
Saturday saw us do our first Christmas wedding of the year at the Maes Manor, just outside blackwood in South Wales. Having worked as a wedding photographer at 3 of Sophie’s guests wedding it was lovely that we were met the criteria to be their wedding photographer. We were also delighted to be working with KM videopgraphy again, our third of the year with the team who we highly recommend for all your videography needs.
The day started with bridal prep at Sophie’s mum and dads house, which is a stunning detached house on the side of a mountain side, with the sun just up it was a beautiful site and filled us all full of confidence that the weather would be perfect all day.
Sophie had promised the organisation was going to be that of military timing and she wasn’t wrong, being ready a full 15mins early! we made the most of the beautiful weather and took images outside in the winter sunshine.

The bride enjoying the last moments before setting off to the service
As part of the wedding photography package, Sophie & Aled chose to have a second photographer. He was working with the groom and groomsmen whilst we worked with the ladies.

the wedding rings on a fantastic old tree stump

the boys on the way to the service
Once we had all arrived at the Maes manor, it was time to capture a portrait of the bride with all her beautiful bridesmaids.

the bride with all her beautiful bridesmaids infront of one of the wedding cars
Sophie and the girls made a beautiful entrance into the service to meet her handsome groom, their was hardly a dry tear in the venue as she walked down the isle, although once at the front did have a lovely giggling fit which made for some great photos!

the bride and groom exchanging their vows

the bride and groom enjoying a moment after signing the register
at the maes manor they allow for confetti to be thrown as the bride and groom walk down the isle, which again made for some fantastic images, and once the happy couple were outside we set about doing the big group shot, taken from inside the hotel with a stunning view behind the guests.

the full wedding party in the winter sun at the Maes Manor
once all the group shots were completed, the weather did get a little bit on the damp side for a few minutes, but we are wedding photography company that embrace the weather, no matter what and ended up with this stunning example.

the couple enjoying a kiss in the rain

the bride and groom going for a romantic walk on the long drive up to the Maes Manor

the bride and groom enjoying a few moments in a very secluded part of the grounds of the maes manor
we tend to hear a lot of different speeches with the amount of weddings that we cover during the year, but Sophie & Aled were certainly in for a surprise. After a lovely speech by both fathers and a touching speech by the groom, the bridesmaids upped the anti. they SUNG there own take on the 12 days of Christmas, based all on the bride and groom. Not to be out done, the two best men had written there own song about aled and sophie, although not as complimentary, it is a song that was being sung long into the night and we have been assured will be available for download soon đŸ™‚

the best men singing part of their speech

the bridesmaids singing their version of the 12 days of Christmas…awesome!
after the speeches we had allowed a few minutes to go back outside into the freezing night to get a shot i had wanted since the bride and groom booked me, and luckily our powerful lighting system allowed us to capture this shot.

the bride and groom, cold but happy
once the evening guests had arrived, the party really did get into full swing. the amazing band The Duplicates even had us singing and dancing as we took images to capture the scene.

the first dance

the duplicates
thank you so much for inviting us to be your wedding photographer, the whole team and i wish you both all the best for now and the future. Looking forward to you seeing all the full res images very soon.
Matt