This past weekend, on the 2nd of August, I travelled up to Carno to capture the wedding of Leanne Jerman & Sam Griffiths.  As I was driving there, it was absolutely pouring down with rain and I prepared myself for a good challenging day!

When I arrived at the family home, Leanne and all the girls were casually getting ready, most of the hair and make-up already done – I was mightily impressed!  One thing I had been wondering about on the way to Hendre Fach, was what prank would have been played on the bride-to-be, which is the custom among the YFC!  Leanne feared for her cat’s safety and she was right to…Apparently some stealthy young farmers came into her house while she was out and sprayed the cat blue!  I only wish I could have seen the cat to document it.

The morning went by without a hitch and before we knew it, it was time to get to the Chapel – which was just down the bottom of their lane (handy!).  By this point, the skies had cleared and the sun was out and it behaved itself for the rest of the afternoon while we were outside doing all the photos – YAY!

The ceremony was packed with friends and family, but there was a balcony I could escape up to in order to see.  Leanne and Sam had two lovely Vicars to take them through their wedding ceremony.  I thought it was really sweet that the elderly Vicar, whom the families had all grown up with, made sure that he was a part of marrying Leanne & Sam, despite his age and frailty.  This must have meant a lot to all of them.  It was also very moving when a friend of Leanne’s closed the ceremony with a beautiful bit of opera.

I think my favourite part of the day was listening to the speeches – you know they’re good when your cheeks are aching from laughing so much.  Not only did they have 5 arranged speeches but others then added their own afterwards – it was clear this Carno couple are well loved!  There were so many fantastic things about this wedding though.  All the decor that Leanne created herself was amazing!  I loved that they had so many children there (two of them were their nieces all the way from Australia) as you will see, the little tinkers certainly made for some amusing shots!  It really felt like I was standing amidst a very loving and close-knit community – something that is quite rare these days.

Leanne, I thought you looked absolutely stunning, and Sam you looked pretty dapper too, but most of all it’s clear you guys are an awesome couple!  Thank you for having me as your photographer and I wish you a very happy future as Mr & Mrs Griffiths!

 

 

On the 7th of June I woke up to the rumblings of thunder and heavy rain on my window and my heart sank.  I have shot weddings in rain before now and it has worked out really well, looked very atmospheric, but it does certainly put me into a nervous disposition!  I worry more so for the reaction of the bride, groom and other guests – their cheerfulness, despite bad weather, is what makes for good photos – but that isn’t always available if it’s bucketing down and they’re cold!

So I went to Little Hay Farm in Lichfield, where the Bride-to-be was casually getting ready.  She seemed absolutely unfazed by the rain, I was so relieved!  Kate is an outdoor girl for sure.  She had already been up and out to feed her horses and her mum was pottering around in her slacks doing chores.  What a laid back group of ladies!

The ceremony was at 2pm at Packington Moor in Lichfield, Staffordshire.  An absolutely beautiful venue.  By the time we got there it had stopped raining and as we were sailing through the vows, low and behold, the sun came out!  And despite what the weatherman said (more showers, thunder & lightning) the sunshine and blue skies stayed with us for the rest of the day!

Anyway, I should stop being so British in just talking about the weather… after the ceremony ended, we all flocked outside where drinks and canapes were had and which filled the air with delicious aroma!  They had a fantastic solo singer and guitarist playing at that time as well, it just made such a delightful atmosphere.

Taking photos of Paul the Groom and his Groomsmen was very funny.  Paul No.2 (Paul the Groom’s Best Man) had the idea of ‘Ape to Man’ – certain positions were not the easiest for certain ones to get into without splitting ones trousers.  However, it was achieved without any tears!

The Bridal party and her fellow horse riding friends were just as much up for a laugh with the photos.  I found a large stack of hay bales and a ladder.  It didn’t take really any convincing before they were all up there!

As for Paul and Kate, they were such good sports.  They even donned their wellies and trudged through mud in order to get into the field (I hope you think it was worth it!).  I personally love that shot.  To be honest, they were so easy to photograph being such a handsome couple!  It was a pleasure to do their photos.

All in all the wedding was a wonderful one.  The decor was stunning, for which a big congrats goes to Sonia their talented Bridesmaid.  The gorgeous wedding cake you will see below was made by Paul’s mum too!

Paul and Kate, I wish you every happiness in your marriage together.  You are a wonderful couple and it really shows that you’re best friends as well – how beautiful!

 

I travelled up into the breathtaking countryside of Llangedwyn, Oswestry in Wales to shoot the wedding of Pauline & Richard.  On the 12th of April I arrived at this rather stunning Country House called Plas Uchaf where the bride was getting ready and the ceremony was going to take place later that afternoon.

When I entered the bridal suite, Pauline was surrounded by her doting bridesmaids made up of her three closest friends, her soon to be step daughter and her own little daughter Ellie.  My favourite part of that morning was capturing the reaction of her three children seeing their mum in her gorgeous wedding dress as she invited them in to the room one by one.  Ellie, bless her cottons, burst into tears…in a good way!

During the course of the morning, I also had chance to pop up to Rhoslan – the family farm where the reception was to take place – where Richard was getting ready and, of course, feeding the animals!

The ceremony was a wonderfully intimate affair with less than 40 fitting into the main hall.  Pauline, following her bridesmaids, came down the staircase to meet Richard and become his wife.

The reception was held on Pauline’s family farm.  Sat cosily in the yard, between the house and the cattle, the marquee was beautifully decorated and the unique centre pieces for the tables were a great idea – Wellie Vases!  I love the feel of a wedding when it’s held in a location of great attachment to the couple.  Things seem so relaxed and homely.  There was a lot of love in the atmosphere anyway!

All the women were asked to bring wellies to don for the ladies group shot and being in the hub of the farming community, they all came fully equipped and raring to flash their fancy footwear!  They were all such good fun!

There was so much laughter throughout the day.  Pauline was one of the most happy brides to be around and anyone who sees Pauline and Richard together can immediately tell their love for one another- they’re such a delightful couple!  I wish you both all the best in married life together!