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LGBTQ+ Wedding at The Old Rectory, Hastings – Creative & Inclusive Celebration

Two people stand close together in a lush garden. One wears a dark blue suit with small white dots, and the other wears a white suit with black trim, holding a glass. Sunlight filters through the trees in the background.

LGBTQ+ Wedding at The Old Rectory, Hastings

Some weddings just feel bigger than the day itself — they become a celebration of connection, creativity, and equality.
Lee and Syrus’s wedding at The Old Rectory in Hastings was one of those. A relaxed, colourful LGBTQ+ celebration filled with friends from all over the world — including a few famous faces — who finally had time to come together after the Hollywood actors’ strike cleared their schedules.

The Old Rectory is a gem in the heart of Hastings Old Town — elegant without being pretentious, full of history and character. I’ve photographed a few weddings here over the years, but none quite like this one. Every inch of the place felt alive — from the garden ceremony to the evening celebrations.

Getting Ready Together At The Old Rectory, Hastings

Instead of separate morning prep, Lee and Syrus got ready together — a decision that set the tone for the whole day: no rules, no performance, just two people completely comfortable being themselves.

The Ceremony

Their ceremony took place in the Rectory’s garden surrounded by friends, family and industry peers. There was laughter, a few tears, and a real sense of collective joy — the kind of wedding that reminds you why we do this.

Two grooms, smiling and holding hands, walk down an aisle outdoors as guests toss white confetti. One groom wears a white tuxedo jacket, the other a navy suit. It’s a sunny day, and people rejoice around them.

The Party

As the sun went down, the celebrations picked up. Drinks, music, old friends reconnecting — the whole thing felt more like a reunion than a wedding. Syrus and Lee danced through the night surrounded by people who clearly adored them.

A person in a black sleeveless top and skirt claps joyfully while dancing in a lively crowd. People around them smile, laugh, and cheer, dressed in colorful and formal attire on a wooden floor.

Weddings like this are what photography is all about — capturing the human side of love, in all its forms.
If you’re planning an LGBTQ+ wedding or a celebration at The Old Rectory in Hastings, I’d love to hear from you.

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  • People in colorful clothing stand and talk at an outdoor event on a sunny day. A woman in sunglasses gestures while speaking to a man in a dark suit. Wildflowers and tents are visible under a clear blue sky.
  • A man with short hair, a mustache, sunglasses, and a navy polka dot shirt sits outdoors among others at a sunny event. People around him wear colorful clothes and sunglasses. The background shows a stone building and sunlight.
  • Four people dressed in colorful, stylish outfits stand outdoors, smiling and talking on a sunny day. One woman holds a clutch and another wears sunglasses and a bright pink dress. Trees and blue sky are in the background.
  • A group of people dressed in formal and semi-formal attire sit outdoors on chairs, wearing sunglasses, at a sunlit event in front of a brick building with arched windows.
  • A woman in a royal blue dress and wide-brimmed hat adjusts the lapel of a mans dark suit. They stand in a warmly decorated room with floral wallpaper and a fireplace in the background.
  • A group of people outdoors dressed in colorful, formal attire. A woman in pink and another in a blue dress with white sunglasses are smiling in the foreground. Others converse and mingle in the background.
  • A man in a black polka-dot shirt and sunglasses holds a drink while talking with others at an outdoor gathering on a sunny day, with a brick house in the background.
  • A man in a navy suit with a white rose boutonniere embraces a woman in a bright blue dress outdoors. They have their eyes closed, sharing a warm, emotional hug in a sunlit garden setting.
  • Two women smiling and talking at an outdoor event, both dressed in colorful, stylish outfits. One wears sunglasses and a pink dress, holding a camera; the other wears a floral green-and-white dress, holding a glass of water.
  • A round table set for a formal event with white tablecloth, glassware, cutlery, napkins, and a floral centerpiece. Place cards are arranged at each seat. More similarly set tables and a person are visible in the background.

Lee & Syrus

“Candid, joyful and full of love.”

“Dale is a fantastic photographer and we are so glad we chose him for our wedding day. He went above and beyond and we are over the moon with all of our pictures. Thank you, Dale!”

Two men dressed in suits, one in navy blue and the other in a white jacket with black accents, walk up a garden path surrounded by greenery and flowers, with sunlight filtering through trees.
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  • Two women in bright dresses pose for a photo at an outdoor event; one wears a pink gown and sunglasses, the other a blue dress. Another woman in green takes their picture. Empty tables and chairs are visible in the background.
  • A woman in a blue dress and a man in an orange shirt smile and laugh while holding phones outdoors, with greenery and people in the background at what appears to be a garden party.
  • Two people dressed formally, one in a white blazer and the other in a navy suit, share a kiss while holding champagne glasses in a sunlit garden with greenery and purple flowers in the background.
  • A group of people dressed in semiformal attire smile and clap at an indoor event. A man in a blue suit and a woman in a black dress stand beside a man in a bright red shirt, all appearing happy and engaged.
  • Three people stand outdoors dressed in formal attire. One holds a champagne glass, and all are posing for the photo, with greenery and a white canopy tent in the background.
  • Three people pose outdoors in bright, colorful outfits: one in an orange suit, one in a pink dress, and one in a lilac suit with shorts. They stand on a stone patio with greenery and trees in the background.
  • Two people dressed in stylish suits, one in navy blue and the other in white and black, hold hands and smile while standing in a lush garden, each holding a drink.
  • A young girl with curly hair and a pink bow stands smiling in a floral dress, resting her arms on the shoulder of a bearded man in glasses and a suit vest, with blurred people and greenery in the background.
  • Two people sit at a table decorated with flowers and bottles. The man on the left smiles and looks amused, while the woman on the right, wearing blue, laughs with her hand covering her face.
  • A group of people dance closely together at a lively indoor party. A woman in a light blue outfit is in the foreground, surrounded by others in colorful dresses and shirts, all enjoying the music.
  • A group of people enthusiastically dancing indoors at a party, dressed in colorful and formal attire, with patterned wallpaper and dim lighting in the background.
  • People dancing at a lively indoor party. A woman in an orange top and striped pants smiles in the foreground, with a man in a light blue suit and a woman in a pink dress behind her. The room is crowded and festively decorated.
  • A woman in a bright pink, puff-sleeved dress dances energetically, partially covering her face with her arm. Other people in formal attire dance around her in a lively, indoor setting.
  • Two women in colorful, elegant dresses dance joyfully at a crowded indoor event. One wears a green floral dress, the other a bright pink dress with puffy sleeves, both smiling and surrounded by other people.
  • Two people joyfully embrace and smile in the center of a crowded room. The group around them is watching, some smiling and taking photos. The setting appears celebratory, with casual and colorful outfits.
  • A group of people dance and smile at a party in a room with floral wallpaper. A woman in a blue dress is in the foreground, while others mingle and enjoy themselves in the background.
  • A group of people dressed formally at a gathering; three boys in white shirts stand at the front, with adults and children in the background against a patterned wallpaper.
  • A person in a black sleeveless top and skirt claps joyfully while dancing in a lively crowd. People around them smile, laugh, and cheer, dressed in colorful and formal attire on a wooden floor.
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What makes The Old Rectory in Hastings a great venue for LGBTQ+ weddings?

The Old Rectory is one of Hastings’ most inclusive venues — intimate, creative and full of personality. Its team are open-minded and welcoming, making it perfect for LGBTQ+ couples who want a relaxed, authentic celebration in a beautiful setting.


Do you photograph same-sex weddings differently?

No — I photograph all weddings with the same candid, human approach. My goal is to capture real connection, emotion and laughter, without posing or stereotypes. Every couple’s story is unique, and that’s what matters most.


Can we both get ready together before the ceremony?

Absolutely. Lee and Syrus did exactly that, and it created some of the most honest, emotional moments of the day. Getting ready together often leads to beautiful, intimate photos that show the calm before everything begins.

What’s special about wedding photography at The Old Rectory, Hastings?

The venue has stunning natural light, elegant interiors and a private garden that’s perfect for relaxed outdoor ceremonies. It feels like a hidden oasis in the middle of Hastings Old Town — great for documentary-style photography.

Do you photograph multicultural or interracial weddings?

Yes — and it’s something I value deeply. Every wedding I shoot celebrates individuality and diversity. Whether your day blends cultures, faiths or traditions, I aim to tell your story with respect and authenticity.

How can we book you for our wedding at The Old Rectory or another Sussex venue?

You can get in touch via my contact page to check availability. I’m based locally in St Leonards-on-Sea and photograph weddings across Sussex, Kent and London — always with a relaxed, documentary approach.

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Looking to have photos like these for your wedding?


I’d love to capture your day with the same relaxed, colourful, documentary style. Whether you’re planning a small gathering or a big party, close to home or further afield, I’ll be there for the laughs, the chaos, and the quiet moments in between.

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