Where do I even begin with this wedding?! From the moment I got an email from Laurenne back in January 2018 enquiring about my availability, I have been filled with excitement about their wedding day. I was fortunate enough to meet the couple back in July 2016 when I was Rhys’ parents wedding photographer, and heard all about how long they had been together and how excited everyone was that they would one day get engaged and married – this wedding was a LONG time coming!
I sat down with Laurenne and Rhys just a month before their big day and they spilled all the plans of their wedding and to say I fell in love was an understatement. Like myself, they are both huge Disney fans, with more visits to Disneyworld than the mouse himself I think! Their wedding day was to be filled with hidden Mickeys, glitz and elegance.
My second photographer, Michelle, and I arrived on the day and knew this would be a wedding for the books. Laurenne & Rhys both got ready in The Vale Hotel ahead of the ceremony, and having both myself and Michelle on hand meant that we could easily cover both bridal and groom prep. We headed to Hensol Castle for the ceremony, which was filled with laughter and joy and a few tears of happiness.
One concern that the couple had was the weather – just like every couple I meet with! What happens if it rains? How will we do group photos and couple’s portraits if it’s raining? We can control many things in life, but sadly the weather isn’t one of them. Fortunately for Laurenne & Rhys, the rain held off right up to the end of their couple’s photos, which meant that we could carry on with our first choice of outdoor photos. We couldn’t believe it when, just seconds after getting them into position on the jetty for photos, the heavens opened. We snapped a few photos and then ran for cover. Such perfect timing! Later in the day, while it was still raining, we made the most of it and did some incredible backlit shots under an umbrella which were a huge hit!
At Hensol Castle, you are lucky that there are a wide choice of indoor locations for photographs if the weather does dampen your plans (no pun intended!) Sometimes this may mean changing groups around and doing more smaller groupings, however there is always a way – from the fireplace in the main room, to the covered entrance way, and even the staircase, you’ll never be out of luck.
Without further ado, Laurenne & Rhys’ incredible Disney wedding! Can you spot all the hidden Mickeys and Disney trinkets?
