Christmas wedding at The Castlefield Rooms

February 6, 2026 In blog Castlefield Rooms

The Castlefield Rooms is one of my regular venues, and every time I’m back there it feels like seeing an old friend. If you want to know more about this beautiful Manchester space, I’ve put together a dedicated Castlefield Rooms page that covers everything couples need to know about planning their day there.

I first met Jo and Baz at one of the Castlefield wedding fairs last year, and we got on straight away. Being their second wedding, they wanted something relaxed, centred around friends and family. That’s exactly the kind of approach I love — natural, documentary-style photography that lets people enjoy the day as it unfolds.

Their wedding took place between Christmas and New Year, so it made sense to bring some festive touches into the day. The Castlefield Rooms were dressed beautifully with garlands, baubles, and warm fairy lights, plus a huge Christmas tree near the dance floor. Jo chose a striking green dress rather than the traditional white, which looked amazing against the cosy, wintry backdrop.

The day began with a ceremony at Jo and Baz’s local church, led by Carol, a close friend of the couple. After the ceremony, we headed straight to The Castlefield Rooms — specifically the Merchant Room — for the reception. The venue meant a lot to them, as it’s where they had their first date 20 years ago. During our portrait session, we even went back to the Terrace to capture a few shots in the exact spot where it all started.

In the evening, the entertainment was extra special. Their son Caleb organised a live band made up of family and friends, including his uncle. They kicked off the first dance (to Chasing Cars by Snow Patrol) and kept the dance floor full all night.

Here are a few words from Jo and Baz:

What were your wedding “must-haves”?
Personal touches and involvement from our friends and family. Music played a big part, both at the church and the venue.

How did you choose your venue?
It’s where we had our first date 20 years ago.

How did you personalise your big day?
The band was made up of family and close friends. We created as much as possible ourselves — centrepieces, flowers, invites, and decorations — to keep a personal feel in every detail.

How did you find your photographer?
From the wedding fair at The Castlefield Rooms! You shared our vision for something playful and real, not traditional or staged.

What did your guests enjoy most?
The band — and the free beer! Everyone loved the music and seeing familiar faces on stage.

Jo and Baz’s day was the perfect mix of warmth, laughter, and personality — a great reminder of what weddings are really about: good people celebrating together in a place that means something special.

Here is the Google review Jo and Baz left:

It was an absolute pleasure having Thomas photograph our wedding. The results have been brilliant and perfectly captured the relaxed, creative style we were hoping for. He blended in seamlessly on the day, and so many of our guests have commented on how amazing the photos are. Thomas was incredibly accommodating to all our wishes and made the whole process stress-free and genuinely fun. We cannot recommend him highly enough.

Groom walking towards The Church of St Mary the Virgin in Prestwich for the ceremony.
Wedding at The Church of St Mary the Virgin in Prestwich featuring the groom greeting guests outside.
Groom sharing a warm greeting with wedding guests arriving at The Church of St Mary the Virgin in Prestwich.
Bride getting out a white car with her son before the wedding at The Church of St Mary the Virgin in Prestwich.
The bride and her son walking towards The Church of St Mary the Virgin in Prestwich.
Wedding at The Church of St Mary the Virgin in Prestwich showing the bride and her son walking down the aisle.
Bride and her son standing together at the altar during the ceremony at The Church of St Mary the Virgin in Prestwich.
Joyful exchange of glances between bride and the groom during the service at The Church of St Mary the Virgin in Prestwich.
Wide shot of the wedding ceremony in progress at The Church of St Mary the Virgin in Prestwich.
Wedding at The Church of St Mary the Virgin in Prestwich capturing the couple sat on a bench
Son giving the bride's hand to the groom during the ceremony at The Church of St Mary the Virgin in Prestwich.
Candid photo of the bride and groom at the altar in The Church of St Mary the Virgin in Prestwich.
Best man picking up the rings during the Wedding at The Church of St Mary the Virgin in Prestwich .
the bride laughing during the exchange of the rings at The Church of St Mary the Virgin in Prestwich.
The smiling newlyweds walk down the aisle together after their marriage ceremony at The Church of St Mary the Virgin in Prestwich.
Wedding guests congratulating the groom with warm hugs inside The Church of St Mary the Virgin in Prestwich.
The newlyweds standing in the doorway of The Church of St Mary the Virgin in Prestwich as guests prepare to throw confetti.
The bride and groom hold hands and walk away from The Church of St Mary the Virgin in Prestwich following the ceremony.
The white wedding car arrives outside the red brick exterior of The Castlefield Rooms in Manchester.
The groom helps the bride out of the car as they arrive for their wedding at The Castlefield Rooms.
An interior shot showing the elegant table setup with greenery and Christmas decorations for a wedding at The Castlefield Rooms.
Close up detail of the clean and modern table setting and glassware at The Castlefield Rooms.
A detailed shot of the white floral decorations and bees on the tables at The Castlefield Rooms.
A geometric table number one display on a decorated table at the reception in The Castlefield Rooms.
The bride and groom walking hand in hand down the street for a portrait session during their wedding at The Castlefield Rooms.
A relaxed portrait of the bride and groom smiling at each other on a street near The Castlefield Rooms.
A black and white landscape shot of the couple kissing by the canal near The Castlefield Rooms.
The couple strolling along the canal towpath for portraits during their wedding at The Castlefield Rooms.
The bride and groom walking along the canal in the Castlefield area.
A fun and colourful portrait of the couple standing in front of bright graffiti art near The Castlefield Rooms.
The newlyweds posing under the iconic red iron railway bridge in Castlefield near the venue.
The bride and groom sitting at a high table outside the modern industrial exterior of The Castlefield Rooms.
Wedding guest catching with her hand something that a toddler is spitting out during a wedding at The Castlefield Rooms.
A warm embrace between a guest and a family member during the reception at The Castlefield Rooms.
A guest waves a napkin in the air during the grand entrance at The Castlefield Rooms.
The groom holding a small child who wants speak in a mic during a wedding at The Castlefield Rooms.
The bride giving a speech into a microphone during the wedding reception at The Castlefield Rooms.
The bride's son delivering a touching speech while the couple looks on at The Castlefield Rooms.
Guests laughing and clapping during the speeches at a wedding at The Castlefield Rooms.
Wedding guests standing with champagne flutes to toast the happy couple at The Castlefield Rooms.
Bride, groom and their son standing and listening intently during the wedding speeches at The Castlefield Rooms.
The groom walking away from the bestman presenting a Man united onesie during the evening reception at The Castlefield Rooms.
The groom and the bride wearing funny props during the speeches at The Castlefield Rooms.
The groom giving the bride a drink at The Castlefield Rooms.
The bride laughing and sharing a drink with an older guest during the celebration at The Castlefield Rooms.
The groom crouching down to chat with two young flower girls in matching dresses at The Castlefield Rooms.
A tight and emotional hug between the groom and a guest on the dance floor at The Castlefield Rooms.
The bride and groom cutting their three-tier chocolate wedding cake at The Castlefield Rooms.
The groom playfully licking chocolate icing off his finger after cutting the cake at The Castlefield Rooms.
The bride and groom holding hands as they begin their first dance at The Castlefield Rooms.
The groom twirling the bride under his arm during their first dance at The Castlefield Rooms.
A close up shot of the couple laughing and holding each other during the first dance at The Castlefield Rooms.
The newlyweds dancing together surrounded by guests in the background at The Castlefield Rooms.
The bride's son playing the bass guitar with the live band during the wedding at The Castlefield Rooms.
The bride and groom smiling and dancing together at the evening party at The Castlefield Rooms.
The couple laughing while enjoying the music on the dance floor at The Castlefield Rooms.
The bride and groom singing along to the music during the party at The Castlefield Rooms.
Guests with arms around each other celebrating a wedding at The Castlefield Rooms.
The groom and a guest singing loudly and enjoying the party atmosphere at The Castlefield Rooms.
The bride and groom drinking shots on the dancefloor at The Castlefield Rooms.
A guest sticking his tongue out while being photographed at The Castlefield Rooms.
A guest decides to sing with the live band at The Castlefield Rooms.
Guests pointing and laughing on the dance floor during the wedding party at The Castlefield Rooms.