Cardiff Castle. Wedding Venue Review

Yes, you really can indulge all your Rapunzel fantasies and be rescued from the tower by a handsome prince! Or at least by your husband to be. Cardiff Castle, although dating from the Romans the walls and keep are a mostly Norman construction, but is perhaps best known for the fertile imaginations of the 3rd Marquis of Bute and his architect William Burges who built an elaborate house based on a fantasy version of the Middle Ages. That's not to say this is any Disney like confection, this was the arts and crafts movement in full swing with influences from Pre-Raphaelites abounding, Bute was also reputedly the richest person in Europe at the time (remodelling started in 1865) so no expense was spared. Outside is all towers and spires while the interior is a staggering  mix of carving, glass and colour.

Not only do you have the run of the house, but also the castle grounds, a substantial area within the walls and a huge parkland beyond which would be ideal for more photos. There are two rooms to choose from the Guest Tower which seats 30 and a larger room which seats up to 100.

Upsides. 

• City centre location, easy access by car, rail and bus.
• Wonderful architecture, interiors and grounds
• Really helpful and enthusiastic staff. 
• Prices are quite reasonable 
• Access to city centre hotels for a huge choice in reception locations
• Should the weather be inclement there are plenty of opportunities inside the main house for photos, but make sure you discuss it with the organiser when booking.

Downsides.

• Guest Tower is a very small room, when they say thirty they mean thirty! But it did give me the opportunity to take some unusually intimate photos during the service. 
• The grounds although substantial aren't visually exciting save for the architectural backdrop. 
• When I was last there they were setting up stands and marquees for a Cheese Festival for the following weekend, which compromised many of the best angles for photography.

Insider Knowledge.

• Check what events are planned and what impact this may have on your wedding photos. Events are frequent in the Castle grounds. 
• For something a bit different, ask one of the very helpful staff to arrange a falcon (falconry in the grounds) for the bride and groom to hold. As I did above. 
• Save time for a trip to adjoining Bute Park for a few more photos. 
• Take a walk across Cardiff (weather permitting) to your reception location for some great photojournalistic photos. 

Conclusions

There are so many advantages to Cardiff Castle it's hard to list them all, so don't be put off by a few niggles it's a great wedding venue and at a great price.

If you'd like Rob Hudson to take your wedding photos at Cardiff Castle or at any location across South Wales then visit http://www.cardiff-weddingphotographer.com/

Plas Llanmihangel House and Church, Vale of Glamorgan. Wedding Venue Review

A beautiful location tucked away in its own little valley not far from Cowbridge, Plas Llanmihangel and the adjoining church make for a wonderfully intimate place to get married. The 13th Century St. Michaels Church has no electricity and so is lit only by candles and oil lamps which adds to its charm even though the low light might frighten photographers! 

Just a few steps away up hill is the 16th Century house run as a bed and breakfast and described by The Royal Commission on Ancient  as "one of the finest and most complete gentry houses in Glamorgan". The houses (run as a B&B) is beautifully furnished with period furnishings and has 13 staircases! There is a large banqueting hall with Tudor moulded plasterwork ceiling and 17th Century Oak panelling, suitable for small to medium sized receptions up to about 40 people. There are extensive gardens with avenues of yew trees to the rear and a more cottagey style garden at the front. 

The Upsides. 

• Wonderful, intimate, rural location, tucked away in its own little valley. 
• Charming 13th Century church just a few steps below the house. 
• Beautifully restored 16th century fortified manor house for the reception. 
• Charming hosts. 
• Extensive beautiful grounds. 
• Small enough to be block booked by the family, but some guests will need to stay elsewhere. 

The Downsides. 

• If the weather were poor, space for group shots in the house would be limited. 
• The garden at the rear has beautiful stone steps through a yew avenue, but does suffer from sheep fouling, not ideal for wedding dresses - or photographers best shoes!

Conclusions. 

Yet again a wonderfully romantic place to get married, especially if you love historic properties. However, interior space would be limited for group photography in poor weather. As charming as a candle lit church may sound I was glad it was a bright day outside as much less light would have been stretching the (very high) capabilities of even my professional camera. But don't let any of that put you off, go there if you can!

If you'd like to see more examples of my wedding photography or book Rob Hudson for your own wedding please go to Cardiff-WeddingPhotographer.com

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

Oddwalls Leisure Wedding Venue, Gower.Wedding Venue Review

As you can see Oddwalls Leisure certainly has an enviably beautiful location! There's a whole series of small lakes behind the main complex with views to the common and hills beyond. There isn't anything else in the Swansea area that can complete on the beauty stakes. There are a series of cottages around a small courtyard, down a short lane from the main north Gower Road. There is also The Oak Room - a handsome oak-framed, pointed arch room ideal for a wedding breakfast. An adjoining marquee is provided for  larger receptions and evening events, large enough to contain a band if you so wish. Nearby Llanrhidian Church is as old as they come around here - it even has a 9th century carved stone in the doorway, known as the Lepers Stone. The church also has an enviable position looking out over the Lougher Estuary towards Bury Port and a couple of standing stones framing the path across the village green.

Upside.

• Small enough for the cottages to be block booked by the family and a few friends (maybe) which makes for an intimate location. 
• Helpful and conscientious staff
• Beautiful location 
• Attractive dinning room 
• Top quality marquee

Downside.

• Drainage of the grounds seemed to be a bit of an issue on the day I was there. To be fair this was at the end of October and it had poured down the night before. But it was both muddy and puddly getting to the lake for the above shot and little better in the immediate grounds.
• Much of the lake is fenced (for safety) but the wood and in places wire fence doesn't make a great backdrop for your wedding photos. 

What if you have wet weather?

This is always a tricky question and it's usually one of the first issues I'll discuss with my clients. The Oak Room is quite spacious and very attractive so there'd be space and light to get some poses for the bride and groom. It might be a bit more tricky if it's laid out for dining as the space would be tight for anything except smaller groups. If you have a marquee then there'll be much more space, but as with the oak room if it's laid out for dining larger groups would be difficult.

Insider knowledge.

Save some time to visit Weobley Castle, it's just around the corner, has grand views over the estuary. You know it would make a great spot for some photos. 

Conclusions.

Overall a really good place, a bit more paving and / or drainage might help, but that shouldn't be a problem in normal Summer weddings, but you know this is Wales!

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

Rob Hudson