It was my pleasure last Friday to photograph one of the very first weddings at the newest and most exclusive South Wales wedding venue, Plas Cilybebyll near Pontardawe in Swansea, South Wales UK.
One of only a few exclusive use hotels across the UK owned by Amazing Retreats, Plas House is sure to become the premiere wedding venue for couples from all over the UK and the world, looking to get married at a beautiful ‘French Chateau styled’ manor house, in the (Welsh,) British countryside.
Making this day even more exciting for me was the fact that I had documented the story of Emma’s Mum and Step Dad’s wedding almost exactly five years ago, so it was lovely to meet the family once again. This was also the very first wedding I have ever been able to ‘walk to.’ Yes you read that correctly, I walked to this wedding as Plas Cilybebyll House is less than a mile away from our studio!
The story of Mathew and Emma’s big day began early in the morning with Emma’s preparations in the magnificent bridal suite at Plas Cilybebyll. It wasn’t long before I had to leave for the very short trip (walking distance again,) to nearby Cilybebyll Parish Church.
Mathew arrived with his best men and ushers before the bridesmaids arrived, ahead of Emma with her Dad. After a heavy rain shower during the service, it dried up just in time for everyone to leave the church, but not before a great ‘confetti shower’ at the church gate.
We then made our way back to Plas Cilybebyll for the afternoon reception. As guests enjoyed the spectacular house and ‘Petit Chateau’ while being served with drinks and nibbles, Mathew and Emma had photos taken on the magnificent staircase and the on the balcony of their bridal suite, with great views over the rear gardens.
We then asked all 100+ guests to join us on the front lawn of Plas CilybebyllHouse for a big ariel group shot, before family joined us in the walled garden for a few carefully pre-selected group shots in front of one of the Lilly ponds.
After the group shots were completed Emma and Mathew continued their tour of the grounds with me for a few more ‘bride and groom’ shots before returning to the ‘Petit Chateau’ where they waited to be announced into their wedding breakfast, held in a lovely marquee set up on the tennis courts.
Before food, guests were entertained by a surprise ‘musical chimney sweep’ who performed a number of Dick Van Dyke numbers before getting Mathew and Emma involved and handing them a ‘lucky piece of coal.’
Some emotional speeches followed the meal, with cake cutting ending the story of the day as far as the photography was concerned.
If you know this wonderful couple, please leave them a personal message below. All of the images from this special day will be available to view from this page, once Emma and Mathew have returned from honeymoon and seen them for themselves first.
11 comments
Dear Emma and Mathew,
I wanted to be the first here to say congratulations to you both once again.
Thank you for inviting me to document the story of your special day. I hope you both enjoyed it as much your family, friends and I did.
Have a wonderful honeymoon. I look forward to showing you the complete story of your day on your return in early October.
Safe travelling.
Nic
Hi Nic
The photographs look really fantastic and both Wendy and myself look forward to seeing them all.
Your write up about Plas Cilybebyll is much appreciated and I have forwarded your link to head office.
We look forward to seeing you again for Amy and Darrens wedding in October.
Regards
Gerwyn (Plas Cilybebyll Manager.)
The photographs you have taken Nic have left me speechless. What fantastic memories you have taken of the fantastic day we had for the wedding of my sister Emma and my new brother in law Mathew.
The day was superb and the photographs are, well, simply stunning! I cannot wait to see the rest!
For those thinking of hiring a photographer look no further, Nic is amazing. Patient. Courteous. Always smiling. Always willing. Very Flexible. Very Professional. He seemed more like a guest than a photographer as his company was so good. Thank you Nic, the preview pics are brilliant, cant wait to see the rest!
Thankyou Nic, another superb example of your profession, Emma will be thrilled with the results I know! you even managed to
catch all three flower girls smiling – well done. Can’t wait to view all your pictures “Hurry home Emma and Mathew!!!”
What a cracking set of photos. Can’t wait to see the rest.I bet the guys at Amazing Retreats will be knocked sideways when they see the images of the wedding at the Plas-Priceless…Lyn
Dear Both
What a wonderful day! we enjoyed every minute. Emma you looked a dream Mathew you scubbed up pretty well, no seriously you looked good enoughto eat. The colour you chose for bridesmaids & men was rich & classy, the little ones gorgeous and well behaved.
Everyone is telling us that Richard had worked hard to make the evening go with a swing and it did only sorry we had to leave early and didn’t get chance to say goodbye.
Hope the honeymoon is living up to expectations, have a fab. time, don’t spend too much time thinking of us all here in the cold & rain.
Catch up when you come home, look out for sharks!
Tons of love and thank you for asking us to share your day
Sue & Les xxxxxxxx
Dear Emma and Mathew,
A huge congratulations from me and our three children to you both. Last time we met at your Mum’s and Lyn’s wedding, Mia was a bump in my tummy, now shes almost five and has been admiring how beautiful you are in these stunning photos. Congrattulations.
Lots of love Diana xx.
Ola amigos, the new Mr and Mrs Thomas here. Having a wonderful honeymoon in Mexico and made even more wonderful with the sneak preview of our wedding photos above and we are so excited to see the full collection. We had a wonderful wedding and which Nic has captured so well, we think it’s going to be a hard choice deciding which ones are to go in the album.
Just had our honeymoon meal on the beach and a long conversation over a glass of wine or two about the very select but stunning choice of pictures above. We love them all soo much!!! And thats just a taster!!
Missing all you guys back home but will see you in just over a week and then we can get down to business in designing our wedding album with Nic.
With love and thanks to everyone who has left us a message above. All our love from sunny Mexico, Emma and Math xxxxx
What can we say! The photographs above are absoloutely stunning- they are just a sample of Nic’s professionalism & passion for his job.
Nic, you were able to capture special moments that Em and Math will cherish forever.
The Plas as a venue is out of this world and to think it is so close to where we grew up makes it even more special
Gerwyn and Wendy were the perfect hosts all weekend – thank you both also
We all can not wait to see the finished album……
Dear Nic,
Thank you so much for making our wedding so perfect.
Math and I love our sneaky peek pics! Can’t wait to see the whole collection and loads of thanks again.
Love Em and Math x
Well just to echo what has already been said…..through out the day nic, you were the ever professional, and the photos show this. The day went so well and just from the photos here shows that you captured the moment(s) perfectly.
Cant wait to see the rest of them. Congrats to you Nic on your professionalism and photos, and a big Congrats to you Mr and Mrs Thomas…….Glad your back safe and ill see you soon.
ps your dog still has a wonky eye. Mwah!