Livvy & Luke

Livvy and Luke’s wedding at Llantilio House was a beautiful mix of timeless country elegance and a seriously good party. Set in the Monmouthshire countryside just outside Abergavenny, their day moved from the historic surroundings of the town to a traditional church ceremony, before heading into the countryside for the celebrations at Llantilio House. They both had a real love for black and white photography too, which became a big part of how I documented the day, giving some of those quieter, more emotional moments a beautifully timeless feel.

The morning began at The Angel Hotel in Abergavenny, where Livvy got ready before travelling to the local church for the ceremony. There was a lovely contrast between the grandeur and tradition of the church and the relaxed atmosphere that followed at Llantilio House. Livvy’s beautifully simple off the shoulder gown and long veil felt effortlessly elegant, while Luke kept things classic in black tie.

After the ceremony, everyone made their way back to Llantilio House for the reception, surrounded by gardens and the rolling Welsh countryside. We kept the portraits natural and uncomplicated, making use of the beautiful old stonework, gardens and afternoon light around the house rather than turning the day into a photoshoot.

As the sun began to drop, we slipped away for a few minutes into the surrounding fields. The light was incredible, giving us some of my favourite photographs from the day, before things became a little less refined with Livvy and Luke climbing onto the Defender, champagne in hand. That combination sums their wedding up perfectly. Elegant and considered when it needed to be, but relaxed, fun and never taking itself too seriously.

It is exactly how I love to photograph weddings. Most of the day is simply allowed to happen, documenting the people, atmosphere and all the little moments in between. Then, when the light is right, we might disappear for ten minutes and create something a little more editorial. Nothing overly staged, just photographs that still feel completely like the two of you.