Hélène & Nathan | Belfast Elopement Photographer

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 …

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 …

(*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

Joanne + Francisco | Wedding Photographer Small Wedding

– 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 …

Supplier links:

Venue: The Merchant Hotel, Belfast

Humanist wedding celebrant: Laura Fitzsimons

Rebecca + Paolo | Magheramorne Estate Wedding Photographer

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 …

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.

Aidan + Cara | Merchant Hotel wedding photographer

~ 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 …

Louise + Pete | Wedding photographer Lissanoure Castle

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….

Lara + Dave | wedding photographer Glenarm Castle

Feeling much love for these two, posting these images today. I first met them when Lara was a bridesmaid at her friends’ wedding a few years back, which I also shot (Maeve and Chris). I got a candid photo back then of Dave taking a selfie with Maeve. Dave, as it happens, takes that particular art to new heights (see below). But the two of them wanted photos that documented their own wedding naturally, so they could get on with just enjoying it. I was excited as the day approached.

The guys headed for the freezing cold water for a dip first thing that morning. Lara, Maeve and the rest of the girls took the more sensible route and got started on the champagne. Great start, for sure.

I loved the meeting of two different cultures at the wedding. That’s always a really cool thing to be around for. The venue was great too. And full marks to Victoriana Floral for the lush flower arrangements. So. Much. Colour.

Anyway, dig in …