Editor loves and inspiration

It would be very easy to sit here and say, ’a picture is a picture, why do I need to care about the different styles?’, but in this approach, we lose the magic of photography. If you and I took a picture of the same thing – yes, the subject would remain the same, but the style would differ completely! Mine might be more slapdash and yours may be artistic. The same applies to wedding photography – what one artist views as improper, the other will see as an opportunity and vice versa. There are countless different types of photography, but for the sake of this issue, we have broken them down into the current most popular types: traditional, dark and moody, documentary/photojournalistic, light and airy, vintage, and fine art.

Find out more about the different types of photography in the latest issue of Your South Wales Wedding. Download your free copy here.

Kate and Cara met at Cardiff University while studying for their undergraduate degrees. Cara lived with Kate’s brother, Sam, for the first two years of her degree, and when Kate joined her brother, she started to build a beautiful relationship with Cara. Kate popped the question to Cara after they moved to Swansea. Kate adds, “Our favourite walk during lockdown became the one between Langland and Caswell Bay, so it felt like the perfect spot to propose after a meal in our favourite Swansea restaurant, Nishimura. We then headed home, where all our family and best friends waited for us to celebrate.”

Kate and Cara got married at The Wholehouse, choosing the venue because they adored the vibe, and Cara grew up a few towns over from Talgarth – making it feel like a home away from home. The venue offered the classic areas and photo opportunities, but it also had a party bus, hot tub, assault course, and zipline! Talk about a lot of bang for your buck. They both decided they wanted their wedding to be bright and joyful – with Kate’s love for pink, this made for a natural inclusion in the décor. They paired pink with orange and red – a bold choice but one that clearly worked! This also paired perfectly with the design of the venue and its iconic wall reading “a whole lot of love”.

See more from their wedding in the latest issue of Your South Wales Wedding. Download your free copy here.

Caring Companions Pet Sitting in South Wales has expanded to now include a wedding day service for your furry friends. The Wedding Dog Chaperone service means that you can have your four-legged best friend in attendance at your wedding without having to worry about the minor details – just the joy of them being near and their all-important feature in the wedding album. Caring Companions’ service includes chaperoning your dog to and from your wedding, pet care and supervision, support with photos, walks and cuddles, a pre-wedding meet and greet, and finally, tailored care — from arrival to happily ever after.

See more local news in the latest issue of Your South Wales Wedding. Download your free copy here.

Step inside Hensol Castle and discover timeless elegance; grand staircases, opulent chandeliers, and historic features blend beautifully with luxurious modern touches. From intimate oak-panelled rooms to a breathtaking banqueting hall, every corner offers romance and charm. Bathed in natural light and steeped in history, it’s the perfect setting for an unforgettable wedding day. Hensol Castle’s exterior is the epitome of fairytale romance; its grand 17th-century stone façade - complete with castellated towers, arched windows, and elegant detailing – exudes historic charm and timeless beauty. Set against a backdrop of mature trees and a tranquil lake, the castle offers a truly majestic setting for your wedding day; unforgettable from the very first glance. Surrounded by rolling countryside, Hensol Castle’s gardens and grounds offer a peaceful, picturesque escape. Manicured lawns, a serene lake with a romantic jetty, and ancient trees provide the perfect backdrop for outdoor ceremonies and stunning photos. With sweeping views and tranquil walkways, the grounds are a dream setting for couples seeking natural beauty and timeless elegance. Exchange vows under the elegant bandstand, surrounded by nature and overlooking the serene lake. With space for 150 and a seamless indoor option if it rains, it’s the perfect blend of style, flexibility, and timeless charm. Inside, say ‘I do’ in the romantic Oak Room, seating up to 100 guests beneath ornate ceilings and historic wood panelling.

See more local venues in the latest issue of Your South Wales Wedding. Download your free copy here.

Micro-weddings have seen a notable rise since 2020 and have taken the wedding world by storm. People are ditching the large lavish affairs, trimming their guestlist and opting for more intimate celebrations – with just 50 people or less in attendance. But is this the right choice for you? Whilst you may save some pennies, what are you losing in the process? You may not know hundreds of people, but in stripping back your guestlist, you could be missing some key players. To decide if an intimate wedding is the one for you, here's a list of pros and cons to help weigh-up the most important decision of your wedding. Once, we've ascertained if this is the celebration for you, we can then dive into guestlist suggestions and the catering – two factors greatly impacted by the decision to keep things small.

Find out more in the latest issue of Your South Wales Wedding magazine - Issue 105

Pontcanna Market has teamed up with The Install Co and Mary W-Thomas Photography to create this breathtaking styled shoot. The amazing team transformed Pontcanna Market into a vintage dream, featuring burnt oranges, wildfl owers, pampas, and lots of candles. The autumnal explosion is a treat for the eyes and goes to show the luxurious wedding style you can replicate at your venue. With lots of romantic lighting and expert styling, the market transforms from an already stunning location into one found on the pages of a romance novel. The dress changes show the flexibility of vintage style weddings and highlights the natural beauty of understated venues. Paired with a showstopping Lambeth-style cake and gorgeous table settings, this shoot is bursting with inspiration for this time of year!

Be inspired in the latest issue of Your South Wales Wedding magazine - Issue 105

This lovely couple met at a wedding Sammi was performing at, and Alex stood out to her as one of the only people truly committed to the dancefloor. After the wedding, Alex approached Sam to enquire about booking her band and, of course, had to get her number! They now live happily with their two sons, Theo and Lennon. Getting married wasn't on Sammi's radar; it wasn't until Alex overheard her discussing families with their son, Theo, that he thought he got the green light to propose. Alex popped the question to Sammi on Aberavon Beach – Sammi's favourite place on earth – with a ring fashioned out of an orange skittle and a strawberry lace (Sammi is a self-confessed sweet-aholic). Alex's love for the outdoors was the driving force behind their venue decision, paired with Sammi wanting to get married at a venue she hadn't performed at – making Green Grove Barns the location for their dreamy nuptials. They adorned this already stunning venue with burnt oranges, pampas, fun details and even a Pringles tower! Yes, you read that right!

Read more about their special day in the latest issue of Your South Wales Wedding magazine - Issue 105

Sophie and James first met when they were 11 and in school, but it wasn't until they were 15 that a romance would bloom. When it came to popping the question, James pulled out all of the stops to make it as special as possible. The lovely couple were holidaying in a treehouse in Devon in 2023, and had just got out from the hot tub, when Sophie ran inside to warm up (this was in February so there was still a bit of a chill in the air). Little did Sophie know that James was outside setting up the dream proposal. James had lots of candles outside and with the help of Mollie, their springer spaniel, asked Sophie to marry him. Talk about romantic! The wedding was set for 24th May 2025 at the Sugar Loaf Barn.

Read more about their special day in the latest issue of Your South Wales Wedding magazine - Issue 105

It would be very easy to sit here and say, 'a picture is a picture, why do I need to care about the different styles', but in this approach, we lose the magic of photography. If you and I took a picture of the same thing – yes, the subject would remain the same, but the style would differ completely! Mine might be more slap-dash and yours may be artistic. The same applies to wedding photography – what one artist views as improper, the other will see opportunity and vice versa. There are countless different types of photography, but for the sake of this feature, I have broken them down into the current most popular types: traditional, dark and moody/ flash photography, documentary/photojournalistic, light and airy, and fine art.

Discover your photography style today in the latest issue of Your South Wales Wedding magazine.

Hayley and Gary's Bridgerton-inspired wedding at Margam Park was a very royal celebration. Featuring pastels, gospel choirs, caricature artists and images captured by the esteemed Huw and Dale - this wedding really was the diamond of the season.

Explore the intimate details of their special day in Your South Wales Wedding - Issue 104 July/August 2025.