Sunny Summer Wedding in Deal, Kent
January 13, 2024
Sam and Madeline became husband and wife on a gloriously sunny summer wedding in Deal, Kent — a town that, to me, will always hold a special place in my heart being where I grew up. Their wedding was every bit as heartfelt, full of character and colour, and overflowing with laughter, fun, and the kind of beautiful chaos that only comes with close-knit families and the presence of a toddler or two.
A Town with Character
If you’ve never been, Deal is a small seaside town in East Kent with bags of character — cobbled lanes, pastel-painted cottages, and a beachfront that hums with dog walkers, cyclists, and the occasional brave sea swimmer. On most days it has a calming, unhurried feel, but come a sunny summer Saturday, the town wakes up with the energy of a mini metropolis. Think 5mph driving whenever you near the town, ice cream parlour queues wrapping around corners, fish and chip shops the same, and live music spills onto the streets from the many pub gardens.
Somehow, amid all that energy, Madeline and Sam’s wedding day managed to match that energy. That’s Deal for you — there’s always room for more parties.
Morning Preparations: Calm in the Chaos
Madeline got ready in a house tucked quietly away along The Strand — an elegant home with plenty of light and a sense of homeliness inside, even with several visiting bridesmaids. She was surrounded by family and a small group of close friends, and of course, her daughter Daphne, who — in true two-year-old fashion — flitted between playing hanging out with aunties, investigating makeup brushes, and getting swept up in cuddles and croissants.
Weddings & Toddlers
It’s not always easy balancing a wedding morning and parenting a toddler, but Madeline handled it with warmth and grace. There’s something so grounding about having your child around while you prepare for one of the most significant days of your life. And Daphne — curious, calm, and utterly adorable — added her own touch of loveliness to the morning.
Meanwhile, Sam was getting ready just a few streets away. My associate photographer joined him and the groomsmen in another characterful house along Middle Street — one of those streets that makes Deal so charming, with crooked doors and weather-worn windows and the faint smell of sea salt in the air.
Once dressed, the group made their way to Deal Town Hall — a short walk for some and a sleek arrival by classic Jaguar for others.
Deal Town Hall Ceremony
The ceremony itself was held at Deal Town Hall, a stately yet intimate space tucked just behind the high street. It’s the kind of place that offers formality without fuss — high ceilings, large windows, and enough space for big family wedding.
There’s something deeply moving about a couple who’ve already walked through seasons of life together choosing to make this promise. Daphne, proudly watching her parents from the arms of a grandparent, seemed mesmerised and couldn’t help but walk up to her parents as they exchanged vows. She may not remember this day in detail when she grows up, but these photographs will help her feel it.
A Brass-Band Stroll Through Town
One of the things I love most about weddings in Deal is that the town becomes part of the story. It’s so small but with so much character. After the ceremony, we walked down the steps and were greeted by a walking brass band playing at volume 11: it was epic.
As confetti was thrown the brass band led the way and we all walked through Middle Street and onto the promenade by the Pier, rounding the corner away from the Royal Hotel. The streets were sunlit and vibrant, and people clapped and congratulated the couple as they passed. It was joyful and unscripted, just as these moments should be.
Planning a wedding in Deal in Kent
That said, for couples planning a wedding in Deal, I can wholeheartedly recommend building in just a little extra time for couple photos. Even just ten minutes in places like the bar at The Rose — with its soft velvet seating and rich colours it’s begging for flash photography — or in the old backstage corridors of The Astor Theatre can give you editorial-style portraits with natural window light. These are quiet, photogenic spots just steps away from the main action, and they offer a little breather as well as beautiful imagery.
Once we landed at a beach shelter, the finest champagne was served and everybody relaxed into the day. We had planned for a few group shots, which we did, and we also planned to make time for some relaxed portraits en route. Though the seafront and textured backdrops of the street was ideal, with young children in tow and the usual pull of the reception awaiting, plans sometimes flex.
It was the couples’ decision but we decided against the allocated couple shoot time and they just enjoyed time together on the beach with their friends and family. See, weddings with little ones are a balancing act, and sometimes making sure they are okay takes priority over portraits. In those moments, my documentary instincts take over, and I focus on capturing the in-between — the laughter between friends, the wind in a veil, the way Sam looked at Madeline as they sipped champagne on the beach.
The Astor Theatre Reception
Once we arrived at The Astor Theatre, the atmosphere shifted from bright outdoors to dark and moody indoors. The space had been transformed into a field of flowers — no exaggeration. The tables were bursting with wild and wonderful blooms, colours exploding from every vase and jug. It was theatrical in the best way — vibrant, expressive, and utterly personal, yet there wasn’t heaps of light.
The Astor is one of those rare venues that can shapeshift effortlessly from daytime formality to night-time revelry. It’s a working theatre, so the bones of the building lend themselves to drama and flexibility. It held the meal, the speeches, and later the dancing with ease.
Speeches were heartfelt and funny — a perfect blend of belly laughs and lump-in-the-throat moments. Sam and Madeline were toasted with genuine admiration and love, not only as a couple but as parents and friends. That kind of affection doesn’t happen by accident — it’s a testament to the kind of people they are.
Music, Dancing, and Mercedes
When it came time to party, the energy was turned up to eleven thanks to Mercedes Scantlebury, who delivered a performance that had everyone on their feet. And not just a polite shuffle — this was real dancing. Shoes-off, hands-up, full-on dancing.
As photographers, these moments are gold. There’s movement, emotion, surprise. There’s no posing, no direction — just joy, freely expressed. My second shooter and I moved through the party, now welcomed as guests!
The Little Things That Matter
Every wedding has its big headline moments — the first kiss, the first dance, the confetti explosion. But what I’ll remember most about Sam and Madeline’s wedding are the small moments:
- Madeline’s quiet smile as Daphne reached for her during the vows.
- The way Sam held Daphne as they walked along the beach.
- The brass band leading the way past Deal Pier
- Quiet moments in the Rose Hotel
These are the things that make a wedding feel rich, real, and rooted in the family that’s there.
Reflection
As an editorial documentary-style wedding photographer, I’m mostly a fully-present observer, looking for honest, emotive frames that tell the story of the day in all its nuance. At Sam and Madeline’s wedding, there were so many moments it made my job easy. Their families welcomed us like old friends, and the sense of openness and joy was palpable from start to finish.
Luxury weddings don’t need to be stiff or overly polished to feel high-end. This one was proof that elegance and emotion can sit side by side — that real love and real laughter are the luxury.
A Note to Future Couples Planning in Deal
If you’re planning a wedding in Deal (or anywhere nearby), here are a few little tips from behind the camera:
- Consider The Rose Hotel for a few portraits — the upstairs bar and bedrooms are drenched in character and natural light.
- If you love editorial-style photos, try to carve out 10–15 minutes of private time after the ceremony. Even a quick walk to the pier or a stop in a side street can create beautiful, timeless images.
- The Astor Theatre is an excellent choice if you want to do everything in one place — it’s intimate without being small, flexible without being generic, but it is very very dark.
- If you have children at your wedding, build in time for breaks and snacks and cuddles. The flow of the day will be better for it, and your photos will reflect that relaxed energy.
Sam & Madeline — Thank You
Sam and Madeline, it truly was a pleasure and a joy to be your wedding photographer. Your warmth, your love, your deep connection to each other and your families — it all shone through in every frame. I hope these photographs bring you laughter, happy tears, and memories of your sunny summer wedding in Deal, Kent.
Get in touch today if you’d like me to photograph your wedding
