Huw & Katie’s Wedding at Quantock Lakes

There’s something truly special about photographing weddings at Quantock Lakes — a place where the stunning natural beauty of Somerset really comes to life and provides a relaxed setting for a wedding day. Huw and Katie’s day was exactly that: Stunning, natural & full of beautiful moments that felt effortless but unforgettable.

Huw and Katie are exactly the kind of couple we love working with, fun, easygoing, and totally focused on having a great day together. They wanted their wedding photography to feel real and authentic, looking back on photos that really felt like them.

We love a morning prep of a wedding day for so many reasons. The excitement, the energy & all the little moments that unfold. One moment that really stuck with us was when Katie asked her grandad to walk her down the aisle, such a genuine, emotional moment that really set the tone for the whole day.

The ceremony itself was beautiful. Watching Huw wait for Katie was something else. The way he looked at her said everything you need to know about their connection & love for each other.

bride and groom crying at Quantock Lakes

groom looking back at bride Quantock Lakes

Once they officially tied the knot, it was all about the party. The energy stayed super high from start to finish. The day was lifted even more by the unexpected treat of singing waiters, adding a fun and lively vibe that set the tone for an evening of non-stop dancing. Huw & Katie were also blessed with a golden hour on their wedding day, so we made the most of it and we slipped away with them both before the dancing for some truly stunning photos.

We absolutely loved being a part of their special day, Huw and Katie made us feel like part of the celebration, which we cannot thank them enough for. Capturing their day was such a joy, and it’s weddings like this at Quantock Lakes that remind us why we love what we do.

groom picking up bride at Quantock Lakes

Huw & Katie, Quantock Lakes

Briefly, how did you guys meet?

We met at university while studying physiotherapy and hit it off right from first year. We became great friends - always out together, whether in a group or just the two of us. Huw was even Katie's wingman on nights out, once famously holding her coat while she flirted with the Cardiff locals. But, by third year, something shifted. Huw realised he wanted more than friendship. After seven months of charm, persistence, and a fair few sleepovers, Katie finally agreed to go on our first "real" date.

When did you guys start planning your wedding?

By "we", I mean Katie - she was the one doing ALL the planning. It all kicked off just a week after we got engaged; we were both so excited, we couldn't wait to get started.

cried and groom at sunset at Quantock Lakes

How long did it take you to find your perfect wedding venue?

Katie did tons of research before we found the perfect venue. We spotted Quantock Lakes online and instantly fell in love with it. It was the first venue we visited and we secured a date before leaving that day - after seeing it, we couldn't imagine getting married anywhere else!

How would you describe your wedding theme? What was the inspiration?

Katie basically said no to all my ideas - yes, even the clown on a unicycle! (Though, apparently Katie's stepdad is terrified of clowns, so maybe that was for the best.) Neither of us had a definite "vision" for our wedding - decor wasn't really on either of our priority lists! We both seemed to agree on terracotta and our "theme" was planned around that (thanks to a lot of scrolling on Pinterest).

Tell us about your ceremony & your wedding reception

"Pass me the tissues" - Huw definitely did more crying than smiling during the ceremony. The energy in the room was incredible; everyone was feeling exactly what we were feeling in that moment. Grampy stole the show, absolutely killing it with his legendary catwalk down the aisle with Katie - looking proud as punch! And honestly, all you really need for a successful wedding reception is a mic, a bucket hat and a dobby mask - need we say more?

What was your favourite part of planning your wedding?

Naturally we had a few ups and downs when planning, but mostly positive! Doing the pre-wedding shoot with Simon and Kiana was a blast, we quickly got over the "being behind a camera awkwardness" and they made everything feel fun yet so special. Sorting out the disco playlist was belting! Katie getting to try on bridal dresses will always be an emotional highlight. But honestly, the best part was having our friends and family hyping us up all the way to the big day - it made everything even more exciting!

Do you have any regrets or things you wish you knew before planning a wedding?

Don't stress about the small stuff - especially people's unsolicited advice. Do what you want as a couple and remember to be selfish - it's your wedding day!

bride and groom walking into wedding breakfast at Quantock Lakes

Looking back on your wedding now, what was the most memorable moments?

Starting the day with a run with the boys really helped Huw to feel present and set the perfect tone for everything to come (as well as burning off some nervous energy). Seeing Huw break down during the ceremony was so emotional - it really hit everyone. We had singing waiters and performed a cheeky dirty dancing lift - except it was Katie who ended up doing the lift and totally fooled everyone! Then there was Katie's grandma turning up in leggings and a belt - Katie's mum was absolutely fuming. Katie took over the mic, singing Lionel Richie's All Night Longwith a bucket hat, and later rocked a Dobby mask whilst dancing to Rasputin. During the golden hour, Simon & Kiana and Morgan did an epic photo/video session, having us do some extravagant dips and running through the grass - all whilst having a big laugh with the trio.

bride picking up groom at Quantock Lakes

What were some of the best decisions you made when planning your wedding day?

We knew investing in great photography was important - and the photos we received the morning after the wedding just solidified that (cue more tears from Huw). The singing waiters serving the best cheese on toast? Absolutely unreal! Choosing a venue with accommodation was a must so we could enjoy the whole weekend with the family and friends. And honestly, not getting too drunk helped us actually remember and embrace the day to the max.

If you had any advice for future bride & grooms, what would that be?

If we could offer any advice to future brides and grooms, it would be this: invest both your time and money in great photography - because those pictures will be the memories that last a lifetime. Be selfish in the best way possible - this is your day, so do exactly what feels right for you. Amid the whirlwind, find moments to truly be present and soak it all in. And above all, stay by each other's side as much as you can - because, at the end of the day it's not just a party, it's the beginning of your life together.

What Huw & Katie said about Simon and Kiana Photography

“Where do we even begin?! If you've got this far - do not look any further, just book Simon and Kiana as you will not regret it!

Throughout the whole process of booking/ planning, they have been outstanding with communication and organisation. Despite being crazy busy with hundreds of weddings, they have a way of still making your own wedding feel so special and important. They are the loveliest, most down to earth couple who will be your biggest hype team! We had so much fun shooting photos with them and the results were more than we ever could have imagined. We received previews by 9am the next morning and a mammoth gallery just 2 weeks after our wedding. We cannot sing their praises enough - if you want outstanding photography with a phenomenal couple, get booking!”