Photographing weddings in wedding venues such as Trafalgar Warehouse in Sheffield was a photographer’s dream. Trafalgar Warehouse is a cool industrial events venue. With concrete floors and rustic interior. The classically old vibe is popular with modern couples looking for venues that give a nod to the industrial era and Sheffield’s industrial past.

I went to university at Sheffield Hallam a long long time ago, I hadn’t been back for a long time.  I barely recognised the Sheffield train station or the thriving city centre bursting at the seams with cool little cafes and cultural hang outs to make any creative feel at home.

On my way to a wedding I was shooting I walked past the old student union students like myself used to call our second home. Now the Union boasts a new home at the National Centre for popular music. Sheffield Hallam University itself remains suck in a time warp, I was instantly zapped back in time to my first term in my first year, walking up and down those stairs, rushing to get to lectures.

I found my way back to the high street where the housing centre still stands in the same building. I made my way down the cobbled streets to find Upper Chapel – a Unitarian church in the city centre of Sheffield where the wedding was about to take place.

I meandered through the streets. I spotted The Crucible Theatre simply known as The Crucible, a theatre in South Yorkshire which opened in 1971 best known for hosting professional snooker’s most prestigious tournament, the annual World Snooker Championship it wasn’t as far from the university as I remembered.

The memory plays funny tricks on you. I wandered further into the backstreets and quickly found Upper Chapel. The sun never shone in Sheffield when I was there all those years ago as I remember that it was always raining or at least grey!

Today the streets of Sheffield were sun baked, I walked through the Winter Gardens  which is one of the largest temperate glasshouses to be built in the UK during the last hundred years. The newly wed couple were having their couple portraits taken at the glass house so I wanted to familiarise myself with the quality of light. The backdrop of approx 2500 plants make a stunning an unique backdrop. Even if you are visiting Sheffield I’d recommend that you visit, it’s next to the Peace Gardens and the Millennium Galleries. 

My wedding couples, generally want a very relaxed coverage of a very special day my couple Hannah and Scott treated their wedding reception as a party which is why they’d chosen the Trafalgar Warehouse for their wedding breakfast. Trafalgar Warehouse is a beautiful 1930’s industrial venue and events space, it still boasts bare brick walls and tiled glass windows. It has a moody vibe perfect for rustic moody photography. It’s right next to Corporation a nightclub we visited back the day.

My couple celebrated the beautiful sunny day firstly by marrying at the Upper Chapel, followed by a very relaxed round of Sushi and drinks at the beautiful Upper Chapel’s neighbouring venue. The night was finished off at the Trafalgar Warehouse where our coverage ended just before the speeches. Lunch was a selection of pies served fresh from a pie van. It was honestly the best pie I’ve ever eaten. Congratulations to the beautiful couple. Hannah looked absolutely stunning in her gold bridal gown. She took my breath away.

If we’d had time, I’d love to have taken the bride and groom to the Park District especially Parkhouse and Chrome Hill which are two of the most photographed spots in the Peak District. The highest point in the Peak District, Kinder Scout boasts unforgettable views, unique moorland and even a waterfall which would again make a stunning backdrop to any couple portraits. Thee are many ‘Accessible & Sustainable Businesses’ in the Peaks. Find more information at this excellent resource Visit Peak District.

I spent many hours driving from Sheffield to Manchester in my beat up old Golf navigating the Snake Pass. I remember taking in the striking scenery of the lush moody hills and the rugged moorland. The Peaks is dotted with chocolate box villages and homely pubs. As a student, I rarely thought about walking, but now I’d enjoy walks and rambles on family holidays. Gone are the days of student clubs and bars, now I much prefer a walk in the countryside on family holidays. 

If you’d like me to capture documentary style photos of your beautiful day at Trafalgar Warehouse, contact me using the links above, or better still whatsapp me.