Elan and Chris's wedding day incorporated some of North Wales' most historic sites. The ceremony took place at Penarth Fawr, a medieval hall near Pwllheli. The intimate setting accommodated their close-knit group of family and friends. Working in my usual documentary style, I focused on capturing the natural moments as they happened, minimising the amount of staged photos wherever possible.
After the ceremony, we travelled to Criccieth Castle for a photo session. Criccieth Castle's vantage point provided a striking backdrop for their portraits. Elan had requested that we try to use the landscape of Harlech as a background to some of the photos, as her father who had sadly passed away, had strong connections to the area. My approach remained informal and relaxed, moving quickly to the 5 or 6 sites that Chris & I had agreed on a previous visit a few weeks earlier. With the help of bridesmaid Lisa, I used a hand-held Godox off-camera flash to balance the harsh sunlight.
The open landscape and bright midday light could have created strong shadows and overexposed highlights, so I used flash to fill in shadows and create an even exposure. This technique helped maintain the natural look of the images while ensuring the couple remained well-lit against the dramatic scenery. By keeping the lighting subtle, I was able to preserve the authenticity of the documentary approach while still delivering polished and professional images.
We then headed back to Talhenbont Hall in a fantastic powder blue Ford Escort (apologies for the lack of info, I’m no petrol head!). As a recommended Talhenbont Hall wedding photographer, I was able to take advantage of my knowledge of the venue to capture candid moments between guests, the details of the venue, and the lively atmosphere of the celebration. The informal nature of the reception allowed for plenty of candid moments, from a beautiful, moving Welsh folk song during the speeches, to spontaneous dancefloor energy later in the evening.
My goal with every wedding is to tell the story as it happens, without unnecessary posing or interference. The combination of Talhenbont Hall’s character, the scenic views from Criccieth, and the relaxed approach Elan and Chris took to their day made for a fantastic wedding to photograph. The last photo I took before heading home was of a brilliant, starry night above Talhenbont Hall, shooting star and all!
A wedding like this reinforces why I love this style of photography—it allows for genuine, unscripted moments while still creating visually striking images. If you’re planning a Talhenbont Hall wedding or a wedding anywhere in North Wales and want a photographer who can blend documentary storytelling with creative, natural-looking portraits, I’d love to be involved.
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