Dan and Talisha's wedding

It's a beautiful, blue sky spring morning. It's 9.30am and I've just arrived at Fairyhill. I'm directed by very helpful staff to where Talisha and 10+ women are getting ready for the day. It's a fresh morning, but the giant cottage is warm - I'm talking toasty with a capital T! I say hi to everyone, get my cardi off to avoid turning into a puddle, and get to work.

Well... it's not work really, or at least doesn't feel like it to me!

Talisha's hair is in big rollers and is rocking her "Bride" pyjamas. Evidence of the night before is scattered over the table - black silk petals, shot bottles and "Team Bride" socks (I'm told it was a "Shots and Socks" night, which is iconic). There's a vat of Pimms half drunk on the side, but everyone's looking fresh and happy. I later learn that Mum (I call everyone by their family name, because I'm terrible with remembering actual names) had 3-4 hours sleep the night before... Ouch!

Talisha is soon in the makeup chair with Sara Dymond Makeup. I keep getting in the way of Sara (sorry Sara) while getting beautiful photos of Talisha getting ready. I also pop over to see the groom for a "Something old, something news" newspaper from the groom (designed by Taylor Louise Design) to get my flatlay photos sorted.

Around 11am, Lucy from Next Chapter Content rocks up. We've not worked together before, but she was an absolute dream to have alongside me, capturing clips from the day.

We work as a team to get some stunning photos and content of Talisha's dreamy wedding dress (from Cariad Bridal) and flowers (by The Dancing Daffodil). I could have spent the day working on these!

Then it's time to capture some photos of Dan and his groomsmen - 10 of them in total. All suited and booted (suits from Dyfed Menswear) we head outside into the sunshine for some nice group photos, and some fun ones.

We head back to Talisha's cottage, where her hair has been perfectly curled by Bethan Mobile Hairdresser. Gifts are exchanged between Talisha and her Dad, and Mum's already tearing up. It's going to be an emotional one! Time to get into the dress!

I don't know what it is about a bride getting into her wedding dress, but everyone starts talking in whispers. No exception here. Talisha is zipped into her perfectly fitting dress, and is helped with her shoes. I think this is where the nerves start to kick in for her!

It's all about the reveals next - Lucy and I clear some space in the orangery, and get her two Maids of Honour (Caz and Faith) to face the wall while we bring in Talisha and fluff out her dress. When they turn around, they're obviously in tears - although this is apparently not like them! Next it's Dad's turn. We get Talisha positioned, then bring in Dad. The sound of Mum, Caz and Faith sobbing fills the room. It's perfect.

As the day is so beautiful, the ceremony is outside. Lucy and I head down there to capture guests getting seated, the paperboy handing out the newspapers (one of the adult groomsmen dressed in a hat and satchel), and Dan waiting for his bride.

The ceremony is romantic and idyllic, including tears from the groom and the parents when Talisha surprised them with Welsh vows - she doesn't speak Welsh but did it to surprise her Welsh speaking husband. SO cute and romantic!

Whenever I've photographed weddings, I expect that I'm the person who arranges confetti photo locations. Not at Fairyhill! We're directed to the other side of the building to where the emtrance of the bar and seating area is. Confetti is handed out and an aisle is formed. I just instructed everyone to get the confetti into their hands ready for throwing, and asked the to throw over the bride and groom, not at them.

Dan and Talisha arrive having enjoyed a quick tipple, and have Maple with them - their pet Poochon! I've never photographed confetti photos with a dog before, but I have now!

I immediately move into group photos, which are done and dusted in no time.

I give Talisha and Dan's cheeks a rest, and take some candids and have a walk about. They've got Lume Illustrations painting cute wedding favours for all the guests - such a thoughtful touch. She's also been asked to paint Dan and Talisha with both sets of parents, using their own wedding photos too. They don't find out about this until the evening though, and is such a sweet moment.

After a little bit of mingling and some food, I take Dan and Talisha back to the garden area with Maple for some couple photos. We capture some super cute ones, get some simple but fun walking photos too, and then it's time to check out the reception room set up.

The room is beautiful - simple table set up but in the good, classy way, and the cake... oh the cake... Just stunning! Nice work by Cakes by Katy!

Guests are called through, speeches by the Best Man and Talisha's Dad are made, and it's time for a break. Lucy and I sit in a separate room to back up our shots so far, and have the most delicious meal I've had at a wedding - genuinely.

After food, the tattoo station (by Arthur's Cart) is ready to go, which was a hit. Everyone's stuffed but merry, and eagerly await the evening antics. The room is turned around quickly, but in the meantime we gatehr 20 of Dan and Talisha's nearest and dearest, and capture some sparkler photos. I also ask them to get on the swing - the uplighters by the trees makes for some really cool photos at night time!

Finally, it's time for cake and dancing. Dan and Talisha make their entrance, and cut the cake in the middle of the dance floor. Talisha tried to put more pressure on the knife by holding the blade - not ideal but made for some lovely photos of them laughing and having a moment before their dancing debut.

"It's all about you" by McFly kicks in across the speakers, and they both step into rhythm with each other - they've rehearsed a cute little dance together. I'm told they practiced in their living room, so the big dancefloor was a bit disorientating but they rocked it, and once again it was a perfect moment with some super cute shots. They invited more people onto the dancefloor to finish the song. Then came "Unchained Melody". You know, the one from Ghost? Well... I have to say, I was very emotional after this song. Everyone cleared the dancefloor except Dan and Talisha, and their parents. They all slowly danced as couples. Then Dan and Talisha came off the dancefloor and gave the dance to their parents. It was so touching and a properly beautiful moment.

Before I left, I had the privelege of witnessing Caz, her girlfriend and another friend rocking hard to Kylie Minogue's Spinning Around. Another iconic moment.

All of Dan and Talisha's friends and family were warm and welcoming, as were the couple themselves. It was a special day, and I felt privileged to have been a part of it. I was so excited about the day and the photos I took, I delivered their entire gallery within 48 hours. Here's a small sample of them!