Linsey & Chris’s Summer Wedding at Kirkstall Abbey, Leeds — Steampunk Style

Linsey and Chris chose two striking Leeds wedding venues for their day — Kirkstall Abbey and Left Bank Leeds. Kirkstall Abbey sits just a short walk from home for me, while Left Bank Leeds, a deconsecrated church on Cardigan Lane, became the setting for their evening celebration. I hadn’t encountered a steampunk wedding before this one, but from the moment I arrived and began photographing the colour, detail, and personality, it was clear this was going to be one of the most enjoyable weddings I’d documented.

Before Linsey and her bridesmaids arrived, I’d already photographed over a hundred moments — guests gathering, details unfolding, anticipation building. Linsey arrived in a vintage car affectionately named Mr Darcy, its interior almost perfectly echoing the rich purple tones of her dress. She described herself as a little camera-shy, but experience teaches you how to work gently and intuitively in moments like that — allowing things to unfold naturally rather than forcing them.

After drinks in the Kirkstall Abbey café, everyone boarded the wedding bus and travelled together to Left Bank Leeds. The shift in atmosphere was immediate. Tall ceilings amplified the space, long tables filled quickly, and the personality of the day revealed itself in layers — pie, mash, and gravy; a vintage photo-booth setup; a power-generator wedding cake; even an aeroplane suspended from the ceiling. Each detail added to the sense of fun without ever feeling staged.

Guests in colourful steampunk outfits gather outside Kirkstall Abbey as a breeze lifts a guest’s hair and blue mini top hat

This wedding was photographed with a documentary approach throughout — moments first, personality-led group photographs, and gently guided couple portraits woven in naturally. If you’re planning your wedding at Kirkstall Abbey or Left Bank Leeds, I hope this introduction invites you to experience Linsey and Chris’s day through my eyes.

Friends arrive along the path outside the Abbey gates, framed by green grass and trees at Kirkstall Abbey
Guests in black, blue, and red top hats chat together before the ceremony at Kirkstall Abbey
Mother and grandmother pose proudly beside the weathered stone walls of Kirkstall Abbey
The groom Chris smiles across the crowd as guests begin to gather
The groom’s father and brother walk together down the long aisle toward the ceremony space
Chris pauses to pose for a guest, smiling easily before the ceremony
Chris shares a warm hug with a guest among the arriving crowd
Wide view of Kirkstall Abbey church with folding chairs set as guests take their seats
The bride, bridesmaid, and father arrive in a vintage car, dressed in purple-blue tones and smiling
Father and daughter walk through the Abbey gates together, pride and nerves mixing as the ceremony approaches
The bride looks out across family and friends as she reaches the ceremony space
The couple stand together as intros are read during the ceremony at Kirkstall Abbey
Wide view of the Abbey with guests seated and standing at the back during the ceremony
The best man delivers a reading as guests listen closely
The couple react with shared smiles during the ceremony
The groom reads his vows, focused and emotional
The groom places the ring on the bride’s finger, joy clear on both faces
The couple share their first kiss, framed by blue sky and stone walls
Champagne glasses wait on a table inside the Abbey café as celebrations begin
Guests collect drinks and greet friends after the ceremony
A baby pulls a series of expressive faces while being held by family
A joyful group photo inside the Abbey ruins with friends and family
The groom and best man pose together with playful expressions
Couple portrait among the tall stone columns of Kirkstall Abbey
The couple sit together casually on the steps beside their wedding bus
The bride smiles as she takes in the reception setup at Left Bank Leeds
A unique wedding cake styled like a power generator on display
Pie, mash, and gravy prepared and ready for guests
Guests take part in playful tea duelling beneath a handmade sign
The couple greet friends and family inside the grand space at Left Bank Leeds
The bride’s father delivers his speech to the room
Linsey smiles freely as the speeches unfold, nerves gone
The groom reaches into his pocket to begin his speech
The groom speaks as Linsey hands out small gifts
The best man, the groom’s brother, gives his speech
The couple react with mock-accusation and laughter during the speeches
Guests enjoy pie, mash, and gravy during the relaxed buffet
A bouquet of cream roses with silver details and blue-purple ribbon rests on a table
Stained glass windows reveal Left Bank’s history as a former church
The couple cut their cake together using a ceremonial sword
Guests tuck into cake as the evening celebrations begin
The bride smiles while holding her cousin’s baby
Guests mix steampunk goggles with mobile phones during the evening
Laughter and playful moments around the steampunk photo booth
The couple stand together moments before their first dance
Eyes closed, the couple share a quiet moment during their first dance
Friends join the dance floor as the evening fills with movement and joy

Venue Details: Kirkstall Abbey & Left Bank Leeds

Kirkstall Abbey is a historic former Cistercian monastery in Leeds, known for its vast stone architecture and long ceremonial aisle. Left Bank Leeds, a restored Grade II–listed building close to the city centre, hosted the full wedding reception with food, speeches, and dancing into the evening.
Photographed by a Leeds-based wedding photographer — with more Leeds wedding stories featured here.

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