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Wedding Photographer Caerphilly – Guy Milnes Photography
The majestic 13th Century castle and an air of historic magnificence surround the town of Caerphilly in South Wales, making it well worth a visit. It is one of the South Wales Valleys’ top wedding destinations. Caerphilly has become a top-rated wedding destination with its serene beauty and picturesque scenery, proving to be a breathtaking backdrop to many a happy couple’s special day. From Caerphilly Castle itself, with its fine majestic grandeur, to the Llancaiach Fawr Manor, a 16th Century Tudor Manor House packed with centuries-old architecture. Then on to Llechwen Hall Hotel, a stunning venue within the County Borough, Caerphilly has something for everyone, even those planning a shorter wedding day celebration.
An LGBT wedding group shot taken at Caerphilly Castle.
A Caerphilly wedding photographer not only knows the ins and outs of the area but can also help you to capture those precious moments with your fiancé and loved ones, for you to reminisce upon.
This is where I come in; with much experience within the region and London, I can truly do justice to your Caerphilly wedding photography. I will document your wedding intricately paying attention to those minute details that other photographers may miss.
From that happy tear shed from the groom’s eye upon seeing his bride for the first time to the sparkle of pride in the bride’s eyes when setting her eyes upon her awaiting groom and the joy and blissfulness of your loved ones, as they witness your marriage. Your wedding photographer in Caerphilly can capture all this and more.
Naturally, you may require some assistance when it comes to hiring your wedding photographer. When you get in touch, I will provide you with my ebook ‘Capturing The Moment: Weddings & Photography’ which contains advice about your wedding day along with tips and ideas you may not have thought of whilst choosing and booking your Caerphilly wedding photographer. My knowledge of the county allows me to recommend the best, approved marriage & civil ceremony places for your wedding, in terms of venues which allow for photography to be done with minimal restrictions. This will help ensure your peace of mind on your special day, particularly concerning your wedding photography.
I love overview shots such as this one: There are several stories all going on at once.
And for Local Caerphilly People: Caerphilly – a Huge Influence on my Photography Brand
I visited Caerphilly for the first time last year and liked it so much I decided to move here lock, stock and camera! Much as I love London, having spent nine years there, Caerphilly seemed like a breath of fresh, South Wales air. When I first visited, what drew me was the magnificent 13th-century castle – Wales’s largest. Then there were the people. Everyone seemed so friendly and actually smiled at me. Some even stopped to talk in the street… In London, I would have thought that a little odd, but here, I loved it!
So when we moved, one of my first tasks was to revisit my wedding photographer Caerphilly branding, and the obvious thing to change straight away was the logo.
I wanted something personal to where I was now living and working from and with a branding guru from Arizona came up with the new logo (below). She thought of the birds and I then I thought, why not add the castle? South Wales is known for them, many of which host weddings, so adding Caerphilly’s seemed a natural thing to do. I love the results…
10 Interesting Facts You May Not Know About Caerphilly
The Statue of Tommy Cooper Stands Proudly in Caerphilly Town Centre with the Castle in the Background.
- Caerphilly County Borough has a rough population of 180,500 (2016) whilst the town had a population of 30,388 as of the 2011 Census.
- The Welsh for Caerphilly is Caerffili, and there are several Welsh speaking schools in the town.
- Caerffili derives from the town’s origins: In AD75, the Romans were the first settlers when they built a fort here during their occupation. Subsequently, St Ffili built a second fort. The Welsh for ‘fort’ is ‘Caer’, hence the name Caerffili. Some of this is speculation, and there are other theories!
- Caerphilly Castle is, quite rightly, the main focal point of Caerphilly and attracts tourists to the town from all over the world. It is available to hire for weddings (see below) most of the year, and it isn’t that expensive given that it’s a castle!
- The Big Cheese Festival is held every summer in Caerphilly and has currently been running for 21 years. Attracting above 80,000 people annually, the festival celebrates the town’s culture, history, and heritage.
- Caerphilly Cheese was thought to be created for the miners as it wouldn’t dry out underground. However, apart from a few artisan producers, it is now made solely in England.
- Tommy Cooper was born in Caerphilly, and there’s a statue of him in the car park opposite the castle. Fans of Cooper have been known to have their wedding in Caerphilly for this fact alone!
- The town features in the Sex Pistols documentary ‘The Filth and the Fury‘ and plays a small part in punk folklore… In 1976, Caerphilly was one of only three councils nationally that would allow punk band the Sex Pistols to perform. Locals held protests and prayers outside the Castle Cinema (now demolished to make way for the shopping centre) where they were performing, and there was a huge controversy over the event. The local punks had a good night, though!
- In 1979, the Caerphilly Heart Disease Study was set up and is now one of the longest studies of its kind in the world. The reason the town was chosen was that its population was considered fairly stable. Heart disease also featured more prevalently than most areas of the UK.
- The town is a popular filming location. The castle features in several ‘Dr Who‘ episodes and ‘Merlin‘ too!
10 Wonderful Reasons to Hold Your Wedding in Caerphilly!
The Caerphilly County Borough List of Approved Marriage & Civil Ceremony Premises
Some couples book their wedding photographer Caerphilly first, while the venue is the first consideration for others. Here is a comprehensive list of all the non-religious venues approved by Caerphilly County Council:
- Bryn Meadows Golf, Hotel & Spa, Maesycwmmer, Ystrad Mynach, CF82 7SN.
The 4* resort is situated a few miles north of Caerphilly near Ystrad Mynach. The venue has two function rooms seating up to 300 or 50 guests and 42 bedrooms for those that need to stay.
- Caerphilly Castle, Castle St, Caerphilly. CF83 1JD.
The most impressive of all wedding venues in the region and in the heart of Caerphilly itself. It is the largest in Wales and the second largest in the UK after Windsor. The Great Hall holds 200 guests, although 150 is the recommended amount of seated guests. The venue allows wedding photography in all areas open to the public. A venue fit for a King and Queen!
- Caerphilly Register Office, Penallta House, Tredomen Park, Ystrad Mynach. CF82 7PG.
Situated north of the town, Penallta House has two small ceremony rooms. The largest comfortably seats 70 guests and the smallest just suitable for the couple and their two witnesses. There is no restriction on photography, and the venue has a woodland garden area for group photographs after the ceremony. This venue is probably most ideal for short day and last minute weddings.
- Llancaiach Fawr Manor, Nelson, Treharris. CF46 6ER.
This Grade 1 listed 16th century Tudor manor house has two function rooms and is really something worthy of your wedding day. The Conservatory seats up to 70 guests whilst the larger Mansell Hall will house up to 120 guests. The Manor permits professional photography but only in the house after closure to the public later in the day. With centuries-old features and a garden designed in keeping with the time, it would be well worth setting aside extra time for your wedding photographs.
- Llechwen Hall Hotel, Llanfabon. CF37 4HP.
A stunning hotel venue near Abercynon and Pontypridd but within the County Borough of Caerphilly. The hotel has three function rooms catering for a minimum of 40 guests through to 300. There are no photographic restrictions.
- Maes Manor Country Hotel & Restaurant, Maes Rudded Lane, Blackwood. NP12 0AG.
A 19th-century manor house hotel set in 9 acres of lawns and woods. The Islwyn Suite is the largest and caters for up to 220 seated guests with the Season Restaurant holding up to 50. Maes Manor permits photography, and there are no restrictions.
- The Marquee at Ridgeway, Thornhill Road, Caerphilly Mountain. CF83 1LY.
The Ridgeway is located near Caerphilly Mountain’s summit with a spectacular vista of Caerphilly Castle, the town and surrounding areas. In fact, out of all these venues, The Ridgeway has the most impressive panoramic views. The Marquee overlooks the golf course and can cater for 90 guests, so ideal for mid-sized weddings. Photography is positively encouraged with the use of 2 golf carts provided for an hour of photography around the grounds.
- Newbridge Memo, High Street, Newbridge. NP11 4FH.
Celynen Collieries Institute & Memorial Hall (more fondly known as Newbridge Memo) are actually two buildings opened in the early 20th century. The art deco ballroom can comfortably seat up to 150 people while the function room will hold up to 80. Newbridge Memo is community focussed and keen for local people to be involved in various projects and events. It is a perfect venue for couples getting married near Newbridge (or located anywhere in Caerphilly County) with a local interest. Wedding photography is encouraged at events in Newbridge Memo.
- Shappelles (New Cottage Dance Centre), The Bridge, Ystrad Mynach, Hengoed. CF82 7ED.
Located north of the town, the New Cottage Dance Centre is a beautifully intimate place for your wedding ceremony and reception. There are no restrictions on wedding photographers Caerphilly.
Getting to Caerphilly Weddings: a Travel Guide
Location: Caerphilly is located just a few miles north of Cardiff, with only the mountain separating them. It lies at the southern point of the Rhymney Valley.
Car: Caerphilly lies on the A469, bypassing the town centre to the west and travelling north through Ystrad Mynach. To go through the town, take the B4263 on top of the mountain taking you down and into the town centre. Be warned that the town is on a slow one-way system and traffic gets very congested at times, so if travelling beyond the town, keep on the A469.
The M4 lies between Caerphilly and Cardiff and if travelling this way, use junction 32 and journey up through Taff’s Well and take the A468 at Nantgarw which leads towards the town.
By Train: Caerphilly Station is served by trains from Penarth travelling through Cardiff Central and Queen Street stations and on to Bargoed. They run around every 15 minutes during the week, but there is often engineering works at weekends with bus replacements and a reduced service on Sundays.
By Bus: There are two direct buses from to Caerphilly from Cardiff – the 25 and 26. However, there are many more routes and connections throughout the county. View the Bus Timetables page on the Caerphilly Council website for more information.
