Black and White Themed Wedding at Springbank Manor

August 29, 2025 In blog

When Carly and Sam first approached me at the Gay Wedding Show in Manchester, I knew their day would be something special. Six years into attending this inclusive event as a wedding photographer, I’ve met countless couples—but these two stood out with their vision of a fun, personal, and utterly unique celebration. Their priority? LGBTQ+ friendly suppliers who’d help bring their black-tie detective theme to life at Springbank Manor (formerly The Whitehall Hotel), freshly refurbished and radiating elegance.

Preparations at Springbank Manor

The morning kicked off in one of the hotel’s suites. Sam and her entourage took over the space with a dream team of hair and makeup artists, while Carly—along with best friends Veej, Paul, and their dogs—got ready nearby. The vibe was relaxed but buzzing, with both Carly and Sam full of calm excitement. Their only request? A photo together before the ceremony without seeing each other. With some creative logistics involving two adjoining doorframes and me playing wedding photographer-coordinator. Mission accomplished.

A black and white photo of a woman having her makeup done in a room at Springbank Manor.
A close-up shot of a makeup artist applying eyeshadow to a bride with long dark hair, wearing a white robe at Springbank Manor.
A young boy in a black tuxedo jacket with a bow tie looks at his reflection in a large, ornate golden mirror at Springbank Manor.
A man adjusts the cummberbunds on the white tuxedo jacket of one of the brides at the Springbank Manor wedding.
A close-up shot of the bride in the white tuxedo jacket and black trousers adjusting her cuffs at Springbank Manor.
9 A black and white photo of the bride in the white tuxedo jacket looking at her reflection in a round mirror while adjusting her black bow tie at Springbank Manor.
Multiple reflections in mirrors show the bride in the white tuxedo jacket adjusting her bow tie at Springbank Manor.
A black and white portrait of an older man and a woman smiling at the wedding at Springbank Manor.
The bride in a white dressing gown laughs as her son, in a tuxedo, gives her a gift at Springbank Manor.
A close-up side profile of the bride checking her makeup in the mirror at Springbank Manor.
A black and white photo of the bride in the white dress with a side profile, looking at a reflection of herself at Springbank Manor.
The bride in the white dress is surrounded by women in black dresses who are helping her get ready at Springbank Manor.
A close-up side profile of the bride in the white dress, with a decorative floral clip in her hair, at Springbank Manor.
A smiling bride in a white strapless dress applies a spritz of perfume to her neck at Springbank Manor.
A black and white photo of a bridesmaid spritzing perfume on the bride while she is sipping champagne at Springbank Manor.
A woman in a black dress helping the bride in the white dress with her shoes at Springbank Manor.
A bride in a white tuxedo and another bride in a white dress stand back to back, holding hands before the ceremony at Springbank Manor.

Celebrant Ceremony and Dog Signature

With Vikki Harris (multi-award-winning celebrant) leading the way, the ceremony was everything they’d hoped for—heartfelt, hilarious, and deeply personal. Having legally tied the knot earlier at the registry office, Carly and Sam focused on making this celebration uniquely theirs. They wrote their own vows (balanced perfectly between humour and emotion), quizzed guests on how well they knew them, and wrapped things up with the pièce de résistance: Walter the dog signing the register with his paw.

Wedding Breakfast, Speeches, and Portraits

During drinks on the lawn (champagne flowing, sun shining), the Springbank team—led by the unstoppable Blake—transformed the ceremony space into a stunning dining room. Black and white styling met detective-themed table names (Poirot, Morse, Frost—and my personal favourite, Columbo). Speeches were split pre- and post-meal (“short and sweet” was the brief, though emotions and comedy moments ran high), while the three-course feast had everyone raving.

Portraits were my usual laid-back affair: a stroll through the gardens and plenty of natural moments. No stiff poses, just genuine laughter against Springbank’s gorgeous backdrop.

A portrait of the two brides, holding hands and walking away from the camera at Springbank Manor.
A portrait of the two brides, holding hands and smiling at each other at Springbank Manor.
A portrait of the two brides embracing each other at Springbank Manor.
A group of people are laughing together in an outdoor area at Springbank Manor.
A large round table is set with a white tablecloth, glasses, and a floral centerpiece at Springbank Manor.
A table is set with a black tablecloth and a floral centerpiece at Springbank Manor.
A photo from the wedding at Springbank Manor of the two brides at a table, with one of them smiling and looking at the other.
A photo of the two brides at their table, with the bride in the dress holding a microphone and the bride in the tuxedo smiling at Springbank Manor.
A group of people are seen in a candid photo at a table, with one of them wiping their face at Springbank Manor.
The two brides are seen in a photo at their table, with the bride in the dress laughing out loud and the bride in the tuxedo holding a microphone at Springbank Manor.
The bride in the white dress laughs as she looks at the bride in the tuxedo at their table at Springbank Manor.
A black and white photo of a woman in a black shirt giving a speech and holding a microphone at Springbank Manor.
A black and white photo of the two brides at their table, looking at a woman giving a speech at Springbank Manor.
A woman in a black shirt stands with a microphone held up high in her hand at the wedding at Springbank Manor.

Party Full of Surprises

If you thought the day couldn’t get more energetic, you haven’t met Kristal Kane. The drag queen kicked off the evening with powerhouse vocals and cheeky banter (I may have been a target—all in good fun, of course). The first dance began traditionally enough with “The Way You Look Tonight” (Carly’s self-admitted lack of rhythm aside), but mid-song, the party erupted as George Michael tribute artist Randall Butler burst in with “Club Tropicana.” This might have been one the most epic parties I’ve ever photographed.

Carly and Sam’s day was a masterclass in personalisation—from paw-printed certificates to detective tables and surprise performances. It was inclusive, joyful, and proof that when you prioritise fun, everything else falls perfectly into place.

A close-up of a drag queen performing with a microphone at the wedding at Springbank Manor.
A group of guests stand together and smile at each other at the wedding party at Springbank Manor.
A woman in a black top and a drag queen with pink hair and a leopard print shirt sing together with their arms around each other at the wedding at Springbank Manor.
bride in a white tuwedo dancing with a young boy at Springbank Manor.
The bride in the white dress dances with a man on the dance floor at the wedding party at Springbank Manor.
Two women share a kiss at the wedding at Springbank Manor.
A drag queen performs on a stage while young girl looks on at Springbank Manor.
A group of people drinking shots
First dance at Springbank Manor.
A George Michael impersonator performs for the crowd at the wedding party at Springbank Manor.
Bride dancing with a George Michael impersonator
Wedding party at Springbank manor
Bride dancing with her son
A group of people are holding sparklers and smiling in the evening at Springbank Manor.

Weddings at Springbank Manor

Springbank Manor, located in Darwen, Lancashire, is a wedding venue operated by Huckerby Hotels. The property, originally built in 1898 as a private family home and later known as The Whitehall Hotel, was acquired and renamed in 2024 following a comprehensive refurbishment. The venue accommodates wedding ceremonies and receptions for up to 160 guests for an evening event, or 120 for a full-day affair, with the option for outdoor ceremonies in its 1.8-acre grounds. The estate includes a restaurant, a gin bar with an on-site distillery, and 16 guest bedrooms. The venue promotes a focus on locally sourced catering and allows dogs in its accommodation. Following its renovation, the business states a heightened focus on luxury and sustainability. It is the second property in the Huckerby Hotels portfolio, alongside The Lawrence in Padiham.

Get in Touch

If you’re planning your wedding at Springbank Manor and want to discuss your no-fuss wedding photography, get in touch!