Georgie & Dom — St Aidan's Church and The Tetley, Leeds
Georgie and Dom got married at St Aidan's Church in Harehills on a sunny September Saturday, then went on to The Tetley for the rest of the day. A church, a canal, a brass band, and a lot of confetti.
The morning was croissants, fruit, champagne and laughter. Georgie did her own hair, and her cousin did her make-up. There was a little introductory thank you speech in the kitchen while mimosas were poured. Across the room, her dad was helping her best man with his tie.
The Ceremony — St Aidan’s Church, Harehills, Leeds
St Aidan's is a big, bright church, all tall windows and stone pillars. Dom waited at the front with his eyes closed as Georgie came down the aisle on her dad's arm. I couldn’t have asked for a better moment. The windows, the aisle, the bride and her father, with the groom softly out of focus, but clearly feeling all the pre-wedding nerves.
Vows were exchanged, readings offered, and a first kiss. Outside, the pink, white and blue confetti went up, more of it than I've seen at most weddings. There's a couple somewhere in the middle of that photo. I promise.
We went back inside for the family photos, under the Frank Brangwyn mosaic. There were fifteen groups on the list, more than I’d usually aim for, but with some expert coordination from the groomsmen we rattled through them with giggles, bored faces, and a little bit of dancing before jumping in the taxi to The Tetley.
The Reception — The Tetley, Leeds
By four we were at The Tetley, with drinks outside. I’m unsure why but the photo below was asking to be taken. I would usually aim to frame a building as grand as the former headquarters of Tetley in a flat, almost two-dimensional way. It harks back to that love of Wes Anderson. However, Aire Park is in the midst of redevelopment, so any angle straight on to the building wasn’t working. I shot from the corner and the result was a diorama-like photograph of a wedding at an iconic building.
After a few drinks and hugs were exchanged, before food, I borrowed Georgie and Dom for a short walk. We followed the Leeds and Liverpool Canal, got a cheer from the people outside the Adelphi, and ducked down a cobbled street, sunglasses on, for a few portraits. They did their thing, walking, talking, catching up on the day’s events. They were keen to have a photograph in front of their unique venue, particularly with The Tetley having announced weddings were ceasing for the near-future. The art gallery tenants have moved on and Kirkstall Brewery currently operates the building as a pub (albeit they offer events, so if you’re looking for a party venue…).
The food was very good, and while the room was turned round, everyone moved to the bar for desserts and cheese, then the speeches, which had tears and laughter in them. As the speeches wrapped up the New York Brass Band burst in, snares sizzling, brass blaring, and the dancing began.
I love being in amongst the dancing. There’s no better way to capture the mood than close-up, dancing with the bride and groom and their guests, and New York Brass Band’s energy cascades around the room.
After we’d danced and I was packing up, I stepped outside and saw the neon lights on the building, and I couldn't leave without one last photo of Georgie and Dom under them. Suffice to say they were encouraged and that last photo (or ten) wrapped up their day.
The Suppliers
Ceremony: St Aidan's Church, Harehills
Reception: The Tetley, Leeds
Dress: Wed2b
Hair: Georgie herself
Make-up: Georgie's cousin
Flowers: Daisy Chain
Confetti: Flutter Darlings
Band: New York Brass Band
Photo booth: Photobomb
