There are few wedding venues quite like Stockport Town Hall. Depending on which side of the ‘Stockport is in Greater Manchester”, or “Stockport is in Cheshire” argument you sit on, this magnificent Grade II* listed building offers something rather different from the traditional country-house wedding venue. And for Rebecca and Ian, it provided the perfect setting for a wedding that was personal, relaxed, and very much their own.
A wedding on the Marble Staircase
I was very much looking forward to photographing Ian and Rebecca’s ceremony, as they chose to get married on the Marble Staircase, one of the most recognisable features of Stockport Town Hall. With its sweeping marble steps, ornate architecture, huge windows and impressive period details, it is a spectacular setting for a wedding ceremony, and a wedding photographer’s dream!
There is something wonderfully unusual and dramatic about a staircase ceremony. Rather than walking down a conventional aisle, the architecture becomes part of the ceremony itself. This created plenty of opportunities for beautiful wedding photography as Rebecca made her entrance and the couple exchanged their vows.
The Marble Staircase is also one of those rare wedding backdrops that needs very little added to it. The combination of the grand staircase, intricate details and natural light creates photographs with plenty of atmosphere, while still leaving the focus firmly on the couple.
After the ceremony, the guests enjoyed champagne and we created a walkway for confetti shots outside the private entrance to Stockport Town Hall. Then we headed off for something a little bit different…
Wedding photography at Stockport County FC
Rebecca and Ian chose Stockport County FC as another location for their wedding photography, bringing a very personal Stockport connection into their wedding album! As season ticket holders for many years, they asked the club if they would be allowed a photograph in their seats. The club offered them a little more, with a quick tour of the dressing room, the tunnel and also the players dugout with heated seats!!
It made for a brilliant contrast with the grandeur of the Town Hall, and certainly injected some fun and creativity into the shots. Instead of formal interiors and historic architecture, Edgeley Park offered a completely different backdrop, and, most importantly, it was something that reflected the couple and their personalities.
That is one of my favourite things about wedding photography: your photographs don’t all have to look the same. The best wedding days are often those where couples choose locations that mean something to them, whether that’s a beautiful historic building, a favourite pub, a football ground or somewhere they simply love spending time together.
Stockport Town Hall wedding photographer
If you’re based in Manchester, Cheshire or Stockport and are looking for a uniquely beautiful wedding venue, Stockport Town Hall is certainly worth a look. The Marble Staircase provides such an impressive setting for the ceremony and portraits, while the building’s historic architecture gives your wedding photography plenty of character.
And, as Rebecca and Ian demonstrated, you’re not limited to the Town Hall itself. Being right in the heart of Stockport means you can easily incorporate the town and places that are meaningful to you into your wedding photography too.
Looking for a wedding photographer in Cheshire, Stockport or Greater Manchester? I’d love to hear about your plans and help you make the most of your wedding photography.