Historic architecture, contemporary styling and carefully chosen details came together for this styled wedding shoot at The Met Hotel Leeds.
Working with a group of Yorkshire wedding suppliers, shoot coordinator Ellanna Jennings developed a romantic city wedding concept inspired by the character of the hotel. The finished shoot combined dried flowers, statement bridalwear, candlelight and modern decorative touches within one of central Leeds’s recognisable historic buildings.
The Met opened in 1899 as the Hotel Metropole and was designed by local architects Chorley, Connon & Chorley. Its distinctive terracotta façade and ornate Victorian architecture have made it a familiar feature of the Leeds cityscape.
For this shoot, the building offered a contrast between its detailed exterior and the light, open event spaces found inside. The marble staircase, columns, chandeliers and decorative features provided several different settings without the team having to leave the hotel.
The photographs capture the venue as it appeared at the time of the shoot. Couples considering The Met or any other location should always speak directly to the venue about its current décor, wedding spaces, packages and availability.
You can discover more settings for celebrations across the region through the Yorkshire wedding venue directory.
The creative process began with a sketch from Ellanna before developing into a collaborative plan involving each supplier. Rather than following one historical period exactly, the team combined ideas influenced by the building’s heritage with softer contemporary details.
Arches became a recurring feature throughout the shoot. Their shape complemented the hotel’s architecture while also suggesting an entrance into a new chapter, making them a fitting visual theme for a wedding setting.
Leeds Event Decor dressed the ceremony area with elegant drapery, candlelight and a modern neon sign. A series of decorative arches helped frame the aisle and create a defined focal point within the larger room.
Sharon from Down to Earth Florist created the bouquet and floral arrangements using delicate dried flowers. Their muted colours and natural textures softened the grandeur of the surroundings while allowing the architecture to remain visible.
The floral details continued across the tablescape, where individual stems were arranged in cut-glass vases. Beaded centrepieces and candlelight added texture and reflected light around the room without overcrowding the tables.
Jane from Simply Stylish Handmade Wedding Invitations produced the stationery. Its refined design complemented the glassware, florals and decorative details, showing how stationery can contribute to the overall atmosphere rather than simply providing practical information.
A five-tier cake by Rachel from Layers & Lemons Cake Design formed another focal point. Floral decorations echoed the bouquet, while the fondant detailing took inspiration from the lines and craftsmanship found within the hotel.
Sallyanne from Ever After Bridal Wear selected a Ronald Joyce gown with Gatsby-inspired detailing. The intricate piping and elegant silhouette suited the scale and period character of the building while still feeling appropriate for a modern city wedding.
Model Emi Huffinley wore the gown for the shoot, with hair and make-up created by Karen from Get Gorgeous Makeup, Hair and Beauty. A soft updo balanced the detailing of the dress, while a bold lip introduced a stronger colour inspired by the hotel’s red terracotta exterior.
Each part of the bridal look was designed to work with the setting rather than compete with it. This is a useful approach when choosing wedding attire, flowers and accessories for a venue with distinctive architectural features.
John Steel Photography captured the full shoot, from the carefully arranged interior details to the final photographs outside the hotel.
The city centre location provided a different atmosphere once evening arrived. One of the closing images placed the bride against the movement and lights of Leeds at night, contrasting the calm elegance of the bridal styling with the energy of the surrounding streets.
It also demonstrated how an urban wedding venue can offer varied photographic opportunities. Grand interiors, architectural details and busy city scenes can all become part of the same wedding story.
A styled shoot is not intended to prescribe how a wedding should look. Instead, it shows how ideas from different suppliers can be brought together around a setting, colour palette or architectural feature.
If this shoot has given you ideas for your own celebration, browse the Yorkshire wedding supplier directory or explore the Top 10 Leeds wedding venues.
You can also visit one of our upcoming wedding fayres to meet local businesses, compare ideas and gather inspiration for your day.
