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Bodnant Welsh Food - Gemma & Bryn | North Wales Wedding Photographer

Nathan Roberts
Aug 17, 2024
3 min read

Tucked away in the beautiful Conwy Valley, surrounded by rolling hills and incredible views, Bodnant Welsh Food is a real gem of a venue. One of those places that's peaceful and tucked-away and full of character, I was lucky enough to be there in August to photograph Gemma and Bryn’s wedding – and what a day it turned out to be.

The weather was spot on – sunshine from start to finish – and the atmosphere matched it. From emotional moments in the morning through to golden light in the evening, it was one of those weddings where everything just came together perfectly.

Morning Prep in Deganwy

The day started at the family home in Deganwy, where Gemma was getting ready with her family. The prep had a great mix of calm moments, laughs, and a few emotional bits thrown in – always a good sign that the day ahead is going to be a special one.

We made use of the garden for the dress and detail shots before Aimee Paddock worked her magic on makeup and Tina from Elysian took care of hair. A personal highlight from the morning was the lovely interaction between Gemma and her mum during the dress fitting – helping with jewellery, making sure every last detail was right. Things wrapped up with a quiet but meaningful reveal with Gemma’s dad before it was time to head off.

Gents at Bodnant

Meanwhile over at Bodnant, Bryn and the guys were ready, suited up. With buttonholes sorted, we grabbed a mix of solo and group shots while the guests began arriving. The vibe here was relaxed – helped by the sounds of harpist Dylan Cernyw, who set the tone beautifully.

The venue itself looked great – credit to the team at D&D Occasions for the décor.

Ceremony at Bodnant

The ceremony was held inside one of Bodnant’s light-filled rooms. Gemma arrived with both her parents, walking down the aisle to a sea of smiling faces. The ceremony had the perfect mix – a lot of emotion, loads of laughs, and a huge cheer when the rings went on and the kiss sealed the deal.

After signing the register, Gemma and Bryn made their exit, followed by a bit of fun during the confetti moment outside.

Drinks, Photos & Portraits

The drinks reception gave everyone a chance to relax, chat and enjoy the sunshine. We let the couple mingle with their guests for a while before taking a short walk for the couples shoot – around 15-20 minutes of natural, easy-going portraits with those epic views in the background.

We then worked through a handful of group photos and captured the main group shot just before guests were called in for food.

The wedding breakfast room was dressed beautifully, with flowers by Natalya’s Home Story and décor by D&D Occasions, bringing the whole space together.

Speeches & Sentimental Touches

Speeches took place at the start of the meal and featured a nice blend of stories, heartfelt moments, and some top-level humour. We also made time to capture the details on the rings and flowers, which had been beautifully chosen and carefully considered – simple, but meaningful.

Evening Light & First Dance

As the sun began to drop, we headed out for a final 20-minute shoot in the evening light. We made the most of the veil and the light for some great finishing shots before heading back in for the evening do.

The party kicked off with a quick cake cutting, followed by the first dance – and then it was over to DJ Kev Cee to keep the dancefloor moving.