23 floors above Manchester’s Deansgate, within the Hilton Hotel is Cloud 23 and what an incredible venue to photograph a wedding. With it’s glass walls and panoramic landscape views over the city, this incredible backdrop is one of the areas best. Jia and Steven had their traditional Chinese wedding here. My first visit as a wedding photographer but this wedding at Cloud 23 did not disappoint. Every emotion surfaced through the day, from ceremony to evening dancing. Some of my favoruite ever real moments captured.
Photographing Chinese Door Games
Bridal preparations started in the Hilton Hotel rooms with Jia and her bridesmaids having their hair and make-up done. A totally different story for Steven, as part of Chinese traditions he had to go through what are called door games. My knowledge is limited, but the groomsmen are tested by the bridesmaids to see if the groom is worthy to wed his bride. They are put through a series of elaborate tests. You must see for yourself, some are too disgusting to describe. Crazy moments like this are wonderful to capture in camera. I go through a host of different lenses to get variations in what was happening.
14 Course Banquet
It was then to Cloud 23 for the ceremony. Because of the glass walls the light streaming in from the sun made it easy to photograph. Such lovely to be part of this and to be their to witness their vows. After some congratulations, confetti as they left it was over to a Chinese restaurant for the food. 14 courses including Lobster and Abalone. Delicious! Some traditional Chinese tea ceremonies and lots of cheers and drinking to cerebrate the newlyweds. A few of the guests and Steven got quite drunk at this stage!
Wedding Celebrations at Cloud 23, Hilton.
We headed over to the Castlefield area of Manchester not far away from Cloud 23 Hilton for some relaxed portraits together using the incredible scenery around. Then back to the hotel for the evening party. Wedding ace Andy Murphy led the way with the wedding DJing. Speeches came first which were so emotional but so heart felt. It was clear these two were so in love. A huge congrats to Jia and Steven on your special day, thank you for asking me to be part of it. I hope to return to Cloud 23 again soon as a wedding photographer to shoot another wedding celebration. Big thank you to Andy Griffiths for second shooting.
If you are looking for a Cloud 23, Hilton wedding photographer then please get in touch. I would love to shoot your day. Below are some other recent posts to browse through.
