As a Brighton wedding photographer, it’s amazing to be able to tell a couple’s story of their wedding day in this wonderful city I call home. Sometimes, I get to start the story from the prologue.
Joginder got in touch to see if I offered engagement photography and was available to photograph his surprise proposal to his partner, Ishar on a beautiful day at the Brighton bandstand. I love the ornate Brighton bandstand. It was first opened in 1884 and was brought back to life in 2009 to celebrate its architectural splendour and offer its beautiful setting for licensed weddings and civil ceremonies.
I met Joginder at the bandstand a week before the surprise to discuss the plan. We needed to arrange how he’d secretly text me as they arrived from London and were approaching the bandstand, where he would stand to pop the big question and how I’d already be waiting there pretending to get that perfect shot of the ruin of the West Pier. Both from London, they had had their first date here years ago so Joginder thought it would be perfect to come back to propose. And it was.
The day arrived and it was like a military operation. I wanted Joginder & Ishar to be alone inside for the special moment so I had to politely ask anyone I saw approaching the entrance if they could kindly wait until Joginder had done his thing. It was easier than I thought. People were lovely and grew excited to witness the moment.
And then they arrived. Ishar wandered unsuspectingly past me and up the stairs to the bandstand where Joginder got down on one knee. Ishar was so taken aback she dropped her sunglasses. It was great.
After he revealed my presence we had some time for a few portraits and some nice, unposed shots as well as some of a few tourists realising what was going on!
The prologue doesn’t end there. We then got a cab to a Hove beach hut that Joginder had thoughtfully decorated inside. It went down a treat and after a few more photos, I left them to their romantic picnic by the sea.
It was a lovely start to their story.
Need an engagement photographer? Planning a surprise proposal? See if I’m available to capture that moment.
