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Twenty Twenty Two Wedding Photography Highlights

Happy New Year!

It’s been way too long since I posted *anything*, but here’s a quick blast of some twenty twenty two wedding photography highlights.

I hope your year has been kind to you. Mine went by in a blur, but wedding photography continues to be a beautiful, crazy joy-ride and I do love it so.

Click the video for a super-quick peek. For a slower-paced version, you can scroll through the photos one by one underneath.

Best wishes for 2023.

Jonathan

Here’s a photo-by-photo view of those highlights (without the drums and claps) …

Thanks for looking. If you have any questions about my work, take a look at this PAGE – or you can get in touch using the CONTACT page.

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    Hélène & Nathan | Belfast Elopement Photographer

    Intimate Belfast wedding

    After a long covid-enforced break, Hélène and Nathan’s Belfast elopement was the first wedding for me that was allowed to go ahead in 2021. It rained and rained that day, but sometimes, that can really add to a wedding*. That was definitely the case here. Hélène and Nathan’s was a joy to shoot. The rain only seemed to underline their happiness.

    Hélène and Nathan started the day with breakfast at home with their two friends, who were their witnesses as well …

    Belfast wedding photographer

    Belfast wedding photographer

    Belfast wedding photographer

    Belfast wedding photographer

    Belfast wedding photography

    Belfast wedding photography

    Belfast wedding photography

    Belfast elopement photographer

    Small Belfast wedding photography

    Small Belfast wedding photography

    Small Belfast wedding photography

    Small Belfast wedding photography

    So, it turned out that Belfast City Hall had a super-strict policy on numbers at this point during the pandemic. Hélène and Nathan were only allowed two other people in the room with them during the ceremony, apart from the registrar, so I had to wait outside …

    Small Belfast wedding photography

    Belfast City Hall wedding

    Belfast City Hall wedding

    Belfast City Hall wedding

    Belfast City Hall wedding

    Belfast Botanical Gardens wedding photos

    Belfast Botanical Gardens wedding photos

    Belfast Botanical Gardens wedding photos

    Belfast Botanical Gardens wedding photos

    Belfast Botanical Gardens wedding photos

    Belfast elopement photographer

    Belfast wedding portraits

    Belfast wedding portraits

    Belfast wedding portraits

    Intimate Belfast wedding

    Intimate Belfast wedding

    Intimate Belfast wedding

    Belfast elopement photographer

    Northern Ireland wedding photographer

    Northern Ireland wedding photographer

    Northern Ireland wedding photographer

    Northern Ireland wedding photographer

    (*Rain, add to a wedding day?! I know that the archetypal perfect wedding day is all sun and blue skies, but rain can be good. It can force spontaneity during a portrait shoot, for one thing. Instead of thinking, OK, here comes the camera, perhaps you just have to take everything as it comes, and revel in the moment. So if the forecast for your own wedding turns out to be pants, don’t worry; it might just be the thing that gives your portrait photos something special. Don’t believe me? Here’s another very soggy, but beautiful, wedding: click here.)

    Belfast Elopement Photographer – Supplier credits:
    Coffee and cake: The Pocket
    Hair/styling: Kerry Beck Hair & Blue Meadow
    Flowers: The Rosehip & Berry

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      Joanne + Francisco | Wedding Photographer Small Wedding

      Alternative wedding portraits in Belfast

      – Wedding Photographer Small Wedding | Joanne + Francisco –

      Joanne got in touch about photography for her wedding to Francisco last summer. By that point, the pandemic had forced most couples I was working with to postpone to 2021. Joanne and Franciso were originally planning to bring their families to Belfast from France, Mexico and the United States. Rather than postpone, they decided to go for a small, intimate ceremony. Their families attended virtually, thanks to a Zoom link that Francisco set up in the ceremony room.

      All in all, there were just six people in the room: Joanne, Francisco, Joanne’s sister and brother in-law, their wedding celebrant and myself. It was about as small as it’s possible to go. But no less joyful or special. Quite the reverse, I would say. The room was charged from the outset and I felt immensely privileged to be there. Laura Fitzsimons conducted the ceremony beautifully and it was really emotional from start to finish. It was sunny too, so the Merchant Hotel’s Roof Garden was ideal.

      After shooting the prep (with Joanne and her sister looking after each other’s hair and make-up!), the ceremony and some group photos, I took Joanne and Francisco out into the city’s Cathedral Quarter to do some portraits. Joanne was stunning in her catsuit and danced with Francisco at every opportunity. I’ll never look at small weddings in the same way again.

      Anyway, enjoy …

      Alternative wedding photographer

      Alternative wedding photographer

      Small-wedding photographer

      Small-wedding photographer

      Small-wedding photographer

      Alternative wedding photographer

      Alternative wedding photographer

      Small-wedding photographer

      Small-wedding photographer

      Intimate wedding at the Merchant Hotel

      Intimate wedding at the Merchant Hotel

      Intimate wedding at the Merchant Hotel

      Intimate wedding at the Merchant Hotel

      Humanist wedding ceremony

      Humanist wedding ceremony

      Humanist wedding ceremony

      Humanist wedding ceremony

      Wedding Photographer Small Wedding

      Humanist wedding in Belfast

      Humanist wedding in Belfast

      Wedding Photographer Small Wedding

      Humanist wedding in Belfast

      Alternative wedding portraits in Belfast

      Alternative wedding portraits in Belfast

      Alternative wedding portraits in Belfast

      Alternative wedding portraits in Belfast

      Wedding Photographer Small Wedding

      Alternative wedding photographer Northern Ireland

      Alternative wedding photographer Northern Ireland

      Merchant Hotel wedding photographer

      Merchant Hotel wedding photographer

      Merchant Hotel wedding photographer

      Supplier links:

      Venue: The Merchant Hotel, Belfast

      Humanist wedding celebrant: Laura Fitzsimons

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        Rebecca + Paolo | Magheramorne Estate Wedding Photographer

        Glenariff wedding photography

        Rebecca and Paolo’s wedding happened against the odds. Most couples I’m working with had been forced to postpone to 2021, but Rebecca and Paolo changed venue and moved to September. It was that lull after the end of the first wave, when no-one knew what was coming. They were able to go ahead without too many restrictions, relatively speaking. After so much uncertainty for these guys, it was lovely to be there with them. I got to be a Magheramorne Estate wedding photographer too, which was really cool. It’s a beautiful spot.

        As we move into 2021 with much still up in the air, it’s great to think back to this wet and windy September day. Rebecca and Paolo were so good to work with. I hope you like my pick of the photos …

        Northern Ireland wedding photographer

        Northern Ireland wedding photographer

        Northern Ireland wedding photographer

        Northern Ireland wedding photographer

        Northern Ireland wedding photographer

        Northern Ireland wedding photographer

        Northern Ireland wedding photographer

        Northern Ireland wedding photographer

        Northern Ireland wedding photographer

        Northern Ireland wedding photographer

        Documentary wedding photographer

        Documentary wedding photographer

        Documentary wedding photographer

        Documentary wedding photographer

        Documentary wedding photographer

        Documentary wedding photographer

        Documentary wedding photographer

        Documentary wedding photographer

        Documentary wedding photographer

        Documentary wedding photographer

        Wedding ceremony photography

        Wedding ceremony photography

        Wedding ceremony photography

        Wedding ceremony photography

        Wedding ceremony photography

        Wedding ceremony photography

        Wedding ceremony photography

        Wedding ceremony photography

        Wedding ceremony photography

        Wedding ceremony photography

        Wedding photographer Northern Ireland

        Wedding photographer Northern Ireland

        Wedding photographer Northern Ireland

        Wedding photographer Northern Ireland

        Wedding photographer Northern Ireland

        Wedding photographer Northern Ireland

        Wedding photographer Northern Ireland

        Wedding photographer Northern Ireland

        Wedding photographer Northern Ireland

        Wedding photographer Northern Ireland

        Magheramorne Estate wedding photographer

        Magheramorne Estate wedding photographer

        Magheramorne Estate wedding photographer

        Magheramorne Estate wedding photographer

        Magheramorne Estate wedding photographer

        Magheramorne Estate wedding photographer

        Magheramorne Estate wedding photographer

        Magheramorne Estate wedding photographer

        Magheramorne Estate wedding photographer

        Magheramorne Estate wedding photographer

        Candid wedding photography

        Candid wedding photography

        Candid wedding photography

        Candid wedding photography

        Candid wedding photography

        Candid wedding photography

        Candid wedding photography

        Alternative wedding photographer

        Alternative wedding photographer

        Alternative wedding photographer

        Alternative wedding photographer

        Alternative wedding photographer

        Alternative wedding photographer

        Alternative wedding photographer

        Alternative wedding photographer

        Alternative wedding photographer

        Wedding supplier credits:
        Venue: Magheramorne Estate
        Floral design: Victoriana Floral
        Bridal gown: The White Gallery Boutique
        Make-up artist: Carly Proctor
        Hair artist: Kelly White

        No-one knows for sure, but 2021 is going to look a lot different for many wedding couples. Personally, I’m expecting weddings to be smaller, and more intimate, with scaled-down receptions even once they are allowed again. I love shooting huge a wedding party, for sure, so it’s going to be different for me too. But I’ve shot smaller celebrations recently that have reminded me just how beautiful they can be. They’ve every bit as joyful and unique. I’m really looking forward to working with those of my 2021 couples who opt for a smaller gig.

        My next blog post will feature a really intimate humanist wedding that was a privilege to shoot, right after Rebecca and Paolo’s wedding. In the meantime, if you’d like to see more from my 2020, my previous outing in the Dingle Peninsula is right HERE.

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          Leah + Michele | County Kerry couple portrait

          My first shoot after the lockdown this year. It was such a relief to get back into it. My cameras had been out of the bag on and off, to catch shots of the kids, but it wasn’t until we all took a trip down to Kerry for a family holiday that I got to shoot with a couple again (don’t take that the wrong way, kids, you’re the biz).

          It was worth the wait anyway. I loved this. Leah and Michele came up from Cork for the shoot and I jumped in the back of the car with them for the drive to Dunquin. It’s a place of stunning beauty and getting to explore it a little with these two was something I won’t forget. They’re so good together and the shoot was over too quick.

          Thankfully, weddings start again for me THIS WEEK. I’m delighted, despite the masks, etc.

          Here are some of my favourites. I hope you like them.

          Dunquin couple portrait
          Cliff top portrait at Dunquin
          County Kerry couple portrait
          Belfast engagement photographer
          Northern Ireland engagement photographer
          County Kerry couple portrait
          Northern Ireland engagement photos
          engagement photos in county Kerry
          engagement shoot in county Kerry
          County Kerry couple portrait
          Coastal couple shoot in Kerry
          Dunquin couple shoot
          Dunquin e-shoot with Jonathan Ryder
          Dunquin e-shoot with Jonathan Ryder

           

          If you’re in the mood for another couple shoot, you could check out Lauren + Mike’s north photos from north Antrim. That’s another wild and rugged place, with more coastal beauty than you can shake a stick at. Take a look HERE.

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            North Coast Engagement Photographer | Lauren + Mike

            Northern Ireland engagement photographer
            North coast engagement photographer
            North coast engagement shoot
            Belfast engagement photographer
            Belfast engagement photographer
            Kinbane Head engagement shoot
            Kinbane Head engagement photos
            Northern Ireland engagement photographer
            North coast engagement photographer
            North coast engagement shoot
            North coast engagement photos
            Belfast engagement photographer
            Kinbane Head engagement shoot
            Kinbane Head engagement shoot
            Kinbane Head engagement photos
            Northern Ireland engagement photographer
            North coast engagement photographer
            North coast engagement shoot
            North coast engagement photos

             

            ~ North Coast Engagement Photographer | Lauren + Mike ~

            I love trips up to the north coast. There are so many places to shoot, each of which is unlike anywhere else. Lauren and Chris were over from the States and wanted to explore some of the locations they knew of through Game of Thrones. I picked Kinbane Head mainly because I love it, but I was sure they would too. (At points, I get vertigo up there, but it’s a small price to pay!)

            We timed it well and caught some beautiful light just before it dipped beneath the cliffs behind us.

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              Aidan + Cara | Merchant Hotel wedding photographer

              wedding photographer Merchant Hotel
              ~ Aidan + Cara | Merchant Hotel wedding photographer ~

              Aidan and Cara asked me about photographing their wedding after their friends Conor and Sinéad recommended me to them. Cara was also one of Sinéad’s bridesmaids. Their wedding was up in the hills of Donegal (you can see it HERE). I loved photographing it for them and I was pretty sure that I was going to love shooting with Aidan and Cara just as much.

              I wasn’t wrong. Things started at the same Church that Conor and Sinéad had got married in. This time it was the Merchant Hotel in the middle of Belfast that hosted the rest of the day. I remember the pub walk, the dancing, cigars, great speeches … but most of all that feeling of elation that everyone could feel, I think, that these two were tying the knot together.

              It was lovely to be there. I hope the photos capture some of how it felt …

              wedding photographer Merchant Hotel
              documentary wedding photography
              documentary wedding photographer
              Belfast wedding photographer
              alternative wedding photography
              wedding photographer Northern Ireland
              Northern Ireland wedding photographers
              non-traditional wedding photographer
              Belfast photographer
              Belfast wedding photos
              candid wedding photography
              Merchant Hotel wedding photographer
              wedding photographer Merchant Hotel
              documentary wedding photography
              documentary wedding photographer
              Belfast wedding photographer
              alternative wedding photography
              wedding photographer Northern Ireland
              Northern Ireland wedding photographers
              non-traditional wedding photographer
              Belfast photographer
              Belfast wedding photos
              candid wedding photography
              Merchant Hotel wedding photographer
              wedding photographer Merchant Hotel
              documentary wedding photography
              documentary wedding photographer
              Belfast wedding photographer
              alternative wedding photography
              wedding photographer Northern Ireland
              Northern Ireland wedding photographers
              non-traditional wedding photographer
              Belfast photographer
              Belfast wedding photos
              candid wedding photography
              Merchant Hotel wedding photographer
              wedding photographer Merchant Hotel
              documentary wedding photography
              documentary wedding photographer
              Belfast wedding photographer
              alternative wedding photography
              wedding photographer Northern Ireland
              Northern Ireland wedding photographers
              non-traditional wedding photographer
              Belfast photographer
              Belfast wedding photos
              candid wedding photography
              Merchant Hotel wedding photographer
              documentary wedding photography
              documentary wedding photographer
              Belfast wedding photographer
              alternative wedding photography
              wedding photographer Northern Ireland
              Northern Ireland wedding photographers
              non-traditional wedding photographer
              Belfast photographer
              Belfast wedding photos
              candid wedding photography
              Merchant Hotel wedding photographer
              wedding photographer Merchant Hotel
              documentary wedding photography
              documentary wedding photographer
              Belfast wedding photographer
              alternative wedding photography
              wedding photographer Northern Ireland
              Northern Ireland wedding photographers
              non-traditional wedding photographer
              Belfast photographer
              Belfast wedding photos
              candid wedding photography
              Merchant Hotel wedding photographer

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                Louise + Pete | Wedding photographer Lissanoure Castle

                Northern Ireland wedding photographer
                Louise and Pete’s wedding at Lissanoure Castle was pretty marvellous. It’s a gorgeous venue, where I’d shot once before, and it looks great in the autumn. Parts of the castle are in ruins and the browns and yellows of the season just seem to suit it. And then inside, it’s all open fires and chairs you can fall asleep in.

                Louise was really stunning and Pete was looking very fine too. They had a beautiful humanist ceremony in the castle, then moved over to the main function room later on, where there’s loads of space for eating and dancing. And there was a *lot* of dancing. Great music, provided by Chris from the awesome Bespoke Music Solutions, and lots crazy shapes. My favourite photobomb of the year too.

                Anyway, take a look….

                groom and best man waiting
                order of service art work
                groom waiting with guests
                bride arriving in her dad's sports car
                bride with bridesmaids and canvas art
                bride with her father at Lissanoure castle
                brides emotion as she sees her groom
                bride and groom smiling at start of ceremony
                bride laughing at groom's words about her
                bride and groom sharing a moment in ceremony
                bride reading her vows to groom
                knot-tying in humanist ceremony
                bride and groom kissing in ceremony
                little boy exploring in ceremony
                bride and groom leaving ceremony at Lissanoure castle
                bride hugging bridesmaid after ceremony
                guests laughing together during reception
                children waiting for drinks to be served
                young lad trying craft beer and not loving it
                bride's bouquet at Lissanoure Castle
                bride and groom going on photo walk at Lissanoure Castle
                wedding couple at Lissanoure Castle
                portrait of bride and groom at Lissanoure Castle
                wedding photographer Lissanoure Castle
                Lissanoure Castle wedding photographer
                Belfast wedding photographer
                geese flying over evening reception at Lissanoure Castle
                seating plan artwork
                wedding party waiting for meal to begin
                bride listening to her father's speech
                bride glancing across to groom during his father's speech
                guest taking photo of top table with cool instax camera
                bride's speech during Lissanoure Castle reception
                guests smiling during bride's speech
                bride raising her glass during her speech
                groom's father laughing at his speech
                children crowd round bride after speeches finish
                a father cuddles his young daughter after speeches
                baby's socks
                flower girls doing cartwheels on dance floor
                bride and groom's first dance with baby wandering across dance floor
                wedding photographer Lissanoure Castle
                guests on dance floor with cute baby checking out the photographer
                kids on the dance floor
                wedding photographer Northern Ireland
                Bespoke Music Solutions's Chris on the decks
                guests falling asleep after long day
                guests having a blast on dance floor
                bride and her mates on the dance floor

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                  Natural, documentary wedding photography in Northern Ireland and beyond.

                  Based in Belfast.

                   

                  hello@jonathanryderphotography.com

                  +44 (0) 7799 627563

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