so you're having a weddind at the Old Market! Here's the low down on everything you need to know
Why choose The Old Market for your wedding
If you’re looking for a wedding venue with a bit of edge, a bit of history, and a lot more personality than your average beige function room situation, The Old Market in Hove is a seriously good shout. It’s a proper independent arts venue, so it already has that “something’s about to happen” energy before you’ve even added flowers, outfits, music or a room full of your favourite people.
As a wedding photographer at The Old Market, this is exactly the kind of venue I love. It has atmosphere built into it from the get go, with space for big moments, chaotic fun, and all the little in-between bits that make a wedding feel real. An absolute gem for your wedding reception.
Spaces you can use at The Old Market
The Main House is the big one. It’s flexible enough for dinner, speeches, music, dancing and a proper party atmosphere. Because it’s a performance space, your speeches, first dance, band or DJ can feel like a real stage moment, not just something squeezed into the corner of a function room.
TOM’s Bar is perfect for drinks, chatting with mates and a relaxed guest hangout. You could even set up a little video game corner here for guests who fancy a Mario Kart break between drinks and the dancing.
There’s also the Waterloo Room, which works really well as a tucked-away extra space. So versatile and can be used for a chill-out room, photo corner, catering space, or even a dress-up/props room where guests can add a bit of glitter and sparkle, bringing their theatre kid energy.
Why it’s great for wedding photography
The Old Market has loads of atmosphere, which makes it a dream for documentary-style wedding photography. You’ve got stage lighting, bar scenes, big reactions, speeches on stage, guests moving between rooms and all those little surprise moments happening everywhere.
As a wedding photographer at The Old Market, I’d always be on the hunt for the real stuff, the nervous hand squeezes, the laughs between throwing shapes on the dancefloor, the slightly chaotic bar chats with shots flowing, and the quiet moments that make the day feel properly yours.
Perfect for couples who want something different
The Old Market is ideal for couples who want a wedding that feels fun, creative and a bit less traditional. You can have speeches on the stage, live music, a DJ set that feels like a gig, games in the bar, dressing-up in the back and a dancefloor with proper end-of-the-night energy.
Spots for Couple Portraits Around The Old Market
The Old Market is in a brilliant spot for couple portraits, with loads of Brighton/Hove vibes close by. You don’t need to disappear for an eternity either, just a little wander and you’ve got plenty of options
★ Brighton Bandstand A true icon, and beautiful for portraits (if it’s available and not being used for another ceremony).
★ Hove Lawns and beach huts Perfect for colourful, relaxed portraits with that proper seaside feel. Breeze in your hair, pops of that Brighton colour, can’t go wrong.
★ The Seafront Waves crashing, salty air and swooping seagulls. Some of the most beautiful portraits are captured on these Brighton pebbles.
★ Brunswick Square Beautiful Regency architecture, leafy corners and a slightly more elegant feel if you want something classic.
★ Regency streets nearby Great for clean, stylish portraits with those Brighton/Hove townhouse backdrops, pastel doors and city vibes.
★ West Pier Great for a more dramatic backdrop, especially around golden hour or moody skies.
Top Tips for your Old Market Wedding
★ Make the most of the stage
The Old Market isn’t your standard wedding venue, so lean into its quirks. Use the stage for speeches, live music, your first dance, a DJ set, or even a little surprise performance if that’s very you.
★ Think about the flow between spaces
You’ve got the Main House, TOM’s Bar and extra spaces like the Waterloo Room, so plan how guests will move through the day. Drinks in the bar, dinner and speeches in the main space, games or dress-up bits tucked away elsewhere.
★ Use the bar as a fun guest hangout
TOM’s Bar is perfect for more than just drinks. You could add video games, a guest book station, a film camera table, or somewhere for people to chill between dancefloor mayhem.
★ Use the backstage/back-room areas creatively
If you have access to tucked-away spaces, they can be great for a dress-up room, props corner, quiet space, supplier storage, or somewhere to sneak away for five minutes when the day gets beautifully loud.
★ Chat through lighting with your photographer
The stage lighting and darker interiors can look amazing, but they need someone comfortable with low light, flash and fast-moving party moments. As an Old Market wedding photographer, I’d be looking at how to keep the atmosphere while still capturing all the real colour and energy.
★ Plan your couple portraits nearby
You’re in a great part of Hove for quick portraits without disappearing for ages. Brighton Bandstand, Hove Lawns, the beach huts, West Pier, Brunswick Square, the seafront and nearby side streets are all close enough for a relaxed little wander.
★ If you’re looking for a relaxed wedding photographer at The Old Market Brighton, I’d love to capture the colour, chaos and character of your day.
Getting married at The Old Market? I’d love to photograph it.
If The Old Market is your kind of venue, I’m guessing you’re probably not after stiff, awkward wedding photos either. My approach is relaxed, colourful and documentary-led, capturing the real feeling of the day without turning it into a photoshoot.
You can see more about my Brighton wedding photography here.
Get in touch
Life is built up of many small and wonderful occurrences that will go unnoticed, and it gives me great joy to record these.
© rozewin photography