Check out the latest blog posts of South Wales Wedding Photographer Simon Murray
Wedding at Coed-Y-Mwstwr Hotel
Coed-Y-Mwstwr Hotel | Victoria and Kristian
Coed-Y-Mwstwr Hotel | Victoria and Kristian
On 10th March 2019 I was lucky enough to photograph the wedding of Victoria and Kristian. The wedding ceremony and reception was held at the Coed Y Mwstwr Hotel, near Bridgend perched on a Welsh hillside and surrounded by over 17 acres of woodland, this Victorian mansion provides a cosy and secluded hideaway overlooking the picturesque Vale of Glamorgan.
Photography coverage for the day began with bridal preparations at the bridal suite before heading to the Eliot Suite for the ceremony, the reception and evening party were held in the Hendre Suite
The grounds around the venue offer fantastic photo opportunities allowing us to take advantage of the setting for a few photos with Victoria and Kristian , as well as a family photos.
Congratulation Victoria and Kristian!
Here are a few of my favourite photos from the day
Wedding venue website - https://www.townandcountrycollective.co.uk/coed-y-mwstwr/weddings/
Planning your Wedding
Planing your wedding
Planning your Wedding
Of all the professionals you hire on your wedding day, itâs your wedding photographer who youâll spend the most time with. Weâre with you in the morning when your getting ready, right through to the evening party, so we get to see almost everything! We wonât claim to know everything about hair, makeup, flowers, dresses, how to give a speech during or how to decorate your venue, but what we do know is how a wedding works , and how even small things can have a massive influence on your enjoyment of the day and on the quality of your photographs, So below is a handy guide to planning your perfect day.
Youâre engaged, Congratulations!
Work out a budget
Start a Pinterest board
Choose your Wedding party
Book your wedding photographer, my dates fill up fast!
12 Months to go
Look at venues and check availability
Book officiant/church and get sort out wedding licence
Research suppliers
Get wedding insurance
Start writing out your guest list
11 Months to go
If your budget allows, get a wedding planner
Look at and try on wedding dresses
Look at honeymoon options
8 Months to go
Book your florist
Order your wedding cake
Get ideas for grooms suit
Book your hair and make up artist
Order your wedding dress
Send out save the date cards
6 Months to go
Shop for bridesmaid dresses
Finalise catering
Book entertainment
Design and order you invites
Sort out wedding transport
View and book venue decorations
4 Months to go
Hair and make up trial
Arrange dress fittings
Send out wedding invitations
Choose your wedding rings
Buy groom and groomsmenâs suite
8 Weeks to go
Choose music
Finalise readings and order of service
Call all suppliers/vendors to check all ok
4 Weeks to go
Contact your photographer and provide a shot list if required
Write your wedding vows
Arrange your seating plan
1 Week to go
Cut/colour hair
Delegate out small âon the day tasksâ
Pick up wedding dress
Hensol Castle Wedding
Ceri and Rhodriâs Wedding at Hensol Castle
Ceri and Rhodri | Hensol Castle Wedding
1st March 2019
Being a South Wales Wedding Photographer means that I get to shoot at some fantastic wedding venues, Hensol Castle near Pontyclun in the Vale of Glamorgan is a venue that Iâve wanted to photograph for a long time so I was very pleased when Ceri and Rhodri hired me to be their wedding photographer.
The day started at the nearby Vale Hotel Resort, where Ceri her 2 bridesmaids and mum were getting ready, the room had the usual mix of hair, make up, dresses, shoes and of course much fun and laughter. The wedding ceremony held was at St Illtyds church in Llantwit Fardre, after the ceremony we headed to Hensol Castle for the wedding reception, Hensol Castle is a stunning venue and one of the best in Wales, the weather was good which allowed us an opportunity to get out to the lake and photograph the newlyweds on the jetty.
Congratulations guys and thanks for choosing me to be your wedding photographer!
Below are a few highlights of the dayâŚ
Wedding Venues in South Wales
Wedding Venues in South Wales
Wedding Venues in South Wales
As a Cardiff Wedding Photographer, Iâve had the pleasure of photographing weddings at some amazing venues. Weâre very lucky to have castles, estates and venues all close by, weâre spoilt for choice and listed below are a few of my favourites wedding venues in South Wales
If you have any questions about a particular venue, please get in touch.
St Tewdrics House
St Tewdrics House is a 19th Century wedding venue set in 10 acres of beautiful Welsh countryside.
It's owned by Olympic cyclist Geraint Thomas and his wife Sara. They bought the venue in Chepstow after they married there in 2015.
There are no specific wedding packages or corkage fees at St Tewdrics, giving you the flexibility to tailor your wedding to suit your individual needs.
Visit sttewdricshouse.co.uk for more information.
Coed-y-Mwstwr Hotel
Coed-y-Mwstwr Hotel located in Bridgend South Wales, is a Grade II-listed mansion wedding venue nestled in beautiful woodland. Host your ceremony in this luxurious country manor, celebrate with 150 guests and enjoy the award-winning food and lavish dĂŠcor. Why not wonder through Coed-y-Mwstwr Fawr Farm nearby once the vows are said and doneâŚ
www.townandcountrycollective.co.uk/coed-y-mwstwr/
Hensol Castle
Feel like royalty and host your wedding celebrations at this Grade I-listed castle nestled in the Vale of Glamorgan. The area boasts rolling green countryside and tranquil lakes, the perfect wedding haven. Hold the ceremony, wedding breakfast and reception in the stunning courtyard hall surrounded by 650-acres of stunning Welsh countrysideâŚ
Celtic Manor Resort
Be Inspired⌠From country house chic, to summer garden party, to opulent chandeliered ballroom, whatever your style, you can enjoy the wedding youâve always dreamed of at The Celtic Manor Resort. Set in 2,000 acres of rolling parkland in the beautiful Usk Valley, South Wales, the award-winning Celtic Manor Resort near Newport, South Wales
Canada lodge and lake
Canada Lodge and Lake is a beautiful bespoke venue built using Welsh stone situated in Creigiau, just outside Cardiff.
With its secluded grounds it provides the perfect setting for your wedding or special day. The Lodge is positioned near the 5 acre trout fishing lake, with spectacular features such as a water fountain and tree swing.
The Lodge is exclusively yours for the day, benefitting from the use of the Oak room and Lakeside room. With the venue over two floors the transition throughout the day is elegant.
http://www.canadalodgeandlake.com
Caerphilly Castle
Caerphilly Castle is the second largest castle in Britain. It not only has a magnificent moat and an impressive fourteenth-century great hall, but it is also fully equipped with modern catering facilities and is a spectacular venues for weddings .
https://cadw.gov.wales/venuehire/weddingsandweddingphotography/caerphillycastlevenue/?lang=en
CARDIFF CASTLE
Cardiff Castle is one of the most exclusive wedding venues in Wales.
Cardiff Castle's rich history simply adds to its character and charm. Licensed for civil ceremonies and able to host up to 150 guests, this magnificent example of architecture will provide you with an extravagant and luxurious setting for a fairytale wedding you always dreamt of!
Caerphilly Castle Wedding
Lartara and Daniels wedding at Caerphilly Castle
Lartara and Daniel | Caerphilly Castle Wedding 22d December 2018
As a South Wales Wedding Photographer Iâm very fortunate to have a number of castles which are used as wedding venues close by, Caerphilly Castle is the largest castle in Wales and is world famous for it's leaning tower.
I was contact by Lartara and Daniel in Feb 2018 and was very excited that they had chosen me to photograph their wedding at Caerphilly Castle, It was also to be held 3 days before Christmas.
I met with Lartara and her bridesmaid at the Celtic Manor Resort in Newport where we got some fantastic bridal preparation photographs.
We then made our way to the castle for the ceremony which was held in the Great Hall, which had been decorated for Christmas with a huge tree! The reception was a fantastic occasion, with Indian food, very funny and emotional speeches and also a magician to entertain the guest.
Really enjoyed this one...fantastic day with a great couple!
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are you based and do you travel?
Iâm a Cardiff and South Wales Wedding Photographer but will travel all over the UK, but if youâre planning to get married further afield do not hesitate to get in touch â I absolutely love to travel!
How would you describe your style?
I would describe myself as a documentary style wedding photographer, I aim to observe your wedding day as it unfolds, naturally and unobtrusively. I work very close to the action and try to blend in with the guests as much as possible.
How long will it take to get our Wedding Photographs?
I work hard to make sure that your wedding photographs are ready as soon as possible without compromising on quality, Each photograph will be edited by myself and I aim to have your wedding photographs completed and ready within 3 weeks from your wedding date but more often than not it is much less.
What equipment do you use? Do you a have backups?
I use two professional Canon cameras with a set of high quality lenses. I always have a backup camera, lenses, flash guns, batteries and memory cards on hand if anything goes wrong.
How many photographs do we get?
Typically, at a wedding I will shoot nearly 2000 photographs. I then spend time editing the best images, I donât limit how many photos that I give you but you can expect anywhere from 300 â 500 photos depending on the length of the day.
Can friends and Family view/buy photographs?
All of your edited images will be uploaded to a private password protected online gallery, you can share this with family and friends who can view/ buy photographs via the online shop.
I hate posing for photographs and do you take lots of formal family photographs?
Through my shooting style and natural posing, I make sure that you look natural in your photographs, I promise, I make it painless and fun, and it won't be nearly as bad as you think! I appreciate that most weddings have a need for a selection of family and group shots, and we can certainly set aside some time for this.
Are you insured?
Absolutely, as a full-time professional I am fully insured for both public and professional indemnity.
How do we book you?
Firstly, I always like to meet my clients for a âno obligationâ chat to discuss their requirements and learn about their day. This can either be a meeting in person or a phone call. This is a good way for me to get to know you and you to know me as well. In order to secure your wedding date, you will need to sign a wedding contract form, and pay a ÂŁ200 booking fee.
2018...Thank You!
My year as a South Wales Wedding Photographer
2018âŚWhat a year!
With the end of the year almost upon us, Iâd like to take this opportunity to say a huge thank you to my clients whoâs weddings Iâve photographed in 2018 - youâve been absolutely incredible!
Thank you for sharing your happiness with me, choosing me to document your wedding day and allowing me to be part of your special day.
I have met some really lovely people and been welcomed like one of the family and Iâve made some good friends along the way, I genuinely am blessed to be doing this job, and I love pushing myself to be better and better each year.
As a South Wales Wedding Photographer Iâve been lucky enough to shoot at some fantastic venues in 2018, Celtic Manor Resort, Cardiff Castle, Canada Lodge and Lake, Angel Hotel Abergavenny, Cottrell Park Golf Club to name but a few.
Iâm now looking ahead to 2019 with great excitement!
Canada Lodge and Lake Wedding
Melissa and Josephâs Wedding at Canada Lodge and Lake
Melissa and Joseph | Canada Lodge and Lake
20th September 2018
As a South Wales Wedding Photographer Iâm very lucky to have a number of fantastic wedding venues close by, Canada Lodge and Lake which is situated just outside Cardiff in the village of Creigiau is one of these.
Melissa and Joseph had booked me for their wedding back in February and I was looking forward to shooting at such a beautiful venue.
After such a long hot summer the weather forecast for the day was not looking very favourable and we did get a lot of rain on the day but this did not dampen the guestâs enjoyment of a fantastic wedding day! Even though the rain did prevent us getting some of the photographâs we wanted, it did present an oppurtunity to get some unique photographâs of the newlywedâs smoking a cigar under an umbrella, these photographs are some of my personal favouriteâs.
Hope you enjoy the photographs of a wonderful wedding!
Cardiff Castle Wedding
Tracey and Salvadorâs wedding at Cardiff Castle
Tracey and Salvador | Cardiff Castle Wedding
9th August 2018
Back in January Tracey and Salvador commissioned me to shoot their Cardiff Castle Wedding Photos. This was the first time I had been asked to photograph at Cardiff Castle and I was very excited to shoot at such a fantastic venue.
When Tracey approached me to shoot her Cardiff Castle Wedding Photos she had mentioned that a lot of the guests would be travelling over to Cardiff from Mexico where she and Salvador live.
Tracey had hired a Mariachi band, and this along with a bit of tequila created a fantastic atmosphere at the reception in the Cardiff Castle Banqueting Hall. Just before the reception Tracey and Salvador and myself were lucky to be given the opportunity to get a few photographs with the 2018 Tour De France winner Geraint Thomas who was at Cardiff Castle for his homecoming event, what an absolute privilege!
As a documentary style wedding photographer I really love the moments that can be captured at a wedding especially at such an atmospheric and unique venue as this.
So......here are a few of the photograph's from a wonderful wedding day at Cardiff Castle.
Celtic Manor Wedding
Emma and Mathewâs wedding at Celtic Manor
Emma And Matthew | Wedding Photography | Celtic Manor, Newport
July 14th 2018
Emma and Matthew's summer wedding in Celtic Manor Resort, Newport, South Wales:
14th July was my first wedding of summer 2018 which took place at the Manor House, Celtic Manor Resort in Newport South Wales.
The wedding took place in the middle of a heatwave and it was a beautiful hot sunny day, perfect weather for celebrating a wedding. (Although the wedding cake did need rescuing at one point due to the heat!)
I met up with Emma and her wedding party at the Presidential Suite in the hotel, where we got some great natural shots of the bride and bridesmaids getting ready along with Emma's mum, son and auntie. It was then onto the Manor House where we photographed the ceremony and the reception, they even had a fantastic magician on hand to entertain the guests during cocktail hour!
Fantastic day, and a great couple...congratulations Emma and Matthew!
Winter Wedding in Abergavenny
Lyndsey and Buster's wedding in Abergavenny
Lyndsey and Buster | Wedding Photography | Angel Hotel Abergavenny
Feb 25th 2018
Lyndsey and Buster's wedding in Abergavenny
Ceremony - Chapel, Abergavenny
Reception - Angel Hotel, Abergavenny
25th February was an early start to the wedding season, it was a cold but beautiful day in Abergavenny.
I met with Lyndsey and her wedding party at the Angel Hotel where we got some photographs of the bride, bridesmaids, the flower girls and her son Ellis getting ready.
The ceremony took place at The Chapel, it has such amazing light and was perfect for photography.
After the service we walked through the town to The Angel Hotel for cocktail hour, we managed to get 20 minutes to get some photographs in Abergavenny Castle even though it was freezing cold!
It was then back to the Angel where the ballroom was dressed beautifully for the reception and evening party.
Fantastic day, congratulations to Lyndsey and Buster!
