Samantha and David’s museum wedding was a truly unforgettable experience, with a unique setting that allowed them to keep things simple yet still incredibly romantic. The couple decided to split their celebrations over two days, starting with a ceremony and wedding breakfast at Manchester Museum on Friday 10th August 2018, followed by a reception party the next day at Manchester Hall. This laid-back approach allowed them to focus on what really mattered – their love for each other. The museum’s exhibits provided a stunning backdrop for their special day, eliminating the need for elaborate décor. Imagine exchanging vows in front of life-sized dinosaurs! The couple chose Chris Barber as their photographer, and his incredible images capture the beauty and joy of their big day. From the vibrant orange hues of the florals and bridesmaids’ dresses to the gold accents and lush greenery, this wedding is a true masterpiece. Get ready to fall in love with Samantha and David’s special day!
The Proposal
It was in Berlin, late December 2016, that David popped the question. Unbeknownst to me, he had been secretly planning the proposal since October 2015 when he sought out my dad’s blessing. My parents had been waiting patiently for what felt like an eternity! The evening began with a fancy sushi dinner at a renowned restaurant, where we indulged in more than our fair share and let the sake flow. As the night wore on, we took a leisurely stroll back to our hotel, the Westin Grand, which boasts a stunning lobby featuring a grand piano and a majestic chandelier. It was there, from the comfort of our hotel room’s balcony, that I was mesmerized by the pianist’s performance when David seized his moment. With my fingers momentarily frozen in surprise, it still proved to be the perfect setting for such an unforgettable experience.
The Vision
As I envisioned my ideal wedding before even getting engaged, a New York City celebration was top of mind. In fact, I had already selected a hotel, photographer, and venues – the details were well-planned! However, as our special day approached, my fiancé and I re-evaluated what mattered most to us. We wanted an atmosphere that was fun, laid-back, and genuinely reflective of who we are as a couple. Simultaneously, we sought to create a seamless experience for our guests, ensuring it would be easy (and budget-friendly) for them to attend and fully immerse themselves in the celebration. And let’s not forget – why not make it truly unforgettable by incorporating dinosaurs into the mix?!
The Planning Process
As soon as we decided to keep our engagement brief, we started planning the details of our special day. Manchester was an obvious choice for us, given that it’s a city we both adore and conveniently located between our loved ones who would be traveling from various parts of the country. With the venue settled, everything else fell into place relatively smoothly, although I did rely heavily on recommendations to make decisions, as sifting through wedding publications had become overwhelming – there are simply too many amazing options available.
The Venue
As we embarked on planning our special day, it was clear that a traditional church wedding wouldn’t be the right fit for us. As both self-proclaimed atheists, we felt more comfortable choosing an unconventional venue that reflected our unique personalities. The Manchester Museum stood out to us from the very beginning. We had visited numerous potential locations, including hotels and historic libraries, but there was something about this museum that truly captivated us. It’s where we spent one of our first dates in 2012, and its atmospheric charm only grew stronger with time.Given the museum’s open-to-the-public nature, our guests couldn’t arrive until 4:45 pm, and the ceremony commenced at 5:30 pm. We made the most of our time within the museum’s walls, lingering until just after 10 pm before heading to the stunning Principal Hotel for drinks with our wedding party, as well as many of our loved ones.The following day, we welcomed our friends and family to Manchester Hall, a beautifully restored former Freemasons hall situated in the heart of the city. This unique venue provided the perfect setting for our reception celebration.
Your Outfits & Accessories
The search for my dream dress was the most challenging aspect of the entire wedding planning process. I yearned for something timeless with an unexpected flair. During my quest, I visited numerous boutiques in Manchester, Hull, London, and even took a trip to New York City with my parents, where we stopped by Kleinfelds. Prior to our New York adventure, I tried on a stunning strapless A-line dress featuring unique vertical beading at Agapé in Altrincham. This dress seemed to embody the essence of what I was looking for. Fortunately, they had the same design available at Kleinfelds, allowing me to re-try it and confirm that it was indeed the perfect choice. We promptly contacted Agapé and secured a deposit.To complement my dress, I opted for a delicate fingertip-length veil from Agapé and a hair vine from Debenhams. As my dress already boasted intricate details, I preferred to keep jewelry to a minimum; however, my parents gifted me a beautiful silver bracelet from Tiffany’s as a wedding present – it was the perfect accompaniment.Meanwhile, David chose his suit from Ted Baker, selecting a pale blue hue that added a touch of personality while still exuding style. His accessories – belt, shoes, and tie – were sourced from Next, and he treated himself and his best man to dinosaur-themed cufflinks from Debenhams.
Groomsmen
In an unexpected twist, the best man opted for a suit remarkably similar to David’s, sourced from none other than Burtons. His accessories, too, bore a striking resemblance to those worn by the groom, adding to the overall sense of cohesion and harmony.
Bridesmaids
I was fortunate enough to have not one, but three close friends from childhood and university serving as my trusted bridesmaids. David, on the other hand, had his own support system with both a best woman and a best man – who just so happens to be one of my closest buddies! Given our close relationships, it’s no surprise that their contributions were invaluable throughout the planning process. For the bridesmaid dresses, we turned to Mixbridal, an online platform offering a diverse range of designs and colours. It was essential to me that each of them felt confident in her attire, so we made sure they had a say in the final selection. We ultimately opted for tea-length dresses in a palette featuring orange, coral, burnt orange, and red hues – a harmonious combination that brought out the best in each of their unique personalities. Meanwhile, our flower girls consisted of my two lovely nieces and cousin, all of whom were dressed to impress by the talented Jenny at By Design in Hull. The custom-made gowns featured matching sashes and bows that perfectly complemented the colours and styles of the bridesmaid dresses.
Beauty
Rosie from The Makeup Company brought out the best in me, transforming my look for the big day. My friend’s glowing recommendation led me to Rosie, and she was an absolute delight to work with – patient and understanding every step of the way. I prioritized authenticity in my makeup, so I opted for a natural foundation and blush application while leaving the more creative liberties to Rosie, who worked her magic on my eyes with warm gold tones that perfectly complemented my features.
When it came to my hair, I knew I wanted something unique and unconventional. After two trial sessions with Rosie, we finally settled on a stunning low messy bun that exuded effortless elegance.
The Readings & Music
As we exchanged our vows, we opted for a low-key ceremony that kept the focus on us and not on elaborate performances. Both of us are not exactly comfortable with being the center of attention, so we wanted to keep things simple and swift.
The piano arrangement by Paul Hankinson set the tone beautifully, blending Pachelbel’s Canon in D, Bach’s Air, and Can’t Help Falling in Love With You – a nod to Elvis’ iconic song that David had been playing on the pianist’s hotel room when he proposed.
During the register signing, we chose ‘Married Life’ from Disney’s Up by Michael Giacchino, and for our grand exit, we went with John Williams’ iconic theme from Jurassic Park.
The speeches were a highlight of the day, with me kicking things off followed by my dad, the best woman, the best man, and finally David. Despite the list of speakers, everyone was mindful of the time limit, ensuring that the pace remained lively and engaging.
Our first dance as husband and wife was an emotional moment for us both, set to the beautiful tune ‘Such Great Heights’ by The Postal Service.
The Flowers
Our choice of flowers and centre pieces was entrusted to Alison and Becs at Diddibox, a local business based in Sale. With little more than a passing mention of succulents, dinosaurs, and a desired colour scheme, we handed over the creative reins to these talented florists. Their collaborative efforts resulted in an exquisite arrangement that beautifully captured our vision. I was particularly taken by the centrepieces – stunning gold terrariums atop rustic logs, artfully complemented by lush greenery and, of course, gleaming golden dinosaurs. Alison’s expertise extended beyond mere design, as she kindly allowed us to repurpose these show-stopping creations for our reception party the following day, a courtesy that saved us both time and financial resources.
The Cake
In a departure from traditional wedding fare, we opted out of having a cake and instead, purchased an online cake stand, filling it with an assortment of Krispy Kreme donuts. The unconventional choice proved to be a hit among our guests, who appreciated the sweet surprise.
Your Photographer
When it came to choosing the perfect photographer for our special day, we knew it was crucial to find someone who could capture the genuine moments and memories as they unfolded. We wanted our wedding photographer to be more than just a presence behind the lens – we desired someone who would truly tell our story through their photographs.
That’s exactly what drew me to Chris Barber on Instagram. His unique ability to freeze scenes that whispered stories captivated me, setting him apart from many other wedding photographers out there. After connecting with him and sharing our plans, we were thrilled to learn he was available and enthusiastic about being a part of our celebration.
The Details & Décor
We opted for a venue that didn’t require extensive decoration, allowing us to focus on other aspects of the wedding. One notable exception was the chairs, which we specifically selected from Eventhire due to their unique design – we chose not to use chair covers. The lighting setup also offered a range of color options for each gallery, with white for the ceremony, blue and purple for the drinks reception and speeches, and yellow for the wedding breakfast.Our wedding stationery was designed by David’s brother James, an artist, who gifted us his talents. The save-the-date cards featured cartoon versions of ourselves in our favorite holiday memories, while the invitations were simple yet elegant with personalized touches like images of our beloved cats, Miso and Bento. Place cards and table names were beautifully written by Debbie, a talented calligrapher we found on Etsy.Other decorative elements included a mirror from The Range used for the table plan (and later as our polaroid guest book at the reception), and small dinosaurs scattered throughout the space, which we purchased online and had David add a touch of gold to. We also enlisted the help of a friend who owned a mint green Nissan Figaro named ‘Lucy’, making her an ideal driver for my dad and me – it was wonderful having someone I knew behind the wheel, allowing us to arrive feeling calm and relaxed.
The Honeymoon
Our journey began with a carefully curated honeymoon itinerary crafted by Mark Bratt, a seasoned travel agent at Mark Bratt Travel. With our budget and preferences in mind, he masterfully wove together an unforgettable adventure through Southern Africa. The odyssey unfolded with a stop in Johannesburg, followed by a thrilling safari excursion in Botswana, before making our way to Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe. As we traversed the Garden Route from Port Elizabeth to Cape Town in South Africa, each moment was etched into our memories like brushstrokes on a canvas. It was an experience that left us pining for more – and we wouldn’t hesitate to relive it.
Memorable Moments
As we exchanged our vows, I recall feeling utterly bewildered by the unconventional setting. Standing before a registrar’s table flanked by a vast collection of taxidermy specimens – including an imposing stuffed gorilla – I couldn’t help but burst into laughter at the sheer absurdity of it all. The surreal atmosphere only added to my giddy excitement as we sealed our commitment to each other.
Advice For Other Couples
Embrace the freedom to forge your own path and prioritize personal fulfillment. Let go of any pressure to conform to societal norms or appease others’ expectations, and instead focus on creating a life that truly reflects who you are.
Credit Where Credit Is Due
Chris Barber Photography expertly captured the essence of Samantha and David’s special day at The Manchester Museum, followed by an unforgettable reception at Manchester Hall. Samantha’s stunning Duchess by Watters gown was a perfect match for her elegant style, while David looked dashing in his Ted Baker suit, with his best man sporting a tailored Burton ensemble. The ladies’ accessories were sourced from Debenhams, Next, and Tiffany & Co, while beauty expert Rosie at The Makeup Company ensured Samantha’s glow. Bridesmaids and best women wore gorgeous gowns from Mix Bridal, with the flower girls looking adorable in By Design Bridal Wear attire. Diddibox Flowers created breathtaking arrangements that perfectly complemented the event’s decor, courtesy of Eventhire’s exquisite chairs. Special touches included James Stayte’s Save The Dates and invitations, Debbie at Handwritten4u’s thoughtful place cards and table names, and Mark Bratt Travel’s guidance for their romantic honeymoon getaway.