The Un-Wedding Show Manchester At Victoria Warehouse: Best Wedding Fair Ever!
Written by Melissa Woods
Photography by Lauren Elliott
On Sunday 8th October 2023, the UK’s favourite modern wedding fair, The Un-Wedding Show, made it’s debut in Manchester, at the city’s iconic Victoria Warehouse. We chose this space for it’s industrial vibe which makes it the perfect alternative wedding venue for Un-Wedding couples (and throuples 🥰)… and oh my, was it a huge success!
We welcome almost 600 engaged AF lovers through the doors and introduced them to our careful curation of unique and inclusive wedding suppliers who’d styled their space to personify their brands and wedding services.
Gone are the days of huge, wedding exhibitions in corporate spaces where no one wants to look you in the eye in case you try to sell them something they don’t want! I mean, how is that helpful to anyone?
The Un-Wedding Show is designed to be the exact opposite of that. We’ve handpicked our suppliers since 2018 to ensure that we only represent the wedding business owners that our attendees want to see/meet/book, otherwise what is the point?!
Our awesome lineup of suppliers pulled out all the stops to not just ‘tell you’ what they can do but to ‘show you’ so you can see it and feel it for yourselves IRL.
Putting the party into your wedding planning.
The Un-Wedding Show has been putting the party into your wedding planning since 2015 because I never understood why wedding fairs had to be dull, or awkward… you know the ones I mean… we’ve all been to one, or said no to one!
Wedding fairs should be fun, and not something to dread. Kinda like a pre-party for your wedding where you get to enjoy the buzz of planning your wedding and meet the people who are going to help make it happen so that you can get a vibe of what it will be like to work with them, and most importantly, to know you can trust them. All parties start with a good group of people,right?
And no party would be complete without some good tunes… always a crucial part of The Un-Wedding Show! This time we were lucky to have the UK’s favourite wedding DJ, Wedding Jam, on the decks, providing our soundtrack of the day because in their own words ‘THE BEST NIGHT OF YOUR LIFE DESERVES THE PERFECT SOUNDTRACK.’ You’ll find Wedding Jam listed in our Book Of Love directory where you can hit them up about DJing your wedding reception to your own personal tastes, and pick from a plethora of live wedding bands from almost any genre!
Highlights from the day.
We knew The Un-Wedding Show Manchester’s debut event was going to be epic given the sheer amount of talent that there is in the city from local, independent artists, makers and wedding business owners.
A big, sparkly shout out has to go to our venue stylist, Manchester-based Mariel Osborn whose glitter canopies are the ultimate way to style up your warehouse wedding, festival wedding, any kind of wedding or event!
Mariel’s statement sparkles proved to be a real head-turner/conversation starter with our attendees. They are the perfect way to create an impact on your wedding day in a fun and sustainable way because all pieces can be hired. If I had my time again, I would definitely be hiring the pink and orange ceremonial backdrop that she showcased on the day, to tie in with a matching glitter canopy at the wedding reception. I mean, you could go the whole hog and have her create a bespoke glitter tassel jacket for your evening look because this is your Un-Wedding and anything goes!
We were blown away by the selection of incredible, modern, and alternative wedding outfits available at The Un-Wedding Show Manchester. From stunning, antique vintage kimonos by Objects of Desire to long-length, embroiderd veils by Laura Fray Bespoke, and pre-loved designer wear for the whole wedding party from The Dressing Room - there really was, something for everyone.
The Un-Wedding Show always has a really strong ‘wedding celebrants’ category, and Manchester did not let us down!
The Radical Celebrant - provides meaningful ceremonies for those who like to indulge in a bit of Kink or BDSM, something we’ve never seen as an offering before, and we are here for it!
Sophie Colligan Ceremonies - provides fun and relaxed ceremonies which I’ve had the privilege of witnessing first-hand and can 100% recommend!
It was lovely to meet the infamous Hazel The Rainbow Celebrant who is just as vibrant IRL as she is on the ‘gram! definitely one for the loud and proud amongst you! And joyous Connie from Wit and Wonder whose thespian skills have led her to the wonderful world of wedding celebrancy!
The floristry category was also pretty impressive in Manchester with personality poppin’ displays from Manchester’s finest Moss Floral Artistry, and Powerplant.
It was also nice to welcome Sheffield-based flower fairies, Palmas, to the lineup with their modern, sculptural take on your wedding florals.
I’m always seriously humbled to see how each of your suppliers brings their own style and personality to the table, showing you that there is room for everyone and no two wedding businesses are the same, even if they offer they do the same thing.
This is the main reason you should visit The Un-Wedding Show if you ever get the chance, to meet people and the personalities behind the brand. Only then, can you make a truly informed decision about who to book for your Un-Wedding.
If you weren’t able to make it this time, see the full gallery and out full list of suppliers below! If you missed us in Manchester this time, don’t worry! We will be back again on 19th May 2024 and you can buy tickets HERE!
And as always, please check out our Book of Love directory where you can find even more of the UK’s coolest, independent wedding suppliers.
Here is a full list of the suppliers who showcased on the day. Please contact them directly for bookings and tell them you found them via The Un-Wedding Show! This really helps them to know which of their marketing efforts are working 🥰