As soon as I met Cerys to discuss her wedding I knew we'd be a great fit for each other. Sat in her kitchen chewing the fat about everything from her dreams for her wedding day to the red gingham curtains her mum had made, I knew this was going to be a great wedding. The first time I met Gav was on their pre wedding shoot and he was so laid back and happy. Their daughter's Lilly and Poppy were there too and I could just tell how excited Lilly was about the wedding, she told me how pretty her dress was and it didn't disappoint.
The wedding day itself was a sunny day in early August. On arriving at Cery's parent's house for bridal prep I was struck by how this wedding was all about family and friends. The house was packed with close family, it was lovely and being from a very small family myself I could see how special this was. Thankyou to Cerys's mum and dad for making me feel so welcome at their home.
I was fortunate to have a second shooter on this wedding, Tunde who met the boys at the church. Good job too because bridal prep ran a little late so there's no way I could have covered people arriving at the church and Cerys getting dressed if I had been on my own. I love St Martin's Church in Caerphilly and have been using it myself for years as it was associated with my old school and only had my son christened there 2 years ago. Father Mark took the service and he really is a fantastic vicar to work with. A second shooter for St Martins is a good idea because you can make sure you get those immense images from the back of the church and the stain glass windows, something I couldn't have done as I was positioned at the front in the pews.
Click here for my blog on why a second shooter is a good option for your wedding
The reception was at the New House Country Hotel in Thornhill, with stunning views over Cardiff. The staff there are so helpful, it's a lovely place to work (and to eat in too - the food is great and I highly recommend their afternoon tea). I've already mentioned that this wedding was all about celebrating with family and friends and the reception really brought this to life. Children were included in the day and had so much fun free playing around the fountain and using the swing seat. Cerys's girl friends looked after her well and I couldn't help but envy their outfits, they looked amazing. Gav's brothers were ushers and Stan the Man, his best man made the most hilarious speech I've ever heard. I almost had to stop shooting when he brought out a life size cardboard cutout of Gavin dressed in suspenders because I was laughing so much. Before the first dance the bridesmaids and the children lit up the dance floor, everyone mixed with each other so easily.
However the my best moment of the whole wedding was just after the first dance whereby Cerys had asked the DJ to play songs from Frozen. The 4 of them, Cerys, Gav, Lilly and Pops owned the dance floor rocking it out to 'Let it Go'. Arms in the air, singing their hearts out together. It was one of the most magical moments I've ever witnessed at a wedding and I'm not ashamed to admit that I actually shed a few tears watching them. It was beautiful and summed up what this wedding was all about. Family. Love. Togetherness. Fun.
My I wish you a life time of happiness. Thank you again for choosing me to be your wedding photographer. I really do have the best job in the world. Here's a little gallery of your wonderful day...
