Church Temple of Fun|Alternative Wedding Venue in Sheffield

A Styled Shoot at Church – Temple of Fun

Ever since I first went to Church – Temple of Fun for food, I knew I needed to shoot a wedding there one day.

As someone who’s veggie, this place is honestly a dream. Everything on the menu is completely vegan, and it’s one of those rare places where you’re not sacrificing anything. The food is unreal, the drinks are just as good, and the whole atmosphere is something you don’t really find anywhere else.

It just instantly felt like a venue that should be hosting weddings.

But after waiting (not very patiently) for a booking that never came through, I decided to take matters into my own hands and organise a styled shoot here instead.

Just to be clear, this isn’t a real wedding. But the whole idea was to show what a Church Temple of Fun wedding could actually look like for those who might be thinking of hosting their wedding here.

Why Church Temple of Fun Works So Well for Weddings

Church Temple of Fun isn’t your typical wedding venue, and that’s exactly why it works.

Set in Sheffield’s Kelham Island area, it’s a fully vegan bar, restaurant and live music space with one of the most unique interiors you’ll come across. The whole venue is inspired by religious iconography, but done in a bold, modern, slightly chaotic way that just works.

From a photography point of view, it’s ridiculous. Every corner is interesting. Every wall has something going on. You’re not searching for nice spots… you’re trying to narrow them down.

And from a couple’s point of view, it means your wedding actually feels like you, not like you’ve just stepped into a copy and paste venue.

Technically, it’s not licensed for legal ceremonies, so you’d need to do the official bit elsewhere first. But that doesn’t mean you can’t have a proper ceremony here. A celebrant-led ceremony fits this place perfectly and honestly feels way more personal in my opinion, but at the end of the day do what’s a right fit for you.

The Vision for This Styled Shoot

Going into this shoot, I knew the vision I had in mind. I wanted it to feel alternative, fun and relaxed and to just give people an idea of what your wedding could look like here (And just to tick “photographing a wedding” here of my bucket list)

I worked on the concept and photography, alongside Jf Styling who helped shape the overall direction and brought everything together from both a styling and hair perspective.

From there, everything started to build naturally with a team that completely got the brief.

Makeup by KPA Artistry kept things clean but still in keeping with the venue, while we had multiple dresses from Meg J Gardner, Something Reloved and Dorothy Eloise Bridal to give a mix of looks that worked across the different spaces.

The details really pulled everything together. Stationery from Birdhouse197, rings from Hellcat Jewellery, and a cake by Valkyrie Cakes York that fit the aesthetic perfectly without feeling out of place.

Florals by All Occasions Florist Howden added just enough contrast, while Limelight Wedding Emporium handled the styling elements across the venue to tie everything together.

Even down to the finer details, Cuts From The Hart kept things sharp, and Amy & Josh absolutely smashed it as our models and made everything feel natural rather than staged. (Can you believe they’re not actually models!?)

Making the Most of the Space (and Still Running Out of Time)

One of the biggest challenges with this venue is… there’s almost too much to work with. Normally this isn’t an issue when I’m capturing a wedding day as I aim to be 10-15 mins max with my couples so they can get back to their wedding, but when the aim for this shoot was to make the most of the space, I made sure I did!

We made a proper effort to move around and use as many areas as possible, but every time we turned a corner there was something else that felt completely different.

You’ve got walls covered in framed photos and artwork, loads of religious-inspired decor throughout, bold painted walls that change colour and mood depending on where you are, and little pockets of light that just work perfectly for photos without even trying.

We shot around the main bar, used the arcade machines, jumped into the photobooth, and made our way up to the mezzanine level which overlooks everything and gives a completely different perspective of the space. There’s even that balcony-style area around the entrance stairs which is perfect for wider shots looking down into the venue.

Outside, there’s the balcony area which gives you a bit of breathing space and works really nicely for couple shots away from the chaos inside.

Then heading upstairs into the crypt… that’s a whole different vibe again. Darker, moodier, with things like the skull wall and candle-lit booths that feel completely different to the rest of the venue. It’s one of those spaces that could easily be used for something more intimate, or just to switch things up visually during the day. (you can also hire this room out for smaller celebrations and private events)

You’ve also got the arcade and gaming areas which bring a completely different kind of energy. It’s not just something to look at, it’s something your guests actually use.

But even after all that, I still ran out of time before I managed to use everything I wanted.

That’s the thing with Church Temple of Fun. You’re genuinely spoilt for choice.

And it’s not just great from a photography point of view either. It’s just as good for your guests. Instead of people standing around waiting for the next part of the day, they’ve got arcade machines, gaming booths and loads of little bits of entertainment to get involved with. It keeps the energy up and makes the whole day feel way more interactive and fun.

I could have easily spend a full day here and still find new spots to shoot.

What Church Temple of Fun Offers for Weddings?

One of the best things about Church Temple of Fun as a wedding venue is how flexible it is.

It’s not one of those places where you’re forced into a set package or timeline. It’s much more of a “build your day how you want it” kind of venue, which suits the whole alternative vibe perfectly.

In terms of the space itself, you’ve got a couple of different options depending on the kind of wedding you’re planning.

For something more intimate, the Catacombs is a really cool private hire space. It’s tucked away upstairs and has its own bar and photobooth, which instantly makes it feel like its own little world within the venue. It works really well for smaller weddings, but you can also extend it out to include the full upper level if you’ve got more guests.

If you’re going bigger, you can hire out the entire venue. That gives you access to everything, the main bar, the stage, the different levels, and all the entertainment spaces. It’s the kind of setup that works perfectly if you want your wedding to feel more like a full-on party rather than a formal event.

Food and drink is all handled in-house, and as expected, everything is completely vegan from the cold or hot buffet they have to offer or endless drink options.

There’s also loads of ways to personalise the day. Things like custom cocktails, your own playlists or visuals on screens, photobooth prints, bar tabs, and different styling options all help make it feel like your wedding rather than just another event.

And then there’s the entertainment side of things. With arcade machines, interactive darts, basketball games, gaming booths and even the option to bring in DJs or live music, it naturally leans into that fun, social atmosphere without you having to force it.

It’s one of those venues where the structure is there if you want it, but you’re not boxed into anything.

And that’s exactly what makes it work so well for weddings that want to feel a bit different.

Anyways that’s enough rambling from me, the pretty pictures are below, wether you’re here for some inspiration, wanting to book me or just want to see what a wedding here could look like!

Looking for a Church Temple of Fun Wedding Photographer?

If you’re planning a Church Temple of Fun wedding, I’d absolutely love to be involved.

This shoot only made me want to photograph a real wedding here even more, so if you’re getting married here and like my work, I’m offering a discount for couples booking this venue 👀

Get in touch and lets talk about me capturing your day!