Beth & Lewis’s beautiful Hensol Castle wedding, with Martin Dabek Photography

Published by Claire Gould on

Good morning, beautiful! I hope you’ve had the loveliest of weekends. I taught a really relaxed and fun calligraphy class in Manchester on Friday – the sweetest bunch of students and so talented I was barely needed! Then a weekend at Lancaster music festival… it’s been a fun one, but boy am I sleepy this morning! Today’s wedding though… oh this has brightened my heart already. It’s perfect. Beautiful bride Beth married her handsome hubby Lewis in Wales, styling their day with simple white and green touches – and bridesmaids in trouser suits kicking up a storm!! I just love this and know you will too. Thank you to our wonderful friend and sponsor, South Wales wedding photographer Martin Dabek Photography for sending us such a stunning wedding to share!

A brilliant review for Martin Dabek Photography at Hensol Castle, by Beth and Lewis (17)

Wedding photographer’s website:

https://martindabek.com

Lewis was an usher at his friend’s wedding a few years back and recommended Martin. Lewis is a bit camera shy but said he barely noticed Martin was taking any photos at all. His unobtrusive, in-the-moment approach was exactly what we were looking for.

Were you pleased with your wedding photographer? Do tell… we love a brilliant review!

He was fantastic and knew exactly when to stand back and snap away, but also when to get involved and herd us all together for the all-important group and family shots. He worked brilliantly with our videographer, even though they’d never met but what we liked the most were that his photos really told the story of our day so beautifully.

Tell us about the moment you saw your wedding photos for the first time?

The link came through to my email while I was at work. Let’s just say I got barely any work done that day!

A brilliant review for Martin Dabek Photography at Hensol Castle, by Beth and Lewis (10)

Lewis and Beth’s day was a classic white wedding with a modern twist. The reception at Hensol Castle had banquet style tables with white flowers and touches of greenery and gold – a timeless colour palette which really works in such an elegant venue. Beth is breathtaking in a beautiful Sassi Holford gown, which she bought from Sassi’s own boutique in Taunton. The troupe of bridesmaids look amazing in ecru suits, with wide leg trousers and double-breasted blazers from Mango. “My bridesmaids were a mix of entrepreneurs, an actor and a doctor so I didn’t want typical “pretty” bridesmaids dresses that would not reflect their strong personalities. Each bridesmaid wore her suit entirely her own way and completely nailed it. The congregation’s faces as they came down the aisle were a picture!

A brilliant review for Martin Dabek Photography at Hensol Castle, by Beth and Lewis (52)

A brilliant review for Martin Dabek Photography at Hensol Castle, by Beth and Lewis (51)
A brilliant review for Martin Dabek Photography at Hensol Castle, by Beth and Lewis (50)
A brilliant review for Martin Dabek Photography at Hensol Castle, by Beth and Lewis (49)
A brilliant review for Martin Dabek Photography at Hensol Castle, by Beth and Lewis (48)
A brilliant review for Martin Dabek Photography at Hensol Castle, by Beth and Lewis (47)
A brilliant review for Martin Dabek Photography at Hensol Castle, by Beth and Lewis (46)
A brilliant review for Martin Dabek Photography at Hensol Castle, by Beth and Lewis (45)
A brilliant review for Martin Dabek Photography at Hensol Castle, by Beth and Lewis (44)
A brilliant review for Martin Dabek Photography at Hensol Castle, by Beth and Lewis (43)
A brilliant review for Martin Dabek Photography at Hensol Castle, by Beth and Lewis (42)
A brilliant review for Martin Dabek Photography at Hensol Castle, by Beth and Lewis (41)
A brilliant review for Martin Dabek Photography at Hensol Castle, by Beth and Lewis (40)
A brilliant review for Martin Dabek Photography at Hensol Castle, by Beth and Lewis (39)
A brilliant review for Martin Dabek Photography at Hensol Castle, by Beth and Lewis (38)
A brilliant review for Martin Dabek Photography at Hensol Castle, by Beth and Lewis (37)
A brilliant review for Martin Dabek Photography at Hensol Castle, by Beth and Lewis (36)
A brilliant review for Martin Dabek Photography at Hensol Castle, by Beth and Lewis (35)
A brilliant review for Martin Dabek Photography at Hensol Castle, by Beth and Lewis (34)
A brilliant review for Martin Dabek Photography at Hensol Castle, by Beth and Lewis (33)
A brilliant review for Martin Dabek Photography at Hensol Castle, by Beth and Lewis (32)
A brilliant review for Martin Dabek Photography at Hensol Castle, by Beth and Lewis (31)
A brilliant review for Martin Dabek Photography at Hensol Castle, by Beth and Lewis (30)
A brilliant review for Martin Dabek Photography at Hensol Castle, by Beth and Lewis (29)
A brilliant review for Martin Dabek Photography at Hensol Castle, by Beth and Lewis (28)
A brilliant review for Martin Dabek Photography at Hensol Castle, by Beth and Lewis (27)
A brilliant review for Martin Dabek Photography at Hensol Castle, by Beth and Lewis (26)
A brilliant review for Martin Dabek Photography at Hensol Castle, by Beth and Lewis (25)
A brilliant review for Martin Dabek Photography at Hensol Castle, by Beth and Lewis (24)
A brilliant review for Martin Dabek Photography at Hensol Castle, by Beth and Lewis (23)
A brilliant review for Martin Dabek Photography at Hensol Castle, by Beth and Lewis (22)
A brilliant review for Martin Dabek Photography at Hensol Castle, by Beth and Lewis (21)
A brilliant review for Martin Dabek Photography at Hensol Castle, by Beth and Lewis (20)
A brilliant review for Martin Dabek Photography at Hensol Castle, by Beth and Lewis (19)
A brilliant review for Martin Dabek Photography at Hensol Castle, by Beth and Lewis (18)
A brilliant review for Martin Dabek Photography at Hensol Castle, by Beth and Lewis (16)
A brilliant review for Martin Dabek Photography at Hensol Castle, by Beth and Lewis (15)
A brilliant review for Martin Dabek Photography at Hensol Castle, by Beth and Lewis (14)
A brilliant review for Martin Dabek Photography at Hensol Castle, by Beth and Lewis (13)
A brilliant review for Martin Dabek Photography at Hensol Castle, by Beth and Lewis (12)
A brilliant review for Martin Dabek Photography at Hensol Castle, by Beth and Lewis (11)
A brilliant review for Martin Dabek Photography at Hensol Castle, by Beth and Lewis (9)
A brilliant review for Martin Dabek Photography at Hensol Castle, by Beth and Lewis (8)
A brilliant review for Martin Dabek Photography at Hensol Castle, by Beth and Lewis (7)
A brilliant review for Martin Dabek Photography at Hensol Castle, by Beth and Lewis (6)
A brilliant review for Martin Dabek Photography at Hensol Castle, by Beth and Lewis (5)
A brilliant review for Martin Dabek Photography at Hensol Castle, by Beth and Lewis (4)
A brilliant review for Martin Dabek Photography at Hensol Castle, by Beth and Lewis (3)
A brilliant review for Martin Dabek Photography at Hensol Castle, by Beth and Lewis (2)
A brilliant review for Martin Dabek Photography at Hensol Castle, by Beth and Lewis (1)

Where did you find your suppliers? (Blogs, magazines, recommendations?)

Mostly recommendations but also a lot of social media

What’s your top tip for saving money?

Set your budget, then prepare for a 10-15% overspend. Squirrel money away monthly and factor in small thing like alterations, stamps, gifts…they soon add up!

… and which elements of your wedding are you glad you spent more on?

Music really sets the scene and good music can make or break the ability to get people on the dancefloor. A huge chunk of our budget went on a Male Voice Choir at the church to set the scene, but also on our evening band who ensured everyone was up dancing immediately.
We’d also recommend spending on photography and videography. It goes by in the blink of an eye so anything that helps you capture those memories is worth every penny.

Where did you buy or source your wedding stationery – or was making it a labour of love?

A close friend of ours is a graphic designer so she helped bring our vision to life.

Did you fall in love with your wedding dress?

Yes!

Wedding dress designer and bridal boutique:

Sassi Holford bespoke gown, Sassi Holford boutique, Taunton

Tell us about your accessories: jewellery, shoes and anything else!

Pearl necklaces and earrings, shoes by Altazurra and a Prada bag bought as a gift by my bridesmaids

And what did the groom wear?

Black tie

Hair and make-up – did you DIY or hire a professional?

Shevaun McKenna make up
Katie Davies hairdresser

Describe your wedding flowers. Who arranged them for you? (florist details would be lovely please)

One of my best friends and florist – Flowers By Davenport. She knows me so well, I barely had any input in the flowers and she understood exactly what I wanted, and delivered

General styling – did your venue need much decoration?

Just some personal touches to make it our own

Crafts and makes – tell us about any homemade elements of your wedding… did you enjoy them?

Our favours were fresh white rose petals poured into pages of my favourite book – The Great Gatsby – which I’d made into cones. So cheap but meant so much to us, especially as we’re now both Fitzgerald’s!

The wedding cake: what kind of cake did you choose and why?

My mum made the cake and her cousin iced it. Having our nearest and dearest double up as our suppliers meant that the people we love the most were a true part of our day

Entertainment: any musical recommendations, surprises or treats?

Male voice choir to help assist the hymns and bridesmaids who sung their speech to Tina Turner’s Simply the Best

Words of wisdom: share your best piece of advice for other couples:

Someone said this to us and we would absolutely recommend to everyone else. Make sure you have some time alone with your new husband/wife on your day…even if it’s just ten minutes. To reflect and breathe in the day together was really special.

What’s the best thing about being married?

Sharing a promise to each other forever

Favourite supplier web links for other brides and grooms:

martindabek.com
johnmarkfilms.co.uk
makeupbyvaun.com
sassiholford.com


Claire Gould

Claire spends her days writing - either in beautiful calligraphy or online. She lives on the edge of the English Lake District only minutes away from the beach, where she loves to escape and unwind. Claire's calligraphy can be found at www.byMoonandTide.com. Claire launched the English Wedding Blog in November 2009 - it's been a top 10 UK wedding blog ever since, with a regional focus we hope you LOVE.

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