Winter Elopement in West Wales — Melissa & Jon, Nantwen

When I arrived at Nantwen for Melissa and Jon’s elopement, I already knew it was going to be special. We’d spoken before the day and just clicked — similar outlook, a shared love of nature, and that easy energy that makes photographing people feel effortless.

Nantwen is one of those places I never get tired of shooting. I’m a recommended vendor here, which means I know it well — the light, the spaces, where to be and when. But it means more than that too. My mum’s side of the family are from Newport, just down the road, so this corner of Pembrokeshire genuinely feels like a second home. It’s a big part of why I keep coming back, and why it’s one of my favourite spots for a Pembrokeshire winter elopement.

December in West Wales — the weather does what it wants

The weather was doing exactly what you’d expect from a winter elopement in West Wales — sheet drizzle, coming in hard and fast. It was December, so none of us was surprised, but you always quietly hope for that rare burst of winter sun. This was not that day.

The ceremony — log fire, a registrar, and the world’s densest fruit cake

Inside, though? Completely different story.

The ceremony was held by the log fire, and it was everything an elopement should be, warm, unhurried, just the two of them. No fuss, no performance. Just Melissa and Jon, saying what they meant to each other, while the rain did its thing outside.

After the vows, there was cake. Not just any cake, a fruit cake so dense it could have doubled as a doorstop, made by Jon’s mum. Absolutely brilliant.

Photos in the rain — Cwm yr Eglwys

We headed out to Cwm yr Eglwys for the portraits, and honestly, the conditions were exactly as you’d expect moody, dull, and we all got absolutely soaking. The kind of afternoon light that sits flat and grey over the water.

And it worked. It really worked. Mainly cause Melissa and Jon were there to enjoy their time and experience the area no matter what. I find that with an elopement, the weather matters less, as with a full wedding, you have 100 guests to get back to and load more formalities, so you don’t really wanna look like a drowned rat. With an elegance especially in winter, this is the best bit: you have a warm fire and a shower waiting for you.

Cwm yr Eglwys has this quality where the drama of the place carries the image even when the sky isn’t doing anything spectacular. The ruined church wall, the boats, the stillness of the inlet.

This is the email I received from Melissa after I sent the photos over.

“We are utterly in love with all the photos -Jon and I spent yesterday evening going through them listening to our wedding playlist and it felt so incredibly special. We can’t thank you enough for capturing our day, in a way that we feel really represents us. I think for an elopement, the photos are so important – it’s the way you share the day with families and friends after, and how you remind yourself of the day when you don’t have lots of people to discuss it with. We didn’t know at the time of booking how important this would be to us, and we just feel so lucky to have had you there on the day. Thank you again.”

Tips for planning a winter elopement in Pembrokeshire

Embrace the weather, don’t fight it.

A grey sky and a bit of drizzle isn’t a disaster, imo it’s atmosphere. Some of my favourite images come from days that weren’t picture-perfect on paper. Moody light, mist rolling in off the hills, rain on your coat. It’s West Wales in winter. Lean into it.

Layer up, but make it you.

You don’t need to sacrifice style for warmth. I know it sounds silly, but I’ve had times where people don’t bring a coat. This is rural Wales you need coats, shoes and knitwear. A big coat over your dress, good boots, a knit, it all photographs beautifully and means you’re actually comfortable enough to enjoy the day.

Keep your timeline loose.

One of the best things about eloping is that you’re not running to someone else’s schedule. In winter especially, light fades fast, golden hour can hit as early as 3 pm, and if it’s a dull day, it might feel even later than it is, so it’s worth knowing roughly when you want to be outside and building the day around that.

Tell a few people, or tell no one.

There’s no right answer. Some couples share their elopement with close family afterwards, others keep it completely between themselves. Either way, the photos become how you tell the story, which is exactly why they matter so much.

Bring People if you want

If you want your folks there, bring them, if you have kids and want some family photos… DO it. It may not be a traditional elopement but its your day and you do what you want.

Book a photographer who knows the area.

Knowing a venue, knowing where the light hits, knowing a back route when the main field is waterlogged, and knowing how to get to a local beach… it makes a real difference on the day.

Thinking about a winter elopement in West Wales?

If you’re considering eloping — or you’ve already decided and you’re just looking for someone to document it properly — I’d love to hear from you. I photograph elopements across Pembrokeshire year-round, and autumn and winter are genuinely one of my favourite times to do it.

Just you, the place, and real pictures of an actually good day.

I have info on elopement that explains how I work and lists all my packages (with seasonal discounts). Elopement Photographer Pembrokeshire

If you want to elope in Pembs and don’t know how or what your options are, head to this blog > Eloping in Pembrokeshire — everything you need to know

If you would like to check my availability, you can fill out my contact form, and I’ll get back to you.