My 2016 Wedding Highlights

Every year, even every day I say the same thing, how does time go so quickly!!!

I can’t believe I’m looking back at my 2016 weddings, trying to choose some of my favourite photos to share with you – to show you the love, laughter and emotion that I was honoured to capture! It’s been incredible.

To get to meet such fabulous people and to be given the opportunity to capture your wonderful weddings is amazing! I’m very lucky to have a job where I do what I love! Weddings are ever so personal, I’m touched by every one I capture. I’m sitting here looking at these photos I've chosen, remembering that at each wedding I laughed, watched in admiration as the day unfolded and I even cried at most!!! Happy tears and sneakily behind my camera of course!!   Just thinking about 2016, I am getting so excited for the year ahead to see what all the wonderful weddings in 2017 have in store.

2016 wedding season started with daffodils, a chilly April where Hannah & Stu married at the wonderful Maesmawr Hall Hotel, the drive looked amazing in daffodils which complimented their day perfectly. In June I photographed Sarah & Ben’s wedding at Elan Valley, the cutest little chapel and those views were just amazing. The sunshine was enjoyed at Lucy & Jamie's wedding at the beautiful Sweeney Hall Hotel, Oswestry. Hannah & Jack's wedding was my next, an elegant vintage wedding at Gregynog, which I was over the moon to have the opportunity to share and feature in Cwtch the Bride. Another July wedding was Lindsey & Wyn, who married in Welshpool and chose to have their couple shots in the amazing Powis Castle Gardens, how cool is that!!

In August I was at Broneirion for Lucy & Nick’s wedding, followed by a perfectly chilled wedding in Plas Dinam with Kayleigh & Jack. Liann & David married in church and celebrated at The Wynnstay in Oswestry and Mirain & Dylan wed in the welsh hills of Llanerfyl.

Throughout all of the summer the weather was kind. The sun had his hat on.. mostly!! With only one rainy wedding and that was Sue & John at Broneirion, with lots of brollies at the ready, it didn’t spoil a thing – and to be honest I absolutely love the brolly couple shots. Big thanks to Sue and John for trusting me!!

The September sun didn’t disappoint, with Jo & Rhys marrying in Llangurig and Kelly & Andy at Gregynog Hall, where the children ran around the grounds for hours. An October wedding in Forden for Amy & Andy, a celebration in a beautifully lined twinkly lights Marquee at their family home.

December... the last wedding of the year... Nic & Kev celebrated their wedding, back where I started the season, at Maesmawr Hall. It looked magical all Christmassy and wonderful.

2016 has been a great year, alongside the weddings I have thoroughly enjoyed photographing my Newborns and My First Year packages. I feel honoured to photograph such precious moments and be able to see your little ones grow.

Throughout 2016 I was mentored by the fabulous Kate Hopewell-Smith – you’ll probably remember the blog about my journey but it’s true; to grow and learn and gain confidence from such a lovely person – has been a dream! She really is a person to cherish. A journey I will make sure to continue on.

I was also very chuffed to be a finalist for ‘best wedding photographer of the year – Mid Wales’, in the Welsh National Wedding Awards, the awards dinner in Swansea was so much fun and I felt so proud to be there with so many truly talented individuals who make the wedding industry the best.

I am excited for 2017, with many new venues to shoot at, again starting off in April, I cannot wait to see the style, the choices, the colours the bride and grooms are going to choose and to get to know them and capture one of the most amazing days of their lives.

For me, wedding photography is all about capturing your story!

The love, the emotion, the laughter.

Here are a few images from 2016 weddings, enjoy!

If you are looking for a wedding photographer for your special day, and like my reportage storytelling style, please get in touch.

Limited availability for 2017.

Dates available for 2018 onwards

Mentor Me – My little journey with Kate Hopewell-Smith

As Winnie the Pooh said “a grand adventure is about to begin” and this is exactly how I felt at the beginning of this year. Writing this feels a little strange as usually I always write about other people but I wanted to share a little about me, to show thanks to someone special!

“Photography is a way of feeling, of touching, of loving. What you have caught is captured forever... It remembers little things long after you have forgotten everything” – Aaron Siskind

Last November I decided to go on a Lighting – Winter Weddings course, which was run by Kate from Kate Hopewell-Smith Photography, an area I was always felt I could know more – and with shooting weddings in the UK and the unpredictable weather we have in the summer (never mind the winter) I went along to learn, to make sure I was using my kit properly and how better to use the light! It was a great course and the start of something exciting!

In March this year I went to see one of the wedding venues that I was shooting at this summer, a lady showed me around, a lady that has known me growing up and knew my family. Knowing my dad was a photographer, she quietly said to me “he would be so proud”. She asked did I think I would be doing photography if he was here with us today, and funnily enough I have thought this many times and replied, ‘honestly I bet I wouldn’t be, we would drive each other potty!’. I was his little girl and he always knew best! During my upbringing I learnt so much from him, particularly his strong work ethic.  As much as I say we'd drive each other potty, It’s ironic as I long for his advice and for him to be here to help with issues or to just ask silly little things – reassurance I guess, whether it be a technical issue or advice on running a business!  It was this day I knew I needed something to help me believe, help me know that I am making a career for my family and that for every hour I am away from my gorgeous boys that it is worth it.

I came home that day and I emailed Kate, I asked if she had any availability on her mentoring programme – I wanted a little guidance, I wanted to know that I was going in the right direction and to be excited about the future.

My idea of having a mentor was to have someone overlook how I work, give feedback, constructively explain how I can improve and inspire me to deliver the best in me; from the very first moment I met Kate – her knowledge and personality inspired me.

Firstly we went through all my business aims, my finances, my goals and my style – I must admit that I jokingly said it was a little like a counselling session and when I returned home I was buzzing. I remember not being able to talk about it for a few days as my head was about to burst – I had so many notes and amazing ideas that I wanted to take it all in and not just blab it all out and bore my nearest and dearest. There was my light bulb moment and I was motivated to start.

I gave myself tasks to work towards and discussed several aspects of photography, my strengths and weaknesses and learnt from literally just talking through a few methods and every time we had a conversation I learnt that little bit more, most of the time it was like the penny had dropped.

Sometimes being self-employed seems lonely and you’re not sure if what you’re doing is right, I didn’t want someone to hold my hand as such, I just needed a little direction and a shoulder to lean on and my inspiring wonderful mentor sure was that.

I’m so glad I listened to the little voice in my head and decided to act on it that day back in March, I indeed went on an adventure – even though there have been ups and downs, like anything in life when you reflect, but it has given me strength and motivation, and I have received direction and support.

I am lucky every day in my career; I meet so many wonderful people along the way, all of whom are very special, my bride and grooms, all the beautiful babies and you fab new mummy and daddies. I get to watch your little ones grow, capturing precious moments to remember forever, and this is what I love, this is why I want to be a photographer, and more so to continuously learn.

During my last trip down to Steeple Claydon, I had mentioned to Kate that I have never had my photo taken on my own – I mean like a proper portrait photo session.... yes like many of you I would say I don’t like to have my photo taken, I always say to people I prefer to be behind the camera, anyway a little twist of the arm and we did that session. I must admit I did feel awkward, I giggled like a little girl, I didn’t know how to smile and where to look but I actually had fun, and I now know exactly how you all feel, however, I think I’ll stick to being the loony toon behind the camera trying to get you smiling though. Sometimes it’s good to get out of your comfort zone, for me to show clients who I am, who is Leri Lane. Well here I am..... still a little cringy looking at these but they are fab images by Kate. And I'm super chuffed I have my very own Kate Hopewell-Smith photos!!!

Kate has taught me so much, personally and about running a business, I’ll now always be obsessed with light and love capturing emotion even more. Emotion really is the heart of a photo for me. I have a new friend, and inspiration for life, as I’ll always admire this lady and her work ethic.

Thank you Kate for being you and inspiring and motivating me.

If you have a passion for photography and would like to learn or make your own dream into a career, you should check out Kate’s new venture; Training By Lumiere – a fabulous team and I for one would recommend them.

Gregynog Hall Wedding | Hannah & Jack 2016

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"The first time we met Leri, was one of the most exciting moments in our wedding planning journey. I had finally found someone I could blurt my ideas to and she was just as excited about them as we were. From then on, it just got better and better.

Leri was so easy to work with because she was so friendly and full of great ideas. On the day she was a calming but fun presence and we totally trusted her to do her thing. We weren't disappointed with the final product. The first time I saw my photos I cried (And the second and third time). They were stunning, fun and just what we were hoping for. Our day was captured perfectly and we had fun doing it! Thank you so much Leri".

It must be love, love, love. Nothing more, nothing less, Love is the best

When I first met Hannah and Jack we talked about their wedding ideas and I left feeling excited and so lucky they had booked me as I knew it was going to be filled with emotion and happiness. We were already excited about the pre-wedding shoot and had planned to do it around the time they got engaged. We met at Montgomery castle and I must admit it was such a great session, they giggled and snuggled like two very much in love that been photographed before, to capture their love was effortless.

On the morning of the wedding, Hannah’s house was all calm, girls were having hair and make-up done, prosecco flowed and excited nerves were in the air.

As the flowers arrived, Hannah was in awe, they were stunning and so rustic, all the little details that she had planned were coming together in front of her eyes.

As I saw Hannah catch a glimpse of herself for the first time in the mirror in her amazing dress it was touching, a tear filled her eye, to compliment her dress, her groom had bought her a special locket, simple and elegant! Hannah and her dress were ready to marry the man of her dreams.

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With Dai Robs – acoustic – playing at the ceremony I knew it was going to be great. This couple loved their music, loved the words that were being sung and even had everyone singing along during the ceremony. Music always adds emotion so a wedding and this added fun as well as beaming love.

Sometimes I am privileged to see things others don’t see, those little moments that are unseen as eyes are drawn elsewhere but I saw a touching moment so had to click away! As Hannah walked into the room to walk down the aisle towards her soul mate, Jacks best man knew this was a big thing for him, his beautiful bride walking towards him, the sweetest thing ever – he put his arm on Jack - comforted him, a man hug so to speak! Jack had his best friend by his side and his other walking towards him.

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Hannah looked amazing and this was the day they had been planning for over a year. A year they had planned, organised, and designed and worked hard for and every detail showed love and a bit of their personality.

The wedding transport was super cool - the brides Godfather escorted her in his family’s tractor decorated by flowers from Hannah’s parents garden , grown especially for this day – the effort and vision that has gone into this day made it beautiful to photograph.

They dined with afternoon tea after chuckling away listening to the speeches. Not a dry eye in the house, whether it be from the best man's cheeky poem which had everyone giggling or the grooms loving words to his wife – which were super cute and trust me after this wedding I most definitely believe in soul mates!

I was made up when Hannah and Jack booked me to photograph their wedding, I remember asking them for their list of groups shots and any other special requests to be noted on the day to which they replied “we want the emotion of the day captured, the excitement, nerves, laughter, wonder, love, friendship etc…” and I knew then this is my type of couple. I love capturing the story as it unfolds.

Hannah and Jack were an amazing Bride and Groom – it’s a humbling feeling when I know a couple wants the photos to show their day and a part of that is showing their love, having those moments alone (with me in the distance) capturing a few snuggles and giggles and watching them enjoy a few quiet moments away.

Thanks guys. The cuteness of you guys passing the kissing gate en route and having a quick kiss will always be in my thoughts – you two are super cute! And that’s why it was so effortless to photograph you – you wanted to be there – you wanted to be yourselves – and that you were. Just beautiful!

Here are a few wedding photographs from Hannah and Jack's wedding. I hope you like them.

If you are looking for a wedding photographer and like my story telling style, please contact me.

Pop over to my facebook page to check out what I am up to including sneak peaks.

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Hannah and Jack's wedding has also featured on Cwtch the Bride.

Their wedding story, written by the newlyweds themselves. Their thoughts about the planning and the day itself, click here to see read about their country vintage style wedding.

Wedding Details

Venue – Gregynog Hall

Dress Bespoke Brides of Chester

Flowers – TMS Events

Cake – Caroline Shaw

Hair - Unique Hair Salon

Make-Up – Nerys from Out of Town Beauty

Disco - Anthemic

Acoustic by Dai Robs

Photobooth - Love your photos / Martha the photobooth