Royal Pavilion - Museum, Brighton, UK Elopement Photo Story Award

Two friends playing table tennis on the seafront offer their bats to the bride and groom as we walk past! The couple later say it was a real highlight of their day.

The couple planned their intimate wedding from start to finish within literally two months.  With the groom's family living in Denmark, and the bride from Brighton, UK, they wanted a small celebration of 15 close family and friends.  Their son and his older cousin would be pageboys, and the bride's sister would be her maid of honor, with the additional honor of walking her down the aisle.

After checking when family members would be available to travel, they secured a mid-week date in June at Brighton's stunning Royal Pavilion.  A month before their wedding day they contacted me thanks to a friend's recommendation, and we met in Brighton to discuss their plans.  They wanted a relaxed and unobtrusive capture of their day, with plenty of candid photos of their son and nephew, and some romantic photos at the Royal Pavilion and on Brighton beachfront.  It sounded simply perfect, and exactly the approach that I usually take at weddings, whatever their size.

On the day itself, I captured a few photos of the bride's preparations at her Mum's home before heading to the nearby Ginger Pig Hotel and Restaurant.  This is where the reception meal would later be served and was also where the groom and his family were getting ready.  The couple's two-year-old son was suitably unimpressed by the idea of wedding preparations.

It was a lovely, intimate ceremony, with the bride's Mum saying a few words and occasional shrieks from the toddlers in between mouthfuls!  

Afterward, the guests spilled out on the lawn whilst I stayed inside with the couple to capture a few photos on the staircase and the stunning Music Room.  The 200-year-old building is also a museum and elaborately furnished in keeping with its original decor when commissioned by King George IV.

After the greetings were made, the guests took taxis for the two-mile trip to The Ginger Pig Restaurant while I stopped off with the newlyweds en route for some casual beachfront photos.  We headed to Brighton & Hove Bandstand then walked onto the beach to make the most of the warm June weather.  There are a couple of table tennis tables on the seafront, and as we walked past, two friends kindly offered their bats to the bride and groom for a quick game!  It was such a fun moment and one which the couple said they would always treasure. 

We took one final stroll past the colorful beach huts in Hove before making our way to the Ginger Pig Restaurant.  The couple enjoyed champagne before sitting down at a large table for a three-course meal with their guests.  It truly was their perfect day.

The bride arrives at the Royal Pavilion Brighton with her Mum and sister. They make a few last-minute adjustments to their outfits before greeting the registrar.

After the ceremony, the bride and groom head into the Royal Pavilion's Music Room for a few couple photos in this majestic setting. This historic room remains open to the public during weddings, but the few visitors kindly move to the back of the room whilst I quickly take a few photos.

After the couple photos, the newly married couple exit the Royal Pavilion into the grounds where their guests are waiting.

Before heading to the nearby Ginger Pig restaurant, the couple take a final stroll in the late afternoon sunshine past the colorful beach huts of Hove.