Getting married in Brighton - tips and advice -

I have lived in Brighton for over ten years now and photographed a lot of local weddings and engagement shoots. Getting married in Brighton is fun, easy and accessible. It has the city, sea, countryside vibe all within close distance so it’s no wonder over 2000 weddings are registered here each year. There are indoor and outdoor options and all the quirks in-between that Brighton has to offer.

The Bandstand

This is a hugely popular spot to get married and it has been standing for over 100 hundred years. It first opened in 1884 but was restored to its original condition and reopened in 2009. It is considered to be one of the finest examples of a Victorian bandstand in the UK today. Many couples who are getting married in Brighton want to do so outside and with a city/seaside vibe in full swing. You are opening yourself to the elements but also being undercover means you’d have to have atrocious sideways rain or sleet to call it a day! You can legally tie the knot on the bandstand between April and September from Wednesdays through to Saturdays.

What’s also great about the bandstand? You can go and have wedding photos even if you’re not getting married there. There is no guarantee there won’t be another wedding that day. And of course members of the public could also be milling around. However, I’ve yet to have a clash with another wedding party and every time I’ve walked onto the bandstand with a couple in their wedding attire people have always moved to one side to give us the space to snap away for ten minutes or so.

Hotel du vin

Another very popular venue when getting married in Brighton is Hotel Du Vin. Whether it’s formal, informal, traditional or modern, this hotel seems to deliver every vibe you could want. You can getting married in The Dome which has a glass roof that floods the room with natural light. Up to 100 people can fit in here. Alternatively there is Scottish Malt Whiskey Snug which again is a bright and airy room which leads out onto the courtyard. This can fit up to 22 people.

Another highlight of the Hotel Du Vin, parts of which date back to the 17th century, is the stunning entrance. This provides the perfect backdrop for couple portraits and group photos. It never fails to impress. It’s perfect for light and colour and adds style to your photos.

Brighton Town Hall

This is obviously a very popular place when choosing to get married in Brighton. It’s central, it’s a beautiful town hall, and every single registrar I have met is so friendly and happy. There are two rooms you can married in. The Fitzherbert which can take the couple and up to four guests and The Regency room which can seat up to 46 people. From Brighton town hall we often walk down to the seafront or through the Lanes to get some classic Brighton shots.

The Royal Pavilion

This is a completely unique venue for weddings. Built as King George’s ‘second home’ this was also used by Queen Victoria and has now been restored to its 1823 splendour. The exquisite elegance which it beholds makes for a perfect backdrop for your day. The exotic interiors inspired by China add vibrancy and punch to your photos while the exterior, inspired by Indian architecture, provides an unforgettable backdrop. The Royal Pavilion can accommodate up to 90 people.

Out and about taking portrait shots

There are many other venues in Brighton where you can tie the knot but these are some of the classics. I’ve also shot at Malmaison Hotel at the Marina, the Grand Hotel, the Mercure Brighton Seafront Hotel and the Connaught pub in Hove. And there’s nothing better than going on a stroll with couples to capture the essence of Brighton. Or even better hire a classic car and cruise around!