COVID: The Wedding Pause

Looking Back on How COVID Changed Everything

It’s hard to believe it’s been five years y’know.

Five years since the inboxes dried up, the venues went silent, couples cried on the phone, not just about flowers or favours, but about whether their families would even survive long enough to make it to the wedding. In early 2020, the wedding industry, like so much else, hit a brick wall and had to undergo a metamorphosis in order to survive.

Now, in 2025 we in the industry have begun to reflect on how the pandemic fundamentally rewired the emotional DNA of weddings.

The Rise of the Real

In a lot of ways, covid and its restrictions made people getting married think less about what was flashy, glamourous or just for show and more about what really matters to them. Guest lists were pared down to the most important people. Vendors, favours and accoutrements were all either scaled back or at least, selected more for significance to the couple and emotional weight rather than ‘that’d be nice’.

The big fat Pinterest-inspired weddings gave way to intimate elopements, back garden ceremonies, riverside vows with marquees and live music with unconventional genre artists. That unique intimacy shows through in the photos too. For us as creatives in the industry it was like a breath of fresh air had rushed back into the room.

For many of us behind the lens, it changed the job. We became documentarians of connection rather than just creators of pretty pictures. Weddings were less ‘on trend’ and more …human. And honestly? Better for it.

The industry itself - florists, photographers, caterers, planners - faced a brutal culling. A lot of us didn’t make it. Those who did had to reinvent. Livestream kits replaced second shooters. Booking policies became more compassionate. Refunds, postponements, reschedules that became a part of daily life running admin in the wedding photography industry, life became a logistical minefield but we did perhaps learn a bit about empathy in the process.

By the time weddings returned in full force (mid–2022 by most estimates), couples were looking for ‘something else’. The individuality of covid and post-covid microweddings and the like had become as much a part of a wedding as fitting is a part of buying a suit. A tailored approach to their weddings had become the expectation, and I think that’s likely to remain the case as we move out of Millenial weddings and into Gen-Z marriages that are starting to take place.

Smaller Weddings, Bigger Meaning

Even now, with the industry booming again, micro-weddings remain popular. People realised they didn’t need 150 guests to feel married. What they really wanted was a celebration that felt true to them, rather than the expectations of tradition or Instagram’s algorithm.

I can honestly say that some of the most moving weddings I’ve shot in the last two years were under 20 people. Not despite that, but because of it. There’s nowhere to hide and no reason to try.

What It Taught Us

COVID shook everything almost beyond recognition but it provided some back-handed clarity I don’t think many of us expected.

It reminded us that love isn’t a luxury. When everything else stopped, couples kept getting married. It moved from the historic churches and grand houses to be held in back gardens, in registrars’ offices and often broadcasts via Zoom. In that train-wreck of a year for all of us, getting married felt like reclaiming a defiant little piece of normality.

It reminded us why we do this work. Because it really matters. And what ultimately matters most is the story and the ceremony of the two most important people there. Everything else can wait.

And Now?

Now, in 2025, the wedding world is thriving. But the best of what we learned in 2020 still lingers. The honesty and the emotional depth that we strove to capture throughout our careers is still there but there’s perhaps an even stronger sense that our job isn’t about a show but a beautiful promise between two people.

And that’s what I try to hold onto every time I pick up my camera.

A Joyful Summer Wedding in Brighton

Brighton Town Hall, The Grand Hotel, The Bandstand & The Seahorse

When Brighton decides to turn on the sunshine, it really goes all out. Alex and Sophie’s wedding in July 2025 was a perfect example — blazing blue skies, warm sea breezes, and the kind of golden light photographers dream about.

The day began at The Grand Hotel in Brighton, where the bridal party’s morning preparations unfolded in a flurry of laughter, hairspray, and a soundtrack of excited chatter. Against the backdrop of elegant suites and pastel tones, there was a real sense of anticipation. The bridesmaids’ dresses, ranging from soft blush to bold magenta and vibrant orange, hung in a row like a colour wheel of summer celebrations, while Sophie’s lace wedding gown took pride of place in the centre.

From there, it was just a short journey to Brighton Town Hall for the ceremony. The historic venue, with its grand architecture, offered a timeless setting for exchanging vows. The atmosphere was light-hearted yet heartfelt — the kind of ceremony where happy tears and broad grins coexist.

As newlyweds, Alex and Sophie emerged to a cascade of confetti, the bright petals catching in the summer light. Their smiles said it all: this was going to be one unforgettable day.

The iconic Brighton Bandstand provided the perfect spot for group photos. Its ornate Victorian design framed the couple beautifully, while the sparkling sea stretched out behind them. Friends and family gathered for a big, joy-filled group shot — sunglasses were very much the order of the day, not just for style, but for survival in the blazing July heat.

The celebrations continued along the seafront at The Seahorse, a contemporary space with unbeatable sea views. Guests enjoyed a relaxed reception that blended good food, heartfelt speeches, and plenty of laughter. The semi-naked wedding cake, adorned with fresh strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries, was a showstopper in its simplicity — fresh, summery, and irresistible.

As the sun dipped, Brighton’s vibrant nightlife began to twinkle into view. The i360 lit up against the deepening sky, a reminder that this was a city that never stops moving. Inside, the dancing and celebrations carried on late into the evening, wrapping up a day that was as warm in spirit as it was in temperature.

For couples planning a Brighton wedding, Alex and Sophie’s day is proof that the city offers it all — from historic ceremony venues like Brighton Town Hall, to stunning seafront locations such as the Bandstand and The Seahorse. Add in the energy of a summer’s day by the sea, and you’ve got a recipe for wedding memories that will last a lifetime.