Wedding Photography at De Courceys Manor, Cardiff
Winner of the the ‘Best Wedding Venue East Wales Region‘
at the ‘Welsh Nation Wedding Awards 2019‘.
“Wedding Celebrations You Have Dreamed Of…”
The De Courceys Manor Mission Statement:
De Courceys Manor is dedicated to continually improving the quality of bespoke experiences we can offer our guests, combining the historic quality of a beautiful venue with the highest in modern day hospitality standards, guaranteed by our independent, family-run passion.
I agree with all of that wholeheartedly.
The management and staff at De Courceys care very much that everything is spot-on. From the morning preparations in the Bridal Apartment, they are there to ensure that your big day goes without a hitch right through to the first dance and evening entertainment.
A Great Location for Weddings Just Outside Cardiff
De Courceys Manor is situated very conveniently off the M4 just north of Cardiff and just west of Radyr.
Apart from the motorway running nearby, its location south of the Welsh valleys is mainly rural with plenty of greenery and beautiful countryside.
The venue benefits from the grounds, perfect for the newly-weds to stroll and find locations for their wedding portraits.
Build Your Own>> Bespoke Cardiff Wedding Photography Package
The Bridal Apartment/Pamper & Prep Suite
The Bridal Apartment comes as part of your wedding package and is available to use from the morning preparations. It is somewhere for the couple to retire to at the end of the day.
The venue has just announced their Pamper & Prep Suite featuring luxury accommodation for up to 8 guests, a dedicated space and Hollywood mirrors for hair and make-up, a private garden, and even a hot tub! I look forward to photographing the bridal preparations there at my next wedding at de Courceys.
Being just upstairs from where the guests arrive means that the photographer can move freely between photographing the bride getting ready and the groom greeting the guests – (most probably) enjoying a nerve-steadying drink in the bar.
Guest Accommodation at De Courceys Manor
As well as the Bridal Apartment/Pamper & Prep Suite there are 9 cottages in the grounds (7 double and 2 families) for guests that need to stay overnight.
It’s not a hotel in the traditional sense, so this helps those who live a distance away and guests who want to drink. Breakfast is available the following morning too!
The Function Suites
There are two function suites at De Courceys. Wedding parties may use one or both. I’ve photographed a wedding there that used one suite for the ceremony and meal. The other for the evening entertainment and dancing, minimalising the time needed to transition from the daytime to evening events and works well.
Both suites are beautiful and elegant and perfect for any aspect of your wedding day.
De Courceys Manor Weddings
Useful to Know When Booking Your Wedding:
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- The venue caters comfortably for up to 130 guests.
- When you book the venue, it is yours for the day. You do not have to compete with other events or guests.
- Private tours are arranged by calling the Wedding Team on 029 2089 2232 or emailing enquiries@decourceys.co.uk.
- The De Courceys Manor Website is a wealth of information, and you can download a brochure. That link will take you straight there.
- De Courceys is independently owned and prides itself on a top-notch personal approach and first-class service.
- It was voted ‘The Foodie Venue‘ by Wales Online and appears in Trip Advisor‘s Top 20 Best Restaurants in Wales.
- You can organise a meeting with the Head Chef to personalise your dishes.
- The Manor also caters for anniversaries, birthdays, corporate events and charity dinners.
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Also Consider>> Your Wedding at Manor Parc Hotel.
The Bride’s Entrance
When the time finally comes for the bride to walk down the aisle, the staff will help and guide every step of the way.
A manager comes to collect the bridal party from their suite and escort them through the building to the ceremony room. I like to photograph this procession as it can make a nice sequence in the album… I like sequences of photographs!
The Cardiff Registrars and the Wedding Ceremony
Apart from the signing (see below) the registrars are very amenable and conscious that the couple wants good photo coverage of their day. They are very relaxed and happy for the photographer to move around throughout. The function rooms at De Courceys Manor have plenty of space to change position and take photos from all angles.
I always ask couples’ to slow down during this decisive part of the day. They can be nervous and in a rush to get the rings on and have their first kiss. Don’t be! The longer things take, the more chance the photographer has to take a great selection of images.
Signing the Wedding Register & Photography
There aren’t many parts of the day when photography is restricted, but the signing may be one of them. The Cardiff registrars are strict that no photos all allowed of the signing. Some register offices do allow this, but Cardiff applies the rule with no flexibility.
I think this is a shame as I prefer to capture natural moments, but have to abide by the rules.
There is more on this aspect of the day in Chapter 5 of my Wedding Photography Guide: Signing the Register – Rules and Discretion.
Congratulating the Newly-Weds
There is a tendency for couples to stay near the ceremony room door and greet their guests coming out. I try to prevent this at a beautiful venue such as De Courceys.
In good weather, outside the building is the place for these shots. The light is much better, and the facade makes a lovely backdrop for some wedding congratulations followed by confetti. So I get them outside and allow their guests to filter out and greet them naturally whilst I photograph some often emotional and special moments.
The Wedding Breakfast & Beyond
The couple is traditionally announced at De Courceys as their family and friends stand to receive them. I take photos of the guests at the tables right up until they receive the starter.
At this point, I go for my meal until the speeches but stay on hand in case anything happens worth photographing.
De Courceys Manor Wedding FAQs
Q. WHY GET MARRIED AT DE COURCEYS MANOR?
A. The venue specialises in events – particularly weddings. The management is continually improving what they do, to offer the best bespoke service for couples seeking an opulent venue for their special day. The exterior is beautiful, inside is tasteful and ornate, and the service is second to none. There’s even a Finance option to help you spread the payment and make it more affordable. I wholeheartedly recommend this venue for your wedding day celebrations.
Q. HOW LONG BEFORE OUR WEDDING CEREMONY CAN WE GAIN ACCESS TO THE VENUE?
A. De Courceys serves as an overnight hotel for you and your guests. As it isn’t a hotel in the traditional sense, there are no other guests except for your friends and family. The staff and wedding coordinator are always on hand for any last-minute queries, so you effectively have the venue from the day before.
Q. IS PHOTOGRAPHY ALLOWED OF OUR WEDDING CEREMONY AND VOWS?
A. Your wedding ceremony will be conducted by Cardiff Register Office. I have photographed Cardiff weddings many times and find the registrars helpful and keen to help the photographer gain the best shots. Their only restriction is that they don’t allow photography of register signing, which is common. They set up a ‘dummy’ register afterwards for some posed shots.
Q. IS CONFETTI ALLOWED AFTERWARDS FOR A NICE SEQUENCE OF PHOTOS?
A. The venue does allow confetti on the red carpet outside as the couple exit the building. There is no time limit for this and the posed shots as there is plenty of time between the ceremony and meal.
Q. WHAT IS THE LIGHT LIKE FOR PHOTOGRAPHY INSIDE THE VENUE?
A. The light varies throughout the venue. The ceremony room has good artificial lighting and windows to the front and one side, although these are blocked slightly by the window drapes. A good professional photographer will have no problem taking decent shots, whatever the lighting.
De Courceys Manor,
Tyla Morris Avenue,
Pentyrch,
CF15 9QN.