Documenting Ste and Dan's wedding in Chester
Documenting Ste & Dan’s wedding in Chester.
As a documentary wedding photographer in London and beyond, I’m always thrilled when couples ask me to capture their wedding in new places. I had the privilege of documenting Ste and Dan’s wonderful wedding. Ste and Dan are a couple based in London, who chose the enchanting Old Palace Chester as the backdrop for their special day.
Nestled alongside the River Dee and rich in history, the Old Palace Chester is an overwhelmingly beautiful venue. Surrounded by captivating architecture and picturesque sights, it provided an unforgettable setting that perfectly balanced grandeur and intimacy. The building’s storied walls and serene riverside location set the stage for a beautiful day.
Meeting Ste and Dan before their wedding, I was struck by their dynamic. They were entirely different yet complemented each other in the most beautiful way. Ste’s clear vision for their couple shots spoke volumes about their creative bond. As an alternative wedding photographer, I love working with couples who have strong ideas, and Ste’s dry, sarcastic sense of humour and Wes Anderson-inspired shot ideas made the experience even more enjoyable. We collaborated on a Pinterest board, and by the time the day arrived, we were excited to put our plans into action.
Our couple’s shoot was a blend of traditional and quirky, exploring spots from the historic riverside to an old Victorian-style public toilet. Our more spontaneous and slightly mischievous shot idea ended up producing some of our favourite photographs. The playful and unconventional locations mirrored Ste and Dan’s sense of humour, bringing their vision to life and solidifying the creative trust between us.
This was a half-day booking, so I joined them in the morning, capturing our couple shots in the morning then the later through to the ceremony and the group shots, finishing with detailed photos of their beautifully arranged tables. Chester was the perfect choice for this wedding, offering London wedding guests a delightful taste of Northern charm. The town’s cobbled streets and historical landmarks added a layer of magic that fit seamlessly with the day’s atmosphere.
The ceremony itself began a little tearful but quickly transitioned into lighthearted silliness. Family members’ reactions turned to laughter as Ste and Dan exchanged shy, but sweet vows. Speeches followed with the similar vein of dry humour and wit that Ste and Dan presented throughout the day. In that moment, the ideas behind our planned couple shots with their alternative and witty charm started to make a lot of sense.
Post-ceremony, we moved outside into a very warm summers day for a lively confetti shot and playful group photos. Ste and Dan’s clarity on what they wanted continued to shine through—balancing natural documentary moments with stylised, alternative shots.
As the day wound down, I took one last stroll through Chester, reflecting on the warmth of this unique celebration before heading back to London. Being their documentary style wedding photographer for the day was an honour I won’t forget.
Check out my video journal of Ste and Dan’s wedding below, follow me on TikTok and Instagram for more content like this.
To explore more about the Old Palace Chester visit their website: https://oldpalacechester.co.uk/