Funny wedding speech moment with guest in pink bow tie, captured at a South Wales wedding celebration.

Helpful, Not Bossy

Wedding guides written from experience, not opinion.

The Planning
The Venues

Planning a wedding without the overwhelm.

You won’t find rigid timelines or must-have checklists here — just honest, useful advice from someone who’s seen a lot (500+ weddings, to be exact). These guides are here to help you feel calm, confident, and more focused on the bits that actually matter.

From choosing your photographer to handling group shots, sparklers, and rainy-day backup plans, this section is full of tips that’ll help you plan a day that feels like you — without second-guessing every detail.

Choosing Your Photographer
a bride and groom standing in front of a castlea bride and groom standing in front of a castle
A makeup artist adding eyelash extensions to a bride during bridal preparationsA makeup artist adding eyelash extensions to a bride during bridal preparations
Getting
Ready
Group
Photos
Ceremony

Moments

a bride and groom kissing in a wedding ceremonya bride and groom kissing in a wedding ceremony
a person holding confetti in a grip in their handa person holding confetti in a grip in their hand
Groom carrying bride at night on cobbled street in Bath city centre, captured by wedding photographer Owen MathiasGroom carrying bride at night on cobbled street in Bath city centre, captured by wedding photographer Owen Mathias
Confetti & Sparklers
Portraits &
Time Alone
Guests & Atmosphere
a man in a suit and tie dyes a drum and a woman in aa man in a suit and tie dyes a drum and a woman in a
a building with a large window and a couple of people standing outsidea building with a large window and a couple of people standing outside
a couple of bridesmaid standing in front of an Iceland Food storea couple of bridesmaid standing in front of an Iceland Food store
Venues &
Lighting
Timings
Rainy
Days
a couple standing in front of a gazeboara couple standing in front of a gazeboar
a man in a police hat dancing at a weddinga man in a police hat dancing at a wedding
a bride and groom standing under a rainbow - colored rainbow - colored rainbow - coloreda bride and groom standing under a rainbow - colored rainbow - colored rainbow - colored
After the
Wedding
Photographer’s Secrets

What to expect and what works best at your venue.

Every venue has its quirks. Some have perfect golden light all day. Some have confusing car parks and oddly timed ceremony slots. This is where I share what I’ve learned from photographing real weddings at some of South Wales’ most popular venues — what works, what to watch out for, and how to make the most of the space, lighting, and timeline.

If your venue’s listed here, you’re in luck. If not, drop me a message — chances are I’ve shot there (or nearby), and I’ll happily share what I know.

Llanerch
Vineyard
a bride and groom kissing in a vineyarda bride and groom kissing in a vineyard
Rosedew Farm, The Farmer's Barn, Llantwit Major main building daytime.Rosedew Farm, The Farmer's Barn, Llantwit Major main building daytime.
a man in a top hat and a little girl in a top hata man in a top hat and a little girl in a top hat
Rosedew
Farm
SS Great
Britain
DeCourcey's
Manor
Guests share laughter at a wedding reception in Decourcey’s Manor, Cardiff, full of colour, joy and character.Guests share laughter at a wedding reception in Decourcey’s Manor, Cardiff, full of colour, joy and character.
a bride and groom standing in a field at nighta bride and groom standing in a field at night
a bride and groom kissing on a swing swinga bride and groom kissing on a swing swing
Arnos Vale
Cemetery
Eastington
Park
Ceridwen
Centre
a bride and groomsmid dancing at a weddinga bride and groomsmid dancing at a wedding
a bride and groom kissing on the beacha bride and groom kissing on the beach
a bride and groom share a first dance at a wedding at Penarth Pier Paviliona bride and groom share a first dance at a wedding at Penarth Pier Pavilion
Oxwich
Bay
Penarth Pier

Pavillion

Fforest
Farm
Cardigan
a couple of people standing in the grassa couple of people standing in the grass
The Hype >

Next . . .

Bride dances with guest during South Wales wedding reception, captured in energetic candid style by photographer Owen MathiasBride dances with guest during South Wales wedding reception, captured in energetic candid style by photographer Owen Mathias
Bride and groom laughing outside Old Gore barn wedding venue in the Cotswolds, captured candidly by photographer Owen MathiasBride and groom laughing outside Old Gore barn wedding venue in the Cotswolds, captured candidly by photographer Owen Mathias
Old Gore
Barn, Cotswolds
Battersea
Arts
Centre
Confetti joy as the couple walk hand in hand at Brinsop Court Manor House and Barn, surrounded by smiling guests.Confetti joy as the couple walk hand in hand at Brinsop Court Manor House and Barn, surrounded by smiling guests.
Brinsop Court Manor House and Barn
a black and white logo for a south wales documentary wedding photographer
a black and white logo for a south wales documentary wedding photographer

About You

The Feels

The Deal

The Guides

The Hype

Say Hello

The Guides

Choosing Your Photographer
Getting Ready
Group Photos
Ceremony Moments
Confetti & Sparklers
Portraits

Guests & Atmosphere
Venues & Lighting
Timings
Rainy Days
After the Wedding Photographer’s Secrets

The Links

The Venues

LlanerchVineyard
Rosedew Farm
SS GreatBritain
DeCourcey's Manor
Arnos Vale Cemetery

Eastington Park
Ceridwen Centre
Oxwich Bay
Penarth Pier Pavillion
Fforest

Documentary wedding photographer based in the Vale of Glamorgan, just outside Cardiff, covering south Wales, Bristol, The Cotswolds, and beyond.
Candid, relaxed, natural photos that tell the real story of your day - no posing, no pretending.

Drop me a line - I might not be the biggest fan of social media, but I’m always happy to chat on the phone, email, text or WhatsApp 
07990828196
hello@owenmathias.com
Peterston-super-Ely, Cardiff, CF5 6LH.

Whether you’re planning a big celebration or a quiet elopement, I’m there to capture the moments as they unfold. I don’t direct the day. I just pay attention to it.

No pressure, no perfection. Just honest images of love, connection, and the messy, brilliant joy in between.

© Copyright 2025 Owen Mathias Photography

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