A Colourful Brighton Wedding at The Grand Hotel, Brighton Town Hall and Pier Court
Hollie and Billy got married on one of those glorious Brighton days that feels almost too good to be true. Pure blue skies, a still, glassy sea, and uninterrupted views of the iconic pier with its fairground rides gently moving in the distance. Brighton really showed off, and it set the tone for a wedding day that was relaxed, joyful, and full of colour.
The day began at The Grand Hotel, with its incredible sea views creating a calm, almost holiday-like atmosphere. It was the perfect place to start the day, light flooding in, the sound of the sea outside, and plenty of excitement building quietly in the background.
Getting Ready at The Grand Hotel
Hollie got ready with her bridesmaids in a bright, airy room overlooking the sea. It was a really chilledmorning, full of laughter, gentle nerves, and that lovely sense of anticipation that builds as everything starts to come together. Calm, unhurried, and full of warmth, exactly how a wedding morning should feel.
Billy and his groomsmen were getting ready in another room, so I popped over to capture their side of the story. Their colour choices were such a joy to photograph. Light pink suits paired with orange ties and pocket squares looked incredible against the seaside light, bold and playful without feeling overdone. At some point, the rainbow confetti was poured into one big bag, leaving a colourful trail behind them as they went, chaos in the best possible way.
Back with Hollie, once everyone was ready, it was time for a quick toast and a glass of bubbles. Then came one of those quietly emotional moments that stays with you. Hollie’s dad arrived for a first look, and it was hankies all round. Gentle, heartfelt, and beautifully real.
From there, we headed to Brighton Town Hall for their I dos. The ceremony was full of smiles, happy tears, and so much love. As they stepped outside as newlyweds, they were greeted by a flurry of rainbow confetti, colour everywhere, laughter filling the street, and that just married energy in full flow.
While guests made their way to the reception, we took a wander along the seafront, capturing portraits along the way. Relaxed, natural moments with the sea behind them, Brighton at its best, and Hollie and Billy fully soaking it all in.
Their reception took place at the beautiful art deco seafront venue Pier Court, formerly known as Patterns. The space had been styled beautifully by Zuza from Whole Lotta Love, with a bold colour palette of oranges, yellows, and blues that felt perfectly suited to the shoreline setting. The stationery by Carly at With Bells On tied everything together effortlessly.
As guests arrived at the reception, they were greeted with sunshine, music, and canapés. The atmosphere was so relaxed, with Hollie and Billy mingling, laughing, and properly enjoying time with their people. The speeches were emotional and heartfelt, including a particularly special moment when Billy spoke about his grandparents, who were about to celebrate their 70th wedding anniversary the following week. A reminder of what it’s all really about.
As the sun began to dip, we gathered the wedding party and headed to the beach for group photos. Think editorial, Vanity Fair Oscar winners cover energy, mixed with relaxed, natural shots that showed off their incredible group dynamic and friendships. Soundtracked by Harry Styles’ Golden, it was one of those moments that just felt magical.
Then it was back to Pier Court, shoes off, drinks flowing, and straight into party mode. A live band kept the dancefloor full right until the end, and the night finished exactly how it should, sweaty, joyful, and full of love.
The Dream Team
Hair & Makeup: www.instagram.com/lydiapankhurst/
Dress: www.heartaflutterbridal.co.uk
Grooms Suit: http://www.casualfitters.co.uk
Grooms Shoes: http://www.drmartens.com
Bridesmaids Dresses: @rewrittenlondon
Design & Styling : www.wholelottaloveweddings.com
Ceremony: Brighton & Hove Registrars
Reception Venue: Pier Court
If you’re planning a wedding in Brighton, or getting married at Pier Court, and want photography that captures the colour, energy, and real moments of the day without anything feeling staged or awkward, I’d love to hear from you. Brighton weddings have such a special rhythm to them, relaxed, creative, and full of personality, and Pier Court is one of those venues that really comes alive when the party gets going. If that sounds like your kind of day, get in touch and let’s chat about your plans.
Cheers,
Sidey