When Carly and Tom booked me to be their wedding photographer and heard their wedding day plans, I was really excited by their unconventional approach to their big day. Their three must-haves for their wedding day were great friends, great food and great music and from there, they could tailor the perfect festival-type wedding with a lot of thinking outside the box. No stuffy suits and stale canapés for them!
Carly and Tom’s wedding at Grub was a kaleidoscope of laughter, tequila shots, and disco bingo on acid (I’ll explain later). Yep, they simply ditched traditions and threw an epic party that was equal parts laid-back and amazing. And moi? I was lucky enough to be front-row (well, behind-the-lens) for the whole wild ride.
Bridal Prep Shenanigans
I started the day at Carly and Tom’s house and was greeted like an old friend by some familiar faces. A few months back, I photographed Carly and Tom’s official tie-the-knot at Stockport Town Hall (see previous blog post). As Grub Manchester is not a licenced venue for weddings, they decided to get the official bits out of the way at the Registry Office beforehand so they could focus on the party side.
I also met Nimra again, the makeup artist and Chloe Louis Gorton the hairstylist who I both worked with at previous weddings. It was like an old-friends’ reunion!
The Dress
Carly had no idea what style of dress she wanted, but she knew that the perfect find would be vintage or second-hand – preferably from a charity shop so that she could give a special dress a second lease of life!
She was lucky enough to find St Ann’s Bridal Charity Shop on her doorstep in Stockport, and had no idea she’d find the dress in one visit! The shop is set up exactly like a bridal shop but less formal, so that Mums and bridesmaids can get stuck in helping to find the perfect dress. Knowing that the wedding would have bit more of a grown-up ‘party’ vibe, she chose a vintage beaded and sequinned gown with a small train. Her bridal party suggested some ‘tweaks’ to create more of an hourglass silhouette, and the lovely Amanda (Seamstress recommended by St Ann’s) was able to make the dress even more perfect in no time at all.
A Ceremony with a Twist
Their wedding venue, Grub in Manchester City Centre, was the perfect setting for their casual yet celebratory vibe.
Their ceremony was miles away from a traditional wedding. Instead of a traditional church service, they opted for a celebrant named Connie, who wrote an engaging script that was both moving and hilarious. The highlight of the ceremony, however, had to be the “sealing of the deal” with a shot of tequila!
A Laid-back Afternoon
After the ceremony, the guests were treated to a variety of food vendors serving up delicious treats at the venue.
They could also enjoy a round of mini-golf, which added a touch of fun and lightheartedness to the afternoon.
Disco Bingo and Karaoke
The evening kicked off with Disco Bingo, which is next-level bingo. The numbers were songs, and guests were encouraged to sing along or dance. If they got a line, they had the chance to perform some karaoke and get shots of “bingo juice” for their table!
After Disco Bingo, it was time for the first dance, which was a beautiful and heartfelt moment. The guests then got their groove on to the music of the DJ, who had curated a playlist of Carly and Tom’s favourite songs. The dance floor was packed all night long, and the party went on until the early hours of the morning.
As I left the reception, I couldn’t help but smile. Carly and Tom had thrown a wedding that was truly unique and unforgettable. It was a celebration of their love and their friendship, and it was a joy to be a part of it.
Here are a few of my highlights:
- I loved how Carly and Tom incorporated their sense of humour into their wedding. The Tequila shot at the ceremony and the Disco Bingo were just a few examples of how they made the day fun and memorable.
- The food trucks were a great way to keep the guests entertained and fed. It was a fun and casual alternative to a traditional sit-down dinner with plenty of choice for everyone. I helped myself to Korean style chicken with Tempura veg, spring rolls and Kimchi. YUM.
- The DJ did a fantastic job of keeping the energy high all night long. His playlist was perfect for the crowd, and he had everyone dancing from start to finish.
I hope you enjoyed reading about Carly and Tom’s wedding. If you’re planning your own wedding, I would encourage you to think outside the box and do something that is unique and special to you.
