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10 Pro & Cons of having a Brighton Wedding in 2024
Hi, I am Corina, a Brighton based wedding photographer, lucky enough to have captured dozens of weddings in this amazing city. Being probably the only supplier to work with my couples through the planning and on the day itself gives me a unique perspective of what works great and things that don’t as much and most importantly what works for different people. Last year I got to celebrate my own wedding, providing a great look from the other side of the curtain too.
Brighton’s unique blend of natural beauty, cultural richness, and diverse venues provides a rich canvas for capturing the essence of a wedding day. The city’s energy and charm can translate into genuine, colourful and memorable wedding photographs, where the fun mixes with the emotions and real Brighton awesomeness.
While I’ve photographed so many Brighton weddings and I got to embrace all the quirky and colourful sides of this city, I also witnessed things that could be better or avoided on a wedding day. I share this to set expectations that there will likely be more pros than cons to having your wedding in Brighton and I promise to try and be objective????
Pros to getting married in Brighton:
1. The Fun and Relaxed Vibes
If you’ve ever been to Brighton you know that there is something special in the air. Everybody is helpful, smiley and the streets are always full of people trying to make the most of this vibrant city. From the independent shops to all the colourful streets, from having picnics at the beach or a drink at one of the many cosy and amazing Brighton pubs, this city will bring smiles on your faces and your guests would love the opportunity to wander around and discover it’s many fun quirky spots.
2. The Beach
Wether you’re getting married on the beach, near it or just take a detour on the day for some wedding photos, you can’t go wrong with it. The beach offers the perfect background and it’s known to reduce anxiety. I had couples who planned a first look at the beach before the wedding just to calm the nerves and it was magical. Other couples started their wedding day with a refreshing swim in the sea while some Brighton pubs allow you to have your reception drinks and canapés right on the beach.
3. Brighton is an inclusive and open-minded city
Brighton is often considered an inclusive city for several reasons, reflecting its vibrant and diverse community. Brighton has a diverse population, attracting people from various backgrounds, cultures, and lifestyles. This diversity contributes to an inclusive atmosphere where different perspectives, backgrounds and identities are celebrated. And of course it’s well known that Brighton is LGBTQ+ friendly, with a long-standing reputation as a welcoming city for the LGBTQ+ community. Plus every summer it hosts one of the largest Pride festivals in the UK. The city hosts numerous cultural events and festivals throughout the year, celebrating different cultures and promoting inclusivity. These events provide opportunities for people to come together, share experiences, and learn from one another. Brighton is known for its open-minded and liberal community. The city has a history of embracing alternative lifestyles and challenging societal norms, fostering an environment where individuals feel accepted regardless of their background or identity.
4. Loads of great Brighton wedding venues
Brighton is such an exciting city that has all kinds of venues available for different tastes. Looking for something cosy, intimate and elegant? Then The Ivy is the best choice. Want to splurge on a more royal feel that takes you back in time? The Royal Pavilion can’t be rivaled in beauty and wander. Looking for a more alternative venue with a party feel? There are so many incredible pubs in Brighton that you can book for your celebrations! Want to enjoy the summer breeze on the beach? Lots of options right by the sea. Honestly, whatever the wedding vibe you’re planning, I guarantee Brighton has a place for you! Still looking for inspiration? Check out my top 10 wedding venues in Brighton.
5. You can walk everywhere in Brighton
Having a gorgeous Town Hall in the middle of the city, surrounded by lanes all boasting with wonderful pubs and venues, means you can walk from place to place easily. The city center of Brighton is relatively compact, making it easy to navigate from one place to another. Many popular wedding venues, hotels, and attractions are within walking distance of each other. You can get ready in a hotel with a sea view, enjoy a stroll with your wedding party to the town hall and then walk to your wedding celebrations! Brighton’s seafront offers an amazing scenic walking route. If your wedding is near the beach, you and your guests can enjoy a leisurely stroll along the promenade.
6. Easy access from London on the train
Brighton’s accessibility from London by train adds a layer of convenience for wedding guests, making the vibrant seaside city an attractive and practical choice for celebrations. The direct train connections from London to Brighton offers a hassle-free and time-efficient way of travel. Guests can easily reach the city without the need for extensive travel arrangements, contributing to a smooth and enjoyable journey to your wedding. The trains are often and two lines means less risk of getting stranded as trains go to both London Bridge and Victoria. Plus have I mentioned the wonderful views?
7. Doubles as a location for a mini moon
Brighton is a fantastic choice for a mini-moon, offering a blend of romantic, vibrant, quirky and coastal experiences. Romantic romantic walks along the pebble beach? Yes please! Shopping in The Lanes? Of course! Whether you fancy watch the sunset over the English Channel, take a stroll along the famous Brighton Palace Pier or explore the narrow lanes of Brighton, filled with unique shops, boutiques, and antique stores, I promise you won’t get bored in Brighton. The city has a vibrant cultural scene with numerous art galleries, theaters, and live music venues, and is known for its diverse culinary scene. Brighton comes alive at night with its lively nightlife, with lots of stylish bars, quirky pubs where you can catch live music performances, or romantic spots for a drink along the seafront.
In terms of accommodation, Brighton offers a variety of charming, romantic and sometimes delightfully weird options, including boutique hotels, bed and breakfasts, seaside retreats and spa facilities, perfect to recover after you danced your shoes off.
Cons to getting married in Brighton
1. Accommodation can be pricey
As a seaside city with direct and fast links to London, Brighton is a very popular destination for all sorts of celebrations and events. As a result accommodation can be hard to find and quite expensive. Especially if you have a bigger wedding, there is extra stress in planning in advance and making sure your guests have options. It’s best to check the dates in advance and make sure you avoid big Brighton events like Brighton Pride, Brighton marathon, Fringe etc. as during these times the city is a lot busier and hotels and Airbnb’s are extra hard to find.
2. Venues can be smaller
While there are plenty of wedding venues in Brighton, most of the are on the smaller side of things. If you’re planning a bit wedding with over 150 guests, you might struggle finding the right venue for you. While there are a few options, they tend to get booked in advance so make sure you allow plenty of time for planning. A solution for weddings over 150 guests is picking one of the many venues withing 20 min drive of Brighton and have a red party bus take your guests to the venue. I promise the trip will be fun and exciting!
3. Brighton doesn’t have a lot of green space
If you’re looking for a green forest type of wedding, Brighton is probably not your top pick. Although there are some beautiful parks in Brighton, most of them tend to be busy and overcrowded as soon as the sun is out. There are plenty of wonderful green locations on the outskirts of the city, like Stanmer park or Devils Dyke, both part of South Downs National Park, but they can be a bit out of reach if you’re planning a central Brighton wedding.
The verdict: Is Brighton the perfect location for your wedding?
There it is, my lists of Pro and Cons to getting married in Brighton! Hope they’re of good use and that they help plan your day. In the end all that matters is that you’re true to yourself and plan the wedding that feels right and celebrates your personalities! Planning a wedding can be confusing as there is a lot of noise out there. My tip is to plan a date night where you just talk about the things that are important to you and how to bring them trough on your wedding day.
Looking for a fun Brighton wedding photographer to capture your awesome day? Contact me now and check if I’m available for your date.