If you’re not yet familiar with the Victoria Baths, this wedding in Manchester is going to wow your socks off. The empty swimming pool venue is exactly as incredible as it sounds, with a vintage color palette, tile covering every inch of floor and wall, and a vastness that makes the couple feel as if they are the only people on Earth. Siobhán and Eddie kept the decor simple, highlighting the spectacular venue with a large scale display of greenery and a Persian rug. From a stellar selection of wedding cakes to Siobhán’s romantic bridal style, Millie Benbow Photography beautifully captured each and every detail that make this Victoria Baths wedding one of our all-time favorites.

The Couple:

Siobhán and Eddie

The Wedding:

Victoria Baths, Manchester, England

We wanted the whole day to be super relaxed and non traditional as it was as much a homecoming party as a wedding. The venue itself is so stunning that we kept the decorations simple with large scale greenery, paper lanterns and a huge Persian rug used in the ceremony and as a stage for the band. The smell of the eucalyptus and gum leaves in the ceremony and reception rooms really stood out and made it feel like home away from home.

Processional: What A Wonderful World by Sam Cooke
Marriage Signing: Real Love by Regina Spektor
Recessional: Home by Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros

We decided on poems instead of readings and said our own vows. Mine was a poem, “A Vow” by Wendy Cope, and Eddie’s was a combination of a few poems and some lines that we wrote together. We were really quiet, just saying them to each other, which made it even more special.

For the confetti, my friends and I made bags of bright tissue paper circles all different sizes. We found out that confetti wasn’t allowed in the venue, but they let us throw this and it looked awesome!

I got my dress from Catherine Deane only a few months before the wedding. It was out of budget when we were first planning, so I bought a back up dress and bided my time. I was so happy when I managed to get it in the sale; it was absolutely perfect. It’s a vintage 1920s/1930s style in champagne with appliqué details and pearls, fitted bodice with low back, a column shape and floor skimming — so no heels required! I’m quite fair skinned, so the champagne colour suited much better than traditional white, and the skirt part was loose enough for me to eat lots of cake! I had my long hair braided into a messy up-do with the flower crown to one side, it was so beautiful — better than I had imagined. I wanted a mix of vintage and Bohemia so added rose gold/silver bangles (a wedding present from Eddie), an aqua pony hair clutch, nude flats and my leather jacket. I did my own make up (with the help of my sister Fiona): flicks and red lips which is my usual going out look.

So we could catch up with as many people as possible, we decided against a top table and sat on the middle trestle with family either side and friends in front and behind. We moved seats for each course and switched tables for dessert, it happened naturally on the day. Having a dessert table also meant people could meet and mingle more easily, bonding over their favourite cake or sharing their love of all things cheese.

Congrats to Siobhán and Eddie on their wedding in Manchester! For more from Millie Benbow Photography, be sure to check out Inga and Martin’s quirky Cornwall wedding at YHA Treyarnon.