The Bombed Out Church
If you're looking for a wedding venue with a difference, it doesn't get much better than St Luke's Bombed Out Church in Liverpool. An absolutely iconic part of the city's skyline, the church has been standing since the 1820s and has a rich and poignant history. It's also breathtakingly beautiful and totally unique, making it a spectacular spot to host one of the biggest days of your life!
A lot of my family are from Liverpool, and when I was growing up I'd visit the city regularly and always adored the bombed out church. Having the opportunity to photograph weddings there as an adult is an absolute dream for me, and following my first wedding there in 2023 the bombed out church quickly became one of my favourite wedding venues ever!
Before I go into the details of what makes St Lukes such an incredible spot for Liverpool wedding, it would be remiss of me not to go into a little bit of detail about how the church ended up in it's current (beautiful) form...
"Laura, you are a genius!"
The History of St Luke's
Building work started on this stunning building way back in 1811, but it would be another 20 years before the church was consecrated and opened to the public. Liverpool was crucial to the war effort during WW2, and as such suffered some of the heaviest bombing in the country outside of London.
In 1941, the city was affected by a week-long bombardment, known as the ‘May Blitz’. On May 6th 1941, the church suffered catastrophic damage after being struck by a bomb. The bomb caused a large fire that swept through the building. While the church fire left the external masonry standing, its interior and roof structure was almost entirely destroyed.
St Luke's Church site lay derelict for many years afterwards despite several attempts to bring some life back into the space. Finally, during the 2000s, the community spirit that Liverpool is known for helped to breathe a new life into the church and it underwent a series of renovations that allowed the bombed out church site to be reopened to the public in 2007. It's now an established venue for weddings, as well as community events, concerts and cultural events.
Weddings at the Bombed Out Church
The bombed out church is tucked away in the heart of Liverpool city centre, and sneaks into view as you stroll up Bold Street. A stone's throw from tons of epic bars and restaurants, not to mention train stations and hotels, this venue's super-central location is a huge bonus!
The church itself is situated on a busy junction (also provides great road access) but as soon as you step inside, you're greeted with a peaceful oasis and a tonnn of space. The interior is vast, making it perfect for big weddings (with seating space for up to 250 guests); however, no wedding is too small for the amazing team at St Lukes providing ultimate flexibility for every couple, no matter your plans.
Wedding ceremonies at St Luke's
There are a wide range of ceremony options at St Lukes:
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Outdoor ceremony - Space for 80 guests and exclusive use between 12pm and 2pm
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Chancel roof ceremony - Provides weather protection, with space for 80 guests and exclusive use between 12pm and 2pm
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Tower ceremony - Perfect for micro weddings, a Tower ceremony has space for up to 8 guests and provides exclusive access to the inside of St Luke's Tower. You also have exclusive use of the grounds between 12pm and 2pm.
Wedding receptions at St Luke's
You may want to have a bombed out church wedding ceremony before moving on to one of Liverpool's countless bars, restaurants and entertaining spaces; however, the church also offers a competitive reception package for couples wanting to spend the whole day in its' stunning surroundings.
Bombed Out Church Wedding Photography
Just a quick glance at St Lukes is enough to reassure you that there's no danger of a shortage of photography opportunities when you get married here! Both the inside of the church and it's immediate external space offer striking spots for both couples' and guests portraits, and the diverse and eclectic streets of Liverpool city centre complement it perfectly with endless characterful spots to document the story of your wedding day.
If you're looking for some inspiration, check out Elyssa and Matt's wedding here - we did group photographs inside the church itself, as well as some romantic couples' portraits, and then headed down to the Albert Dock for a quintessentially 'Liverpool' backdrop!
"Oh Laura, where to even start?! From beginning to end, you gave us every confidence that we were in the best possible hands. We are so glad you photographed our wedding celebration; thank you for saying yes and being a beautiful addition to our day!"
- Lainee & Raf
Find out more about who I am, what makes me tick and whether I might be the perfect wedding photographer to capture your special day.
It's so important to find a photographer that really fits you as a couple, who you trust and who makes you feel comfortable. Find out more about what to expect when you book me as your photographer!
Check out some of the beautiful love stories I've been lucky enough to photograph...
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My style and approach
My approach to weddings is to capture authentic, real moments as they happen. My main focus as your wedding photographer is the people and relationships, capturing special moments between you, your friends and family during your wedding day. I’m always on the look out for the laughs, the hugs, the kisses and the private moments that no-one else sees! You might find me hiding behind doors, crouched in corners or photographing through windows to get that perfect shot - I have been called a ‘ninja photographer’ on more than one occasion!
Creating a meaningful connection with you and your loved ones is hugely important in creating beautiful storytelling images, and I always aim to feel more like a friend and supporter than a supplier.
My unique style will provide you with beautiful wedding photographs that preserve the excitement, emotions and memories of your wedding day, and through my unobtrusive style, I will capture the story of your day naturally as it unfolds, leaving you with fun, relaxed and beautiful images that you will treasure forever.
