Wedding Photography at Insole Court, Cardiff
**I’m taking bookings for weddings at this venue for 2026-27 now!**
Insole Court houses the wedding branch of Cardiff Register Office and is a beautiful venue for your marriage.
Insole Court & Cardiff Register Office Wedding Photographer
I love photographing weddings at Insole Court. It has something for everyone, and every time I visit, I discover something new.
I have photographed weddings for 16 years and documented marriages for nearly 600 couples. But Insole Court is a relatively new discovery to me. Its beautiful interiors and expansive Victorian gardens make this a fantastic backdrop for your wedding day. It’s an absolute joy for me to photograph, and for couples to enjoy their wedding ceremony and evening celebrations, too.
Insole Court is located in the beautiful Llandaff district of Cardiff and is easily accessible by public transport, with the M4 motorway close by.
A group photo on the steps following the wedding ceremony. It shows everyone present, with the house in the background providing good context for the image.
For short weddings, I arrive about 20-30 minutes before your ceremony to capture your wedding guests’ arrivals.
Are You Planning Your Wedding at Insole Court?I photograph discreetly and unobtrusively to capture the best moments, so you can enjoy your day. With me as your wedding photographer, your memories will be in safe hands. Please get in touch any time to discuss… |
The portico at the front of Insole Court is gorgeous and ideal for wedding photography portraits of your arriving guests, such as the bride’s sister and niece.
The bride’s sister hugs a male relative, and I’m on hand to capture all the action as the guests arrive. Bride Beatrice is in the background as they arrived together.
Car Parking for Your Insole Court Wedding
Parking isn’t an issue at Insole Court, as it has its own car park a short walk away from the house. Of course, the bridal car can pull right up to the front of the house so your photographer can take some photos of the bride’s arrival.
I met Bride Helen as she arrived and took this portrait of her with a guest who arrived at the same time.
The bride and groom walk down the aisle together, and I’m at the front to capture every moment and the guests’ reactions. The proud father of the bride applauds their entrance on the right.
The Llandaff Suite, AKA Cardiff Register Office at Insole Court
Since Cardiff City Hall closed for urgent renovations, the wedding branch of Cardiff Register Office has moved into Insole Court. They are on the first floor, which comprises two ceremony rooms—one red and white and one very blue. Hosting up to 40 people, I have photographed weddings in both rooms.
Your time at Insole Court will be around an hour, with the ceremony just 20 minutes or so. My shortest wedding package is exactly one hour; however, many couples book me for an hour and a half, which gives more time for portraits in the gardens.
You are allowed unlimited time in the gardens afterwards so that you may have an extended couple-and-family shoot in the beautiful surroundings.
I often set myself up to take the bride walking down the aisle from the front. If I can be in front of the groom, I can capture his expressions too.
Top Insole Court Wedding Photography Tip:
Your ceremony will fly by, so make the most of the time by adding readings from family and friends, or music for a more personal touch.
When children read at weddings, it adds that “Ahhh-Factor”, so get them involved.
With civil marriages, there are no limits on the personal touches you can add, as long as they’re within the time allowed. Discuss with your registrars to see what’s possible. It’ll add a different dimension to your wedding-day photography, too!
As well as numerous images of the couple, I also take some guest photos during the ceremony. It all builds the complete photographic story of the day.
The Cardiff Registrars
The registrars at Cardiff are lovely and very keen that your photographer take a good selection of photos for the couple.
Some register offices have rules about where I should stand or where I can move, but happily, Cardiff has none. However, I am discreet, so as not to be too much of a distraction. When you’re there on the day, enjoying the moment and exchanging rings, you shouldn’t notice me at all!
Helen and Mike chuckled their way through the wedding ceremony in the Llandaff Suite. Whether it’s laughter or tears, I’m there to photograph every emotional moment.
The couple continue laughing their way through their ceremony as the bride is given away.
In the Llandaff Suite rooms, there is plenty of space for me to move around and photograph from various angles.
The registrars are happy for your photographer to move around to take the best images.
Wedding Bookings at Insole Court
Useful to Know When Booking Your Wedding
- To contact the wedding team and discuss your requirements, email weddings@insolecourt.org or call 029 21 167920.
- Your ceremony will take about 20 minutes.
- The house is open to the public, so they are strict on where you can take photos. They allow other rooms to be accessible for a fee.
- Cardiff Register Office also conducts marriages, Renewals of Vows, British Citizenship Ceremonies, Civil Ceremonies, and Civil Partnership Conversions at Insole Court. All may be photographed.
- There are many options for having your wedding at Insole Court. As well as the civil marriage ceremony, you can also have your drinks, reception, wedding breakfast, and evening entertainment in the house. The Insole Court experience can be fully bespoke; for more details, see the Insole Court Wedding Brochure.
The look on Mike’s face is one of pure contentment after they are pronounced husband and wife.
Read More>> Insole Court is Perfect for Same-Sex Wedding Photography.
Bride Beatrice signs the schedule as her groom looks on. Photographing the actual signing produces much more natural photos than posed portraits afterwards.
Photographing Signing the Schedule
Now that the Schedule has replaced the Register (which has moved online), there are no issues with photographing it. The Cardiff registrars are relaxed with me taking photos whilst the couple and their witnesses sign at Insole Court, but they also allow me time to take staged photos afterwards.
I prefer to photograph the real signing. The images are more natural and meaningful. Staged shots are optional, but some couples like a set-up portrait looking at the camera, pen in hand. I can also take one with your witness standing behind you, if you’d like that. Most couples do.
A similar photo, but in the other Llandaff Suite Room. I’ve included lovely Registrar Cheryl to give added context.
As the couple pass back up the aisle, I photograph them from the back to capture any interactions with their guests.
Also Consider>> New House Country Hotel
There is very little time to take photos on the way out of Insole court, but the usher kindly let me take this one of the newlyweds with the ornate stained-glass windows on the staircase.
Insole Court’s Other Wedding Spaces
There are other rooms and the gardens to choose from for your wedding.
The Library:
- The Library is a small space on the first floor and has a vaulted ceiling.
- Holds up to 30 guests.
The Reading Room:
- My personal favourite room has a distinctive frieze and beautiful decor.
- A maximum of 30 seated guests.
The Drawing Room:
- Tastefully decorated and deceptively spacious.
- 25 guests seated.
Billiards Room:
- The lightest room overlooking the gardens makes for excellent wedding photography.
- 50 guests are catered for.
The Gardens:
- For a summer wedding. The ceremony could be relocated in poor weather.
- Seating is available for 90 guests.
We’ve done it! As well as posed photos, the newlyweds decided to have a low-key drinks reception in the Victorian Gardens after their ceremony. This added a fun aspect to their wedding photos.
The Couple’s Exit from Insole Court
The house rules mean that for a ceremony-only wedding, you must leave the building straight after you are married. I can photograph you as you walk down the stairs, but you must keep moving. They are pretty strict about this.
However, your time in the Victorian Gardens is unlimited, so there are plenty of photo ops there.
You will leave the house first, so this is the ideal time to greet your guests as they come out. And I’ll be there to capture every congratulatory hug and kiss…
I love the colour in this image. Although the bride’s dress is white, the blue fingernails, yellow dress and green floral tones in the background give it a vibrant look, which I accentuated in the editing.
Photographing the Confetti – Rules at Insole Court
Unfortunately, due to the volume of weddings and environmental damage, confetti is no longer allowed in the gardens.
Bubbles are a popular alternative and can look effective in your photos.
Photography like this is a thing of the past at Insole Court. But bubbles are allowed, and can look great.
Ryan and Beatrice’s wedding party was very small, but a portrait of everyone present is still crucial. The steps outside the mansion house are ideal to use.
Posed Group and Couples Photos
When you book me as your wedding photographer, I’ll send you a short questionnaire that includes a section to list any group shots you’d like. This enables me to work quickly through these critical photos. I take pictures of the couple last and tend to walk with them around the gardens to find different backdrops and locations.
Below are some examples of shots I took after the ceremony.
I took this on the second set of steps in front of the house. This allowed me to go wider and include more of the buildings. The steps from the previous photo are in the background.
This impressive cedar is just to the left of the steps, and the light is terrific for some fun portraits of the newlyweds.
Going wider shows the size of the tree, and a different aspect to the scene. I spend a while photographing each set-up to ensure I take a pleasing image for the couple’s wedding album.
Insole Court Wedding Photography FAQs
Q. WHY GET MARRIED AT INSOLE COURT?
A. It’s a stately home in the heart of Cardiff, with an expansive Victorian Garden. With easy access to Central Cardiff and the M4, the house is a perfect venue for your wedding of up to 90 guests. I am experienced in photographing weddings at Insole House, and would love to capture your images to treasure for a lifetime!
Q. ARE THERE ANY RESTRICTIONS ON PHOTOGRAPHY AT INSOLE HOUSE?
A. The registrars and staff are very helpful and actively encourage photography throughout the ceremony and signing. However, photography is not allowed elsewhere within the house.
Q. IS CONFETTI ALLOWED AFTERWARDS FOR A NICE PHOTOGRAPHIC SEQUENCE?
A. Unfortunately, wedding confetti is prohibited. Bubbles are an alternative, and you’ll look great as you pass through an aisle of your bubble-blowing guests in the gardens.
Q. WHAT IS THE LIGHT LIKE FOR PHOTOGRAPHY INSIDE INSOLE COURT?
A. It varies depending on the room. I use bounce flash where needed and can cope with any lighting conditions.
I like to take a straight portrait of the couple in front of the house. It was sunny, so I used a little fill-flash to balance the shadows.
A short walk away is a secluded rockery spot, ideal for more fun portraits.
A photo of you both walking away is essential, as it gives closure and nicely bookends your special day at Insole Court.
Insole Court,
Fairwater Road,
Llandaff, Cardiff,
CF5 2LN.
