Tasha & Steven at Whitworth Locke, Manchester
An alternative city-centre wedding at Whitworth Locke in Manchester. A dog ring bearer, Gay Village portraits, burlesque performances and a full-throttle rock party.
Whitworth Locke isn’t a traditional wedding venue, which is exactly the point. Set right in the middle of Manchester, it’s bold, urban, and a little bit chaotic in the best way.
Tasha and Steven’s wedding followed that same energy. Alternative, personal, and completely unapologetic. From getting ready in a converted swimming pool beneath the venue to ending the night in a full-blown rock gig, this was a wedding that leaned into the city and everything it meant to them.
The morning started below street level at The Shallows Studio — an old swimming pool turned creative space, tucked underneath Whitworth Locke.
It was raw, industrial, and full of atmosphere. Tasha got ready here with her wedding party, music playing, light filtering in just enough to give everything texture. It didn’t feel styled. It felt real. Like the kind of place where something interesting was always going to happen.
The ceremony itself stayed relaxed and full of character. Friends packed the space, reactions happened everywhere at once, and nothing felt overly rehearsed.
Their dog stole the show, taking on the role of ring bearer with absolute confidence. No nerves. No hesitation. Just straight down the aisle, cutting through any remaining formality.
After the ceremony, we headed straight into Manchester’s Gay Village for couple photos. Not because it looked good, although it does because it meant something.
This area has been a huge part of Tasha and Steven’s lives and friendships. It’s loud, colourful, full of movement, and full of stories. The photos weren’t about finding quiet corners — they were about placing them exactly where they belong.
Real city. Real meaning. No pretending.
Back at Whitworth Locke, the day kept its momentum. Drinks flowed, conversations overlapped, and the space stayed busy.
Photos were quick and instinctive with short moments pulled aside, then straight back into it. Tasha and Steven never vanished for an hour, which kept the energy high and the day moving exactly how it should.
The evening didn’t ease in, it hit hard.
Friends of the couple performed a burlesque show, setting the tone before the band took over. Then The Warning Tones stepped in and turned the reception into a full-on rock party.
Lights low, music loud, bodies moving. Less wedding disco, more gig energy. The dance floor didn’t empty, it just got messier, louder, and better.
If you’re planning an alternative wedding at Whitworth Locke — something personal, gritty, meaningful, and a bit wild — it’s the kind of place where you don’t need to tone anything down.
And if you want photos that capture the chaos, the movement, and the real moments in between, lets have a chat about your plans.
