Supplier Spotlight: Andrew Miller Photography
Time to grab a cuppa, get comfy, and settle in for our latest Supplier Spotlight — our go-to space where we interview the nation's favourite wedding suppliers to bring you all the best styling tips, hacks and insider advice for your big day.
In the hot seat today is Andrew Miller — world's most handsome Jaffa Cake-eating, Bon Jovi-loving, weak-tea-drinking wedding photographer.
Katie, Editor
So, who is behind Andrew Miller Photography?
Andrew Miller — world's most handsome Jaffa Cake-eating, Bon Jovi-loving, weak-tea-drinking wedding photographer.
Q: Katie: To kick things off, give us the quick headlines so our readers know exactly who you are and the magic you create!
A: I'm the world's most handsome Jaffa Cake eating, Bon Jovi loving, weak tea drinking (decaf Yorkshire please), braid wearing wedding photographer in the world.
Q: Katie: Where are you based, how far do you travel, and what are your favourite kinds of spaces to work with?
A: I live in South Wales but travel the UK in my self-built campervan. I don't really have favourite venues — I love all of them for different reasons. The ones I love working at are the ones that celebrate the openness and inclusivity of weddings and aren't overly strict about allowing the couple to do what they want, how they want it. Many venues operate with a 'We always do it this way' attitude — think venues doing 300 weddings a year — and that's restrictive and boundary-driven. That's not my vibe.
Behind the Designs
Q: Katie: How did you find your way into the wedding world, and what was the moment you realised this was your calling?
A: Oh… TL;DR! Twelve years in military intelligence (oxymoron, I know!) finishing in HumInt — basically spying. I did my photography degree whilst in the military. Left 26 years ago, shot weddings for beer and worked as a Business Psychologist until the financial crash in 2007/2008. Then I started charging full prices for full days of wedding photography and I've never had a year where I haven't been fully booked.
Q: Katie: What is the core philosophy, style, and value system that defines your work today?
A: I'm not into A-type couples or pixel-perfect Instagram weddings — never have been. I'm neurodivergent and love working in that space and with similar people. I'm part wedding photographer, part event manager and part stand-up comedian — although somehow I still find time to take ridiculously good photos. I'll turn up with cameras, sarcasm, questionable jokes and probably weak decaf Yorkshire Tea, then deliver your wedding gallery before your honeymoon tan fades — usually within a week. Couples who 'hate having their photo taken' suddenly end up looking like they've been secretly modelling for Vogue for years.
Q: Katie: Describe your 'dream couple' — the people that make you instantly say, 'Yes, I absolutely need to work with them!'
A: If I meet a couple with zero sense of sarcastic humour, it's an immediate no. My perfect couple will have an understanding of LOTR, The Hobbit and the Silmarillion. Terry Pratchett lovers, D&D freaks and people who won't be fazed when I say 'always make sure you have a towel with you.' They'll be Whovians, Trekkies and May the 4th Lovers. I'm a neurodivergent geeky nerd and love couples who want to be different and do things the way THEY want.
“I’ll turn up with cameras, sarcasm, questionable jokes and probably weak decaf Yorkshire Tea, then deliver your wedding gallery before your honeymoon tan fades — usually within a week. Couples who ‘hate having their photo taken’ suddenly end up looking like they’ve been secretly modelling for Vogue for years.”
Trends & Expert Secrets
Q: Katie: What is the most unique or wonderfully memorable wedding you've ever been a part of?
A: Twenty years doing this, 1,000 weddings — that's a tough one. Weddings are exactly the same: two people in love get married. Yet every wedding is totally different because, well, people! I enjoy weddings where I can let my personality loose, where I can join in — dress up as The Witcher, for instance — and people appreciate me for being me. Over those 20 years I've had so many experiences like this it's impossible to pick just one.
Q: Katie: What exciting new patterns and directions are you noticing right now?
A: I'm noticing more weddings are non-traditional. Many more celebrant-led weddings (YES!), with couples bringing their subcultures into their day — cosplayers, LARPers and so on are not afraid to be out there and enjoy the wedding they want, with the friendship groups they have.
Q: Katie: What would you love to see more UK couples embrace?
A: The UK Parliament gets off its backside and finally updates the Marriage Act to allow celebrants to conduct the legal service as well as the more traditional celebrant stuff. That will rock the industry's world. Imagine getting married on a mountaintop in North Wales dressed as 7th century Vikings and being able to do it legally! I'd love to finish my almost 20-year career in the wedding industry by legally marrying couples like this.
Q: Katie: What insider advice would you give couples planning their wedding?
A: Don't get into debt — it's not worth it. That average cost of £30k for a wedding is better spent on a house deposit or an ISA. Think small, think intimate, think lifetime memories over long-term debt. Best advice — apply for an interest-free credit card and whatever the limit comes back as, that's your budget!
“Think small, think intimate, think lifetime memories over long-term debt. Best advice — apply for an interest-free credit card and whatever the limit comes back as, that’s your budget!”
The Wedding Journey & Meaning
Q: Katie: When a couple books you, what does that journey look like from start to finish?
A: I insist on meeting — preferably face to face, but online if not. I'm not overly bothered about the wedding itself. I want to know about them: what they do, how many kids they have, what they like and dislike, their sense of humour, and how they make my tea. The tea, by the way, is such a deal-breaker I have a playlist on my YouTube channel devoted to how I like it! One of my tea videos on Instagram has 1.3 million views and almost 1,000 comments. Booking me is more than booking a wedding photographer — it's booking a person who makes the whole wedding day experience fun, enjoyable and less anxious.
Q: Katie: What is one old-school wedding tradition you're secretly glad modern couples are ditching?
A: I've never been an Instagram-type wedding photographer anyway, but I'm also seeing more and more couples have mixed squads — ladies in the Groom's Gang and guys in the Bride Tribe. I love that.
Q: Katie: When you're off-the-clock, where can we find you?
A: If you can get there, you'll find me on a remote mountaintop in a tent. Cadair Idris is my number one go-to, but there are also spots around South Wales and the Peak District I love. I like the solitude and openness of being by myself and getting my head straight again.
“I’m also seeing more and more couples have mixed squads — ladies in the Groom’s Gang and guys in the Bride Tribe. I love that.”
Stalk Their Work…
Andrew's website is basically written to scare away people he won't get on with: Website: www.andrew-miller.co.uk