IT’S THE NINEDOTS GATHERING – NUMBER 11!
Event Guide
YEEE HAAA! It’s almost ninedots O’clock!
We are super excited to welcome you to the NineDots Gathering 2026 and wanted to give you all the info you need for the event.
For us, this has always been a passion project. We know there are loads of wedding photography events these days, but we believe the NineDots Gathering is something different, unique and vital and we’re so thankful you’re a part of this – the 11th NineDots Gathering! We can’t believe we’ve made it this far and we are here for it!
We founded NineDots waaaay back in November 2014 and back then we could never imagined being here for round #11 in Manchester! We are so proud of NineDots and of everyone in the NineDots tribe who help make it the strongest and most supportive wedding photography community in the world!
Everything you need to know about the event this year is below, and it’s important that if you haven’t yet filled it in, please complete this RSVP form ASAP. Let us know if you’ve got any questions or need anything from us.
NB! This page is for ticket holders of this years event. If you are here and haven’t bought a ticket then get yourself one so you can come along!
THE GATHERING VENUE
THE 2026 GATHERING VENUE
WHITWORTH LOCKE
74 PRINCESS STREET, MANCHESTER, M1 6JD
All the talks will be held here during the daytime, however the speed-quiz social and after party will be at other venues close by, along with the optional photo-walks. Whitworth Lock has accommodation on site and we encourage you all to stay there if possible. If you want to stay elsewhere that is entirely up to you – there are lots of options close by.
Located just a 10 minute walk from Piccadilly Station, we’ve got the place booked exclusively for you from Monday evening to Wednesday. This includes the dedicated theatre space for our main stage keynotes and loads of space for our breaks, sponsors and places to hang and share ideas together.
There will be plenty of space to find a moment of peace, quiet and chats if you need.
NineDOTS GATHERING
THE SCHEDULE
MON 9th NOV
photowalks – 3pm
Want to meet up before the main event and make pictures (and friends!)? Meet at the venue lobby at 3pm and then we can hit the streets, make some pictures and have fun!
REGISTRATION DRINKS – 6.30PM at WHITWORTH LOCKE
We will be holding a registration drinks event at the venue on the Monday night to get your wristband which you’ll need for entry into The Gathering and the after-party
We encourage you to come to this to register and get your entrance wristband so we can save as much time as possible doing this on the Tuesday morning. Plus it’s an excuse to have a drink and meet people! If you don’t know many/any people attending, then it’s the perfect place to meet them and Team NineDots who will be on hand all week to look after you! If you can’t make it, then no worries – you can register on Tuesday morning at Whitworth Locke from 9:00am till 9.30am
We have the list of all ticket holders, so you don’t need anything to register – just remember your name – Easy!
TUE 10th NOV
DAY ONE:
08:30 Tea / Coffee
09:30 Welcome to Day 1: Take your seats
10:00 The Mateers
10:45 Break
11:00 Ed Godden
11:30 Jo Elvis
12:00 Break
12:30 Pic-Time
12:45 Zach & Grace
13:30 Lunch
15:00 Aisle Glam
16:00 Break
16:30 Tracy Jade
17:30 End of Day 1
19:00 Pizza Party – Speed Quiz – Karaoke
23:00 – Finish
WED 11th NOV
DAY TWO:
08:45 Tea / Coffee
09:30 Welcome to Day 2: Take your seats
09:45 Charlie Flounders
10:45 Break
11.30 Joel Skingle
Natalie Martin
Deji Johnson
13:00 Lunch
14:30 Print Competition Winners Announced
14:45 Chelsea Cannar
15:30 Break
16:15 Erica Hawkins
17:15 NineDots GoodBye
17:45 End Of Day Two
21:00 After Party!
02.00: It’s all over for another year 🙁
The Gathering Presentations & Format
The space at Whitworth Locke is split into two main areas – an open space, upstairs (on the lobby level) this is for socialising, meeting sponsors and hanging out. The theatre space is downstairs. This will be where our presentations will be.
You don’t *need* anything during the 3 days, like cameras or equipment – but if you want to bring your camera then you are of course more than welcome. Some people bring things to make notes with also.
NINEDOTS PHOTO WALK
Monday 10th Nov – 3pm – OPTIONAL
Hosted by incredible photographer and NineDots stalwart; Paul Williams (Ginger Beard Weddings) this optional photowalk is a perfect way to try your hand at some film photography, learn some new skills, swap some headshots with other attendees and step outside your comfort zone.
Limited to just 20 spots! Join Paul ‘Gingerbeard’ WIlliams for a relaxed and creative afternoon learning and playing with film photography. This is your chance to shoot, play, and experiment with film – whether you’re capturing street scenes, portraits of each other, or whatever catches your eye. Along the way, you can ask Paul anything about shooting film, from technical advice to creative tips.
Your ticket includes one roll of black and white film, plus developing and scanning courtesy of Come Through Lab.
**If you don’t have a film camera then we have a few cameras available to borrow on a first come first served basis – or you can share with each other.
Time: 3:00 PM – around 6:00 PM
Location: Come Through Lab, 84 Silk Street, Manchester, M4 6BJ (about 20 minute walk from Whitworth Locke)
Finishing in time for the welcome drinks and registration
This is an optional, ticketed event for attendees before the Gathering starts in the evening. Places are strictly limited to 20 people and are first come first served. Tickets are only £25 – Bargain!
Annual Loxley colour Print Competition 2026.rb
Each year, in association with our wonderful partners Loxley Colour, we run an image competition for all attendees of the Gathering – the competition is FREE for all attendees and there are some great prizes!
The 20 finalist images will be printed and displayed at the event and the winners selected by our judges over the course of the two days.
Entries must have been taken IN THE LAST YEAR and you can upload your entries and read the requirements on the RSVP form below.
FOOD + DRINK
LUNCH IS NOT INCLUDED IN YOUR TICKET PRICE // Free tea and coffee in the breaks
There will be tea and coffee on the Tuesday and Wednesday morning, plus tea, coffee, water and refreshments available throughout the daytime during the breaks. Doors open at 8.30am each day which is 60 minutes before the presentations begin.
There are breakfast and lunch options available both in the hotel, and close by including a Tesco supermarket over the road, various fast food, sandwich shops etc all close by.
You are more than welcome to bring your own food, or pick up a Pret or something similar in the morning or at lunch, to eat in the venue. Alternatively, you can of course find somewhere to eat locally at lunch, however we don’t encourage that as so many friendships and new bonds are made during the breaks.
Tuesday Evening Social
NELL’S KAMPUS
20 Minshull Street, Manchester, M1 3EF
We deliberately timed the NineDots gathering for the time of year we know everyone is feeling the effects of a busy season. The main events are of course the presentations and masterclasses by our world class speakers, but we have always tried to ensure that the NineDots gathering has a real balance between learning and fun.
THE NineDots PIZZA PARTY – Dinner’s ON US!
After the talks end on day one we’re heading down the street (2 minute walk) over to Nell’s Kampus where there will be fresh pizzas for everyone for 2 hours, and lots of drink to quench your thirsts!
Let us know any dietary requirements in the RSVP form – these will be passed on in advance.
NineDots Speed Quiz Tournament followed by karaoke & drinks
After some pizza and drinks you are all invited to the 4th annual NineDots Gathering Speed Quiz! This is a modern, NineDots-take on your classic British pub quiz – it’s a team competition so grab some fast-fingered (and intelligent) friends and see if you can be the ones to lift the trophy! The last three year’s have been a total highlight and huge success – we can’t wait for this year’s competition.
Afterwards we’ve got the now traditional (and some would say, essential) NineDots Karaoke session… those who know, know! We will stay in the venue until midnight and you’ll be able to order food & drinks from the bar.
Legendary After Party
9pm-2am Wed 12 Nov – venue TBA
The wrist bands issued at the registration will be required for entry, so please don’t lose it!
Hosted by: DJ SANTERO
From representing the UK in the World Final of Red Bull 3style to being an official resident at the legendary Ministry of Sound and warming up the main stage of Global Gathering for The Prodigy – Santero is the DJ’s DJ. Plus, he’s DJ’d at loads of our events now, and absolutely kills it every time, so we just had to invite him back!
The photos from our after parties speak for themselves. Just be there. Exclusive to Gathering ticket holders so unfortunately we can’t accept requests for you to bring friends.
The GATHERING Helper Team
Frances Foster & Gina Fernandes
These wonderful people are here to help you! You can go to them with any questions or issues or just for a chat during the event. Check out their NineDots profiles to see their lovely faces!
Experts On Hand
Next level editing and workflow with IMAGEN AI
Working Albums and printed products into your business with Loxley Colour
Making happy clients and print sales with online galleries with Pic-Time
Website advice from The Origami Fox
Branding, Marketing + Website knowledge from StyleCLoud
We handpicked these legends to come to the Gathering and be available for advice – so please speak to them while you’re there – they really can help transform your business in every way!
Camera, Lens and Equipment advice and servicing from Canon UK
At this year’s Gathering, Canon will be available to provide complementary service and support to all Canon users! Services include camera sensor cleaning, camera checks and minor repairs. In addition, Canon will be bringing a selection of kit for you to try out during the event. So if you want sensors cleaning, or any of your kit is in need of TLC then please feel free to bring it along for some love.
Sharing is Caring :: #weareninedots
Share the NineDots fun and FOMO on social media!
Over the course of the week we will be documenting and sharing all things NineDots Gathering on our Instagram @ninedotsco.
Keep up to date and feel free to join and share yourselves using the event hashtag #weareninedots and our insta handle is @ninedotsco
Don’t Be a Dick!
The Serious Stuff:
Your conduct and behaviour while with us
We take our responsibilities as conference organisers extremely seriously. We want everyone to have a fun, happy, welcoming, safe, enjoyable time while at the NineDots Gathering and by picking up your wristband and walking through our doors you accept all the terms of our code of conduct policy and commit to treat everyone with respect.
RSVP!
What We Need From You Now:
EVENT ATTENDANCE + Print ENTRIES
CLICK BELOW TO RSVP NOW AND UPLOAD YOUR COMPETITION ENTRIES!
