South Wales Wedding Photographer http://www.martinphillipsstudio.com Martin Phillips, Beautiful, award winning wedding & portrait photography, Porthcawl, South Wales Fri, 18 May 2012 15:46:08 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 Shelly and Richard’s Pre-Wedding Photoshoot at Southerndown Beach http://www.martinphillipsstudio.com/shelly-and-richards-pre-wedding-photoshoot-at-southerndown-beach/ http://www.martinphillipsstudio.com/shelly-and-richards-pre-wedding-photoshoot-at-southerndown-beach/#comments Fri, 04 May 2012 15:31:10 +0000 martin http://www.martinphillipsstudio.com/?p=2826 Martin met Shelly and Richard last week when they were in South Wales – visiting from Kent to get that all important time together before their wedding later this month at the Coed-Y-Mwstwr Hotel.

They battled the cold and wind at Southerndown beach and (with a little help from Richard’s Dad on lighting) they got some great images! We are looking forward to seeing them all again very soon, hopefully a lot warmer and drier and this time in some really ‘fancy clothes’…

]]> http://www.martinphillipsstudio.com/shelly-and-richards-pre-wedding-photoshoot-at-southerndown-beach/feed/ 0 Louise and Paul’s Wedding at the Vale Hotel and Resort, Hensol, South Wales http://www.martinphillipsstudio.com/louise-and-pauls-wedding-at-the-vale-hotel-and-resort-hensol-south-wales/ http://www.martinphillipsstudio.com/louise-and-pauls-wedding-at-the-vale-hotel-and-resort-hensol-south-wales/#comments Fri, 04 May 2012 13:40:00 +0000 martin http://www.martinphillipsstudio.com/?p=2809 When we arrived at the Bride’s home in Cardiff we were greeted by bridesmaids already dressed and looking beautiful, the Father of the Bride revising his speech and such a relaxed atmosphere that we could just tell it was going to be a perfect day for Louise and Paul. Martin had a great time finding interesting backgrounds for the flowers and shoe pictures in this family’s lovely home.

Louise needed one last thing before she left her home to become a married lady!!

The wedding ceremony at the Vale Resort was delightful and afterwards in the bar the guests were entertained by friend of the family Rob on the piano. He turned out to be pretty hot on the dance floor too!

I would like to say a great big ‘THANK YOU’ to the Ushers who made the job of organising family group photographs so easy. As the rain stopped and the wind dropped for just a few moments early in the evening we managed to get a few great shots outside with the new Mr & Mrs McGrath looking relaxed and very happy.

]]> http://www.martinphillipsstudio.com/louise-and-pauls-wedding-at-the-vale-hotel-and-resort-hensol-south-wales/feed/ 0 We LOVE Wedding Days! Sarah-Jayne and Ian get married at the Coed-y-Mwstwr http://www.martinphillipsstudio.com/we-love-wedding-days-sara-jayne-and-ian-get-married-at-the-coed-y-mwstwr/ http://www.martinphillipsstudio.com/we-love-wedding-days-sara-jayne-and-ian-get-married-at-the-coed-y-mwstwr/#comments Wed, 02 May 2012 17:38:23 +0000 martin http://www.martinphillipsstudio.com/?p=2795 The Vicar at St Cein’s Church at Llangeinor made everyone very welcome at this beautiful Parish Church high above the valley. Sarah-Jayne and Ian’s wedding will be his last at the Church as he retired the next day and we wish him well, I’m sure he will take away happy memories of this lovely service.

The congregation were treated to a reading of the emotional poem written by Ian, the Groom, about the journey of a marriage and Calon Lan rang out across the valley. Reece the young ring bearer was especially thrilled with his pocket watch present and it kept him entertained all day.

Ian adores his new wife and he told her many times whilst we were photographing them how fabulous she looked, these two didn’t need any tips from us for the romantic shots!! In the words of Ian’s poem this was ‘just the first day in the journey of their marriage’, I have a feeling there will be many, many more wonderful days ahead for them.

]]> http://www.martinphillipsstudio.com/we-love-wedding-days-sara-jayne-and-ian-get-married-at-the-coed-y-mwstwr/feed/ 0 Matt and Sarah’s Fabulous Spring Wedding http://www.martinphillipsstudio.com/matt-and-sarahs-fabulous-spring-wedding/ http://www.martinphillipsstudio.com/matt-and-sarahs-fabulous-spring-wedding/#comments Mon, 30 Apr 2012 13:09:27 +0000 martin http://www.martinphillipsstudio.com/?p=2782 The stunning Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama in Cardiff provided the setting for Matt and Sarah’s fabulous Spring Wedding last Saturday. Following an intimate wedding ceremony in the gorgeous music room, the wedding guests walked through to the sunlit atrium.

Matt and Sarah had chosen olive trees as the theme for their table settings, they also had hundreds of jars of wild flowers everywhere, they were even strung from the outdoor balcony and the effect was breathtakingly beautiful!

Matt’s Grandfather had lent a hand with the seating plan and using their shared passion for bird watching as inspiration he hand painted these lovely table motifs. Matt’s Grandmother made their wedding cake too, you should have smelt the sherry when it was cut!

Bute Park was in full bloom and when backlit by the evening sun created the perfect backdrop for the celebrations.

]]> http://www.martinphillipsstudio.com/matt-and-sarahs-fabulous-spring-wedding/feed/ 1 Contemporary Style at the Welsh College of Music and Drama http://www.martinphillipsstudio.com/contemporary-style-at-the-welsh-college-of-music-and-drama/ http://www.martinphillipsstudio.com/contemporary-style-at-the-welsh-college-of-music-and-drama/#comments Wed, 11 Apr 2012 10:46:51 +0000 martin http://www.martinphillipsstudio.com/?p=2746 Martin met Matt and Sarah on Saturday at this dramatic new building for their pre-wedding photoshoot, this has to be one of the most exciting wedding venues in Cardiff.

It is great to have such an interesting venue to photograph a wedding at and with the Royal Horticultural Show in Bute Park on the same day it looks like we are in for some amazing photo opportunities. All this and new cameras too, we are feeling very creative and energised after our Australian trip and ready and eager for our busiest wedding season yet.

]]> http://www.martinphillipsstudio.com/contemporary-style-at-the-welsh-college-of-music-and-drama/feed/ 0 Stylish Menswear Fashion Shoot on the Streets of Milan (or could that be Bridgend?!) http://www.martinphillipsstudio.com/stylish-menswear-fashion-shoot-on-the-streets-of-milan-or-could-that-be-bridgend/ http://www.martinphillipsstudio.com/stylish-menswear-fashion-shoot-on-the-streets-of-milan-or-could-that-be-bridgend/#comments Wed, 11 Apr 2012 10:16:42 +0000 martin http://www.martinphillipsstudio.com/?p=2732
When the team from the ‘Around Town’ magazine approached Martin to take some fashion shots in Bridgend Town Centre he was up for the challenge. Finding some interesting back streets was key to creating the right look to showcase the great summer clothes from Mayhem Menswear.

The three guys who modelled the clothes were great to work with and by using some creative outdoor lighting techniques the images look very cosmopolitan.

 

 

 

]]> http://www.martinphillipsstudio.com/stylish-menswear-fashion-shoot-on-the-streets-of-milan-or-could-that-be-bridgend/feed/ 0 Miskin Manor Worked it’s Magic for Nicole & Steve’s Wedding http://www.martinphillipsstudio.com/miskin-manor-worked-its-magic-for-nicole-steves-wedding/ http://www.martinphillipsstudio.com/miskin-manor-worked-its-magic-for-nicole-steves-wedding/#comments Fri, 09 Mar 2012 19:13:47 +0000 martin http://www.martinphillipsstudio.com/?p=2699 Everyone had a wonderful day on Saturday at Nicole and Steve’s Miskin Manor Wedding. The Bride & Groom were so relaxed that they even took time out for a spin in a classic Jag after the ceremony to savour their first few moments of married life – along with a bottle of champagne! We stole a little more time with them too and created some great pictures in the fabulous Juliet suite.

Meanwhile their guests were entertained during the champagne and canapés by the lovely harpist Ruth Hicks and everyone, kids and adults alike, enjoyed posing for Picasso Griffiths the amazing caricaturist. After a delicious meal it was time to get some romantic shots in the beautiful grounds, there was a beautiful glow in the sky, the wind had calmed a little, we were a too early to see the falling meteor (damn, that would have made for a fantastic photo), but we did get a shot under the lovely moon!

The guests needed a little persuasion to leave the log fire and comfort of the bar in the evening but the great sounds for the band www.ipopband.co.uk had them heading for the dance floor ready to party.

A big thank you to everyone who made us feel so welcome and we thoroughly enjoyed sharing in the marriage of such a great couple!

]]> http://www.martinphillipsstudio.com/miskin-manor-worked-its-magic-for-nicole-steves-wedding/feed/ 0 Weddings are on the increase, it’s official!! http://www.martinphillipsstudio.com/weddings-are-on-the-increase-its-official/ http://www.martinphillipsstudio.com/weddings-are-on-the-increase-its-official/#comments Fri, 02 Mar 2012 15:50:31 +0000 martin http://www.martinphillipsstudio.com/?p=2618 National research published this week has confirmed what we mere mortals already know; “that married people are the happiest and they have a greater sense of well-being than others.” Weddings have risen by 3.7% after a steady decline over the past 40 years. No wonder we are having the best wedding season ever for bookings!! So its official, marriage is back in fashion and a great way to tell your loved one that you are in it for the long run, as they say.

Don’t forget ladies that it’s a Leap Year, so why not be bold and ask your guy the big question… be happy!

(Data released by the Office of National Statistics)

]]> http://www.martinphillipsstudio.com/weddings-are-on-the-increase-its-official/feed/ 0 What a way to start the wedding season!!! http://www.martinphillipsstudio.com/what-a-way-to-start-the-wedding-season/ http://www.martinphillipsstudio.com/what-a-way-to-start-the-wedding-season/#comments Thu, 01 Mar 2012 19:35:17 +0000 martin http://www.martinphillipsstudio.com/?p=2536 From Snow and Furry Shrugs in Porthcawl to a Caribbean Steel Band in Cardiff Bay on Valentine’s Day.

It’s only February and already we have enjoyed photographing two lovely and very different weddings. When Kate and Neil and their guests arrived at St John’s Church in Newton they were greeted with a flurry of snow, it really was a white wedding.

Kate looked so glamorous with her long dark hair against her beautiful dress and fur shrug, no wonder new groom Neil couldn’t take his eyes off her, and thanks to our good friends at Margam Castle we were able to take a break on our way to the reception to get some very atmospheric shots inside the Castle.

After the lovely service at the church, the guests were given a very warm welcome by the friendly staff at Blancos in Port Talbot and everyone was soon enjoying the hospitality of their hosts.

Just over a week later we were treated to the warm and lively sounds of a Caribbean steel band when we photographed Paula and Gavin’s wedding at The St David’s Hotel Cardiff Bay on Valentine’s Day, how romantic! The ceremony took place at ‘Christ the King’ Roman Catholic Church in Llanishen where everyone was made to feel very welcome. The Bride’s father, being a member of a Welsh Male Voice Choir, had invited his pals along to the ceremony too, so as you can imagine the singing was wonderfully rousing.

 

Afterwards, it was off to the St David’s Hotel where guests enjoyed a wonderful day of two families joining together and making new friends, surrounded by great views across the Bay. There was even a ‘sweetie table’ in the evening, which proved very popular!!

]]> http://www.martinphillipsstudio.com/what-a-way-to-start-the-wedding-season/feed/ 0 This Summer is almost fully booked for weddings! http://www.martinphillipsstudio.com/this-summer-is-almost-fully-booked-for-weddings/ http://www.martinphillipsstudio.com/this-summer-is-almost-fully-booked-for-weddings/#comments Mon, 20 Feb 2012 17:41:33 +0000 martin http://www.martinphillipsstudio.com/?p=1998

We still have availability for the following Saturdays: June 16th, July 21st, August 18th, September 22nd, October 13th and 27th, November and December this year, there are an equal number of Fridays and Sundays available, please let us know when your wedding date is. 2013 is also booking up fast, so if you ‘caught the bride’s bouquet’, are planning your special day and you know that you would like really beautiful photographs of your wedding, then it’s best to call us as early as possible to ensure that we have your date available. This is especially important if you plan to get married between May and October.

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