Natural LGBTQ+ & Same-Sex Wedding Photography
Above is a unique shot: Taken at Islington Town Hall in London, the couple are oblivious to their photographer’s presence. They are so ‘in the moment’ – how it should be!
I’ve photographed gay and lesbian weddings, same-sex marriages and civil partnerships for many years, capturing LGBTQ+ celebrations across London, Cardiff, Bristol, and South Wales. Every wedding is different, and I approach same-sex wedding photography without assumptions about traditions, roles, or what your day should look like.
For me, it’s simply about photographing the two of you, the people who matter to you and the moments that make your wedding yours. I’ve photographed everything from intimate same-sex ceremonies at London town halls to larger LGBTQ+ celebrations, and my aim is always to make couples feel completely comfortable in front of the camera while creating photographs that feel natural and personal to them.
I’ve photographed lesbian weddings ranging from intimate register-office ceremonies to larger celebrations. I like to be up close to capture all the excitement a same-sex wedding inspires. At the point of marriage, these newlyweds can hardly contain themselves.
Same-sex Wedding Photography FAQs
Q. HOW FAR IN ADVANCE SHOULD WE BOOK OUR LGBTQ+ WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER?
A. As soon as you like. I take weddings several years in advance, so as soon as you decide you want a photographer, contact me to discuss.
Q. HAVE YOU PHOTOGRAPHED MANY LGBTQ+ WEDDINGS?
A. Yes. I’ve photographed gay and lesbian weddings, same-sex marriages and civil partnerships for many years, including civil partnerships before same-sex marriage became legal in 2014. I’ve photographed so many over the years that I couldn’t give an accurate number, but they have been a regular part of my wedding photography work for a long time.
So in love: I loved the natural passion in this portrait so much that I used it for the feature image at the top. I took it at Southwark Register Office.
Q. DO LGBTQ+ WEDDINGS HAVE TO FOLLOW TRADITIONAL WEDDING ROLES?
A. Not at all. There are no rules about how you should structure your wedding. Some LGBTQ+ couples keep many traditional elements, while others adapt them or create something completely different. You might walk down the aisle together, separately or not at all. From a photography point of view, I don’t make assumptions about roles – I’ll discuss how you’ve planned your day and photograph it accordingly.
It’s important to organise the day as you want it and not worry too much about what’s gone before – have fun with your ideas!
This couple chose a rainbow wedding cake for their celebration – one of the many personal touches that made their day unique.
I love overview shots, and this one shows pretty much everything happening at this same-sex wedding in London.
Q. WHICH AREAS CAN YOU COVER FOR OUR SAME-SEX WEDDING?
A. Most of my weddings are London-, Bristol-, and Cardiff-based. I am located between London and Cardiff and can easily cover South Wales, the South East and the Home Counties. However, if you are having your LGBTQ+ wedding further afield, by all means, get in touch to discuss.
A first kiss, then a hug. I framed the newly wedded couple on the right to feature their guests clapping, giving more context to the shot.
Sometimes, I’m allowed to photograph the actual signing. Many London Boroughs allow this. However, Cardiff and Bristol do not.
Wedding of Up to 5 Hours?>> Find Out How I Approach Short-Wedding Days Here!
A staged signing of the wedding register shot: Some registrars object to photographing the actual signing and instead opt to set up a ‘dummy’ register.
Why Not?>> Build Your Own Bespoke Wedding Photography Package.
This gay wedding was at a register office in London. The beautiful light made for fantastic group photos in the ceremony room.
Delighted with the Results…
We found Guy’s portfolio on the Internet and, despite the short notice, he made himself available to cover our wedding at Islington Town Hall and a reception in Crouch End. We were delighted with the results. We didn’t want too many formal shots, but instead we wanted – and we found – someone who could capture the spirit of the moment and leave us with images that we will treasure for a very long time. Guy worked in an extremely discrete way, and took great pains to ensure that he caught great shots of all of our guests. We have no hesitation in recommending him to people who aren’t quite sure precisely what they want, but are happy to leave a professional photographer to record the day as he sees fit.
– Martin & Stephen
One of my favourite things to photograph is a partner's expression during the ceremony. Here, one bride's reaction as she listens to her partner's vows tells the story far better than a posed photograph could.
Q. DO YOU PROVIDE CIVIL PARTNERSHIP CONVERSION PHOTOGRAPHY?
A. Yes! Since gay weddings became legal, converting a civil partnership into a marriage has become very popular. I'm happy to photograph these, just like any wedding or event.
Q. CAN WE SEE A COMPLETE LGBTQ+ WEDDING GALLERY BEFORE BOOKING?
A. Of course. The photographs on this page show examples from several LGBTQ+ weddings I've photographed, but I'm also happy to show you a more complete gallery so you can see how I photograph a wedding from beginning to end. Just ask when you get in touch.
Some venues allow confetti for gay wedding photography shots. I shot a lovely sequence at this small wedding in London.
Q. HOW DO YOU POSE A GAY COUPLE AT THEIR WEDDING?
A. I stay away from gender stereotypes, choosing instead to pose you according to your personalities. Often I don't pose and ask the couple to enjoy each other and come together in an embrace. Other times I encourage movement and even dance, and invariably the couple starts to laugh, and I capture beautiful, emotive images. Posed photos are often what couples are most nervous about on their wedding day, so I keep them relaxed, informal, and relatively brief.
Q. WHAT SHOULD WE TELL YOU ABOUT OUR GAY WEDDING AND FAMILY BEFORE THE DAY?
A. As much as you like. I understand there can sometimes be family relationships or circumstances at LGBTQ+ weddings that it's helpful for me to know about beforehand. In my questionnaire that I'll send you on booking, there's a section which causes some amusement called 'Family Politics'. In that section, mention any family tensions or anything I should be aware of so I don't cause you embarrassment on the day.
This won't be relevant to many couples, as most will only invite those who are supportive, but if there is anything you think I should know, do let me know.
The Grooms enter the wedding breakfast. The happiness on their faces says it all!
This wedding reception was held in the classy Hutong Restaurant in the Shard. During the speeches, the guests toast the couple.
LGBTQ+ Wedding Venues I've Photographed:
The Old Marylebone Town Hall/Westminster Register Office.
I've photographed many weddings here, including same-sex ceremonies, and know all seven ceremony rooms and the surrounding portrait locations extremely well.
York House/Richmond Register Office
Richmond uses a couple of my photos in their new brochure. A stunning venue with sweeping gardens down to the Thames.
Danson House/Bexley Register Office.
Unusual in that Danson House is a beautiful stately home with ornate ceremony rooms, which also doubles as the register office.
A particularly distinctive South Wales option for smaller LGBTQ+ weddings. A neo-Gothic castle near Cardiff with dramatic interiors and woodland surroundings for photographs.
I've photographed LGBTQ+ ceremonies here in several of its distinctive ceremony rooms, making it a good option for couples planning a shorter Bristol wedding.
After the speeches, Sharon and Kath hug passionately. My photography is all about capturing photos that show off the love between two people.
Experienced LGBTQ+ Wedding Photographer in London, Bristol, Cardiff & South Wales
I've photographed gay and lesbian weddings and civil partnerships at venues ranging from London town halls and register offices to larger wedding venues across Bristol and South Wales.
Whatever the size or style of your celebration, my approach is the same: I'll photograph you as yourselves, without assumptions about roles or traditions, while concentrating on the people, relationships and moments that make the day personal to you.
A lovely, natural portrait taken at the wedding reception; this shows the couple's personalities.
Page last updated: 4 weeks ago by Guy Milnes
