There are wedding venues, and then there’s Fforest Farm.

I’ve photographed weddings across Pembrokeshire, West Wales, and beyond for years — coastal ceremonies, barn receptions, elopements on clifftops. But Fforest is genuinely one of a kind. It’s the kind of place that has a soul to it. The kind of place where couples stop trying to orchestrate the day and just… live it.

If you’re researching it as a wedding venue — or you’re already booked and looking for a photographer who knows it well — this is my honest take.

Where is Fforest Farm?

Fforest Farm sits on around 200 acres in Cilgerran in north Pembrokeshire, on the border to Ceredigion. On the edge of the Teifi River Gorge and near Teifi Marshes nature reserve. It’s about ten minutes from Cardigan, and not far from the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park. About 15 mins from Poppit Beach.

It’s tucked away enough to feel genuinely private, but accessible enough that guests travelling from further afield won’t lose half a day on single-track roads. From Cardiff, you’re looking at around two hours. It’s got the perfect balance of remote feel, reasonable journey.

What Kind of Wedding Works Here?

Fforest has a very specific energy. Relaxed. Soulful. Creative. Outdoorsy. The couples I’ve photographed here care more about their guests actually having a good time than ticking boxes off a wedding checklist.

Every Fforest wedding I’ve shot has had the same creative thread running through it: producers, musicians, ceramicists, and florists. Guest lists full of makers and artists. Long tables, good wine, a fire pit still going at 2 am.

If that sounds like your wedding, read on. If you’re after a chandelier ballroom and a formal receiving line, Fforest probably isn’t for you, and honestly, the venue knows that and wears it well.

The Spaces (and Why They’re a Dream to Photograph)

One of the things that sets Fforest apart is the number of genuinely distinct spaces it offers across the massive venue. You’re not locked into one room for the whole day — the farm is yours for the weekend. Does this come with a price tag? Yes. Is it worth it? 100%.

Fforest is also fully licensed for weddings, which means you can get married anywhere on the farm. The quarry, the tipi, the cedar barn, or yes, the pub. That kind of flexibility is rare and genuinely special.

The Quarry

This is the one. A natural slate quarry ringed by ancient oak trees and the light that comes through those canopies is a bloody delight. Dappled, golden, constantly shifting. As a photographer, I could work here all day. As a couple, it’s one of the most dramatic outdoor ceremony spots in Wales.

The Hat Tipi

The iconic Fforest structure — a tipi with meadow views on one side and a woodland backdrop on the other. It works for ceremonies and evening celebrations alike, and it photographs beautifully in pretty much any light.

The Cedar Barn

This is where everyone eats, and it’s unlike any dining room you’ve seen at a wedding. Think long communal tables, candlelight, sharing plates, it’s like a hipster medieval banquet.

 Warm, textured, full of character. And when the Welsh weather decides to join the party uninvited, it’s the best backup plan in, except it doesn’t feel like a backup at all.

The Garden Pavilion and the Bwthyn Pub

Drinks receptions in the garden are hard to beat — guests spread out, the kitchen gardens add a real sense of place, and everyone settles into the weekend.

And yes, there’s a tiny private stone pub on site. A proper one. It’s dark and moody, and they have their own beer on tap need I say more.

The food, the accommodation, the whole weekend feel

Food at Fforest is not an afterthought. They grow a lot of their own produce, source the rest locally, and cook everything in-house. With wood-smoked meats, stone-baked bread, and seasonal vegetables from the garden. Sharing plates, not silver service. As a foodie myself, I can confirm it’s really good.

The accommodation is one of Fforest’s big advantages. Guests can stay on site throughout the weekend, ranging from the farmhouse to geodesic domes with Japanese outdoor soaking tubs to wooden shacks with their own terraces. Everything is spread across the farm with that balance of togetherness and space. Your wedding will become a super-fancy festival, but with your nan.  

What I’d Tell You As Your Photographer

Fforest is a dream to shoot. The quarry light in the morning. Golden hour in the meadow behind the tipi. The warmth and design detail of the barn. Everything here is natural, textured, never generic, and as a Pembrokeshire wedding photographer, that’s exactly what I want to work with.

A few things I’d tell you:

— Build breathing room into your day. The best photographs at Fforest are almost never the formal ones — they’re the ones from around the fire pit, or your guests playing lawn games in the late afternoon sun.

— There are hills, and you will be walking, so keep that in mind when selecting food wear

— Embrace the weather. Fforest comes into its own in summer, but it’s Wales, so expect rain and you will wont be annoyed if it shows up

Do You Need a Second Photographer at Fforest Farm?

My step count at a Fforest wedding is consistently 20k+. There are hills, and at any given moment, something is happening in three different places at once.

It’s one of the reasons I always recommend a second photographer here. While I’m with you in the quarry, someone else has eyes on your guests piling into the tipi or the details in the barn before the doors open. Nothing gets missed.

Is Fforest Farm Right For You?

If you love nature and want an outdoor wedding venue in Wales that actually has a soul, Fforest is worth serious consideration. It’s a venue with a real identity and a team that cares about what they do.

Guests book their own on-site accommodation. Weddings typically require a minimum two-night stay. Capacity is 160 guests, with smaller, more intimate options available in winter.

If you’re thinking about getting married at Fforest and you’re looking for a Fforest Farm wedding photographer who knows the venue, the light, and what makes a day there feel like itself, I’d love to hear from you. Fill in the form below and I’ll send over all the details.

Here are some links you might find interesting.

https://christinawilliams.co.uk/pembrokeshire-wedding-photographer