Blog Archives

A Wedding Photographer’s Guide to North Wales Wedding Venues (Part 3)

For Part 3 of my Wedding Photographer’s Guide to North Wales Wedding venues, I’m going to introduce you to two stunning venues- Soughton Hall and Ruthin Castle.

As a wedding photographer based in Flintshire, I’m ideally placed for weddings across North Wales, Chester, Cheshire, and the North West. This means I get to work at some truly fabulous venues: I believe that North Wales and Cheshire have some of the finest wedding venues in the UK and I can’t wait to share these two with you.

 

North Wales Wedding Photographer

I often get asked which are my favourite wedding venues to shoot at, so I decided to put together a guide to my most-loved wedding venues throughout the North West. You can see the first two instalments of my Guide To North Wales Wedding Venues here and here.

As a wedding photographer, I love working at wedding venues in North Wales: the area is famous for its stunning scenery and I find that it makes the best backdrops for wedding photography. Whatever your tastes or theme of your wedding, North Wales has a venue for you. I’ve been lucky enough to be the wedding photographer at coastal hotels, fairytale castles, stately homes, and rural venues in the North Wales countryside.

Soughton Hall Wedding Photographer

Soughton Hall, North Wales

Soughton Hall is one of the wedding venues that I shoot at most frequently, and it’s not hard to see why it’s such a favourite for couples who are getting married. Set on the border of Cheshire and North Wales, this stunning Georgian country house is approached down a sweeping driveway and surrounded by landscaped gardens.


Incredibly, Soughton Hall has been welcoming guests for over 300 years! Soughton Hall has been the home of the Wynne Bankes family for over 200 years, and it perfectly combines the atmosphere of a much-loved family home with the luxury of a boutique venue.

What I love about Soughton Hall is that it’s full of character: the reception grooms are grand but also cosy and full of warmth and charm, which makes for some gorgeous wedding photography. A lot of couples choose to have their ceremony in the beautiful Drawing Room which is fabric lined in blue and gold and features a fresco painted ceiling with chandeliers.



Couples tend to choose the marquee for their wedding reception: it’s a lovely, elegant space that lends itself to any type of venue dressing. The Marquee overlooks the wooded gardens and is accessed directly from the house through a glass walkway.



The exterior is just as stunning as the interior: I’ve captured some brilliant group shots of guests outside after the ceremony. Some of my very favourite photos from Soughton Hall have to be the ones I’ve taken of the couple enjoying some time alone outside, especially in the venue’s picturesque Secret Garden. Overlooking the southern façade of the Hall, and shaded by eucalyptus trees, this atmospheric garden really is perfect for some magical wedding photography, whatever the season.





If you’re looking for an exclusive-use wedding venue on the Cheshire and North Wales border, I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Soughton Hall. This is a venue full of charm and beautiful features that are ideal for wedding photography, and it really does feel like a home from home.

Ruthin Castle, North Wales

If you’re looking for a true fairytale castle wedding venue in North Wales, then Ruthin Castle will not disappoint! Ruthin Castle is a 4 star mediaeval luxury hotel situated within the glorious Clwydian Range in North Wales. Ruthin Castle is steeped in history and combines traditional interiors with luxury facilities.

 


As a wedding photographer, I love being asked to shoot weddings at unusual venues. The fact that Ruthin Castle was built in mediaeval times gives it a unique atmosphere. The reception rooms really capture the castle’s history: think wood panelling, high ceilings, and grand chandeliers.





My favourite place to shoot at Ruthin Castle is in the stunning grounds. The Castle sits in acres of parkland beside the Clwydian Range in North Wales and benefits from immaculate gardens and sprawling woodland, all of which make for countless photo opportunities.


I’ve enjoyed capturing some really unique images of couples surrounded by the castle ruins: the high stone walls and the views of the North Wales hills beyond provides the backdrop for some outstanding wedding photography.




If you’re getting married in North Wales and looking for a historical wedding venue with a difference, then Ruthin Castle could be the ideal choice for you.

 

Chester and North Wales Wedding Photographer

Hopefully this has been a useful glimpse into some more of North Wales’s most beautiful wedding venues. If you are thinking of getting married in North Wales and are considering Ruthin Castle or Soughton Hall, I would love to discuss your plans for the day. I’m a professional wedding photographer in North Wales and Chester and would be delighted if you got in touch for a chat. 

A dream wedding day at Iscoyd Park

I’ve been really looking forward to sharing this real life wedding story with you as it’s set at one of my new favourite wedding venues, Iscoyd Park.

Iscoyd Park is a private country house wedding venue on the borders of North Wales, Shropshire and Cheshire. I’m a wedding photographer in North Wales and Chester so Iscoyd is ideally located for me. It’s also an absolute dream wedding venue: it’s the perfect combination of historic elegance and contemporary style.



Katie and Dan’s wedding was on 19th May 2022, but getting to that date wasn’t completely straightforward! Like so many weddings in recent times, Katie and Dan’s wedding date was affected by COVID: they were originally supposed to get married in May 2020, and this was then postponed until 2022. However, in yet another hurdle, their original venue was Thornton Manor, but sadly a huge fire recently took place at Thornton Manor. Because of this, Katie and Dan had to find another within just 6 weeks. But what a venue to find! Iscoyd Park really does have it all, and I’m sure that Katie, Dan, and all their guests agreed that it ended up being a dream wedding day.


Katie and Dan’s wedding at Iscoyd Park

We got the day off to a lovely start when I joined Katie, her family, and her bridesmaids for some bridal prep. Katie and Dan have two gorgeous little daughters, Dotty and Olivia, who were the flower girls. As a wedding photographer it’s always so nice to spend time with the family and share in the excitement before the ceremony.




The bridal prep partly took place in the picturesque Iscoyd cottage where Katie stayed the night before, then we moved into the main house. Iscoyd Park is an ideal setting for bridal prep- the rooms are beautiful, light, and spacious.



Gemma Baxter Makeup Artist and hair stylist Hannah Matthews were a dream team on the day, making sure the bridal party all looked and felt stunning. Katie looked incredible in her dress from Bellissima Brides, and we were able to capture some beautiful shots of Katie reflected in the large elegant mirror in the suite where we were getting ready.




One of my favourite moments of any wedding is when the father of the bride sees his daughter in her bridal dress for the first time. As a wedding photographer it’s always a privilege to share in emotional moments, and this occasion certainly didn’t disappoint as these lovely images show:


I then joined Dan and his groomsmen in the upstairs library where they were waiting for the ceremony to begin (and enjoying a quick beer or two!)


Iscoyd Park really does have the feel of a family home. Iscoyd prides itself on not being too stuffy or formal but relaxed and welcoming: a classical Georgian house with a modern attitude. The interior spaces really show off the Georgian splendour – I loved capturing the shots of Katie and her dad walking down the oak staircase. The Garden Room where the ceremony took place is also equally elegant. It’s also a really lovely light, bright room, which is ideal for wedding photography!



Iscoyd Park Wedding Photographer

Following the ceremony we headed outside for some fun group shots. It was great to see all the guests mingling and relaxing in the gardens in the sunshine. Like so many wedding venues in the Chester and North Wales area, Iscoyd Park benefits from stunning grounds: manicured lawns and wild flower beds all with a backdrop of an exquisite Georgian manor house- a wedding photographer’s dream!





I also managed to sneak off with Katie and Dan for a little while so we could capture some shots of just the two of them enjoying the gardens in the sunshine. One of the things I love about my job is working with brides and grooms to get creative with some shots, such as the aerial ones we captured in the grounds. I also really enjoyed photographing Katie and Dan with their two lovely little girls- we took some fantastic family photos.



The wedding breakfast was in Iscoyd’s marquee, which was beautifully dressed with trees and flowers by Maddison Creations.



The guests then went outside to play some garden games, before heading back into the venue to enjoy the evening reception. Music was by Apres Music and as you can tell from the photos, it’s clear that everyone had a fantastic time!


Wedding Photography in Chester and North Wales

I’m so pleased that I got to shoot Katie and Dan’s wedding at Iscoyd Park: it’s always a privilege to be asked to be someone’s wedding photographer and be a part of the most special day of their lives. It was also such a treat to shoot at Iscoyd- it’s got to be one of my favourite venues in the Chester/North Wales region and I can’t wait to visit again.


If you’re getting married in the Chester or North Wales area (or further afield) and are looking for a wedding photographer, I would be delighted to chat. Please get in touch today to discuss your plans. 

A Wedding Photographer’s Guide to North Wales Wedding Venues (Part 2)

As a wedding photographer based in Flintshire, I’m ideally placed for weddings across North Wales, Chester, Cheshire, and the North West. This means I get to work at some truly fabulous venues: I believe that North Wales and Cheshire have some of the finest wedding venues in the UK.

I often get asked which are my favourite wedding venues to shoot at, so I decided to start to put together a run down of my most-loved wedding venues throughout the North West. This month I’ll be focusing on two wedding venues in North Wales…

 

North Wales Wedding Photographer

When it comes to wedding photography, North Wales is hard to beat when it comes to venues that provide the perfect backdrop. North Wales is famous for its stunning countryside, and we also have a beautiful coastline too, both of which are pretty much the best backdrops for photography that you could wish for!

Whatever your tastes or theme of your wedding, North Wales has a venue for you. I’ve been lucky enough to be the wedding photographer at coastal hotels, fairytale castles, stately homes, and rural venues in the North Wales countryside.

You can see the first instalment of my Guide To North Wales Wedding Venues here. And now, here are some more of my favourite North Wales wedding venues, along with some stunning wedding photography to show off each venue…


Tower Hill Barns, North Wales

As a wedding photographer in North Wales, Tower Hill Barns is one of my favourite venues to work at. Tower Hill Barns is tucked away in the Welsh hills in a little village called Trevor near Llangollen, and is a lovely mix of old and modern: for example, if you choose to have your ceremony at Tower Hill Barns, it will be held in a 250 year old converted cattle barn that’s now been beautifully converted. This mix of old and new makes Tower Hill Barns a really versatile venue: whether you want a rustic barn style wedding, or a modern wedding full of light and space, this North Wales venue really does lend itself to any theme.




Tower Hill Barns boasts all the features that brides and grooms look for on their wedding day, from timber walls, pretty gardens and a wild flower meadow, to gorgeous views of the surrounding North Wales hills. One particular stand-out feature at Tower Hill Barns is the stunning outdoor space under a railway bridge where you can choose to get married: this is a really unique setting for a wedding ceremony and lends itself to some eye-catching wedding photography.


As a wedding photographer, the things we really love at venues are great light and an opportunity to capture some fantastic shots. Tower Hill Barns delivers both these things in abundance! The bright and airy barns offer a lovely light space for photography, and there are countless places to capture the perfect photo opportunity.



If you’re looking for a country wedding venue in North Wales that really does tick all the boxes, then Tower Hill Barns is the venue for you.

Chateau Rhianfa, North Wales

Chateau Rhianfa is a wedding photographer’s dream. This stunning Grade II listed chateau is the kind of venue that makes me feel very fortunate to be a wedding photographer in North Wales. Not only is it a real-life fairytale castle, it is also located in a beautiful and unique setting overlooking the Menai Strait.

Chateau Rhianfa Wedding Photographer
Chateau Rhianfa Wedding Photographer

Just looking at the exterior shots of this venue gives you a glimpse of how magical Chateau Rhianfa truly is. Situated in an imposing position up in the hills, the chateau is surrounded by beautiful mature gardens, and I’ve captured some stunning shots of couples at the romantic summer house situated in the grounds. This venue also benefits from being right on the Menai Strait, which means there are countless opportunities for waterside shots.

Chateau Rhianfa North Wales


Inside the venue is just as elegant, with wood-panelled rooms giving an atmospheric feel throughout.

One of my favourite features of Chateau Rhianfa is the outside terrace. If you’re looking for a terrace with exceptional views, this one is hard to beat. It’s the ideal space for post-ceremony drinks, especially when the North Wales weather is behaving itself for once! I love capturing shots of guests enjoying a glass of fizz out on the terrace with the breathtaking views of the Menai Strait and the Snowdonia mountain range as a backdrop. As a wedding photographer, those are the kind of photo opportunities that stay in your mind long after the day has passed.

Chateau Rhianfa Wedding Photographer

Chateau Rhianfa North Wales
Chateau Rhianfa North Wales
Chateau Rhianfa North Wales
Chateau Rhianfa North Wales

If you’re looking for a true fairytale venue for your wedding in North Wales, then look no further than Chateau Rhianfa. And if you choose this gorgeous venue then please do think of me to be your wedding photographer, as I would love another chance to go back to this dream venue!

Hopefully this has been a useful glimpse into some more of North Wales’s finest wedding venues. If you are thinking of getting married in North Wales and are considering either of these venues, I would love to discuss your plans for the day and offer some tips and advice on your wedding photography- please get in touch for a chat.