Castell Coch Wedding Photographer

Their happiness is evident as the newly-weds pose with Castell Coch in the background just before their departure.

The large castle doors give a good indication of what’s to come and make an impressive entrance for the bride and groom. I took this portrait after their wedding on the way out.

The newly-weds pose in the courtyard: I went wide to show off the neo-Gothic architecture.

I photographed this around the side of the venue where the light is generally good. Sometimes I ask the couple to dance, and here I caught the newlyweds mid-dance in a loving embrace.  Their expressions encapsulate all that a wedding day should be about, and your photographer should strive to capture this natural happiness.

What superb timing: Just before Kris and Chell’s departure, I took this portrait of their wedding party as the sun was disappearing around the back of Castell Coch.

The bride’s arrival: Laura is pretty as a picture as she arrives in the car park. Fforest Fawr provides the greenery in the background.

Bride and step-father pose in front of the ‘drawbridge’. The castle makes an imposing backdrop at the beginning of the day.

As the bride Libby makes her way across the drawbridge, her father takes time to admire his daughter.

I took this wide photo of the marriage ceremony: It shows the width of Castell Coch’s Drawing Room to the back, where the couple makes their entrance.

When I took this festive portrait of Sam and Neil with their daughter, it was Christmastime… obviously!

The few minutes before the ceremony is the perfect time for intimate family shots of loved ones interacting. The love between young and old in this portrait is very apparent.

A natural shot as I capture someone else taking the photos – I embrace guest photography, and couple’s daughter adds to this one’s fun.

A religious touch: The Madonna and child look down upon all that enter Castell Coch. As she entered the building, I asked Laura to turn and went wide to take this photograph.

I nipped ahead as they enter through the doors of the gatehouse. You can see the faux-portcullis hanging above.

This image completes the sequence of the bride’s procession into Castell Coch to wed her groom. I need to try to capture this, and I always advise couples’ to take their time to allow for photography.

The sort of shot that your wedding photographer should strive to capture: Julie and Tony arrived together, and as they waited to enter the drawing-room, I frame them through two sets of doors looking out into the entrance hall.

Socially-distanced, but no less lovely an occasion: This wide overview shot shows the detail around the room’s back.

From the groom’s perspective: Generally, the groom already waits in the Drawing Room for his bride to join him. Jason looks strangely relaxed here. Not many bridegrooms are!

Chell had her wedding under COVID-19 restrictions – hence her masked father escorting her into the Drawing Room!

In similar circumstances, Libby makes her entrance.

I love the look that Laura gives the camera here as she approaches her waiting groom.

A loving look between the couple on the bride’s arrival at the ‘altar’ provides an expressive photograph.

A photograph from the back of the Drawing Room: I try to take lots of different angles and variations to vary the selection of photographs.

One of the Cardiff registrars gives the first reading. The mural on the wall in the background depicts some of Aesop’s Fables.

At Sam and Neil’s wedding, their daughter gave a reading to make the ceremony even more special.

Nice and wide, this portrait orientated shot shows off some of the ornate vaulted ceiling and chandelier.

An old tradition is upheld as the bride’s father gives her away.

The rings’ sequence is one of the most important parts of the day to photograph.

A moment later and the ring’s on her finger: This and the previous photo are largely the same, but demonstrate the different feel that colour gives instead of black and white. Most couples that book me as their wedding photographer like both.

This photograph facing the Drawing Room’s front shows the Three Fates looking down on the marriage ceremony.

I threw this wide to include a masked registrar writing at the side.

The fireplace provided a stunning background for their first kiss.

My very first signing of the schedule was of Ashlinn and Chris at Castell Coch, taken just 2 days after the register went online.

The newlyweds pose with the now defunct ‘dummy’ register. Not the official signing, but the next best thing when photography of the signing wasn’t allowed.

The aisle at Castell Coch is only short, so do take your time when walking back down it as husband and wife.

I take sequences of photographs at various points throughout the day. Their exit from the Drawing Room is an ideal time to do this…

…and as they walk through the Banqueting Hall

The staff at Castell Coch are generous with time. On the way out, they allow the taking of portraits in the Banquet Hall if required.

The ornate windows embrasures and seats in the Banqueting Hall are ideal for post-ceremony shots such as this.

Stepping outside into the fresh Welsh woodland air: The light changes again from inside to outside, and I ask the couple to pause for a few seconds before exiting the building to enable me to set up the camera for daylight.

The directional light is impressive in the courtyard and illuminates the couple’s descent down the stone staircase well.

A natural loving shot post-ceremony.

The love between the groom and his brother is undeniable in this image. The wide-angle shows the bride looking on as well as some of the courtyard’s architecture.

An exuberant guest hugs the groom:  It seemed to work better in black and white although I’m not sure why!

This natural moment worked best in colour. The bride’s sister is all smiles as they hug — a beautifully emotive shot to capture.

Nothing is off-limits as I use the time to capture everything that is going on – including selfie shots.

Libby didn’t throw her bouquet but handed it to a friend, which seemed to concern her boyfriend in the background somewhat.

I try to make the posed group shots fun and end up with a selection of shots that says a lot about those present.

This one was their idea, not mine!

It’s lovely to photograph some individual portraits too. I spotted Laura standing alone and took advantage of the situation.

The silly shots are often the most memorable. Laura’s step-father gave her a funny kiss. I used the unusual composition to emphasise the silliness!

Now, this wide portrait shows the stairway up to the Banqueting Hall and Drawing Room. You can see the door to the hall at the top of the stairs.

The alcoves here provide interest to this otherwise straight group portrait.

A waving shot of the whole wedding party taken from Castell Coch’s balustrade.

Another spot for a shot of the whole wedding party also shows a broader view of Castell Coch.

From the other side and in portrait orientation, this group photograph shows some of the building’s architecture and scale. Happily, the scaffolding is now gone.

Up on the balustrade there is some lovely muted directional light, so I used it to take this portrait of the whole wedding party.

Confetti is not allowed at Castell Coch, but blowing bubbles has become a popular alternative. The great directional light highlights the bubbles well and makes for an excellent sequence in the finished album.

I took this photo shooting upwards from the courtyard. The Christmas decorations added a nice touch.

Black and white gives a timeless quality to wedding portraits.

Back outside the castle, this time together as husband and wife.

Careful now! The gaps in the wood on the drawbridge can be tricky for those wearing heels to negotiate.

There’s no finer place for a group wedding portrait than with Castell Coch’s imposing presence in the background.

A natural shot as they were preparing to dance. I exaggerated the amazingly vibrant colours in the edit to give a striking portrait.

Deeper in Fforest Fawr I went wide. The black and white highlights the textures and light well.

This one is of the newly wedded couple entering the forest. The light behind the couple is from the car park outside Castell Coch.

Descending the drawbridge – the splendour of the castle towering above them.

And Finally… I’ve no idea who the pointing lady on the right was, but I included her to this portrait for a bit of fun!