An elopement in the Welsh wilderness: Sophie & Alex

There is a natural wildness about Wales, making it a perfect location for an elopement wedding where the scenery plays a leading role. This was exactly the case at Sophie and Alex's elopement - not to say that the landscape stole the spotlight away from the beautiful couple themselves, but instead it complemented the pair immensely.

But before we explore the vistas of the Welsh countryside, let's journey back to the beginning of their special day, just over the border in England.

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On an autumn day in the town of Warrington, Cheshire, a light rain drizzled upon fallen leaves. Waiting in the centre of a tree-lined footpath was Alex and the couple's two charming dogs, eagerly anticipating the 'first look' before their ceremony.

What is the 'first look' at a wedding?

While some couples wait until they meet at the altar to see each other for the first time on their wedding day, others opt for a first look, which allows the couple to share an intimate, unhurried reaction before the ceremony, often helping to ease nerves ahead of walking down the aisle.

From a logistical point of view, it also creates extra time for portraits, meaning the couple can spend more of the reception with their guests rather than being pulled away for pictures.

For many, it becomes one of the most memorable and personal parts of the day.

Now, back to Sophie and Alex...

Gracefully carrying an autumnal bride's best accessory - an umbrella - Sophie approached Alex, his back turned so as not to spoil the surprise.

After the emotional big reveal, the pair made their way to their ceremony in the centre of Warrington. With just their registrar and witnesses (me being one of them!) in attendance, this was a very intimate ceremony, which met Sophie and Alex's wishes entirely.

It was a reminder that real happiness can be found in the simplicity of togetherness, and this is often a motivation behind many couples' decisions to elope.

Vows were read, tears were shed, and following the signing of the register and the exchanging of rings, we headed back out into the English rain for a classic 'dip' shot.

An elopement wedding shoot in the wilds of Wales

Sophie and Alex chose the enchanting setting of Hafren Forest for their wedding portraits. A labrynth of tranquil waterways tethered to tree-lined walking trails - the longest of which leads you to the mouth of the River Severn, after which the forest is named in Welsh (Afon Hafren meaning River Severn) - there could have been no environment more perfect for this stunning couple.

This nearly-100-year-old wood was simple to navigate thanks to an accessible boardwalk, yet provided plenty of opportunities for unique scenery, from moss covered floors to towering greenery.

We were lucky that, on the day of our shoot, the waters of the River Severn were calm, allowing Sophie and Alex to step into its centre for an unforgettable shot to bring the session to a close.

35mm wedding photography

Alongside digital imagery, I also captured Sophie and Alex's wedding day on 35mm film. This mode of photography captures light, colour and texture in a softer, more organic way, giving your wedding photographs a romantic and almost filmic feel.

If you are interested in including 35mm wedding photography in your special day, please let me know, as I would be delighted to capture your nuptials in this format.

Continue scrolling for more photographs from Sophie and Alex's elopement shoot.