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!!

Wedding Ocean Sands Hotel Enniscrone Co Sligo

I got to know Lorna from covering her sister's wedding (Aine) last year and indeed from covering her friends wedding earlier this year (Sinéad & Enda). It's great calling to a home that your familiar with on the morning of a wedding and indeed it was great to get the welcome that I did!



Their was plenty of excitement in the house on the wedding morning and it was great to meet Simone and Jack who were bridesmaid Janine's young babies! I had seen plenty of images of them on the internet but they certainly helped deflect some attention from the stunning Lorna on her wedding morning.


(Lorna & Simone with mum Janine in the background)



Lorna was a treat to work with, always relaxed and a smile was never far away.



After Lorna's home, I travelled to Attymass church where I met up with Sean and his mafia consisting of best man Diarmuid and groomsmen Eamon, Tadhg and Cathal as well as Pageboys Conor & Seán. It was also great to meet videographer Cyril Fox, a nice jovial man who was brilliant to work with.....always conscious of each other and our jobs, we got on great!





A big congratulations to Lorna's Grandmother who turned 95 very recently and here young Jack turns on the charm for her!





I love it when couples have great awareness during a ceremony.





I love this shot because it was taken during the ceremony. I nipped outside to get some batteries from my car and spotted the two lads feeding Jack and Simone.....and not a woman in sight!


The three Hennigan ladies, mum Dorothy, Lorna and Aine.

I was lucky that I had taken the group shot of the congregation indoors as an insurance photo, because as soon as Lorna and Seán had shaken hands with their guests, the skies became ominously dark and a few rain drops could be felt sending all of the guests to their cards rapidly.

We drove from Attymass up to Enniscrone and once we got through Ballina, the rain was lightening off although the skies were still eerily dark behind us. We arrived up at the rocky beach in Enniscrone having gotten ahead of the showers that were right behind us and we ran of a few shots...being very conscious that at any moment, the heavens were liable to open.





No photoshopping involved in this shot, it's natural, a small bit of flash to light Lorna, it really was that dark behind her and you can make out the showers in the distance also!


It was only when I was editing the images that I realized that I had made Lorna and her Bridesmaids walk about 100 yards over a very rocky terrain to get down by the sea for a few shots. Given the fact that they would all have been wearing shoes that aren't appropriate for hiking over a rocky beach, it was a lot to ask of them in hindsight, but while we were shooting on the beach, I was so conscious of the weather and trying to make the most of out time before the heavens opened that it didn't even dawn on me to ask them if the minded the trek! Their such a lovely bunch and there wasn't one complaint....thanks girls, your stars!



A very unusual shot....the calm before the storm! The sun peeks it's head out and lights up Lorna, while at the same time. the sky is eerily dark....and not even the slightest puff of wind around to give some motion to Lorna's veil.


Thanks Lorna, Martha Janine and Aine for being so accommodating regarding the hike on the beach....ye're great fun and true ladies to work with!



After about 15 minutes of taking images on the beach, a blast of thunder sent us all to our cars....a shower was only seconds away. We headed back to the Ocean Sands Hotel and a cloud burst came during the 3 minute journey back to the hotel....couldn't help but feel very satisfied that we got the most from the day as far as the weather was concerned!!



Guests leave personal messages on the engagement portrait that Lorna and Seán got in our studio.



I love capturing the "Ballina" speeches......you'd nearly need a safety belt when their taking place as their fast, witty have no structure and go just about everywhere and back again and take no prisoners!



Thanks Lorna and Seán for letting me be part of your special day. It was great meeting up with familiar faces and I really enjoy myself when working in the relaxed atmosphere that your wedding was...thanks!

Wedding Claregalway Hotel Co Galway

This wedding was one that I was looking forward to for quite some time.....I met Elizabeth and Aidan last Christmas when they were making their wedding arrangements, and they were very enthusiastic about their wedding photos.
I was very happy with how this wedding turned out, great day with the weather, super couple who had great awareness, and it was one of those weddings where two clients morphed into two friends!
I met Elizabeth and Aidan on a few occasions running up to the wedding, and I had a very good understanding of what they wanted on their special day. Each time we met, 10 minutes meetings turned into hour long chats whereby we tried to solve the problems of the world....and then some!



When I arrived at Liz's home the morning of the wedding, it was great to see Caroline Coyne doing the make up.....Caroline is the best make up artist that I've come across, there's a lot less "photoshopping" to do when Caroline is in control of things.


The stunning Elizabeth. When I arrived at her home, Caroline Coyne met me and mentioned that it was one of the most "chilled out" homes that she had worked at....and she was so right!


Us men don't tend to get too excited about wedding dresses, but I really loved the detail in Liz's dress.....and her "Blue Suede Wedding Shoes" were the most retro wedding shoes that I'd come across!



Liz's mum sees her daughter in her wedding dress for the first time


Meanwhile at the church, Aidan presses the flesh with guests and shows the same tranquil peace of mind that Liz had.



Loved the colour of Grace, Lorraine and Martha's dresses



Aidan takes his last few breaths before it all kicks off!



St Joseph's church in Galway City is a great place for wedding photographers.




After the ceremony, we headed up to the grounds of NUIG to grab some photos, and Elizabeth had a nice treat for Aidan when she arranged for the other member of their family "Alfie" to be present.




After taking some images in NUIG, we let the bridal party head back to the hotel before Elizabeth and Aidan gave me a couple of minutes to get some additional shots over at the canal beside the Cathedral.












We headed back to the excellent Claregalway Hotel shortly after. Aidan manages to pull on a few heart strings during his speech!



Aidan and his mates let their hair down after the meal.


Liz and her ladies


The blue suede shoes!



This images is crying out for a caption!



Elizabeth and Aidan learned a dance for their wedding song and they did a fantastic job. I must commend their wedding band "Tightrope" who played the requested song "Be My baby" by the Bay City Rollers and made a cracking job of it.





Thanks so much Elizabeth and Aidan for a cracking day. I thoroughly enjoyed your wedding and I look forward to us crossing paths in a couple of weeks again!