Being asked to photograph a ceremony is always an honour, but being asked to photograph the ceremony of special friends is more of an honour. Chris and Joe are two very special friends who asked me to capture their handfasting ceremony.
October 2023’s Whitby Goth Week (as it has now become for many), started off with Chris and Joe celebrating 30 years of being married. They wanted a Pagan handfasting ceremony with an altar set up. Friends, (some of whom are Goth and alt wedding suppliers), helped them have a Goth/Pagan ceremony which was witnessed by a sea of black clad Goths all there for Joe and Chris.
They have been attending Whitby twice a year for Goth weekends since virtually from the start of the event. To say they know a lot of people is an understatement. Whitby is one of their special places so Whitby it was for their ceremony. They chose The Peacock Suite ballroom venue at Hetty and Betty on Baxtergate for their venue. A venue holding 60 people, which was full of friends all wanting to share Joe and Chris’ special day with them.
Chris and Joe looked fantastic as they arrived together. Joe’s friend and a friend to many Kitty Bat was the make-up artist. Their Pagan ceremony was created by Priestess Starr aka Ellie from Alternative Ceremonies UK with a handfasting, broom jumping, ring gifting and mead ceremony. Special friends wrapped the handfasting ribbons and chains and were allocated special rolls in the ceremony.
Altar Maiden Hexi
Goth Maid Charlie
Ring Bearer Kye
Best Goth Andy
Mead Maidens Tree and Lulu
Music Player Drew
Light Bringer Joe
After the ceremony mead was flowing and all carried on the celebrations at the second venue, Crafty Cove. The tunes were provided by Mandy aka D-Ject and Elli Miss Plastik from Bunker 13 and me (a man of many roles). The Gothic cake made by Melanie’s Cakes was cut and distributed and the celebrations started off Whitby Goth Weekend.
After being together for over 30 years, through many happy ones, some sad and tragic times, Joe and Chris are still in love. ‘True love never dies’.
Venue The Peacock Suite at Hetty and Betty
Celebrant Alternative Ceremonies UK
Joe’s dress Nightshades Clothing
Rings Hellcat Jewellery
Joe’s choker and handfasting chains Scarlet in Chains
Evening Venue Crafty Cove Whitby
Cake by Melanie’s Cakes
Celebrant: Alternative Ceremonies UK
Cake: Melanies Cakes
Venue (Ceremony): Hetty and Betty
Venue (Party): Crafty Cove