I’ve known Mark & Ben since my early twenties, where we met at Salisbury Playhouse, the theatre I worked in after graduating from drama school. They are two of the loveliest, funniest people I know. They’re the type of people that when you spend time around them, you feel special and taken care of. They some how have this incredible warm positive energy around them all the time. I always knew they had LOADS of friends and that their relationships were super important to them, but their whole wedding was centred around their love for their friends & family, as well as each other. It was just glorious, burst your heart, joyful on what was one of the hottest days of the year.

Mark and Ben were married in Bolton Town Hall, the town where Mark grew up. I’d always heard Mark’s stories about Bolton and so going there felt special and the town hall building is pretty incredible. They kicked of their wedding doing a pre-ceremony raffle to choose which of the guests would be their witnesses and sign the marriage register- something I have never seen before. It was so much fun and all the guests were so excited to be in with a chance at winning the honour.

As two theatre directors of course the day had a theatrical element, with multiple friends singing during the ceremony, as well as about five speeches in between the courses of their wedding breakfast. Instead of the usual ceremony layout with a break out for the drinks reception and a turn around of the room during the reception they kept things simple by having the guests sit at their tables during the ceremony in a cabaret style. This got rid of all the stress of the reset completely and allowed guests to choose to stay seated, or spill outside onto the steps of the town hall with their drinks- it was a sweltering hot May day!

After the dinner and incredibly emotional speeches the dance floor really kicked off and it was one hell of a party. I had such a blast shooting this wedding, capturing all the emotion, reconnecting with old friends myself. It was such an honour. Thank you Mark and Ben for asking me to document your amazing day. Love you to bits. xox