Saint Fagans, National Museum of Wales.Wedding Venue Review

St Fagans, or as it should be known The National Museum of Welsh Life, is a series of restored cottages, shops, a workmans hall and a  restored church (not currently available for weddings) which have been moved from their original sites around Wales to be conserved in the grounds of St Fagan's House a 17th Century manor house. You can have wedding services in the manor house or the main interpretation centre (an unattractive 70s building that reminds me of a comprehensive school). Although the house is usually open to the public it is closed for wedding ceremonies, so you'll have the run of the place for an hour or so. You'll also have access to the grounds and surrounding parkland, some of the most beautiful formal gardens near Cardiff, although you will share them with other visitors. 

Upsides

• Beautiful manor house to get married in for civil ceremonies and services
• Fabulous surrounding gardens - honestly one the THE best places for wedding photos in South Wales - assuming the weather is kind. 
• Helpful and conscientious staff.
• House is closed to the public for one hour during and after the ceremony. 

Downsides

• I wouldn't recommend having a reception in the main building unless you're partial to canteen atmosphere. There are of course other places nearby, notably The Old Post Office, just across the road from the manor house entrance. It's a restaurant with rooms which does some excellent (but pricy) Italian catering.
• The rooms in the main house for wedding services aren't large so only suitable for small parties. 
• Grounds are shared with visitors. 

What if the weather is wet?

This is always a tricky question and it's usually one of the first issues I'll discuss with my clients. The available rooms in the main house are generally too small for wedding photography, or at least they wouldn't be but access is limited to the doorways as rope barriers protect the remainder of the rooms. We were told by the staff it was forbidden to cross the barriers. Having said that there's a fine staircase and the rooms the wedding services are conducted in to use if necessary. There is of course the option of using the cottages and other buildings on site, although they are all a good 10 minute walk from the house and have to be shared with the visiting public. 

Conclusions. 

If we could only guarantee the weather would be fine, this would be my top spot in South Wales for wedding photography. 

If you'd like to see some more photos a wedding from St Fagans or to book me as your phtotographger then take a look at http://www.cardiff-weddingphotographer.com/

Rob Hudson