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Welcome to my Blog.

A place where I share all of the Wedding Planning Tips and Tricks I have learned from 12+ years in the industry.

If you have any questions, drop me a message! 


Some wedding venues make you stop and look up. Bristol Harbour Hotel had me doing that for longer than was probably socially acceptable.


I joined Louis and Kerrie there last week to photograph their wedding, and the ceremony space took me completely by surprise. If you’re planning a wedding in Bristol, this place gives you plenty to get excited about.

Three men in tuxedos share a joyful moment at an elegant wedding venue with grand architecture.
Groom in black tuxedo shares emotional moment with young boy at wedding ceremony, guests watching in background.
Four groomsmen in black tuxedos with bow ties stand together outdoors at an elegant wedding venue.
Four groomsmen in black tuxedos with bow ties laughing together in an elegant wedding venue.
Two flower girls walk down an outdoor wedding aisle lined with candles and rose petals at an elegant venue.
Bridesmaids in black dresses walk down an aisle at an elegant outdoor wedding ceremony with floral decor.
Two grooms in black tuxedos share a joyful moment at their elegant wedding venue with ornate architecture.
Groom watches bride walk down the aisle at an elegant outdoor wedding ceremony with rose petals.

Huge pillars adorned with statues draw your eyes upwards to an enormous glass ceiling, filling the room with daylight. The scale is incredible, the lighting is beautiful, and the whole space feels made for a wedding ceremony.


As a wedding photographer, a room full of natural light is a fairly good way to make me happy. Throw in architecture like this and you’ll have to forgive me for getting a bit carried away.


A Colourful Wedding at Bristol Harbour Hotel


Louis and Kerrie shared their day with around 80 friends and family, surrounded by so much colour. I loved it. Against the venue’s grand architecture, it brought a lovely sense of personality and celebration to the day.


I’ve photographed more than 100 weddings since 2012, and walking into a venue that makes me stop in my tracks still feels special. Bristol Harbour Hotel certainly managed that.


For all the impressive details around them, the day belonged to Louis and Kerrie and the people they’d brought together. A beautiful wedding venue gives you a fantastic backdrop. The people give you the photographs that matter.


That’s what I love about natural, relaxed wedding photography: capturing the atmosphere and the people who make each celebration its own.

Bride walks down the aisle with her father in an elegant wedding ceremony held in a grand classical venue.
Father walks bride down the aisle at elegant outdoor wedding ceremony, groom awaiting at altar.
Bride and groom seated at wedding table while officiant and guest speaker address them in elegant outdoor venue.
Elegant wedding ceremony in a grand neoclassical hall with tall columns, ornate ceiling, and guests seated along a rose petal aisle.
Bride smiling joyfully at groom during wedding ceremony in elegant grand hall venue.
Groom laughing joyfully during wedding ceremony while holding brides hands in elegant venue.
Groom places wedding ring on brides finger during elegant ceremony, officiant watching, guests seated in ornate venue.
Bride and groom exchange vows at elegant indoor wedding ceremony with guests seated in background.
Bride reads vows to groom in black tuxedo during elegant wedding ceremony with guests applauding in grand venue.
Bride and groom share first kiss at altar during wedding ceremony with applauding guests in ornate ballroom.
Crowd of elegantly dressed guests gathered outside the historic Harbour Hotel entrance on a sunny day.
Wedding party posing on steps of elegant stone building, bride and groom surrounded by guests in black formal attire.
Wedding party poses on stone steps, bride and groom flanked by bridesmaids in black gowns and two flower girls in white.
Wedding party posing on steps of elegant stone building, bride in white gown with groom and groomsmen in tuxedos.

Evening Wedding Portraits with White Wall


In the evening, I provided my White Wall portrait service, giving guests the chance to step in front of the camera for a proper portrait in their wedding finery.


Everyone had already made the effort to dress up. It seemed only fair to give them photographic evidence.


White Wall keeps things simple: a clean white backdrop, beautiful lighting and space for personalities to come through. It’s a lovely addition to an evening wedding reception, giving couples, friends and family a photograph of themselves looking rather good.


Louis and Kerrie’s guests loved it, and I loved bringing another element to their wedding photography.

Smiling bald senior man with gray beard wearing black tuxedo with bow tie and watch, posing against white background.
An older couple in blue outfits share a warm embrace, smiling joyfully against a white background.
A smiling couple poses together, man in blue vest and tie, woman in yellow floral dress, against white background.
Three smiling women posing together at a formal event, wearing elegant dresses against a white background.
Two women smiling together, one in a blue dress and one in a white lace wedding gown, posing for a bridal photo.
Smiling older Black woman with gray hair wearing a blue wave-print dress, posing against a white background.
A smiling man in a blue shirt and tie poses with a woman in a floral blue dress against a white background.
Woman in leopard print wrap dress smiling and gesturing with hands against white background.
A smiling man in a blue shirt and tie poses with a blonde woman in a navy dress against a white background.
A smiling couple poses together, woman in green dress and man in beige suit, against a white background.

Looking for a Wedding Photographer in Bristol?


If you’re getting married at Bristol Harbour Hotel, or planning a wedding elsewhere in Bristol, I’d love to hear what you’ve got in mind.


I’m a West Midlands wedding photographer based in Wolverhampton, photographing weddings across the West Midlands, Staffordshire, Shropshire and further afield, including Bristol. My approach is relaxed and natural, with room for beautiful portraits and plenty of time for you to enjoy your day.


Get in touch through Matthew Smart Photography to check your wedding date and tell me about your plans.


Louis and Kerrie, thank you for having me along. What a setting, what a celebration, and what a lovely day to be part of.

Quick answers for couples searching online

Do you photograph weddings at Bristol Harbour Hotel?

Yes! I photographed Louis and Kerrie’s colourful wedding at Bristol Harbour Hotel. Its huge pillars, statues and glass ceiling make a beautiful backdrop for wedding photography.


Where are you based, and do you travel?

I’m a wedding photographer based in Wolverhampton, covering the West Midlands, Staffordshire and Shropshire. I travel further afield too, including Bristol.


What’s your wedding photography style?

Natural, relaxed and full of personality. I capture the atmosphere, the people and the moments you might miss, with time for beautiful portraits without taking over your day.


We feel awkward in front of the camera. Can you help?

Yes. You don’t need to know how to pose. I’ll give you simple guidance and keep things relaxed, so you can spend less time worrying about the camera and more time enjoying yourselves.


Can we have White Wall portraits at our wedding?

Yes! My White Wall portrait service gives your guests the chance to have a beautifully lit portrait against a clean white backdrop. Everyone’s dressed up, so let’s make the most of it.



How do we check your availability?

Get in touch with your wedding date and venue. I’ll let you know whether I’m available, talk you through the photography options and answer your questions.


 

 

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