Thoughts from the Jewellery Quarter

Wedding Advice & Inspiration

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The stuff I wish I knew before my wedding.

Planning a wedding can feel overwhelming, especially if you want something that actually feels like you.

Here you’ll find real advice, tips, and stories from weddings across Birmingham and the West Midlands. The kind of insight that helps you make decisions, avoid stress, and enjoy the process a bit more.

Have a scroll. Steal the best ideas. Build a day that feels like you.

a picture of two grooms holding hands next to the test 'what it means to be a queer-friendly wedding photographer'

What it actually means to be a queer-friendly wedding photographer

Hate having your photo taken? You're not camera-shy - you're performance-shy.

Advice for camera-shy couples on wedding photos and overcoming photo anxiety.

What to Do If You Hate Having Your Photo Taken

Hate having your photo taken? You're not camera-shy - you're performance-shy.

Elegant wedding portrait of Maria and Styles smiling outdoors, capturing love and happiness on their.

Getting Married at Dudley Registry Office

A relaxed Dudley Registry Office wedding with rain, real moments, and portraits in Priory Park. Plus honest tips for planning your own day.

Engagement ring close-up with hands, showcasing detailed jewelry and elegant setting.

How to Buy an Engagement Ring in Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter

Buying an engagement ring in Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter can feel overwhelming, especially if you’re doing it solo. I sat down with a local engagement ring specialist for advice on how to do it.

Romantic couple portrait capturing love and connection, perfect for engagement or wedding photograph.

How to Propose

If you’re Googling how to propose and panicking slightly, this is for you. Ten real engagement stories that prove chaos is part of the magic.

Wookey Hole cave adventure featuring Andy, Dan, and a robot in a dark cave setting.

A Wookey Hole Wedding – Gloriously Geeky Cave Adventures

A Wookey Hole wedding like no other. From candlelit caves and sci-fi legends to heartfelt moments and unapologetically geeky joy, this is what happens when atmosphere meets authenticity.

Manchester couple Fio and Georgia sharing joyful moment outdoors, celebrating love and transition.

Love, Laughter and Transition – Fio and Georgia in Manchester

A warm, honest portrait session celebrating writer Fio Trethewey, his journey as a trans man, and his anniversary with Georgia Cook. Honoured is not the word...

Winter wedding planning tips with a bride and two grooms in a snowy themed background.

Winter Weddings in Birmingham

Winter weddings sound dreamy, romantic and picture-perfect. But let's face it. This is the West Midlands. Have some hints and tips about how to nail them without freezing your arse off.

Romantic wedding photo of Emily and Sim in Wiltshire, capturing faith, love, and dancing.

Emily and Sim at Barford Park Barn

Emily and Sim’s wedding was a joyful whirlwind of heartfelt vows, handcrafted details, and ceilidh dancing at Barford Park Barn. From church tears to rustic charm and Time Lord surprises, this celebration was full of love, laughter, and geeky goodness.

Tips and tricks for creating engaging and professional photos in studio environments.

5 ways to prepare for a comic con photo shoot

Meeting your heroes can be hard. You've spent a lot of money on a photo studio ticket - and you've seconds to make your mark. Here are five tips to help you calm your nerves and make the most of a brilliant once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Five wedding tips no one tells you… but should!

Wedding! Yay! Planning! Eurgh! Don’t stress. Grab all the advice you can. Start with these fab five wedding tips. And a coffee.

Professional wedding portrait of Dani and Stu outdoors by the river in Derby, UK, capturing their sp.

Derby Wedding: Dani and Stu’s Low-Key Love Story with Sci-Fi Charm

A low-key proposal turned into an epic celebration across two cities with a sci-fi twist.

Queer wedding photography with two grooms under a rainbow umbrella, vibrant background, celebrating.

How to choose a photographer for your queer wedding

Planning a wedding is hard! But especially so if you're in the LGBTQ+ Community. How can you be sure your photographer 'gets' you - and you know you can be yourself on an emotional day. Here are seven tips I wish I knew when I got married.