Owls, dogs, and fairy godmothers: inside Afflecks’ first wedding

In a whirlwind of indie spirit and alternative charm, Manchester’s beloved Afflecks emporium witnessed its first-ever wedding ceremony on Saturday, June 1st, 2024.

And in true ‘Afflecks-style’ it was as out there and individual as the place.

The rings were carried by an owl and a dog, it took place on a pink carpet in front of classic music posters, and a fairy godmother was involved too.

Sounds about right. 

Getting married at Afflecks

The venue, renowned for its eclectic mix of independent stores and colourful atmosphere, played host to the marriage of Sean Berry, the longtime owner of Afflecks’ Panic Posters, and his partner Millie.

The couple said it was the ‘perfect venue’ to get hitched in.

Sean has run the shop for nearly 38 years. You can check out their website here

“Discovering that our second home, Afflecks, would start hosting weddings inspired Millie and me to finally tie the knot,” expressed Sean Berry, whose connection to the emporium spans over three decades.

“We’ve been together as long as I’ve had the Afflecks store, and it’s been a huge part of our lives. We couldn’t think of a better place to get married.”

And what a wedding it was! The ceremony unfolded at 6:15 PM beside Afflecks’ iconic poster wall on the first floor, a spot close to Sean’s own store.

Family and friends flocked to the venue after business hours, ready to partake in a celebration that embodied the independent spirit of Afflecks itself.

In a nod to the venue’s whimsical essence, the ceremony featured Afflecks’ famous owl, Aurora, and Sean’s dog, Willow, as ring bearers.

A fairy godmother, embodying the enchanting vibe of the occasion, watched over a dancing procession that led the newlyweds and their guests out of Afflecks and into the street to close the ceremony.

AJ Martyn, General Manager at Afflecks

AJ Martyn, General Manager at Afflecks said: “We’re absolutely thrilled to have hosted our very first Afflecks wedding, especially celebrating the marriage of one of our very own Afflecks family members.

“Sean, Millie, and the team planned an incredible day that really showcased how unique and eccentric a marriage celebration can be here at Afflecks. We encourage anyone looking for an extra special, alternative wedding day to get in touch.”

Getting Married at Afflecks

Afflecks now allows people to perform relatively intimate inclusive ceremonies for any couple who wants to have  a truly unique wedding right in the heart of one of the city’s cultural institutions.

Afflecks intends to welcome a whole rainbow of love in all its glorious forms and will initially be making five spaces available for weddings.

Super romantic, small ceremonies with up to 30 guests will be the order of the day and all the spaces can be dressed and adapted for a perfectly unique and alternative place to declare true love.

Independent boutiques Afflecks

Whether you’re a Japanese culture fan set on getting hitched in the Animaid Cafe; a pair of Manchester music lovers who want to to commit to each other in front of the iconic poster wall; spiritual sweethearts with a vision of vows amongst incense and spell books, there’s something to suit each and every tribe within Afflecks’ special community.

The whole Afflecks family are on hand to help couples create the perfect and completely independent day as the emporium is the perfect treasure trove to find alternative wedding essentials all under one roof.

Wedding bookings and enquiries can be made through the Afflecks website here and by arrangement with the Manchester registry office.