VENUE SPOTLIGHT & REAL WEDDING GUIDE
New House Country Hotel Wedding Photographer and Videographer
Relaxed, candid wedding photography and cinematic films overlooking Cardiff, the Vale of Glamorgan, and the Bristol Channel from the Thornhill ridge.
Getting Married at New House Country Hotel
Perched high upon the scenic Thornhill hillside on the northern edge of Cardiff, New House Country Hotel offers one of the most commanding viewpoints in South Wales. Climbing up Thornhill Road past Lisvane toward Caerphilly Mountain, you arrive at an elevated country house sitting more than 600 feet above the capital city basin. On clear days, the panorama stretches from the leafy northern suburbs and the Millennium Stadium across Cardiff Bay, the twin islands of Flat Holm and Steep Holm, and all the way to the distant hills of the West Country.
Dating back to the early 19th century, this historic Georgian country house combines period architectural charm with contemporary comfort. Sweeping stone staircases, open fireplaces, and landscaped garden terraces make it an extraordinarily versatile setting for weddings of all sizes, from intimate family gatherings in the manor rooms to vibrant celebrations in the glass-fronted Marquee suite.
As a dedicated wedding photo & video duo who call South Wales home, New House is a venue we hold close to our hearts. Having captured more than 400 weddings together side by side, we know exactly how the natural daylight rolls across the hillside, where to catch the warmest golden hour rays, and how to create photographs and cinematic films that feel effortless, relaxed, and genuinely true to you.
The Highlight Film: Sarah & Luke at New House Country Hotel
Sarah & Luke celebrated their wedding day surrounded by their favourite people at New House Country Hotel. From emotional vows beneath the chandeliers to sunny terrace cocktails and energetic dancing into the night, their wedding film captures the true rhythm and spirit of their day.
Press play below to watch their highlight cut, filmed and edited by our team:
Sarah & Luke
Ceremony Spaces: Classic Georgian Interiors & Hillside Vows
Whether you are envisioning an indoor civil ceremony surrounded by period heritage or an open-air celebration under the Welsh sky, New House Country Hotel offers distinct settings tailored to your day:
The Wyndham Suite
Situated within the original manor house, the Wyndham Suite is rich with classical character. Featuring high ceilings, ornate cornicing, polished hardwood finishes, and large sash windows, it bathes your vows in soft, flattering daylight. For ceremonies up to 100 guests, it offers an intimate, timeless atmosphere where every spoken promise resonates clearly.
The Garden Gazebo on the Hilltop Lawn
During warm spring and summer months, couples can say their vows outdoors beneath the picturesque garden gazebo. Positioned on the elevated front lawns, your guests will watch you exchange rings with the sweeping cityscape of Cardiff and the blue waters of the Bristol Channel serving as your panoramic backdrop.
The Glass-Fronted Marquee
For larger weddings of up to 200 seated guests, the Marquee provides an expansive, light-filled environment. Fitted with draped white linings, crystal chandeliers, and a full wall of floor-to-ceiling glass doors, it connects seamlessly to the outdoor terrace while keeping everyone warm and protected from the elements.
The Sunlit Terrace: Champagne, Canapés & Unscripted Joy
Following your ceremony, the stone terrace is where your celebration truly comes alive. As corks pop and trays of canapés circulate, guests gather along the stone balustrades to take in the breathtaking views across Cardiff.
This is our favourite part of the wedding day to document. Because we work quietly with compact cameras and silent shutters, we capture spontaneous hugs, heartfelt congratulations, and belly-laugh reactions without interrupting the flow of your drinks reception. You get to spend your afternoon celebrating with your family and friends, exactly as a wedding should be.
Real Wedding Spotlight: Louisa & Chris at New House Country Hotel
Louisa & Chris planned their summer wedding at New House with a clear vision: relaxed elegance, plenty of time with family, and romantic portraits that felt natural and unforced.
From morning preparations in the bridal suite to an emotional ceremony and sunset walks overlooking Cardiff Bay, their celebration was filled with unforgettable warmth:
Real Wedding Spotlight: Sarah & Luke at New House Country Hotel
Sarah & Luke wanted their wedding day to feel like an effortless summer garden party surrounded by close family and friends.
With joyful ceremony moments, laughter on the lawn, and a packed evening dancefloor, their wedding was a masterclass in staying present and celebrating every second:
Golden Hour on Thornhill Ridge: Sunset Light Over Cardiff Bay
One of the greatest advantages of getting married on Thornhill ridge is the orientation of the setting sun. During the golden hour, the sun sinks behind the rolling hills to the west, casting a luminous amber glow across the front lawns and the glass frontage of the Marquee.
We always recommend slipping away for just 10 minutes between your wedding breakfast and first dance. It gives you a welcome breather together as newlyweds while the soft evening light flatters skin tones and creates glowing, cinematic imagery:
Twilight Magic & Dancing Under the Marquee Chandeliers
As dusk falls over South Wales, the vista from New House transforms completely. The streetlights and buildings of Cardiff flicker on below, creating a sparkling carpet of light that stretches toward the bay.
Inside the Marquee, the party reaches full swing. With a dedicated dancefloor, sparkling chandeliers, and an integrated private bar, guests dance late into the night without ever feeling crowded:
Why Book Photo and Video as One Connected Team
When independent photographers and filmmakers work together for the first time on a wedding morning, they often work with competing priorities. One might want you in direct sunlight for high contrast, while the other needs shaded audio positions. This can easily double the time you spend away from your guests, leading to fatigue and awkwardness.
Because we are a dedicated photo & video duo with over 400 weddings documented together, we operate with an unspoken shorthand. We anticipate each other's camera angles, protect audio sightlines, and ensure you only need to take one short 15 to 20 minute walk to receive both a complete gallery of photographs and a cinematic film.
Booking both through one team means a single contract, a modest £120 deposit to secure your wedding date, cohesive planning advice from the moment you book, and an automatic £300 package saving compared to booking photography and videography separately.
Cinematic Wedding Films in Cardiff, Never an Add-On
Wedding videography at Bright Sight is treated as an equal, crafted discipline. We believe a wedding film should preserve not only the images of your day, but the sound of your vows, the eruption of laughter during speeches, and the spontaneous cheers as you are showered in confetti.
Every videography package includes both a crafted 4 to 6 minute highlight film and full documentary feature films of your entire ceremony and speeches from start to finish. We capture clean, broadcast-grade audio discreetly and record simultaneously to dual memory card slots across all cameras, ensuring complete security and peace of mind.
Top Tips for Getting Married at New House Country Hotel
Having photographed and filmed numerous celebrations on the Thornhill ridge, here are our practical recommendations for making the most of your photography and film:
- Schedule a Sunset Stroll: The elevated position facing south-west means evening golden hour is spectacular. Ask your coordinator to schedule 10 minutes between the speeches and evening reception for a quick sunset walk on the lawn.
- Confetti on the Stone Terrace: The stone terrace directly outside the Wyndham Suite is the ideal spot for a grand confetti line, with the Cardiff cityscape in the background.
- Take Advantage of On-Site Rooms: With 37 boutique bedrooms available, getting ready on-site in the bridal suite keeps your wedding morning stress-free and lets our team capture relaxed prep photos without travel delays.
- Embrace the Tree-Lined Driveway: The private driveway ascending through mature woodland is sheltered and shaded, offering the perfect refuge if midday sun is bright or if there is a gentle breeze on the open lawn.
Have Questions?
Frequently Asked Questions
How familiar are you with New House Country Hotel and its grounds?
New House Country Hotel is one of our most captured Cardiff wedding venues. Having photographed and filmed here multiple times across different seasons, we know every hidden photo spot, from the tree-lined driveway and the private wooded glades to the exact timing of the sun descending behind the hills across Cardiff Bay.
We feel nervous in front of the camera: how do you capture natural photos at New House?
Almost every couple we work with tells us they feel camera shy. Our entire approach is designed to feel completely effortless. We never stage awkward poses, ask you to freeze in rigid stances, or shout directions. Instead, we take you on a relaxed 15 to 20 minute walk with a glass of champagne around the lawns and terrace while you chat, laugh, and celebrate together.
What happens if it rains on our wedding day at New House Country Hotel?
New House is exceptionally well-suited for wet-weather celebrations. The historic Georgian manor house offers elegant, wood-panelled rooms with large sash windows that let in generous natural light. The glass-fronted Marquee suite and covered entryway also allow us to capture beautiful group portraits and couple photos without anyone getting wet.
Where is the best spot for golden hour portraits at New House?
The elevated front lawn overlooking the city of Cardiff is unmatched for golden hour. As the sun dips toward the Bristol Channel, the entire city skyline softens in warm, golden light. A quick 10-minute stroll before your evening party starts yields some of the most romantic, cinematic photographs of the entire day.
What is included in your combined Photo and Video package for New House weddings?
Our combined package includes full-day coverage from morning bridal prep through to your evening dancing, 600+ high-resolution edited images in an online gallery with full personal printing rights, a crafted 4 to 6 minute cinematic highlight film, full documentary feature films of your complete ceremony and speeches, sneak peeks shortly after your wedding, and drone aerial cinematography where weather and airspace allow.
Do you charge travel fees for weddings at New House Country Hotel?
No, travel throughout Cardiff, Thornhill, and the Vale of Glamorgan is completely included in all of our packages. You will never encounter unexpected travel fees, mileage surcharges, or hidden expenses.
Our Wedding Packages
Choose the way
you'll remember it.
Photography, cinematic film, or one connected team capturing both.
