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.

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.