Jessica + Sean at Dalton Old Pump House | June 2026
“We had the best day of our lives. You made it so amazing - everyone was raving about how incredible the ceremony was”
This wedding day wasn’t flat for one split second. There was an emotional electricity fizzing through the Victorian feat of engineering that is Dalton Old Pump House: a water pumping station now a stunning wedding venue.
If we weren’t all laughing - in the build-up, in the ceremony, in the drinks reception - we were crying.
It felt very poignant, everything just meant so much. Jess and Sean have been through a lot together and are the most beautiful, supportive team of two. And their chosen loved ones are completely bought in to this love story. Everyone felt like they were there for a reason: the couple’s cheerleaders, their circle of trust, their friends through thick and thin.
Photography by Never Ending Stories
I don’t think I’ve ever witnessed a more captivating entrance than Jess arriving through the impressive Pump House doors as string quartet Andrelli played from the balcony. Jess began the walk to Sean with both her parents, one on each side, then - after an embrace from each - she walked the rest of the aisle solo. The symbolism - her independence, her journey - was striking.
And none of us could take our eyes off her.
I always give my couples the choice to sit for a portion of their ceremony - a chance to relax, whisper to each other, take in the room from a different perspective. With Jess and Sean’s set up at the Old Pump House there wasn’t room for a couple of chairs at the top of the aisle, so they stood throughout. More opportunities for the guests to take in Jess’s elegant gown…and how sweetly they gripped each other’s hands as they giggled and giggled.
The love was absolutely palpable in that high-ceiling room, as I told their origin story. With every guest beaming up at them in joy.
It was a fantastic team on the day - meeting new people on the Dalton team and then reunited with talented suppliers I’ve met before. I love working with photographer Sarah; her photos speak for themselves(!) but she’s also just a great, chilled northern girl. And make up artist Roos was someone Jess had found through my account and could tell she’d feel comfortable with. Roos did my make up when I was photographed for Positive News and we had a right good chat for the hour I was sat in her chair. There’s a special kind of bonding that happens when someone is two inches from your pores. Not to mention the fact I got pins and needles in my vagina three quarters of the way through and she was nothing but kind about it as I hoped around the salon on one leg haha.
But back to the ceremony: I shared, with their guests, about how their similarly nerdy hobbies give Sean and Jess plenty to talk about and do together. Especially Dungeons and Dragons. Their matching tastes extend across music, TV, video games and board games, meaning there’s never a dull moment.
Jess’s ride-or-die uni gang
But there’s something else I found so endearing about this pair, and they way they hang out together: they give each other permission to be silly, to be carefree. Many of their hobbies are ones they had in childhood, so keeping those interests alive is that chance to be a big kid. And they feel no need to apologise for it, because their partner completely understands.
And their friends and family - some of whom are fellow D&D enthusiasts - nodded enthusiastically along. Big kids too.
So much life-affirming, fun, be-yourself love in that room. On that day.
And every day to come in their marriage.