Wedding photography @ Cardiff Castle – Emma & Lee

Emma and Lee organised their wedding within just a couple of months and I think made the absolute most out of it. The weather was delicious, and so did the interiors, decor, details, atmosphere, guests – everything. The day has flown with from minute one till the crazy barn dancing performed after dark.

I first met the couple at Val Slater Wedding fayre back in February and because of a short notice booking we went straight to the point arranging pre wedding shoot not long after we first spoke.  On a day I arrived early as usual to the Angel Hotel located right opposite the Castle in Cardiff town centre. Emma and her two bridesmaids were getting ready in one of the rooms on the 3rd floor whilst I decided to take the details away from the girls and photograph them in the downstairs lobby/staircase/reception using the most preferable features and backdrops. Sometimes I’m facing the ‘why are you coming so early on a day’ question and this is exactly why. Creative details photographs don’t happen out of the blue. It’s nothing like photographing the shoes in the box randomly lying on the floor… Well it can be a good idea if done properly actually, but I’m just trying to say I don’t snap around getting random things ‘as they are’. Instead I try to see things first, decide on what I’m going to do and how, sometimes test different options to make sure the one is going to be spot on. It takes me time that I usually spend away from the bride and bridesmaids letting them get ready with no stress or feeling that the camera is on them ready for some embarrassing moments. Generally I’m not into recording the embarrassing or showing people in the uncomfortable poses or situations. I’m after the beautiful.

With the bride fully ready we moved downstairs where a cute VW van was waiting to take Emma for the shortest drive in history – only about 100 yards. Hiring the van was a great idea not in terms of logistics but because it made a fantastic prop giving us the excuse to quite a few fun photographs after the wedding ceremony. Whilst I was with the bride and bridesmaids Raf stayed with the boys and captured the guests arriving to the venue as well. It’s a huge advantage having another pair of hands and eyes on the job, I hugely appreciate being supported by a second shooter on a day, which simply adds another dimension to the story of the wedding.

After the civil ceremony we were capturing guests the lifestyle way, then moved on to the big group of all wedding guests and confetti photographs. To make the most out of the hired van we then had a little van photoshoot and photographed line ups. Lastly I managed to take the couple away from the guests for some more creative portraits. Rushed as usual I believe I still created some nice photographs including ‘the planet’ – with the bride and groom jumping up in the air.We were lucky to enjoy the delicious wedding breakfast (huge thank you to the couple! we totally love our clients for offering us food on a day, it’s such a nice gesture and makes a big difference for us). More photographs round the amazing Cardiff Castle interiors and the first dance were left for right after dark.

Enough words, I doubt there’s anyone who managed to read this all through! (I don’t blame you, I wouldn’t!)  Have a look at the photographs. Utterly beautiful wedding day and an absolute pleasure being part of it.