Real Wedding: Adam & Eleanor’s Cinematic Celebration at The Monastery, Manchester
When Adam and Eleanor first told me they had booked The Monastery in Gorton, I knew this wasn't going to be a quiet affair.
Having known them both through the Urmston Musical Theatre (UMT), I knew their guest list would be full of performers, big personalities, and incredible energy. They needed a venue that could match that theatricality without feeling stuffy—and "Manchester's Taj Mahal" was the perfect choice.
This wedding was a masterclass in how to combine a grand, historic setting with a relaxed, party-focused vibe. Here is how we captured the story of their day.
City Centre Prep at The Midland
The story actually started right in the heart of Manchester City Centre. Adam and his groomsmen got ready at The Midland Hotel, navigating the usual pre-ceremony scramble with plenty of laughs.
I love shooting prep at The Midland. The architecture is iconic, and it anchors the start of the narrative firmly in Manchester. Capturing the groomsmen trying to figure out ties and sharing a nervous joke before the taxi ride to Gorton sets the tone perfectly: elegant, but totally unscripted.
Candid shot of Groom prep at The Midland
The Ceremony: Mastering the Great Nave
Walking into the Great Nave at The Monastery never gets old. The sheer scale of the high altar and those soaring Gothic arches can be intimidating for some photographers, but for a documentary shooter, it’s a playground of light.
Because the space is so vast, I was able to move around the edges of the ceremony without ever being noticed. I used fast prime lenses to soak up the available light (no distracting flash here), which meant I could capture the genuine emotion on Adam’s face as Eleanor walked down that incredibly long aisle.
Mastering the Great Nave
The Cloisters: Portraits Without the Posing
One of the biggest worries couples have about grand venues is that they will spend hours being posed for photos while their guests have all the fun. That is exactly what we didn't do.
We slipped away to the Cloisters—the beautiful stone archways that line the courtyard—for just 15 minutes. The light here is soft and directional, perfect for those moody, cinematic portraits that look like they belong in a magazine but are actually just two people taking a breather.
We even managed to use the private gardens for a few natural moments before heading back to the party.
Romantic shot in the Cloisters
The Party: The UMT Connection
You can’t invite a theatre troupe to a wedding and expect a quiet reception. The courtyard was filled with laughter, confetti, and cheering.
One of my favourite moments was the large group shot in the courtyard. Instead of a stiff, formal lineup, we got the whole UMT crowd squeezed together, cheering and laughing. It wasn't perfect; it was better than perfect. It was real.
Final Thoughts
Adam and Eleanor’s wedding proved that you don't have to choose between a "cool" city vibe and a historic venue. By planning the logistics carefully and trusting the documentary process, they got a gallery that feels epic in scale but intimate in emotion.
The First Dance or Evening Party shot
Planning your own Monastery Wedding?
I have put together a detailed guide on the logistics, lighting, and layout of this incredible venue. Read my Guide to Monastery Manchester Wedding Photography