Photographing weddings can be a lonely life. Meet a bunch of strangers, share an amazing day with them, get to know them, leave and start again at the next wedding. So it’s a real treat when I get to a wedding and already know half the family.
That’s what Jodie and Toni’s wedding was like for me. Jodie had been a bridesmaid some years earlier at her cousin Lisa’s wedding at Wortley Hall. Even at Lisa’s wedding I had met most of the family at her brother Matt’s wedding at Kenwood Hall earlier that same year. So although a few years had passed it felt like a reunion, which is really special.
Anyway enough about the past, because this blog is about Jodie and her new bride Toni, and their wedding which took us Sheffield Town Hall and then over to Hillsborough Arena.
What I didn’t know at the time was that this would be my last wedding for some time. It was the last weekend before the UK went into Covid-19 lockdown. Yet another thing that makes this a special memory for me. The threat of the Coronavirus was a mere undercurrent on the day, I think the severity of the outbreak hadn’t quite landed with us yet, so plenty of hugs and handshakes going around.
Despite impending pandemics and quarantines the day was a great success. There was a chilled vibe throughout, and a great party atmosphere to close it out.
Shout out to Alex, my second photographer on the day, who took at least a couple of the snaps you’ll see shortly.
In my time running a photography club in Sheffield I have been to Sheffield General Cemetery quite a few times. It’s an amazing place full of atmosphere in the middle of Sheffield. I know this phrase gets overused these days, but it is definitely a hidden gem.
At first glance it you might think this is just an overgrown mess, full of old decrepit gravestones, weeds and old trees. Yes, it is a little ungainly, but that is what gives it a spooky charm ideal for all kinds of seasonal occasions. The Samuel Worth Chapel has been recently revamped so that it now perfectly serves a low-key wedding ceremony and reception. The plain white walls provide a blank canvas for you to make your own with flowers and decorations, whilst the bar and bathrooms give your guests everything they’ll need to enjoy themselves in comfort.
There are plenty of traditional places around Sheffield to get married. For those looking to break from tradition, the Sheffield General Cemetery is definitely worth a look. Yes you’ll have to get over the idea of getting married in a cemetery, and you’ll get a lot of people making jokes about it being symbolic of the death of your freedom, if you can get over that then you’ll have a wedding that your guests will be talking about for years to come.
That brings us nicely on to Gabi and Matthew, who not only ‘got over’ the idea of getting married in a cemetery but embraced it. Their humanist ceremony at the General Cemetery was all about rejecting traditional wedding stuff and doing their own thing.
From the outset, Gabi and Matthew didn’t want to be tied down by outdated wedding traditions.
They got ready together, arrived together and walked down the aisle together.
This meant that we were able to get a few nice snaps on the steps of the Town Hall with the two of them together, something you can’t always do when the bride arrives after everyone else has settled in the ceremony room.
These photos from Sheffield Town Hall were taken on the Friday prior to their Sheffield General Cemetery wedding day on the Saturday.
The Wedding Celebration @ Sheffield General Cemetery
Fast forward to Saturday morning and we’re at Gabi and Matthew’s home in Sheffield. Again both getting ready and travelling to the wedding together.
The relaxed vibe continued throughout the day as guests gradually arrived at the Samuel Worth Chapel at the Sheffield General Cemetery.
Thankfully it was a beautiful day (considering it was October in Britain). It did rain a little in the late evening but this didn’t cause any issues since the food trucks had long gone by then.
Oh man did I mention the food trucks?
You know there is a reason I don’t lose weight even though I spend my days on my feet :-). Don’t get me wrong, I’ve had some amazing food at weddings in the past, but I am very partial to street food. I was invited by Gabi and Matthew to get myself some food from the trucks; still I politely waited until most of the guests had gotten their dinner before I joined the queue. I opted for Shoot The Bull since I liked the look of the steak sandwich, but by the time I got to the front they were out of beef. I ended up with the halloumi, all I can say is never have I been so pleased that my first choice wasn’t available. Highly recommended :-).
The Dream Team
Before we get to the photos I think it’s worth dropping some links to the hard working small businesses that made this day possible.
This wedding was featured in the Brides Up North wedding blog in September 2018, check it out!
Sheffield Town Hall Mirror Room Wedding Ceremony
From Grand to Ground
I came up with that little sub-heading whilst gazing in wonder at all the coffee making paraphernalia on the counter at Tamper Coffee.
I was quite proud of myself at the time, although later I pondered whether or not the idea of Grand to Ground was a little derogatory towards Tamper.
Anyway, let’s talk about the Mirror Room.
For all the wedding ceremonies I have photographed at the Sheffield Town Hall, this was my first upstairs.
As you will see from the pictures, this is where Grand comes from.
Whilst very warm, the Mirror Room is a gorgeous wedding venue.
I’ll be honest, I’m not sure if I like the mirror though, especially considering how low I had to get to make sure I wasn’t in any of the photos!
Drinks Reception in the Mandela Room of the Sheffield Town Hall
Through a combination of experience and planning, I am very rarely taken by surprise at a wedding.
I did know the drinks reception was in the Mandela room, which is directly adjacent to the Mirror Room.
What I wasn’t expecting was the partition wall disappearing as Holly & James made their way back up the aisle.
I was actually crouched on the floor up against the wall at the time, trying to avoid that infernal mirror!
Not that the surprise was a problem, I was back on my feet in no time.
Tamper Coffee Wedding Reception
What a gem!
I think you would be better off looking at the pictures here rather than letting me describe it to you.
Super-cool, as my 4 year old son would say!
The staff were lovely, the food was amazing and the open space was perfect.
I do wonder though whether it would have been quite as suitable had it been raining. I feel like that room would have become quite crowded had everyone needed to be inside.
The Slideshow
I think I have rambled on enough now, here is what you really came to see.
Holly & James’ Town Hall and Tamper Coffee wedding in about 5 minutes.
The Photos
If you don’t have 5 minutes to spare to watch the video, here is a selection of highlights to scroll through.
If you would like to talk to me about photographing your wedding make sure you get in touch for a quote.
You need to remember that you are in the middle of Sheffield City Centre, so parking is limited.
Well, to be fair, it isn’t limited so much as expensive.
Fortunately that shouldn’t be a problem for the bride since official wedding cars are permitted to park outside the front of the Town Hall for the duration of the wedding ceremony.
One option is to arrange for a bus to bring your guests from the reception venue into town, thus saving them the trouble of finding parking.
That’s exactly what Susan and Kevin did to get their guests to and from the Ibis Style in Barnsley.
The Bride’s Stealth Arrival
Many brides-to-be worry about being seen by guests at their arrival.
After-all, their arrival in front of the Sheffield Town Hall is unlikely to be discrete.
Fortunately, the attendants at the Town Hall are particularly good at this.
They will make sure all the guests are safely tucked away in the ceremony room before the bride’s arrival.
The wedding car has the added advantage of being able to park outside the Town Hall for the duration of the ceremony.
Having said that, I’m not sure they would usually be allowed to park on the pavement like they did at Kay & Lynval’s wedding.
The Groom’s Arrival
Sorry fellas, the arrival of the Groom at a wedding at the Town Hall is much less grand.
Basically you’ll just arrive at some point, probably about half an hour before your appointed ceremony time, to greet your guests.
Shortly before the bride is due to arrive the Groom will be taken into the ceremony room to be interviewed.
Once the interview is complete the guests will be invited to take their seats in the ceremony room.
Most Grooms opt for the discrete arrival, often with a stop at a local city centre pub for a pint of Dutch courage.
Before we carry on to the ceremony I have a quick photography related tip:
If you want photos on the main staircase get them before the ceremony. You are not likely to be allowed back afterwards because another wedding party will be arriving after you.
After the ceremony you will be ushered out of the building via a different exit, i.e. not the main entrance with the staircase.
This makes it tricky to get photos of both of you together since you won’t actually see each other before the ceremony.
In my experience, some have used the time for a ‘first look’ photo.
Most of the time it is a great chance for photos of the Groom and his Groomsmen to get some snaps together.
It is also a good place for photos of the Bridal party, not to mention that special moment where the Father of the Bride sees his little girl in her wedding dress for the first time.
How Long is the Wedding Ceremony at the Town Hall?
This can depend on whether you invite guest to perform readings.
Typically the ceremony lasts about 20 minutes from the arrival of the Bride to leaving the room.
The Sheffield Town Hall has several rooms typically used for wedding ceremonies.
Downstairs are three smaller rooms connected by a large anti-room which is used as a waiting area for guests prior to the ceremony.
This waiting area is the first room you enter as you turn right through the main entrance.
These smaller rooms host several wedding ceremonies a day and are best suited for parties of up to 50 guests.
Upstairs is a much more private affair, better suited to larger wedding parties.
The main room is partitioned to form a ceremony room and a drinks reception room.
The Mirror room is where you will have the ceremony, so named because of the huge mirror at one end.
The main dividing wall lifts away at the conclusion of the ceremony allowing guests to wander freely across to the Mandela room for drinks and canapes.
Pro Photo Tip #2
This is more a tip for the photographer than anyone else.
The huge mirror in the Mirror Room is right in front of the couple as they get married.
It then stands behind them as they sign their contracts.
My advice, stay low and always check for your own reflection before you take a photo!
Confetti – Where and When?
For ‘downstairs’ weddings where you are lead out of the side exit, that staircase is the place for confetti.
You might want to ask your guests to line the walkway and throw their confetti as you pass them.
You can also wait until you get to the main path and do the same there.
However you do it, keep it outside!
Pro Photo Tip #3
After the ceremony you may be thinking the Peace Gardens would be an ideal spot for photos.
Whilst that is true in principle, keep in mind that on a sunny Saturday afternoon it will be packed!
Not to mention that in August it will be overtaken by Sheffield By The Seaside, so you will have no chance.
My advice is to either make use of the nearby Winter Gardens, or look for interesting locations between buildings for your group photos.
Conclusion
If you have never been to a wedding at the Sheffield Town Hall before it may seem a little intimidating.
Hopefully this guide has helped you to understand what you can expect, where you should go and how to make the most of your wedding ceremony.
As you can probably tell, I have attended more than my fair share of weddings at the Town Hall. If you have any questions that I haven’t covered in this article please feel free to ask.
If you would like to talk to me about photographing your wedding why not Get In Touch?
Rest assured though, I grew up around the beauty industry. I have seen and heard it all, very little shocks me.
Having said that, Becky’s bridesmaids put in a concerted effort to break through my well trained demeanour.
My poor Unmanned Corner Cam saw things no camera should ever see. I guess I was asking for that by leaving it in a mostly empty room rather than in a busy room where I would usually set it up.
In all honesty I had a great time from the start.
I could tell straight away that this was not going to be a dull day.
By the way, if you want to see the collection from the Unmanned Corner Cam you are going to have to speak to Becky and Jordan, they ain’t going on my Facebook page ;-).
St Paul’s Mercure Hotel, Sheffield
My day began in St Paul’s Mercure hotel in Sheffield City Centre, where Becky and team had stayed the night before and were now getting ready.
It was pretty calm overall.
Makeup was going on, hair was being curled and spirits were high.
Speaking of make-up, the make-up artist had brought along a pretty hefty studio light to help her do her job in the otherwise quite dark hotel room. It made for a few interesting prep shots which I usually wouldn’t get. I don’t tend to bring much lighting gear to hotel rooms because I like to be discrete as well as able to leave quickly, so this was an interesting opportunity to try something a little different.
The Wedding Ceremony at Sheffield Town Hall
I am no stranger to weddings at the Town Hall in Sheffield.
Even though I have covered weddings here numerous times before (see them on the blog here) I get a slightly different experience each time.
Not having to worry about last minute parking in Sheffield City Centre on a Saturday afternoon was a pleasant change this time around.
I did see something new actually.
Whilst reading the vows for Becky and Jordan to recite, the celebrant actually said the Best Man’s name instead of the Groom’s.
Suffice to say, talk of this little faux-pas carried on late into the evening.
Staindrop Lodge
We spent a bit of time in the Peace Gardens in Sheffield after the ceremony.
We took a couple of snaps whilst everyone had a little chat and a catch-up, then the newlyweds made their way off in their wedding car to Staindrop Lodge.
Staindrop Lodge in Chapeltown is a lovely little spot ideal for smaller weddings.
I didn’t experience the wedding meal so I can’t comment on that, though I can tell you the burgers from the bar menu are fantastic!
The staff were all very good too as far as I could tell. Everyone I spoke to was very helpful and accommodating.
So, the wedding party spend the remains of the day at the Staindrop Lodge enjoying the mild weather and flowing drinks.
At night the DJ set up his stall and the party got going. I left around the time the ties were being tied around the foreheads, nobody needs photos of that ;-).
I always worry about having to travel into the city alongside the bride, having left around the same time as her yet trying to arrive at the same time. I usually ask the driver to take their time, still they can park right outside whilst I have to battle for parking spaces alongside shoppers and city workers.
Most relaxed wedding ceremony ever! This is the story of Kay and Lynval’s wedding day, starting out with the ceremony in the Sheffield Town Hall and then moving across town to the Rutland Hotel in Broomhill.
Actually, my day began at Kay’s house where we had a reasonably relaxed morning getting ready. The music was pumping, hair was extending, make-up was, erm, being applied. Amongst the highlights of the morning for me was getting to meet Michelle who was pulling a triple shift as hairdresser, evening reception guest and supplier of a sweetie wheel (look for Sugar Rush on Facebook). (more…)
Bella Magazine and The Mirror have already covered the story in great detail so I shall only provide the highlights here in my blog to bring you up to speed.
Some familiar looking photos in Bella Magazine
Susan and Kevin had a holiday romance when they met in Skegness in the summer of 1979. Once that holiday was over they went back home but since there was a substantial distance between them the relationship didn’t last and they went their separate ways. They both went on to other relationships, though neither lasted. Sure enough, 33 years later they happened upon each other on Facebook, decided to meet up and, well, that brings us to why I, a wedding photographer, am writing about their story in my wedding blog.
If you would like to talk to me about photographing your wedding, have a look on my How Much page to get the details.
The Photos
This is what you came here for, right?
If you would like to talk about me photographing your wedding give me a shout on 07739 113409, email me photos@jameslmorgan.co.uk or fill in the quick contact form below.
