Cath & Joe – Cardiff Wedding Photographer

I love these two! I was lucky enough to get to know Cath and Joe quite well before the wedding so on their wedding day I felt like I was photographing two of my friends. They had been together 3 years and met at a festival through their church. Joe proposed on top of a mountain beside a chapel in Switzerland. Cath obviously said yes and a year later they walked down the aisle

The wedding took place in Abingdon near Oxford so an overnight stay in a rather wonderful pub for this Cardiff wedding photographer the night before. I got there in good time to watch a terrible England performance in the world cup in the pub but thankfully the following day was totally worth it.

The weather was glorious for the wedding of Cath and Joe and it was the first wedding of a 3 wedding weekend for me. What a way to start though. The girls were getting ready at Barton House near Wantage – a beautiful old home that they had rented for the weekend. There was so much space in the house and photographing was so easy with its ample light and large rooms. Photographing Cath in her dress (Morilee – Madeleine Gardner from Cardiff bridal centre) was really special and to see the reaction from her family and bridesmaids made it even more so. This is one of the great parts of the job and it can be very emotional for everyone – including me! The bridesmaids were also stunning in their Hobbs dresses with all flowers from Foxgloves & Roses

The ceremony was being held at Christchurch in Abingdon and it is where I met Joe and his boys. They looked great in their suits although the weather was calling for something cooler. Joe had an M&S suit on and looked great – but probably should have done as he spent a long time shopping for it according to his wife! I managed to get the photos I needed as well as chatting to Joe about the day and having a quick laugh with his boys and some of the other guests before Cath arrived. The ceremony was great and watching the happiness that Joe and Cath felt throughout was a privilege. I know that sounds a bit naff but I get the best seat (I stand) in the house apart from the vicar/pastor/registrar. I have a better view than the close family!! You really get to see the emotion from the couple and can into their eyes when the family mainly get to see the back of them.

Before we got to the reception venue we got away and did a session of photos with the couple and then arrived at the glorious Lains barn to find most people undercover to get away from the blazing sun. It was hot! I managed to get lots of candid photos but mainly of people hiding under the ample cover that the barn provides. There was the usual Jenga fun and other garden games for the brave and well protected, although this didn’t last long. Thankfully my style of not taking long with group shots was perfect for this day as no one wanted to be out too long. It was almost a new time record for me.

Everyone was delighted to be called into the barn for food and speeches and probably quite a bit of liquid refreshment. The speeches were great and lovely to hear more about the couple whilst having loads of photos of friends laughing. Joe took some ribbing from his brother but there was plenty of respect and love from him too.

The temperature cooled ever so slightly in the evening and I spent time between photographing and chatting to guests – some of whom I knew so it was a perfect way to wait for the first dance to happen. Prior to that there was the cake cutting (made by Cath’s friend Rachel) on the dance floor with the disco lighting in the background. Always a good way to do quite a dull shot) Once that was done and the band (Mr Burns and the smoking aces) kicked in I did another 20 minutes shooting before I left for the second wedding of the weekend in the Mumbles … It was a long drive but I was so grateful to have been able to spend the day with Cath and Joe and their families. What a top couple. Thank you!!