SANT FFRAED HOUSE WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY

Sant Ffraed House is near Abergavenny in Monmouthshire (the postcode is NP7 9BA if you’re plugging it into maps). It’s a Grade II listed spot, built back in 1912, and you might have known it as the Llansantffraed Court Hotel. A couple of years back, in 2022, it was taken over by the Oldwalls Collection, had a major renovation, and reopened purely as a wedding venue.

It sits within the gorgeous Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons), so the surrounding scenery is pretty special – proper Welsh countryside. But it’s not remote; Abergavenny train station is only about 10 minutes away by car, which is handy for guests, and there’s plenty of parking on site.

From a photographer’s point of view, it’s a really interesting place to work.

One of the best things is the mix of styles. You’ve got the original main house, which has that classic country house feel – lots of character, period features, great for more traditional, elegant shots.

Then you’ve got the K Room – this big, modern glass extension where most of the main reception happens. It’s designed specifically for weddings (fits up to 150 for the meal) and the floor-to-ceiling windows mean the light inside is amazing, even on cloudier days. Plus, you get these wide-open views of the countryside right from your table. It means your photos can have real variety, switching between classic portraits and bright, modern reception shots easily. There’s also a smart bar area next door with booths, good for candid guest photos later on.

the house, the grounds, everything. No other hotel guests wandering about, which is a big plus for privacy and makes the day feel really special.

They can seat between 55 and 150 for the meal and host up to 300 for the evening do. Price-wise, it varies depending on the time of year and day, but they offer different packages. (It’s always best to get the latest pricing directly from them as things change).

A really practical point is the on-site accommodation. There’s space for about 50-60 guests to stay right there:

• 13 rooms in the main house.
• 8 rooms in the courtyard buildings (old stables and mews).
• The Tennis Lodge, which is like a separate little house good for families.
• Plus, a dedicated honeymoon wing with its own lounge.

It just makes things easy for your close family and wedding party.

For everyone else, Abergavenny is only a short drive away with loads of hotels and B&Bs.

It’s all set up to host the whole day easily.

• Ceremonies: You can get married inside in the main house for a more traditional feel, or outside in the gardens with those Sugar Loaf views (weather permitting!). There’s also a church within walking distance if you prefer.
• Food: It’s all done in-house by their chefs. They work with you on the menu, covering everything from formal meals to evening food, and are used to handling dietary requirements.
• Party: They have two bars licensed until 1 am, a proper dance floor, and space for a band or DJ. They’re okay with biodegradable confetti, fireworks, and candles (as long as they’re covered), which gives you options.

What works well here is dipping out for short photo sessions at different times. Because the key areas are quite close together, you don’t need to disappear for hours. Maybe 10-15 minutes after the ceremony for some garden shots, perhaps another quick session if the light is great later (“golden hour”), and maybe some atmospheric shots in the evening. It gives you variety without taking you away from your guests for too long.

Simply put, I know the venue really well. I’ve shot there enough times to know:

• Where the best light is at different times of day.
• The best spots for those views (and how to use them even if it’s raining!). See examples from a Sant Ffraed House Summer Wedding and Sant Ffraed House Winter Wedding.
• How to make the most of the different areas efficiently.

I also know the team at Sant Ffraed House. Every couple gets a coordinator there, and because I’ve worked alongside them before, it just helps make the photography side of things run smoothly on the day, meaning less stress for you. My aim is always to capture the real story of your day, mixing natural, candid moments with some relaxed portraits that really show off you two and this fantastic venue.