Llangollen International Musical EisteddfodSunday 8th July 2012

And so the Eisteddfod week draws to a close. Plenty of activities still taking place on the field stages but the competitions are over. Tonight sees the Gala Night concert with performances from Mark Evans, West End and Broadway star John Owen-Jones and the wonderful Wynne Evans (yes, he of "Go Compare" fame). A lovely man with a beautiful voice and a fabulous sense of humour!

The evening started off in an an unusual way. Gareth Malone (famous for his TV series "The Choirs" and the formation of the Military Wives Choir") used the Eisteddfod stage to film part of a new TV series to be aired later this year (not allowed to say too much). Watch this space

A small selection of photographs from the evening

Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod Tuesday 3rd July 2011

The official start of the Eisteddfod week means the "Parade of Nations" where the competitors and their supporters parade through the beautiful town of Llangollen in North Wales in full costume often stopping to perform parts of their dance routines etc.

One of the highlights of the week without a doubt and it always attracts a large crowd. A bit drizzly this year but I reckon it was one of the best parades I have seen (and I've seen a few!).The parade weaves it's way through the town and then makes it's way back to the Royal Pavilion site where performers start to prepare themselves for the evening.

The evening's event comprises many of the performers marching through the 4,000 seat pavilion in full costume and carrying their national flags before making their way onto the stage. Once assembled, the President of the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod, Terry Waite CBE, makes a speech welcoming everybody and then the fun really starts.

The evening is then taken over with performances by a large number of the people who later in the week will be competing in the various music, song and dance competitions.

A fabulously noisy, colourful and very happy day.

Peckforton Castle ♥ DeAnna and Neil

I always ask couples why they choose particular venues. We all see things differently and it's interesting to hear exactly why a particular venue 'hit the spot' with a couple.

As photographers, we view venues from a different perspective to a couple looking to get married. Our concerns are how photogenic a place is, what are the best angles and locations. Are there nice grounds? What do we do if the weather is bad?

The last point is extremely important. Whilst we all wish for good weather, we do have to be realistic about the good old British climate and there are a great many venues out there that have superb grounds but are totally banal inside and therefore, on a bad weather day, the opportunities for creating interesting photographs are low.

We have a small list of venues we will not attend simply because we cannot do as good a job at them as we can at others. With some it is because they have no garden or an area nearby for exterior photos and with others, it is because inside, they look like a sports hall or something similar! We have very high standards and if we feel we cannot deliver to the best of our ability, we believe it is wrong to take a client's money.

This is why DeAnna and Neil chose so wisely when they booked Peckforton Castle in Tarporley, Cheshire for their wedding ceremony and reception. The interior of this building is simply magnificent and there are just so many wonderful places for photographs inside. In fact, regardless of the weather, you simply MUST have some photographs inside.

The reason I have mentioned all this is unfortunately, the day of DeAnna and Neil's wedding was a bit dark and damp. We did manage to get outside for a few photographs but we were soon scurrying for the warm and dry interior of the castle.

DeAnna and Neil travelled from the USA to get married at Peckforton Castle (although Neil is in fact British). She looked absolutely stunning in the dress she brought over with her and along with her bridesmaids in their amazing blue dresses, the castle was certainly a bright and cheerful place despite the weather.

I've posted here a small sample of photographs from their lovely wedding

All photographs from this wedding can be found at www.barrieneilonline.com
Our main website is at Barrie Neil Photography

More photographs from Peckforton Castle and other venues can be found both in this blog and on our main wedding website at www.barrieneilweddings.co.uk

Peckforton Castle ♥ Sarah and Anthony

As mentioned earlier, today (Saturday, 17th July 2010), saw us back at the sumptuous Peckforton Castle for the wedding of Sarah and Anthony.

The day started for us at the bride's parent's home in North Wales where the usual chaos created by so many ladies getting ready in one place at one time was well and truly in evidence. How one bride and two bridesmaids can create such a mess I do not know!

We leave the house in time to be at Peckforton Castle when the groom and the guests arrive and take the opportunity to photograph the arrivals although this is interrupted (as always) by cries of "ask the photographers how to tie a cravat, they are bound to know" or equally common "which side do the buttonholes go".

Eventually, the guests leave the outside bar (thankfully it's turned out to be a lovely day after early rain) and move inside for the ceremony just before the bride arrives in a beautiful vintage Rolls Royce.

She looks absolutely amazing. The dress we saw at the house looked really long when hung up but looks absolutely perfect on Sarah's slim frame, I photograph her in the car with her father and then as she leaves the car. I ask about the flowers... disaster... the flowers have been left behind.

Oh well, too far to go back now and so the bridesmaids flowers become a bridal bouquet and off we go.

Thankfully, the rest of the day went like a dream. It was a great wedding in lovely weather with nice people. What more could you ask for?

More photographs from Peckforton Castle and other venues can be found both in this blog and on our main wedding website at www.barrieneilweddings.co.uk