Wedding Salthill Hotel Galway

I first met up with Michael and Aine in January of this year, a few weeks after they booked me for their wedding. They called to the studio one Saturday in January and after spending a while having a "chin wag" with them, I knew it would be a wedding that I would enjoy as they were both two very relaxed and laid back people.The wedding ceremony took place in Kiltulla Athenry with a cracking reception in The Salthill Hotel Galway.





Aine with her wedding present from Michael over her shoulder...a beautiful foal!



I'm not too sure if this bike saw much action on the wedding day......I bet it could tell a few stories though


Michael is flanked by best man Jonathon and groomsman Cian as he arrives at the church.



Flowergirls Ellen, Keeva and Lorna just before they hit the runway!






With the ceremony over, it's time to have a pint!



Aine & Michael share their first drink as a married couple in Ward's pub just across the road from the church



I left Aine & Michael while they were having their drink in Wards and headed into the Salthill Hotel with John Murphy of Avalon Video to capture the details of the wedding as well as capture some images of guests etc. I must admit to being very anxious at about 5.45pm as Aine and Michael arrived at the hotel. The traffic in Galway was particularly bad this Friday afternoon and they arrived a lot later to the hotel than expected. Given that the hotel was ready to ring the bell, I grabbed them before they entered it and we headed across to the park outside to grab some Bridal Portraits.

Aine casually mentioned that she was disappointed that they hadn't arrived earlier as she would have loved to go across to the beach to get some shots.....I must admit that this was music to my ears. We flew across the road, the lighting was superb and we ran off a load of shots in a short period of time.





It's funny how matters worked out.....when Aine and Michael arrived late to the hotel (when I grabbed them to taken them across to the park), Aine mentioned that all they needed was a "couple of shots" and they would be sorted. Given the fact that I had no Bridal Portraits taken at this stage and was anxious to get a selection, being told that all they need was a "couple of shot's" added a bit more anxiety to my dilemma......I had no proper shots of the couple. I soon realized however that this was Aine's way of apologizing for being late to the Salthill hotel and that she didn't want to inconvenience anyone over their late arrival. It was music to my ears when they eagerly accepted the invitation to go across to the beach and about 20 minutes after they first arrived at the hotel, we had a very good selection of shots taken.






Moments after we arrived back in the Salthill Hotel, Aine & Michael were welcomed into the function room


Aine's mum gives a lovely speech



Michael entertains guests with some stories of their early days courting!




First dance as husband and wife



Thanks soo much Aine and Michael for letting me be part of your special day. Your card (and over the top gift) was unnecessary but genuinely appreciated. It's truly nothing short of a pleasure to be around lovely people such as yourselves on your special day....I enjoy them as much as you do!

Linda & Mark

Congratulations to Linda & Mark who recently married in the Galway Cathedral followed by a reception in the Clayton Hotel. 

It was a beautiful day that had a few surprises instore for us and it was the first time that I got the opportunity to work alongside the friendly/jovial and talented Mike Flannery of Seabury Studio. Well done to Linda and Mark....a lovely couple who were very easy to work with and I'm looking forward to another shoot in the very near future.......we're gonna "THRASH THE DRESS"!!

Casey observes all the details of a wedding day

The beautiful Linda prepares herself for her special day.

Mark, Barry Paul and Dave prepare to do the Fianna Fáil outside the church (....shake hands!!)

I love this part of a ceremony...bride about to make her entrance and a variety of emotions on display. Some groom's chat nervously to their groomsmen....others have lumps in their throats and are unable to talk....and some are just simply concentrating on what they are supposed to do when the bride arrives at the top of the aisle....various responses that I love observing and capturing.

Mark has a few words with his men while the congregation look for Linda's entrance.

The spectacular Galway Cathedral. I was surprised at how dark it is and you have to rely on high ISO's and slow shutter speeds when working there. 

One of my favorite pictures from this year. Just at the start of the Marriage vows, the priest comes down to the bride and groom for a quick "pep talk" when all of a sudden his mobile phone starts to ring.......great moment and he dealt with it brilliantly....even checking to see who it was and wondered out loud what they were calling him for.
One of the nicest and laid back priests that I have come across who went out of his way to make you feel welcome and ensured that the mood for his ceremony was jovial and fun....exactly what weddings should be like if you ask me.

Bridal Party on the canal beside the Cathedral.

The beautiful Linda

Mark, Casey and Linda arrive to a paparazzi welcome in the Clayton Hotel

some of the bits and pieces that make up a wedding day

Mark and Linda grab a moment in the penthouse suite.

Bestman Paul "does a job" on Mark during his speech. Presenting a slideshow summarizing Marks life, several moments were shared that left guests with laughter pains.....including Mark below

"Lord God.....is that really me in that slideshow???"

First dance as Husband & wife

PCH Debs

Well done to the students of Presentation College Headford (PCH) who had their Debs last week.

I set up a hi-key studio in the Anglers Rest Hotel where the students congregate before departing on buses to their destination.....which this year was the Carlton Shearwater Hotel in Ballinasloe.

Plenty of style and panache on display!!