I never really wanted to let you get inside my heart
I wanted to believe this would soon be ending
I thought it wouldn’t matter, if it all just came apart
But now I realize I was just pretending – KISS

Penarth Wedding Photographers – Ani & Lee

Wedding photographers often write gushing blog posts about the weddings they attend, the couples they photograph and gloat about lucky they are to have the job they do. I’m sure a lot of them feel very strongly about their couples, love the weddings they are lucky to attend and genuinely appreciate how lucky they are to have the privilege of being at these most amazing days . . . . but none of them were as lucky as me landing Ani & Lee’s wedding day or felt as honoured to have the chance to get to know their amazing family or photograph their wedding day at the Manor House Hotel in Penarth.

Last summer we all met up in Cosmeston Lakes for an engagement Together session (have a look here) and we all hit it off amazingly.  Ani & Lee are so comfortable in each others company, there really is a tank full of that special magic juice that couples in love have.

Their laid back approach to everything meant that everyone was more relaxed during the morning prep than at any other wedding I can remember. An hour before the ceremony you couldn’t sense that this was going to be such a huge day and what was about to happen was going to happen. In front of their closest friends and family the ceremony was humorous, fun but heartfelt. Readings from their bestest of friends and tears around the room gave you an idea of how special these people are to so many people. We had great fun through the group shots and loved spending time in the sun with the wonderful friends and family.

Ani’s love of books and Lee’s love of music was reflected everywhere.  There were more tears throughout the speeches on every table so straight afterwards we broke free and headed down to Penarth front and walked along the pier with a bottle of Champagne. On such a beautiful evening the pier and newly refurbished Pavilion were awash with members of the public, all of which shouted their congratulations our way. Ani and Lee remained as close as ever and laughed through the entirety of the hour we spent away from the venue. When we returned The Don dicked off the evening with the first dance before Lee got up to sing a couple of songs and then was subjected to some form of ritual humiliation from the women on the dancefloor, something he looked like he was secretly enjoying.

We stayed late, very late, capturing the dancefloor and people enjoying the great party atmosphere that the band and the couple created. Everything was perfect!

Here’s the other side of the day in Ani’s own words:-

The photography at the wedding was really important to me. I’d seen lots of friends wedding photographs and as lovely as they were, they weren’t to my taste. They seemed really staged and unnatural. I wanted something different – where the photographer captured the day and everyone looked really natural and well happy!! It was very important to me and I wasn’t willing to compromise.

I knew that I wanted Owen as my wedding photographer even before we had booked the date and venue. I’d seen the photographs that he had taken of his wife, son and dog on Instagram and been very impressed. Owen takes natural photographs that highlight people and places perfectly. I look forward to seeing his work and I feel lucky that he said yes to being our photographer.

I can’t describe how pleased we were with Owen, he  was like another member of our family in the morning, he made everyone feel relaxed ! He made people comfortable for photographs, even the family ones which we felt we needed. He made everyone laugh as well which looked brilliant on the photographs. After the wedding lots of family and friends have approached me to say how wonderful he was and how he made them laugh.     

When we met Owen to have our engagement shoot and talk about what we wanted from our photographs we felt instantly at ease. He listened to what we wanted and we trusted him. He’s very engaging and we knew that he would do exactly what we wanted – but also suggest ideas that we may not have thought of. When Lee met him he felt instantly at ease with Owen. Owen really cared about what we wanted and had lots of suggestions and ideas which we found helpful.    

For most of the day we didn’t even know he was there!!! And when we did he made us feel completely relaxed and made us laugh!

I imagined how I wanted the photographs. Me and my husband discussed what we would like them to look like. Before we got them I worried that they wouldn’t match my expectations. But they were perfect, they were EXACTLY what we wanted. We are absolutely over the moon with them.

I cried with happiness. I know that sounds completely cheesy but I did. My husband couldn’t speak as he was so overwhelmed. They were so very important to us, we really wanted them to be good and they exceeded our expectations. They made our month!!

I can’t choose a favourite as I love every one! All the pictures from the day and the on the pier!! Love the one of me and Lee laughing on the pier because I can remember what he said, the speeches and our first dance 🙂

Absolutely superb. Talented, artistic, natural. We have had so many friends and family tell us how impressed they are by the photographs. We are extremely happy!

You’re a total legend. We are so pleased we chose you. We are so happy with the photographs and so proud. Especially since people from the day (who have seen the link) keep telling us how impressed they are. Plus you have a fantastic beard.

Second photography on the day was by the awesome Mark Grant

Hey! Are you looking for wedding photographers in Penarth, Cardiff or the Vale of Glamorgan? Drop me a line and check to see if your date is still free. (2015 is now fully booked, although taking bookings for 2016 and 2017 now!)

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