Portmeirion Wedding Photographer
From West Wales to North Wales/Italy
Isabelle and Chris' family and friends (and photographer!) made their way up to north Wales from Carmarthenshire for their long awaited wedding. Portmeirion is an Italian style village set in a beautiful corner of Wales. The choice of location was a meaningful connection with the bride's family hailing from Italy. It really is something else and has been a destination I've always wanted to visit. To say the architecture and feel of the surrounding is unique would be an understatement. It absolutely has to be seen to be believed, so hopefully these photographs will convey this better than my words!
Portmeirion, Gwynedd
GROOM PREPRATION
From scouting the village the day before, I knew there would be a lot of potential for stunning imagery, so couldn't wait to get started. I began the day photographing Chris and his Groomsmen at the Hotel Portmeirion. The surrounding gardens and backdrop on helped set the atmosphere for a stunning day.
BRIDAL PREPARATION
Portmeirion does not allow cars on the grounds, this keeps it safe and clear for visitors. I was fortunate however to be driven via buggy between the Groomsmen and the Bridal party who were situated at the Dorlan Goch cottage (I'm hoping this form of transport will take off at all venues!). There was an equally fun and relaxed atmosphere here which I documented candidly. Capturing the reaction of families when seeing the bride for the first time is one of my favourite things to do at a wedding and this father and daughter moment was really beautiful.
THE CEREMONY
The ceremony was held at Hercules Hall, a Jacobean banqueting hall that was transported here in the 1930's and re-erected on site (thank you Google). The cobbled path through the heart of Portmeirion made an amazing setting to to capture Isabelle and her father take the final steps towards the hall.
After the ceremony and with the lighthouse as a backdrop, we captured a small collection of formal photos as well as some more informal ones.
After spotting this location the day before, I couldn't not get an image of the bride and groom here.
WEDDING RECEPTION
An Italian style wedding situated in Wales wouldn't be complete without some singing. The singing waiters got everyone waving napkins and joining in before the speeches back at Hotel Portmeirion.
THE EVENING
It was back to Hercules hall for the evening which had been transformed in readiness for the cake cutting, first dance and party.
MR & MRS BOODENY
With Portmeirion village empty from the visiting crowds, we made the most of the evening light and were taken back up to the top of the village via buggy to stroll through the arches and stop to capture some natural portraits. It was an opportunity for Isabelle and Chris to have a little quiet time together before rejoining their guests for the rest of their evening. Photography wise, you are almost spoilt for choice at Portmeirion. I didn't want to keep the bride and groom long but knew the short walk I had planned would however include some great spots that would be great in the evening light and the couple could enjoy.
