30 James Street

30 James Street Wedding Photography

Situated in the heart of Liverpool city centre with views across Pier Head and the docklands, 30 James Street is a chic and elegant wedding venue. The building itself is Grade II listed and has historic links with the famed Titanic. Constructed in the late 1800s the hotel exudes old world glamour. Wedding photographers can take advantage of the hotel’s stunning architecture as well as the city beyond. City centre venues are so exciting from a photographic point of view. Photographers delight in the chance capture urban images as well as more classic wedding photos.

Iconic venue

First impressions at 30 James Street signify what’s in store at the venue. Upon arrival guests are met with the iconic facade, white Portland stone and rich red brick. A picture of the couple outside of James Street is a must. After years of neglect the building was bought by the Kenwrights. Their mission was to restore the venue to it’s former glory. Now 30 James Street is a luxurious 64 bedroom hotel hosting the most fabulous weddings in Liverpool. Some additions have been made during this process; the relaxing Morgan’s Spa and a rooftop champagne bar all in keeping with the chic Titanic theme.

The White Star Grand Hall

The jewel of 30 James Street has to be The White Star Grand Hall. Available for ceremonies as well as the reception, this versatile space looks incredible in photos. The room was historically a first class lounge and ticketing area for the White Star Shipping Company.

Having served many VIP’s over the years the space has now been restored to it’s former glamour. The fixtures and fittings are bright, luxurious and oozing opulence. Ceremony photos are a breeze at 30 James Street as the room is light and airy. Low light can be a challenge for wedding photographers as detail can be lost in the pictures. In the White Star Grand Hall there is no need for artificial lighting set ups which can detract away from the moment.

Group photos at 30 James Street

After the ceremony there is time for capturing wedding photos. Group portraits of close family and the bridal party can be taken outside with the red brick for a background. Or if the weather doesn’t permit outdoor photos the Carpathia Champagne Bar is a fantastic spot. Large windows give stunning views over Liverpool. With sumptuous yet modern interiors it’s a beautiful space for photographs.

Autumn and winter weddings

City centre venues are particularly popular for seasonal weddings. As 30 James Street is a largely indoor venue it’s a perfect for autumn or winter weddings. When the days draw in there is a short window for capturing photographs in daylight. Wedding photographers have to work incredibly hard to time photos correctly but also remain unobtrusive. It’s particularly important to choose a seasoned wedding photographer for celebrations in the winter months.

Urban photography

When it comes to portraits of the couple one of the benefits of 30 James Street is it’s central location. There are so many creative and quirky opportunities for wedding photography in an urban setting. Shane loves to scope out a few locations which would work well with the couples vision for their photos. Even an image as simple walking down an urban street can look amazing. We recommend couples book a meeting in person or over Skype to discuss their ideas for photos. Some engaged couples are brimming with thoughts on what they want for their wedding photography. Others have no clue and are happy to trust completely in Shane’s plans. Couples can be as involved as they wish.

Rooftop bar

A feature which is incredibly special at 30 James Street is the rooftop bar. With incredible views over Liverpool, the bar is a great place for wedding photos. A portrait of the bride and groom with the city scape as the background is a favourite. The famed ‘golden hour’ is the best time to capture such an image. Natural golden light is one of Shane’s favourite conditions to photograph in. Being able to see when the light is at it’s best and take the couple for a few photos comes with experience. There is no better time for a photograph on the 30 James Street rooftop.