Simon Blackley, images of people

Deep in conversation at a private party

A COVID wedding – her parents were unable to travel from their home abroad, and participated in the ceremony via WhatsApp.

Relaxed wedding couple in the salle de mariage at Schaerbeek’s maison communale

At this wedding party, all the guests received a present. But what’s inside the box?

A truly joyful occasion at Brussels’ Hôtel de Ville.

Family baptism

Just married! On the balcony of Brussels’ Hôtel de Ville.

I had a lot of fun with these young women for this ‘enterrement de vie de jeune femme’ (EVJF). We explored the centre of Brussels together and found some good locations to shoot.

Due to Covid restrictions, only eight people were present at this wedding. There was something especially moving about the small ceremony.

After the ceremony, we made a special trip to the Palais de Justice to make photographs of the newly-weds.

Dancers resting, Brussels

For this wedding I did two entire sets of group photos – the first in front of the maison communale and then here in the gardens of the restaurant where the reception was held.

Animated discussions at a private party in Brussels

The rain had stopped by the time the wedding ceremony at the magnificent Château du Karreveld was finished, and we were able to make some lovely images in the grounds.

Civil wedding ceremony in the grandeur of Brussels’ Hôtel de Ville.

Between the wedding and the reception, we shot a series of portraits of the bridal couple.

An Orthodox christening. These are elaborate and beautiful ceremonies. I love the way the little girls are looking on.

A civil wedding ceremony at the maison communale of Ixelles

A wide-angle lens places the bridal couple in the grandeur of Brussels’ magnificent 18th-century Hôtel de Ville.

Releasing balloons at the wedding reception

The civil ceremony in Schaerbeek town hall. Afterwards, we all walked the half-mile to the church for the religious service, and then on by car to the wedding party…

Encouragement for the bridegroom. Weddings offer lots of opportunities to capture moments of emotion and humour, just as important as formal group shots.

Candid portrait of a pretty wedding guest.