Steph Barry Photography

My most memorable wedding actually has to be my first! I was incredibly nervous, but I remember knowing without a doubt that it was what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. That was years ago and I still remember it very fondly, and the couple have become great friends since!

Pure, natural, captivating, true, fresh

Enjoy it! I tell every couple this. Don't get stressed, don't worry about everything because it will work out in the end and you will have the best day ever. Enjoy the planning process, take in everything that's on offer but make it about you (not about having something just because someone else does!)

It's impossible to choose, every wedding I've been to has had such wonderful personal touches! From personalised M&Ms, to mementos from their parents wedding, to personalised champagne glasses for each guest!

Once the couple have made contact with me, whether it be by email, phone or at a wedding fayre, we will often meet up for a coffee to chat properly about what they are looking for, both for their wedding in general and from their photographer. I am always honest, and if I feel that I may not be the best fit for them I will gladly offer suggestions of other photographers I know in the area who may be better suited to their needs. This initial meeting sometimes takes place via Skype if the couple are unable to meet in person (usually due to them living far away or due to other commitments). Once the couple have booked, we do a pre-wedding consultation roughly 4-6 weeks before the wedding to run through timelines and photo lists with family members. If it's not a venue I'm familiar with and it's within 50 miles of Swansea, I will also do a venue visit with the couple. This can be done at any point during the wedding planning process and is simply a means of us knowing what the photo option locations are and where the couple would prefer to go. This part is not compulsory however, and if they would rather not do the venue visit I will go alone.

A photo together! As unbelievable as it may sound, so many couples are too shy to have photos taken alone and I think it's an incredibly important part of the day. Your wedding photos are something you will not only look back on for years to come, but will also pass onto the next generation. If you're camera-shy, please don't worry! Just let us know and we can work through it with you to make sure that you have beautiful portraits that you're comfortable and excited about.

The couple jumping on the bed in the bridal suite right before the meal was served!

Brave it! With umbrellas anything is possible. So far (touch wood!) we have never been rained out of doing outdoor photos - where there's a will, there's a way! If it's truly too wet or windy even with umbrellas then we have the option of either finding a perfect space indoors (every venue has one!) or waiting to see if the storm will pass.

It's always been a passion of mine, from the time I had my first camera for my 8th birthday I've taken photos everywhere I've gone and taken great pleasure in it. My passion turned into a hobby in my twenties, and my hobby turned into a business in 2009. At the start of 2014 I gave up my full-time job and became a full-time self-employed photographer, and haven't looked back!