PENCOED HOUSE ESTATE WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY

Alyssa and Steve’s wedding at Pencoed House Estate in Cardiff was just perfect. I haven't visited Pencoed house before and despite seeing it online I was blown away when I got here in person, this place is gorgeous! A long tree-lined driveway and crossing over a little stone bridge is the fairytale entrance this outstanding wedding venue deserves.

Pencoed House Estate was the first wedding venue that Alyssa and Steve viewed, they told me they fell in love with it instantly and it is not hard to see why. It is also a wedding photographer's dream! Woodland, archways, barns, a long driveway and even a stream with a little island where some ducks live.

Alyssa & Steve met during a night shift at work, they quickly became friends and started to date. Steve planned a beautiful proposal in Wales, he found a perfect little cottage for a weekend getaway. One of the afternoons he and Alyssa went to explore a local waterfall, once they reached the top he got down on one knee and asked Alyssa to spend the rest of her life with him. (Spoiler - she said yes).

On the wedding day, I arrived a few hours early to scout locations, meet the Pencoed wedding team and generally get acclimated for the day. Alyssa and Steve were getting ready on site, I love it when everything is in one place, especially when it is such cute accommodation. It was an overcast day, but hey - this is England and if it is not raining I class that as a win.

Team Bride had bubbles and giggles flowing as they were getting ready, Alyssa was cool as a cucumber and excited to get down the aisle. Her sister helped her get into her wedding gown before the other bridesmaids entered, Alyssa looked absolutely INCREDIBLE. I love this part of the day as there is so much joy and emotion on show.

I nipped over to Team Groom to find them figuring out buttonholes and cufflinks, and offering a few words of encouragement to Steve before the ceremony started.

The wedding ceremony itself was lovely, a particular highlight of this was when the Registrar was partway through asking Steve if he would accept Alyssa to be his wife, he jumped the gun and said “I DO” too soon. This got a big laugh.

After the ceremony, delicious Japanese canapes were served by Pencoed House Estate. Alyssa and Steve had organised axe throwing and crazy golf for their guests. I got to try the Axe throwing a little later on and it is now my new favourite wedding activity and I feel like a Viking.

Just before Alyssa and Steve we due to sit down I whisked them away for a couple’s shoot. I floated the idea of them sitting on the stone bridge and dangling their feet over the river. I am so glad they were keen on this as it was one of my favourite shots of the day.

Speeches by Father of the Bride, Best Man, Maid of Honour, Groom and Bride were before the food was served (the food at Pencoed House Estate is AMAZING by the way). It is no secret that the wedding speeches are hands down my favourite part of any wedding and these did not disappoint. There were several belly laughs and tears shed (and that was just me).

Shortly after the guests had finished dining they moved to the bar and lounge areas while the room was set up for the evening. Alyssa and Steve had another surprise, this time in the form of a caricaturist, he was great entertainment and had several of the guests in stitches, he never ecords the guests reactions (video link here). Meanwhile, a small bunch of Alyssas University friends had started a game of ‘Obama Llama’ which was providing lots of laughs, I was drafted to help one of the teams for a round and the Mother of the Bride even got involved.

The evening guests arrived and Alyssa and Steve cut their wedding cake (I have to mention that I have been to a lot of weddings and this is one of the most impressive wedding cakes I have ever seen) and took to the dancefloor for their first dance. They were shortly surrounded by loved ones and dancing hard right up until I left.

There were so many incredible details at Alyssa and Steve’s ‘Dungeons and Dragons’ themed wedding and links to all the suppliers can be found at the bottom of this post. Special mentions for me go to the incredible flowers, table decorations and INSANE cake.

Alyssa and Steve, thank you a million times over for being so incredible and choosing me to capture your special day. I genuinely had such a blast. I hope this new chapter together gets better every day and is filled with as much love and laughter as I saw you share on your wedding day.

All the best. Chris.

POST-WEDDING QUESTIONS

WHAT WERE YOUR HIGHLIGHTS OF THE DAY?

The whole day was just amazing, it was so relaxed, nothing went wrong and we just didn’t stop laughing all day!
Steve’s favourite moment was when Alyssa walked down the aisle.
Alyssa's favourite moment was saying their vows and Steve crying.

HOW WAS WORKING WITH ME ON YOUR WEDDING DAY?

“Absolutely amazing! You had so much fun with our guests, people were talking to us the following morning about their chats with you and stuff that had happened that we missed!
You’re in a few guest photos which I think is amazing! And we just had so much fun with you! We both hate having our photo taken but felt really relaxed and comfortable with you! ”

YOU HAVE TRAVELED BACK IN TIME AND CAN OFFER ONE WEDDING PLANNING ‘TOP TIP’ TO YOURSELF (OR TO OTHERS PLANNING A WEDDING) WHAT WOULD IT BE?