I was delighted when I received the call from Mike regarding his big day with Liz…..I have got to know both of them in recent years and their great people to be around.
Liz was a treat to call to the morning of the wedding, music playing away on her iPhone, incense burning in the corner of the room and totally relaxed as her hair and make up were being touched up. She was totally aware of what was happening and enjoying every moment of it....quite special to witness really! Indeed, Liz even allowed me to “steal” her wedding dreess for a few moments and take it to another room where we hung it from a chandelier….thanks Liz!
After Liz's preparations, we headed off to the church to catch up with Mike and his groomsmen. Mike is used to being in front of the camera and is always a treat to work with so his shots can be taken fairly swiftly. I was lucky to have Natalie Greer working with me and she was able to run off the incidental shots inside the church while I was capturing Liz's arrival.
Fr Brian Darcy was the chief celebrant for the ceremony and the relaxed atmosphere that was dominant during Liz’s preparations in the morning continued throughout the ceremony. I was surprised at the amount of Mike’s fans (some who had made long journeys) that made the journey to Keadue Village to wish Mike and Liz well. One thing that didn’t surprise me however was the time that Mike & Liz gave to each fan who wanted photos taken with the couple at the church, ensuring every one went home happy with a photo.
(One of my favorite "moment captures" this year. The Bridesmaids have made their entrance at the start of the ceremony, and normally this can be an anxious moment for the Bride as she's about to make her own entrance.....Liz however emanates serenity and absorbs the whole occasion...I love it!)
(Comedian Conal Gallen gets a smile out of both Mike and Fr Brian Darcy during the ceremony)
After the family portraits were taken in the church grounds, we headed to a lovely Pier about a mile from the church that lent itself to some beautiful bridal portraits. Mike’s best man Graham was in a lively mood by the pier….a lot livelier than he was for his own wedding day which I was lucky enough to capture last year….he ensured we were “standing on shaky ground” while taking some photos on the jetty! Thanks to Rosanna, Laura, Dawn, Graham, Seán John and of course the trooper Jack who were great to work with for the Bridal Portraits.
We headed back to Kilronan Castle….a majestic spot…plenty of photo opportunities for a photographer! As if the grounds of the hotel didn’t offer up enough opportunities, we also had a spectacular fireworks display before guests were entertained by the music of the Late Late Show House Band, The Camembert Quartet. As excellent as they were, nobody filled the floor like Mike did when he went up and sang a few songs.
Without doubt, this was one of the most enjoyable weddings that I have had the pleasure of working at. As a result of VIP magazine doing a 10 page feature on the wedding, I probably asked more of Liz and Mike with regards to the photography than I have any other couple, and on each occasion their response to my requests were so positive and enthusiastic that it was simply a treat to be working with them. Thanks so much lads!
Make Up by Caroline Coyne, Video by Complete Wedding Videos and flowers by Calla Flower Design
