Oh, but that dress...


Ok let's be honest here, we were pretty excited about the dress. We see a lot of bridal gowns and every single one is beautiful... but not every single one is black. Bethan and Sam weren't interested in doing things everyone else's way, this was their wedding, no one else's. Honestly, I couldn't give better advice to anyone planning their wedding than to take a leaf out of Beth and Sam's book. It's simply THE way to make sure you have the best day, and if you want any proof, just look at the smiles in every single picture...

A black formal dress hangs elegantly against a white wall in dramatic black and white photography.
Wedding invitation surrounded by red roses, blue ribbon, and black dress shoes in a styled flat lay.

Family is important, so a prep at home with Mum, Dad, Sisters and bridesmaids was the obvious choice. The bright kitchen was the perfect place for makeup, with hair upstairs, and the dress (THE Dress) hanging, waiting, in Mum and Dad's room. the morning madness of prep is always fun to capture, even more so when you have a group so ready to enjoy every moment.

Professional makeup application with eyeliner brush against pink background.
Group photo of friends or team members gathered together in casual setting.
Getting ready scene with hair styling using multiple rollers in a pink-walled room.
Close-up beauty shot during makeup application with hair in styling rollers.
Hand holding a personalized wedding wine glass with engagement ring visible.
Candid portrait in a rust-colored corduroy shirt against grey background.
A candid shot shows someone getting their hair styled while wearing a celestial pattern pajama top and smiling joyfully.
Person in casual attire holding a champagne glass while relaxing on a couch with a bright smile.
Close-up shot of hands clasping together during a special moment.
Black and white image of a stylist adjusting a delicate floral headpiece on someone's hair.
Person in emerald green dress checking their phone while standing in a bright room.
Two people share a candid moment while seated together near floral decorations.
Close-up of someone adjusting pearl earrings while wearing a black dress and crystal headpiece.
Group helping with final wedding preparations in a room with casual atmosphere.
Person in formal attire with bowtie standing in doorway during special occasion.
Bride in black wedding dress holds luxurious white floral bouquet with cascading greenery.
Elegant cascading white bridal bouquet with calla lilies and greenery against a dark dress background.

At Sant Ffraed, the Groom awaits with his groomsmen...

Group of groomsmen in formal attire seated together in a dark room for wedding party photo.
When your theme is black and white, there's no venue more perfect than Sant Ffraed House
Elegant wedding ceremony venue with rows of black chairs and arched windows in a bright white room.
Close-up shot of someone checking time on an elegant watch while wearing formal attire.
Groom in classic black tuxedo standing in an empty ceremony space with white chairs.
Black and white portrait of groom adjusting bowtie in ceremony space.

Bethan arrives at Sant Ffraed

Black and white photo of people in formal attire dancing in grand ballroom.

Either this dress was made for Sant Ffraed, or Sant Ffraed was made for this dress... regardless, Beth rocked them both as she strode down the aisle towards an awestruck Sam waiting at the end. The ceremony was personal, with a reading from Beth's mum. There were smiles, laughter, nervous glances (from Sam). But most of all, there was a sense of comfort, these two know who they are, what they are about, and who they want to spend the rest of their life with.

Black and white image of four young children in formal attire standing together indoors.
A dramatic black wedding gown with lace details and long train photographed under an elegant arched doorway.
Elegant black and white photo of a bride in a dramatic black wedding dress holding a white bouquet.
Wedding party celebrating with a group toast in formal attire.
Groom in formal tuxedo checking time on watch before ceremony.
Two young ring bearers in bow ties and suspenders walking down white aisle lined with floral arrangements.
Young attendants in formal wear walking down the wedding aisle.
Flower girl in white dress and crown carrying basket walks down aisle during wedding ceremony.
Young attendant in white dress carries basket down wedding aisle lined with guests and greenery.
Bridesmaid in emerald green dress holds white bouquet during wedding ceremony.
Wedding party member in flowing emerald green gown walks down aisle holding bouquet.
Wedding attendants walk down aisle wearing emerald green formal attire and carrying white floral bouquets.
Wedding processional in elegant venue with dramatic black ball gown and classic formal attire.
Black and white photo of wedding ceremony in bright room with elegant chandelier and seated guests.
Wedding ceremony venue with white aisle runner, floral decor, and modern starburst chandelier.

Who cares what the weatherman says?


Outside for that classic whole group photo on the stairs... and then quickly back inside as the wind and the rain pick up! Well, this is Wales after all. Sant Ffraed staff had removed all the chairs from the ceremony room in a matter of minutes, leaving us a beautiful space to create a selection of stunning group photos, before moving across to the other building for drinks and canapes in a slick and contemporary bar. Beth and Sam's family and friends chat and catch up while we move between the crowds capturing the natural moments of laughter and emotion that come with such family events. A quick sneak into the main room so we can capture a few details before everyone is invited in to take their seats... while we take Beth and Sam for some portraits.

Large wedding party poses on grand brick mansion steps for formal group photo.
Wedding party in emerald green and black attire poses in elegant room with pampas grass decor.
Wedding party with children in formal attire poses in front of elegant fireplace with floral decor.
Groomsmen in formal suits pose together in elegant room with hardwood floors.
Couple in black formal attire walks through autumn leaves on wedding day.
Black serving platter of elegant bruschetta appetizers being presented.
Close-up of black chiavari chair with white fabric and green ribbon decoration.
Black and white photo of elegant wedding reception room with round tables and place settings.
Wedding guest in classic black tuxedo with bow tie and boutonniere holding a drink at formal reception.
Woman in elegant black evening gown stands by elegantly set reception table.
Modern wedding reception venue with floor-to-ceiling windows and elegant table settings.
Wedding guests looking at digital tablet during reception celebration.
Group of wedding guests in formal attire taking selfies at reception.
Children in formal attire standing among autumn leaves at outdoor event.

Portraits are all about you...


When it comes to weddings, we see ourselves as a hybrid of documentary and editorial, but with a much larger focus on the documentary side. We are chilled, and so are our couples, but that doesn't mean that they don't want their 15 minutes of fame. We took Beth and Sam for their portraits and were done in 20 minutes... we don't mean to toot our own horn, but we can do a lot in 20 minutes, especially when you have a stunning location and a beautiful couple who know how to take everything in their stride and laugh their way through life together...

Couple in formal black attire taking selfie on autumn grounds of historic building.
Dramatic wedding photo with couple in black attire against brick mansion backdrop.
Intimate moment between couple in formal black wedding attire outdoors.
Black and white portrait of couple sharing romantic moment with mansion in background.
Couple in formal attire takes selfie in autumn garden with historic mansion in background.
Couple in black formal wear pose against brick mansion with dramatic flowing dress.
Elegant couple in black formalwear pose together on garden path by historic brick building.
Black and white photo of couple laughing together in formal attire on garden path.
Couple in black tie attire share joyful moment in autumn garden setting.
Couple walking hand in hand through garden path covered in fallen autumn leaves.
Candid moment of laughter between couple in formal black attire outdoors.
Dramatic black and white portrait of couple embracing with historic building backdrop.
Dramatic indoor portrait of couple in black formal wear under arched hallway with chandelier.
Elegant couple in formal wear pose beneath warm chandelier lighting in arched hallway.
Couple in formal black attire pose in front of grand arched brick doorway.
Playful couple in formal black attire dance by vintage brick entrance.
Elegant couple stands before symmetrical brick mansion with twin staircases.

Down those shots! (It's an Olwalls tradition) and then into to meet your adoring fans... Oh wait, we mean family! Either way, we make sure were are there to capture that grand entrance in style. Dine on some incredible food, stopping halfway for a quick bottle of champers. and then into the speeches.

Two shot glasses of amber-colored drinks sit on a dark slate surface at a bar counter.
Two guests share a laughter-filled moment at an elegant bar counter.
Wedding guests celebrate joyfully at a reception as they wave napkins and toast the festivities.
Wedding guests enjoying conversation and drinks at an elegant reception dinner.
Wedding guests share intimate conversations during an elegant evening reception.
Guest laughs joyfully during an elegant dinner reception with greenery in background.
Guests share a hearty laugh during wedding reception dinner conversations.
Wedding guests enjoying lively conversation at a festive reception dinner.
Young ring bearer in suspenders and bow tie smiles at wedding reception.
Family poses together during elegant wedding reception celebration.
A speaker in formal attire with bow tie and vest delivers remarks at an elegant wedding reception.
A couple shares a joyful moment during wedding reception toasts at an elegantly decorated table.
Wedding guests laugh and smile during reception speeches at a formal dinner event.
A speaker in a dark suit addresses wedding guests during reception toasts.
Newlyweds share an intimate moment at their reception table decorated with floral arrangements.
A wedding speaker in green suit jacket delivers remarks during reception celebrations.
A wedding speaker in black tuxedo gives emotional toast at formal reception dinner.
Couple shares laughter during wedding reception toasts at decorated head table.
Emotional embrace shared during wedding reception speeches as guests look on.
Guest shows emotional reaction during touching moment at wedding reception.
Wedding reception scene with a decorated head table featuring greenery garland during a toast.
Best man in black tuxedo gives speech while holding microphone and notes at wedding reception.
Black and white photo of wedding reception hall filled with guests at round tables.

Time to cut that cake, and get dancing. No candle-lit piano balled here, Beth and Sam stayed true to their roots with a first dance to rock too. Then everyone up on the floor, family and friends living in the moment... and of course we are in the middle of it all, camera in hand, ready to capture the madness!

Elegant three-tier white wedding cake with monogram and floral decorations on metallic stand.
Wedding guest laughing joyfully during reception celebration.
Wedding guests enjoying drinks and conversation during evening reception.
Wedding reception guests socializing at tables with drinks.
Couple in formal attire share intimate moment beside wedding cake at reception.
Couple in black formal attire cutting their white monogrammed wedding cake together.
Black and white photo of couple embracing during wedding dance.
A couple shares an intimate moment during their first dance at a wedding reception with sparkly lights in the background.
Black and white photo of a couple's first dance surrounded by wedding guests in an elegant ballroom.
Close-up detail of formal black evening wear and hands during an elegant dance.
A couple embraces during their romantic first dance at a wedding reception with warm lighting.
A couple in formal attire sharing their first dance on a white dance floor at their wedding reception.
Dancing couple embraces on the reception dance floor surrounded by other guests.
Two small children in formal wear dancing together at a wedding reception.
Guest in a polka dot dress and blue fascinator enjoying the wedding celebration.

A lesson for us all...


Embrace everything, do things your way, and laugh through it all. That's how Beth and Sam approached their day. So what if it rained, let's get out there and get some amazing photos to remember an amazing day!

Romantic black and white photo of couple under umbrellas in heavy rain at night.

Vendors and Suppliers

Venue: Sant Ffraed House - @santffraedhouse

Dress: All About Eve Bridal - @allaboutevebridalwear

Wedding Planner: Sarah Louise Wedding Planner - @sarahlouiseweddingplanner

Suits - Slaters Menswear - @slatermenswear

Photography - Huw and Dale - @huwanddale