Urban Wedding at The Castlefield Rooms – Antony and Stuart

October 9, 2025 In blog

The Castlefield Rooms in Manchester city centre is a wedding venue with a mix of urban charm and industrial chic and I love working there. Antony and Stuart’s wedding was a perfect fit for this space, and I was excited to be their wedding photographer for the day.

Getting Ready and The City Vibe

Antony and Stuart got ready separately at The Alan Hotel, just a quick five-minute taxi ride from The Castlefield Rooms. They were surrounded by close friends and family in the city’s heart, setting the tone for a relaxed but exciting intimate wedding day.

Ceremony in The Brindley Room

The ceremony was held in The Brindley Room, a classic spot in The Castlefield area, known for its exposed brickwork, oak beams, and a cosy, rustic feel. Wild flowers decorated the room, giving it a natural touch that balanced the event space perfectly with the urban setting.

Portraits by The Castlefield Viaduct and Along The Bridgewater Canal

For some effective urban wedding portraits, Antony and Stuart wanted to capture some of Manchester’s character. We took pictures under the iconic steel viaducts, a favourite location with cobbled streets and city views with its modern architecture. After that, we had a short walk along the Bridgewater Canal, giving the wedding photos a relaxed, natural style, with a backdrop that says Manchester like no other.

Wedding Breakfast and Party

The wedding breakfast was back in The Brindley Room. The happy couple cut the cake before the wedding breakfast so it could be served as the dessert. They also decided to get the speeches out of the way before eating, so no one would be stressing over their dinner.

The party started with Matt Hydes as their DJ, keeping the energy high and the dance floor packed from start to finish. The vibe Antony and Stuart wanted—a lively, fun wedding where everyone gets on the dance floor—was exactly what they got.

The Castlefield Rooms, situated on top of Dukes 92, always provide a fantastic backdrop for an urban wedding in Manchester, and each time I’m booked for wedding photography there, I find new ways to capture the city’s energy mixed with couples’ unique stories.

This is what Antony and Stu said about their wedding:

  • What were your wedding planning “must-haves”?
    Our must-have was a party vibe and everyone filling the dance floor. I can safely say I think we got exactly what we wanted. The dance floor was filled from the start to the end! We are still flying high from it!
  • How did you search for your wedding venue?
    We knew that we wanted to get married in Manchester City centre as it’s where we first lived together and it’s just our city! We love the backdrop of Castlefield and knew dukes 92 well but had no idea it was also a wedding venue and when we went to look at the castlefield rooms section we just fell in love with it!
  • Styling your wedding: how did you personalise your big day?
    We wanted our wedding favours to say something about us and give that personal touch to the day. I’m a big fan of pick and mix so sweets had to play a role and we wanted a little keepsake and as was evident we all love a drink so a bottle opener was the way forward!
  • Describe your wedding suits. Was it the style you thought you’d have?
    We both knew that we wanted three-piece suits but initially, I was going to get a purple suit and Antony a navy one but after going to Marc Darcy, we decided that we wanted to have the same style of suit so I tried the green on as there was no purple option and it just worked really well with Antony’s suit.
  • Wedding Photographer: How did you find me/ choose me?
    You came highly recommended from my friend who was a bridesmaid at a wedding you photographed. We liked the type of photos that you do and the focus on not doing loads of staged photos and just capturing the live in the moment shots and actually being a part of the wedding!
  • What was the ceremony like?
    The ceremony was perfect our two readers did so well and it just made it feel super special. We also thought Jacinta, the registrar was really brilliant and was able to keep us calm and relaxed for the whole ceremony.
  • Tell me about your drinks reception, speeches and wedding breakfast.
    The drinks reception was really good and I think a great way for the guests to get to know each other and get ready for the dance party later on! Speeches were so touching, Mel and Kate did a really good job of balancing humour with wholesome touches. Our speech albeit unrehearsed seemed to go down well with a lot of people said “it was very you two” not sure whether we should take that as a compliment or not. Haha!
  • What was your first dance song? Why is that song special to you?
    Our first dance song was Electricity by Silk City and Dua Lipa. We chose it because firstly Dua Lipa is ICONIC and the words just really resonated with us plus it’s a banger to get the party started and we think it definitely did! The DJ and sax player made the whole day and night!
  • What do you think your family and friends enjoyed most about the day?

    The things we have heard the most were “the mash was out of this world” and “the DJ and sax player made the party”
  • Any other things you want to mention?
    Can’t not mention that Neil was dancing so hard that he split his pants!!
The dark-haired groom laughs happily, holding a bottle of champagne with a guest, with another guest visible in a mirror reflection, at The Alan hotel wedding prep.
A guest in a leopard print top holds two white rose buttonholes during wedding preparations at The Alan hotel.
A young woman has her makeup applied next to a window with sheer curtains, a moment from the wedding morning prep at The Alan hotel.
Black and white candid close-up of the dark-haired groom, wearing glasses, adjusting something on his camera during prep at The Alan hotel.
A guest in a leopard print top reacts with a surprised expression while looking into a handheld mirror during wedding preparations at The Alan hotel.
The dark-haired groom, wearing a t-shirt and glasses, laughs in a candid moment during the busy morning wedding prep at The Alan hotel.
The bald groom, smiling and wearing glasses, adjusts the cuff of his white shirt near a bright window at The Alan hotel before the Castlefield Rooms wedding.
The dark-haired groom with a beard looks confidently at the camera while putting on his purple tie over a white shirt and dark waistcoat, completing his outfit at The Alan hotel.
The Brindley room at Castlefield Rooms is ready for the wedding ceremony, featuring rustic wooden cross-back chairs, exposed brick, and floral aisle decorations in jars.
A close-up view of the wooden floor and charming floral arrangements in small glass jars lining the aisle in The Brindley room at Castlefield Rooms.
Wedding at Castlefield Rooms. Guests embrace outside, sharing a joyful hug, reflecting the warm atmosphere of the celebration.
Guests stand and laugh together on a sunny outdoor terrace, enjoying the pre-ceremony excitement for the Castlefield Rooms wedding.
The dark-haired groom and bald groom, both in dark suits, wait casually as guests arrive for the wedding ceremony at Castlefield Rooms.
Black and white photo of the dark-haired groom in his blue suit and purple tie, standing and smiling as he awaits the start of the ceremony in the Brindley room at Castlefield Rooms.
The dark-haired groom and the bald groom share a happy, genuine smile together before the beginning of their marriage ceremony at Castlefield Rooms.
Wedding at Castlefield Rooms. The dark-haired groom picks up the ring from a friend.
The groom in the green suit and the groom in the blue suit exchange rings during their ceremony at Castlefield Rooms.
A moving black and white moment captured during the exchanging of rings between the two grooms at the Castlefield Rooms wedding ceremony.
An elevated, wide black and white shot of the two grooms kissing at the end of the aisle during their emotional wedding ceremony at Castlefield Rooms.
The two smiling grooms walk hand-in-hand down the flower-lined aisle after their ceremony in the Brindley room at Castlefield Rooms.
The newly married couple walks through the cheering crowd of guests after their beautiful ceremony at the Castlefield Rooms wedding.
Wedding at Castlefield Rooms. The grooms are showered with confetti by their delighted guests as they exit the venue, holding hands and laughing.
The grooms walk through the street hand-in-hand, surrounded by confetti and happy wedding guests outside Castlefield Rooms.
A guest hugging the drink who is holding a drink, celebrating the Castlefield Rooms wedding.
A panoramic view of the Castlefield Rooms outdoor terrace and guests mingling below the large brick chimney structure in the city.
A close-up of three female guests laughing joyfully together during the drinks reception outside the Castlefield Rooms venue.
Two female guests wearing vibrant hats and dressed up for the occasion share a laugh while enjoying the drinks reception on the Castlefield Rooms outdoor terrace.
A dramatic, wide black and white portrait of the two grooms standing beneath the towering arches of the Castlefield viaducts.
The two grooms walk hand-in-hand and smile at each other during their portrait session in the industrial urban setting near Castlefield Rooms.
A full-length shot of the couple walking along a graffitied wall on the Manchester canal towpath near the Castlefield Rooms venue.
Wedding at Castlefield Rooms. Guests enjoy a glass of champagne during the drinks reception, laughing with delight in the sunshine.
Guests relax and celebrate on the sunny rooftop terrace, raising a glass and holding a purple umbrella at the Castlefield Rooms drinks reception.
A guest with her arms open, ready for a hug from the groom, at the Castlefield Rooms wedding.
An interior shot showcasing the bright, modern layout of The Merchant room at Castlefield Rooms, set for the wedding breakfast with white linens and wooden chairs.
A beautifully decorated long table awaits the guests for the wedding breakfast, adorned with simple flower arrangements at Castlefield Rooms.
A close-up of a floral centerpiece featuring dark red and blue flowers in a glass vase on one of the wedding breakfast tables at Castlefield Rooms.
Wedding at Castlefield Rooms. A close-up of wedding favors wrapped in a blue and white striped bag, with a tag featuring a rainbow heart to celebrate the couple.
Wedding favour showing a pin badge with rainbow colours
Wedding at Castlefield Rooms. A close-up of wedding favors wrapped in a blue and white striped bag, with a tag featuring a rainbow heart to celebrate the couple.
The two grooms raise their hands and cheer as they make their grand entrance into the wedding breakfast reception at Castlefield Rooms.
The two happy grooms stand by their wedding cake, holding the cake knife together, ready for the ceremonial cutting at Castlefield Rooms.
Guests raise their glasses and cheer, signaling the start of the speeches during the celebratory reception at the Castlefield Rooms wedding.
The groom in the green suit smiles from the top table, surrounded by beautiful flowers, listening intently to the speeches at the Castlefield Rooms wedding reception.
A guest listening to the speeches and smiling
Wedding at Castlefield Rooms. A candid black and white photo of the two grooms sharing a big, unrestrained laugh from the top table during the speeches.
Speeches at Castlefield rooms
A black and white, wide shot of the grooms and their guests seated at the top table, enjoying the speeches overlooking the city at Castlefield Rooms.
A slightly wider shot of the grooms standing to give their joint speech to all the seated wedding guests at the Castlefield Rooms reception.
The two grooms take to the dance floor for their first dance, with the groom in the green suit spinning his partner in a romantic and joyful move at Castlefield Rooms.
Wedding at Castlefield Rooms. The two grooms extend their arms and spin around on the dance floor during their lively and energetic first dance.
The groom's parents dancing during the evening party at the Castlefield Rooms wedding.
The groom in the blue suit raises his hand in the air, singing and dancing enthusiastically surrounded by friends at the evening reception at Castlefield Rooms.
The groom in the green suit twirls a guest on the dance floor during the party, both laughing as they move to the music at the Castlefield Rooms wedding.
A guest in a grey suit crouches down on the dance floor with a big smile, fully enjoying the party atmosphere at Castlefield Rooms.
The groom in the blue suit is surrounded by dancing guests, raising his hands in celebration during the evening party at Castlefield Rooms.
A guest passionately leads a partner during a lively, practiced dance move on the floor at the Castlefield Rooms wedding party.
Wedding at Castlefield Rooms. Guests dance and celebrate in a line, with arms outstretched, his shirt covered in red wine stains during the evening party.
The groom in the green suit high-fives a guest on the crowded dance floor, enjoying the party and dancing under the high ceiling at Castlefield Rooms.
The groom in the blue suit, in his white shirt and waistcoat, dances with enthusiasm, holding glow sticks in his hands during the party at Castlefield Rooms.
A female guest smiles widely while holding two glowing party sticks, celebrating with friends on the dance floor at Castlefield Rooms.
The groom in the green suit throws his arms up with glow sticks, celebrating an upbeat moment on the dance floor at the Castlefield Rooms evening party.
The groom in the green suit, full of energy and smiling, dances with a glow stick and is surrounded by guests at the lively evening party at Castlefield Rooms.
Wedding at Castlefield Rooms. A guest throws her arms up and cheers with a joyful expression while dancing at the evening party.
Two female guests, laughing and holding glow sticks, pose for a photo on the dance floor during the upbeat party at Castlefield Rooms.
A beautiful night-time exterior view of the Castlefield Rooms venue, with string lights illuminating the outdoor terrace where guests are visible. Export to Sheets A beautiful night-time exterior view of the Castlefield Rooms venue, with string lights illuminating the outdoor terrace where guests are visible. Export to Sheets