The iconic Liverpool nightclub has been host
Danny (left) and Patrick (right) on their wedding day(Image: Tommy Ga-Ken Wan)
When opera singer Danny Shelvey met his to-be husband Patrick Featherstone they might have already guessed that their wedding wouldn’t be a conventional one. Since meeting in 2014 at the opera house where Danny was singing, the couple’s vibrant romance has been lived out through time spent in Liverpool and London, with Scouse nightlife always staying close to their hearts.
Despite now living in south London the pair knew immediately that they wanted to get married in Liverpool, where most of Danny’s family live and where they had spent many nights out at the former Kazimier nightclub and music venue. Following a surprise proposal in Glasgow, the couple began planning an equally surprising wedding at one of the city’s most iconic venues.
The Invisible Wind Factory on Regent Street was opened by the Kazimier Collective in 2016, the same year the Kazimier club closed (The Kazimier Garden remains open on Seel Street).
It is known to most for its gigs and club nights but is also available for wedding hire. The enormous warehouse floor, which has been graced by the likes of The Coral, Shy FX, Wombats, Mall Grab and The Charlatans is now playing host to couples wishing to tie the knot somewhere a little out of ordinary.
“The day was relaxed from the off,” says Patrick describing how the couple’s vows were officiated by their friend and drag queen Sharon who even donned a wedding dress especially for the occasion at a venue in Calderstones Park. “Our friends are all drag queens, bar workers or DJs. We wanted as much of the wedding to be created by friends from singers and piano players to out flower arrangement to fashion designers”.
After the official ceremony the newlyweds took buses down to the north Liverpool venue via the serene views of the docks. “It was a beautiful light for our friends and family to see Liverpool in,” said Danny.
An outfit change to a powder blue suit and a white suit to get the party started.(Image: Roxy Lee)
With some initially unconvinced by the venue choice, any concerns from friends and family quickly disappeared. “They knew it as a warehouse. But once it was up and running everyone was blown away by how amazing it was. Everywhere in the venue is geared up for nightlife. They have the most amazing lighting. It was so atmospheric,” said Danny.
Danny, 35, and Patrick, 40, went for a bold colour scheme, fitting in with the flair of the venue itself. Bright acidic oranges and mint greens filled the warehouse with flowers arrangements, courtesy of gardener Patrick’s green fingered friends.
“The venue is so versatile. We were surprised to learn that in the daytime there are curtains that can be pulled back letting the daylight in. We didn’t even know they were there.”
Danny (left) and Patrick (right) on their wedding day(Image: Tommy Ga-Ken Wan)
As the sun went down the venue transformed bringing its iconic night club atmosphere to life with colourful festoon lighting overhanging a huge dancefloor and iridescent panelling shimmering in place of a chandelier.
The evening itself was filled with performances from musician friends filling the space with sounds of singing and even a Marimba performance. As the night went on multiple drag show were held before DJs span the sounds of disco, northern soul, house and “scouse classics” for guests to dance the night away – a hit with younger and older guests alike.
“We had our unofficial wedding dance to Tonight by Suzy Q. Everyone formed a ring around us it was a gorgeous moment.”
Drag shows filled the night with relaxed entertainment (Image: Tommy Ga-Ken Wan)
“Conventional weddings can be dull and a slog for guests. We really wanted to the wedding to be about the guests not just us. We wanted fab, outrageous, fun and not formal,” said Patrick.
“Our friends and family love a party so we knew we wanted it to be a party venue” says Danny. “They’re comfortable in a nightclub setting”.