A Brighton Engagement Shoot: Pebbles, Beach Huts and the Royal Pavilion in the Sun
A red dress, a black T-shirt, blue sky and a beach full of pebbles: Casey and Anthony’s Brighton engagement shoot was all colour. We met up on one of the warmest, and busiest, days of the year for a seafront walk in the sun. Brighton was one of those places we had simply never been, so when they suggested it, we couldn’t wait to explore. It was just what we expected: fun fairs and a beautiful seaside town.
Brighton: a seaside city with a backdrop every few minutes
Brighton’s seafront packs a lot into one walk. Brighton Palace Pier opened in 1899, runs 1,722 feet out to sea and is Grade II* listed, with rides and arcade games along the way. A short walk inland, the Royal Pavilion is something else entirely. In 1815 George, Prince of Wales, commissioned John Nash to transform his seaside villa into the palace of domes, minarets and pinnacles you see today. The interiors were finished in 1823.
Further west towards Hove, the promenade is lined with hundreds of privately owned beach huts in stripes and bright colours. Add the pebble beach, the pastel houses in the streets behind and a big open sky, and the scenery changes every few minutes.
A seafront walk in the sun
Against blue sky, blue sea and grey pebbles, Casey’s red dress really sang out. On the beach they walked hand in hand over the stones, her hair blowing in the breeze. At the water’s edge we found a towering concrete wall, and the two of them looked tiny against it with the sea stretching away beside them.
Along the promenade they strolled past a row of beach huts in blue, yellow, pink and stripes, and stood between two seafront shelters under a huge sky. In the streets behind, pastel houses in pink and blue gave us a few close, quiet moments, and plenty of laughter, foreheads together.
The pier, the arcade and the Royal Pavilion
The pier was packed, with crowds and flags under its big sign. Inside the arcade the two of them leaned over the coin-pusher machines, grinning, as if they were on a day out with friends rather than in front of a camera. That’s exactly how we want a shoot to feel.
At the Royal Pavilion the domes and minarets towered over them in the sunshine, and the scalloped arches made a perfect frame for a hug and a kiss. It’s hard to believe a building like that is a few minutes from the beach.
2017 was a year of travel for us: in a little under six months our work took us to America, France, Italy, Romania, Singapore and Indonesia. But even when we’re not hopping on a plane, we spend a lot of time exploring new places. Learning about our couples is a huge part of why we become so invested in their weddings. As we got to know Casey and Anthony, and everything they’ve been through together over the years, the weather felt perfectly matched to their positive outlook on life.
Why we love an engagement shoot in Brighton
If you’re thinking about Brighton for your own shoot, here’s our honest advice:
- One walk, lots of backdrops. The beach, the pier, the Royal Pavilion and the beach huts towards Hove are all on or near the seafront.
- Expect crowds on a sunny day. The seafront and pier were packed, so we used the crowds for colour and slipped into the side streets for quieter moments.
- Wear a colour. Casey’s red dress looked brilliant against the sea and sky. Bold colours and the seaside go well together.
- Mind the pebbles. Brighton’s beach is pebbles rather than sand, so flat shoes are much kinder than heels.
Planning your own wedding or engagement shoot?
It’s hard not to get invested in a couple like Casey and Anthony, and we couldn’t wait for their wedding later that year. We love travelling for shoots, whether to the seaside or further afield. See more of our weddings and shoots further afield, or get in touch to talk through your plans.
See also: Wedding at Casey & Anthony – Hengrave Hall.
You might also like: Engagement shoot at Briony & Rob – Rome, in Italy.
