Wedding Lisloughrey Lodge Cong Co Mayo

Wedding Cornamona Co Galway and Reception Lisloughrey Lodge, Co Mayo

05th November 2012

I was lucky enough to be covering Fiona and David's Cornamona wedding ( a majesctic part of Galway.....though I would be slightly biased as just like david, I also married a Cornamona woman!!) followed by a reception in the nearby Lisloughrey Lodge Hotel in Cong Co Mayo.

Cornamona is such a beautiful place.....both in relation to it's landscape as well as the close knit and genuine community that make it. After meeting Fiona and David a couple of weeks before their wedding day, a blind man could see how relaxed and genuine they were and I knew it was going to be another enjoyable day at work!

Fiona's parents Mick and Sarah were in great spirits on the morning of the wedding as were bridesmaids Barbara and Lorraine, and it was a pleasure to call and record their preparations. Fiona was such an elegant bride....relaxed with great awareness and didn't seem in any way phased by the day that was in it.







I made the brief journey to Cornamona Church capturing the arrival of David along with his groomsmen Barry and Dennis. It's also a good opportunity to record some details about how the church looks on the day of the wedding as a lot of the detail is lost on those who are involved in the day!





It was also great to meet up with Videographer Tom McGuire....a local man whom I've known for quite some time and he was a pleasure to work with.





Fiona was extremely punctual and indeed caught a few of us out with her prompt arrival....David was delighted though, no undue stress!

The weather wasn't the best after the ceremony with heavy showers and a nice strong breeze blowing.

We had planned on taking some photos in Cong while en route to Lisloughrey Lodge and that plan didn't seem viable when we arrived in Cong....but as if Moses was present, after 5 mins (and a quick cigarette for some of the bridal party) the clouds parted and we were able to proceed with matters;....as I always say, good things happen to good people!























Lisloughrey Lodge is a beautiful Hotel with a majestic setting on the shores of Lough Corrib. There are fantastic opportunities for Bridal portraits all round and indeed, even if the weather is working with you, the hotel offers plenty of photographic opportunities. On top of these fantastic resources, it also had so most amiable of staff in Rachel and Aoife and it's always a place i like to work....plus I live about 5 mins away by car!!















Thanks Fiona and David for letting me play a role on your special day....your a great couple and I wish you both the very best!

Wedding Clonbur Co Galway

01st October 2012

Siobhán and Jamie were recently married in the beautiful Joyce Country of Clonbur Co Galway followed by a unique custom made reception at Campbells Tavern Cloughanover in Headford.
"Unique" with a lot of "cool" things that you don't see at traditional weddings is how I'd describe Siobhán and Jamie's special day. I hadn't met Jamie before.....but as he's a drummer (...something that I do on occasion), we had plenty to chat about while taking photos!


Siobhán's home in Clonbur has the most wonderful views....(fantastic landscape at the back of the home) and it was a treat in her home the morning of the wedding.


(Behind every good man there's a good woman! Siobhán's mum Maura helps her father Seán with his buttonhole).





I've done a lot of weddings but this was pretty cool in my book.....Siobhán and her dad Seán taking the short walk to the church for the ceremony.




Totally relaxed, Siobhán and Seán catch their first glimpse of Jamie.



I'm very lucky with the job that I have......especially when working at weddings where you can almost touch the affection that the Bride and Groom show each other when the wedding vows are taking place. Eye contact all the time and fantastic awareness about what they're doing....and I have a front row seat for all of it! Well done Siobhán and Jamie, fair play to the both of you!






Love the countryside that Clonbur has. I must admit to needing the stepladder for this shot though....I'm afraid my legs aren't long enough to give me a better view over the hedges!





Pater Fahy from Cong supplied the vintage Ford Cortina and I though it was so appropriate for Siobhán and Jamie's style of wedding.





After spending a short while taking some images down by the lake, we headed back to the Marquee which was specially erected on the grounds of Campbells tavern in Cloughanover for Siobhán and Jamie's wedding. I though it looked fantastic and I commend all who were involved with the idea....it looked awesome!


Some wedding guests enjoying the fine weather and fresh air while having a pint in Clonbur.


Bonfires and a large crowd were on hand to welcome the happy couple to Cloughanover.




Jamie may have been familiar with microphones through his music, but Siobhan was pretty handy at using it also!





The music was always going to be pretty special at this wedding as a result of Jamie's profession. Well done to all who played....it sounded awesome! In particular, I commend those who looked after the "sound" on the night....great full sound that wasn't too loud, well done!



A very happy looking pair of newlyweds!




Thanks so much for letting me be part of your special day....I thoroughly enjoyed it!

Jamie....the very best of luck with your new business "Galway Rehearsal Studios"....from the photos that I've seen on Facebook, it looks awesome!

Wedding Ardilaun House Hotel Galway

It's great being familiar with the people whose wedding you are covering and that was the case with Becky and Steven's big day.
I covered Becky's brother Ronan's wedding last summer and we would have crossed paths at that as well during our "meet up" regarding their big day. "Young, happy and great awareness" is how I'd summarize Becky and Stephen and it was a pleasure to be around them on their wedding day.






When I arrived in St Colemans Church Corofin, I must admit to being taken aback by the beautiful flower's and their arrangement. This is something that I normally don't notice too much, but for this particular wedding the church was stunning.....congrats and well done to Louise Collins and Samantha Foran who were responsible for its floral presentation.





Stephen was a treat to work with along with his best man Seamus and groomsman Benny who travelled all the way from "down under".....they were up for all kinds of fun!



"....better smile, the photographer's pointing the camera at us!".


Becky's brother Ronan (a good friend of mine) escorts Becky up the aisle.









I'm not sure why Frank has a microphone in front of him......the power of his voice is simply breathtaking.....you'd want to buckle up and have your seat belt on when going up to the gallery when he's on duty! Top drawer material and a great job Frank...well done!


The lads enjoy themselves during the ceremony....really in the moment and absorbing the whole occasion.



Of all the weddings that I've done, this is the first where I actually say releasing of doves. Beautiful creatures who gave Becky a small fright when they eventually came out of their dwellings.


We travelled into Quincentennial Park in Salthill to grab some photos en route to the Ardilaun Hotel in Taylors Hill.




The beautiful Aoife, Becky and Jenny


I was delighted when Becky and Stephen agreed to cross the road to the Prom for 5 minutes of photos....the sky was very moody and lent itself to some lovely shots.





After out brief stroll on the Prom, we headed up to Taylors Hill to the Ardilaun Hotel for a mighty reception.
Ronan always has either a pair of scissors or a microphone in his hand.....and very competent with both!


Stephen absorbs his dad's speech


Seamus shows us what he found after entering the toilet that Stephen used just before the speeches!!


Becky's mum Ger tells a few stories of Becky's youth.

Becky and Stephen wandered out the back of the hotel for some fresh air after their meal, and I availed of their few minutes there to grab a handful of shots







First dance as husband and wife!



Thanks very much Becky and Stephen for letting me play a part on your wedding day. I received your "thank you" card all the way from Australia today....thanks a million, means a lot to me. Please God our paths will cross again in the not too distant future.

Mind yourselves over there!!