Wedding Photos at Portmeirion – Llinos & Carwyn’s Secret Wedding

Some weddings are all about the big, show-stopping moments. Others? They’re about pure, unfiltered love, a bit of mischief, and pulling off a plan that leaves your entire family completely gobsmacked.

Llinos and Carwyn’s wedding at Portmeirion was exactly that. No fuss, no crowd, just the two of them, their three kids, and the kind of love story that deserved something a bit different. They got married in secret, then headed off to the Oakley Arms in Maentwrog, where their family and friends were patiently waiting, thinking they were attending an engagement party. Spoiler: They weren’t.

A Wedding Without the Usual Stress

I arrived just in time for the ceremony no traditional bridal prep, no frantic last-minute buttonhole disasters, just Llinos and Carwyn arriving together with their kids, looking both excited and ever so slightly nervous. They’d been together for years, but something about making it official still gave them those wedding-day butterflies.

Portmeirion, as always, was the dream backdrop. The colours, the architecture, the way the light hits the village. It’s basically a playground for photographers. And because this was such a relaxed wedding, we had time to actually explore and make the most of it. No rushing, no schedule to stick to. Just the two of them, strolling around this little slice of Italy in North Wales, looking effortlessly happy.

Wedding Photos at Portmeirion – The Best Spots

We started our adventure with a little trip through Y Gwyllt, Portmeirion’s woodland area, jumping into one of their golf buggies to reach the Japanese Gardens. The footbridge there was the perfect spot to capture a few quiet moments before heading back towards the village. From there, we made our way to the lookout, with its stunning view over Hotel Portmeirion and the estuary.

The beauty of Portmeirion is that every corner looks like it’s straight out of a painting. So we just wandered, stopping whenever we found somewhere that felt right—no forced poses, just Llinos and Carwyn being themselves.

The Big Reveal at The Oakley Arms

Once we wrapped up the photos, it was time for the real fun—the moment their family and friends would realise they weren’t just here for an engagement party.

The first giveaway? Me. As soon as I walked into the dining room to get into position for their entrance, people started clocking that something was up. And then—bam. In walked the newlyweds, cool as you like, while their guests’ jaws collectively hit the floor. The reactions were everything—pure shock, happy tears, and a lot of “Wait, what?!”

Honestly? It was perfect. A wedding stripped back to what actually matters—the couple, their love, and one hell of a surprise.

If you're looking for more wedding photos at Portmeirion for inspiration? Check out some of my other Portmeirion weddings HERE