Chris & David’s Merchant Adventurers’ Hall Wedding, York
Merchant Adventurers’ Hall is one of York’s most characterful wedding venues — a medieval space rich with timber, texture, and atmosphere. On an August day softened by periods of rain, it provided a warm, grounded setting for Chris and David’s wedding, as guests gathered beneath its beams while the city moved quietly outside.
My connection to the day stretched back several years. In 2017, I photographed Sampurna and Joe’s wedding at the same Hall — an Asian–English fusion celebration full of colour, family, and shared history. Chris was best man that day. Years later, when Chris and David began planning their own wedding, Joe stood beside them in return. Through those shared friendships and moments, they found their way back to Merchant Adventurers’ Hall — and back to me.
What followed was a relaxed, deeply personal celebration, shaped by familiarity, connection, and a sense of continuity that carried gently through the day.
The day beginning calmly, before guests arrive.
A small gesture, full of warmth.
Arrival at Merchant Adventurers’ Hall
Arriving early has always mattered to me, even when the journey itself is short. On this August morning, it proved its worth. York was busy, and what should have been a simple approach to the city became a slow crawl, followed by a longer-than-expected wait to access a nearby car park. Having that buffer meant the day began calmly, without rushing — a quiet but important foundation for everything that followed.
Before I’d even started photographing, I encountered something I hadn’t experienced in over twenty years: a camera failure. It was brief, resolved quickly by switching to a backup, and in truth, completely unremarkable — which is exactly how it should be. Reliable backups exist for this reason, and once in hand, the day continued without interruption.
With rain lingering in the air, Chris and David had chosen to gather for a few portraits and group photographs before the ceremony. It turned out to be a thoughtful decision. The interiors of Merchant Adventurers’ Hall offered warmth and texture, and those early moments — unhurried and relaxed — set a gentle rhythm for the day ahead.
What appears here is their selection of photographs rather than mine. Alongside a storybook of around 250 images, they also chose a smaller Aspinal album with 162 photographs — something that always makes me quietly happy. It tells me the story mattered to them, not just the highlights.
The ease of being exactly where they need to be.
Shared history filling the space.
Stone, light, and closeness.
Nothing else needed.
The Hall holding generations in place.
A shared sense of occasion.
Time slowing, just slightly.
Connection in the in-between.
Comfort before the vows.
A moment acknowledged, then released.
Years folded gently into the present.
The ceremony waiting just ahead.
A Ceremony Beneath the Beams
The ceremony itself took place within the Hall’s grand timbered space, its scale softened by the presence of close friends and family. Chris and David chose to include more ceremony photographs than I’ve seen for many couples — a reflection of how much those moments meant to them.
From vows to rings, and through to the first kiss, everything unfolded naturally. My role was simply to stay present and unobtrusive, allowing emotion to surface without interruption. There were glances, small gestures, and moments of stillness that carried just as much weight as the larger expressions of joy.
It was one of those ceremonies where the atmosphere did much of the work on its own — the Hall holding the moment quietly while the focus stayed firmly on the two people at its centre.
Signing, Laughter, and Shared Moments
As the register was signed, the pace softened again. The signing table became a place not just for formality, but for laughter and connection. Friends and family gathered naturally, forming small, informal groups full of warmth and affection.
The setting lent itself to these moments — an impressive space, but one that never overwhelmed the intimacy of what was happening within it. These were unprompted interactions, captured as they unfolded, and they form some of the most relaxed and joyful photographs of the day.
Quiet Moments Before the Crowd
There was no confetti planned, and none was needed. Instead, Chris and David paused beneath the stone archway, sharing a few quiet moments together before stepping back into the company of their guests.
Congratulations followed as they made their way out, faces familiar, voices warm. The absence of spectacle allowed space for something more personal — brief embraces, smiles exchanged, and moments that felt unforced and genuine.
Between Rooms and Light Rain
A small selection of group photographs followed, taken inside an upstairs room filled with the Hall’s character and atmosphere. One group was photographed inside the nearby old church, offering a different sense of place while keeping everything close and connected.
We stepped outside briefly for a few couple photographs, braving the light rain. When it began to fall more heavily, we stopped — the moment complete without needing to push it further. Knowing when to pause is just as important as knowing when to continue.
Around the Tables
The wedding breakfast brought a shift in focus, with moments unfolding quietly around the room. Photographs of lost parents placed on the top table held particular meaning, as did portraits of each groom with their respective parent — moments full of care and reflection.
Chris and David moved between tables, greeting guests and sharing time with those who had gathered for them. During a brief pause, we captured photographs of their rings, engraved pocket watches, and a pair of owl and rabbit soft toys — small details that carried personal significance.
Speeches followed, filled with warmth and humour. One best man speech stood out for its honesty and sincerity — heartfelt, genuine, and deeply memorable.
Dancing Below the Hall
As evening arrived, celebrations moved to the basement of the Hall. A first dance led into a ceilidh — the kind that brings everyone together, filling the room with movement, laughter, and shared energy.
I stayed until around 11pm, as the pace gradually softened. Some guests danced on, others sat and talked, reflecting on the day as it settled into something calmer. Goodbyes were unhurried, the atmosphere still warm, the sense of togetherness lingering.
Closing Reflections
By the end of the evening, the day felt complete. Chris and David’s wedding unfolded through shared history, thoughtful choices, and a quiet confidence that never needed to announce itself.
From friendships formed years earlier in the same Hall, to moments shaped gently by weather and space, everything connected naturally. It was a celebration rooted in familiarity and trust — a reminder that weddings don’t need spectacle to leave a lasting impression. They simply need to feel true.
You can find this story within my LGBTQ+ weddings collection, alongside other inclusive celebrations.
Venue Information — York
Merchant Adventurers’ Hall
A historic medieval hall in the heart of York, known for its timbered interiors and intimate atmosphere. A distinctive setting for ceremonies and celebrations shaped by warmth, texture, and a strong sense of place.
Wedding photographed by Tim Christian Jones, a Leeds-based documentary wedding photographer working across York and Yorkshire.
