Tina and Niko’s gorgeous late summer wedding saw me return to being a Fairyhill wedding photographer. Tina and Niko live and work in the UK though Tina is from Canada and Niko is from Bulgaria. So, they had family and friends travelling from overseas to this pretty corner of Wales.
Fairyhill’s is part of the Oldwalls group of wedding venues and is a pretty Grade II listed Georgian Mansion located on the Gower Peninsula in 24 acres of grounds. Its beautiful house and magical gardens have an enchanting feel and it has been cleverly reimagined as a wedding venue where old and new blend seamlessly to create a truly unique luxury wedding venue.
On the day, I caught up with Tina who was getting ready in a cottage in the pretty coastal village of mumbles on Swansea Bay. Tina and Niko wanted to do a first look in the morning and have their photoshoot then as well so that they could focus on their guests for the rest of the day. And Mumbles made the perfect backdrop.
Tina looked amazing in her off white dress with an intricate crochet detail, a low back and a beautiful skirt that that fanned out in gentle layers giving her an amazing silhouette. Her long blonde hair was gently curled and pinned in a style that was perfectly suited to a coastline photoshoot as the breeze gently added its own glamour to her look.
Niko looked very smart in a petrol blue three-piece suit with a pale blue tie.
Experienced Fairyhill wedding photographer
We went up to Rhossili Bay and I got some really lovely images of the two of them as well as some great images of Tina and Niko with the wedding party.
The wedding ceremony at Fairyhill was held outdoors in the beautiful walled garden. With a stone path providing a natural aisle, and Tina and Niko’s family and friends seated around them as they said their vows. A friend of the couples acted as celebrant which along with Tina and Niko writing their own vows, made the ceremony all the more personal.
After the ceremony, there was a fun confetti moment in Fairyhill’s enchanting woodlands before everybody enjoyed a drinks and canapes reception outside. I took the chance to take some great images of the wedding party as well as some candid images of guests relaxing and enjoying themselves. With the mature trees and dappled sunshine making a gorgeous backdrop.
The wedding reception was held in the impressive purpose-built function room K Room. This contemporary glass design has panoramic views of the garden and state of the art sound and light. The tables had been dressed exquisitely with white linen, draped chairs and bright floral arrangements. Tina and Niko were welcomed rapturously by their guests.
There followed a sumptuous wedding breakfast which brings me to another reason why I love Fairyhill’s weddings, and that’s the food. The team of chefs at Fairyhill’s work with their couples to create 5-star bespoke menus for each and every wedding. And the exceptional quality of the food is something I always hear guests remarking on.
Creative Oldwalls wedding photographer
Speeches at Tina and Niko’s wedding were really special. Niko’s mother had learnt some English so that should could give a speech which was incredibly emotional.
As the sun went down the K building was transformed into the perfect party place. Evening celebrations started with the cutting of a gorgeous three-tiered cake before Tina and Niko took to the dancefloor for the first dance.
Outside there was a firepit where you could toast marshmallows which proved to be popular with guests both young and not as young!
I loved the dancefloor images at Tina and Niko’s wedding. These guys were up for a party and I was delighted to see some traditional Bulgarian dancing. One of the many things I love about being a Swansea wedding photographer, are dancefloors with three sometimes four generations on them together. At Tina and Niko’s wedding everybody was up for the party and the dancefloor images I got were delightful and perfect for closing the story of Tina and Niko’s day.
Storytelling wedding photography at Fairyhill
I loved capturing Tina and Niko’s gorgeous wedding at Fairyhill. A lovely laid-back day full of love and laughter. I’ll leave the last words to Tina and Niko. Here’s what they had to say about working with me.
“Keri was so easy to work with. He was so personable at our engagement shoot and our wedding. Keri felt like one of our guests, a lifetime friend!
He was passionate and excited. He managed to capture our key moments without intruding, we don’t know how he did it. He kept us in mind the entire time. He’s so great at managing large groups and getting everyone excited to be in photos. He also understood when Nik and I were tired/done!
Keri got to know us as a couple and our style. For our engagement shoot he was so flexible and had to work around 1000s of people at Ogmore and yet it felt like just us there, and the pictures were amazing.
Keri’s communication was amazing and our pictures were delivered on time. We couldn’t be happier with the result.
Thanks, Keri, for capturing our most special moments”