perfect locations. But, if you are looking for something more creative, the tall buildings' long shadows at this time of day can be perfect.
4. Make the Most of City Sunsets on Your Wedding Day
It's easy to think that a city centre wedding means sacrificing sunset portraits. But all you need to do in a city as tall as Manchester is look up! Rooftop bars and terraces have become increasingly popular across Manchester. Even if your venue doesn't have one, there may be one close than you think. Not all are open to the public, but speak to your photographer and find out what might be possible.
5. Bring Sensible Shoes
If you want to explore the city as part of your wedding photography, make sure to have a pair of sensible shoes on hand. Of course, you can always slip back into something fabulous for your photos, but walking between locations is no need to suffer.
YOUR ULTIMATE WEDDING PLANNING GUIDE
To help with your wedding planning we have put together a comprehensive 32 step guide taking you every step of the way
Our Favourite Wedding Venues In MANChesTER
With so many stunning venues to choose from, it can be challenging to know where to start. That is one of the reasons we have created this resource outlining some of our favourite wedding venues in Greater Manchester.
When Julia and I started planning our wedding in 2014, we were in the same place you are now. Sat reading and researching potential venues before creating a shortlist and booking viewings. In the end, we booked the first venue we visited. Why? Because they instantly made us feel uniquely special and that our day was as important to them as it was to us. Yes, the venue was stunning, but how it made us feel and how the staff looked after us was what made it truly special.
In all honestly, we did try to play it cool, told them we had others to view and we would get back to them. But, unfortunately, we only managed to drive 2 miles before returning and booking the same day.
We did NOT play it cool!!
When putting together this list, it has been this personal experience that we have kept in mind. Each of these wedding venues is either elegant or architecturally striking. In addition, each offers stunning grounds and fantastic locations for photos. Most importantly, however, we believe each has that " X " factor we were looking for and found for our own wedding.
WEDDING VENUES IN MANCHESTER
KING STREET TOWN HOUSE
Not everyone's dream wedding includes a country house, rustic farmland or manicured gardens. If your wedding dreams are more city-based and you are looking for a unique, historic yet luxurious vibe, then King Street Townhouse should undoubtedly be on your list.
Curated by the brilliant team at Eclectic Hotels, King Street Townhouse is a stylish wedding venue in the heart of Manchester's city centre. Offering a captivating wedding venue within the exquisite Grade II Italian Renaissance building, full of original features, the Townhouse offers wedding photography like no other.
Want to learn more about the King Street Townhouse and get all the details you need to plan your city centre wedding? Check out our full King Street Townhouse wedding venue guide here.
THE SADDLEWORTH HOTEL
Set amongst the rolling hills of Delph, not far from Oldham Manchester, and on the skirt of the stunning Pennines, you will find one of the finest wedding venues in the area. The 4-Star Saddleworth Hotel is idyllically set amongst 10 acres of majestic gardens and forests in the stunning Castleshaw Valley, overlooking the spectacular views of the Pennine grounds. Inside you will find a contemporary modern space with impeccable decor throughout. The definite WOW factor, though, is provided by the double-height Ballroom with a beautiful wrap-around balcony!
Want to learn more about the The Saddleworth Hotel and get all the details you need to plan your luxury country wedding? Check out our full Saddleworth Hotel wedding venue guide here.
MANCHESTER WEDDING GALLERY
Real Manchester Weddings, I've photographed over the last few years at a variety of awesome Manchester Wedding venues.
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