We’re definitely getting there with this full Gileston Manor Wedding.
My first full wedding day since 4th January 2020. 519 days! And what a wedding to have as well. A new, gorgeous venue (new for me anyway), great weather and a super lovely couple. We had tears, laughter, black swans, a photo-bombing cat, sparklers and maybe a tequila or 5.
Congratulations to Riah and Jack on the marriage. Thanks again for asking me to be part of it.
Please enjoy some of their photos from the wedding at Gileston Manor.
Phil.
As always, the list of suppliers used in the wedding follows the photos. If you are looking at having your wedding at Gileston Manor, or if you have booked your big day here, I would love to be considered to be your wedding photographer. It is an incredible venue that I would be honoured to be part of a wedding again. Please contact me if you would like to chat about your wedding photography.
Riah + Jack’s Gileston Manor Wedding
Before any wedding, I sit down with the happy couple to talk to them about their big day and learn more about them and their relationship.
How Long Have You Been Together? Jack and I have been together since August 2017.
Where Did You First Meet? We matched on Tinder. Conversation flowed, and it wasn’t long before we arranged our first date. Jack brought his family’s dog, Reggie, from Treorchy to Barry, meeting me in Porthkerry Park, and we walked for hours – poor Reg.
Where Did You Get Engaged? We got engaged at Bristol Balloon Fiesta. It’s usually around the weekend of my birthday, and we had been the year before. Jack had bought us a hot air balloon flight as my birthday present. Obviously and unbeknownst to me, Jack was going to propose during the flight. The weather, however, had other plans, and our flight was cancelled, so Jack ended up popping the question after a very wet Night Glow and Firework show.
Why Did You Choose Gileston Manor? Viewing Gileston Manor was a bit of a fluke! It was still a relatively new venue in 2019, they had just had their first year of weddings, but it honestly blew us away.
Super cliche, we did instantly fall in love with it. The team there made it.
Getting Ready
Gileston Manor is set within 9 acres of exquisite gardens that provide panoramic sea views, making for the most beautiful setting for weddings. The gorgeous Manor House plus the luxury accommodation suites situated in the Vale of Glamorgan make Gileston Manor Estate the perfect venue for a destination wedding and events.
They chose to get ready in one of the original outbuildings situated directly behind the stunning Georgian Grade II listed Manor House.
The Wedding Ceremony
St Giles is a picturesque small church set within the estate of Gileston Manor, allowing an intimate religious ceremony for up to 80 Guests if a religious ceremony is preferred. They also offer other areas within the grounds, such as the Italian walled garden, to hold your civil ceremony or similar.
The ceremony at St Giles Church included a half outside and half inside ceremony. The majority of the 30 guests remained seated outside of the church during the legal part of the ceremony whilst the bride and groom continued with the ceremony with their close family. After the ceremony, they made the short walk across the front of the house for welcome drinks overlooking the coast.
Gileston Manor Wedding Photos
I was truly spoilt for choice when it came to taking the two of them away for some quiet time for photos. With the incredible gardens, rapeseed fields, and small woodland, the most challenging part for me was to chose where so we didn’t waste any time away from friends and family. After walking through the gorgeous archway of flowers and bushes earlier that day before the ceremony, that had to be the first location, and we took in some other spots along the way back to the Lotus Marque and rapeseed fields beyond. One of the wedding guests (who was an absolute legend for doing this!) brought some smoke bombs, which were awesome fun after we venture into the fields. He provided the sparklers for the evening entertainment, too!. Chapeau to that man!
The Reception
The reception was held in Lotus Marquee, and even with the 30 guest limit, it looked incredible. With the views across the Jurassic coast, it was a perfect location for the wedding breakfast and evening celebrations. Some heartfelt speeches along with a bit of fun of a Mr and Mrs game completed the formalities before a handful of guests arrived for the evening reception.
The Evening. Yes, An Evening!
Wow, it’s been a while since I photographed a wedding right through to the evening celebrations, and my feet were aching two days later! A real shock to the system. It felt so good to see a first dance, evening sum, sparklers and general fun in the evening. As much as I have liked the change of pace that the restricted weddings have brought, nothing takes the place of a good evening reception and the chance to get some relaxed, different, fun night photos.
Gileston Manor Wedding Suppliers
Ceremony Venue: St Giles Church, Gileston Reception Venue: Gileston Manor Wedding
Make-Up Artist: Eleri Thomas
Hair: Janet White-Ashby & Co
Wedding Dress Details: Wed2B
Shoes: The Rainbow Club
Bridesmaid Dresses: Emma Bridals
Suits: Moss Bros
Wedding Cake Maker: TBC
Florist: Wild Meadow Floral
Wedding/Engagement Ring Supplier: Wedding Bands – Jeff’s Jewellers, Porth / Engagement – Brookelinde, Cardiff
Entertainment: SG Discos
First Dance Song: Frank Sinatra – Love is Here to Stay Any Other Suppliers: Caterers – CleverChefs