Whitney & John’s Flash-Lit Wedding at The Queens Hotel, Southsea

Some couples just get it, and Whitney and John are the dream. The pair of them went to school together, then reconnected later on, and honestly if that is not the loveliest full-circle love story I do not know what is. Whitney had waited a while for this wedding day, and let me tell you, it was worth every second. She looked drop dead gorgeous, the two of them were up for absolutely anything, and we had the most ridiculous amount of fun. Buckle in.

The Queens Hotel, Southsea

If you have not been, The Queens Hotel is a grand old Victorian beauty sitting proudly on the Southsea seafront in Portsmouth. Think sweeping staircases, a ballroom full of crystal chandeliers, ornate arched windows and those big stone steps out front that were made for a confetti tunnel. And because it is right on the front, you are moments from Southsea Common, the war memorial and the seafront shelters, which as you will see gave us an absolute gift of a backdrop later on. It is one of those venues I would happily shoot at again and again.

Getting Ready

The morning kicked off with all the good bits, hair being pinned, the dress going on, and that lovely nervous excited buzz in the air. Now here is a behind the scenes secret for you. One of the bridesmaid dresses did not quite fit, so there was a sneaky bit of on the spot DIY happening with a needle, some cotton and a ribbon. Crisis quietly averted, and we are fairly sure Whitney never noticed a thing all day. She was far too busy soaking up every moment and living life to the absolute full, exactly as she should have been.

Then came the first look. Tissues at the ready! And a bit of cheeky banter to stop the mascara running…

The Ceremony (Flash Lit, Obviously)

You know me by now, I was never going to leave that gorgeous ballroom to chance. I flash lit the ceremony so the whole room looks as rich and warm and full of life as it felt, chandeliers sparkling and all. Whitney and John grinning at each other, that moment the register gets signed and it is official, all of it beautifully lit and full of joy.

Then that moment the register gets signed, sealed with a cheeky kiss. Official!

Confetti Like a Blizzard

Then came the confetti, and my goodness these guests did NOT hold back. At one point it was coming down like a full on blizzard, and the colours, be still my heart. You all know how I feel about a good confetti moment, and this was right up there. More confetti is always the answer.

Whitney was absolutely beaming through every second of it.

Family Formals, Flash and a Bit of Quick Thinking

Family formals, and yes of course I flash lit them. We had a tiny bit of a curveball because the sun kept breaking through the clouds, which meant the steps I had planned to use would have had everyone squinting and grumpy. Not the vibe. So we grabbed some benches, moved everyone into the gardens with their backs to the sun for a gorgeous rim light around them, and I front flashed to lift the shadows on their faces. Problem solved, and everyone looking their absolute best without a squint in sight.

I also stole a few minutes outside under that big blue sky, the bridal party strutted their stuff, and Whitney owned that grand staircase like a film star.

Sunset at the Seafront

And then, the bit I get properly giddy about. We nipped over to the seafront for couple portraits and the sky absolutely delivered, gifting us the most gorgeous sunset. I spotted the hill and could not resist popping Whitney and John right up in the sky, using a mirror for a reflection and catching them as a silhouette against all that colour. It is easily one of my favourite images I have ever taken. Then we tucked them into one of the seafront shelters for a hip dip kiss and honestly, dreamy does not cover it.

And the icing on the cake? Whitney treated us to a few Irish songs, serenading John while I worked. The woman has the voice of an actual angel. Not many portrait sessions come with a live soundtrack, and I loved every second.

A few more from that sunset, because I could not choose. Look at them!

Speeches, Shots and Belly Laughs

The speeches were exactly my favourite kind, equal parts funny and emotional, with a few happy tears thrown in. The top table was in absolute stitches, and Whitney’s own speech came complete with happy tears too.

Then, well. I spotted the girls all lining up at the bar ordering shots, so obviously I HAD to sneak round behind the bar to catch them raising their tequila rose. You do not get a shot like that by standing politely to one side.

The guests were just as much fun as the couple. Just look at this lot!

Teenage Dirtbag and Dancefloor Shenanigans

First dance was to none other than Teenage Dirtbag by Wheatus, which just so happens to be one of my all time favourite songs, so I was living for it.

After that it was all out shenanigans on the dancefloor. Glow bunny ears, silly faces, a very dramatic chair dance (I’m still not sure what was going on there) and every age group giving it absolutely everything. My kind of party!

Thinking About The Queens Hotel for Your Wedding?

Whitney and John, thank you for having me, and for being so wonderfully game for everything. From the confetti blizzard to Irish songs at sunset, it was a joy from start to finish.

The Queens Hotel is a genuinely stunning spot for a wedding, grand and characterful with the whole Southsea seafront right on the doorstep, and I would absolutely love to shoot there again. If you are planning your own day there, have a read of my Queens Hotel wedding photographer page, or see more of my work as a Portsmouth wedding photographer and a Hampshire wedding photographer.

Fancy a photographer who will flash light your ceremony, chase the sunset and absolutely get behind the bar for the good stuff? Get in touch here, I would love to hear all about your day.

The after dark bit: I also stole Whitney and John away for some flash lit portraits under the glowing canopy, beneath the painted dome and on that gorgeous staircase. See their Queens Hotel flash portraits here.

Planning a Hampshire wedding? Have a nosy at my guide to the best wedding venues in Hampshire, all ones I’ve actually photographed!