Laura & JP, Castlecourt Hotel, Westport

The first time I met Laura was at her salon in Knock, when I was photographing Yvonne & Matt's wedding back in October 2010, a day that always sticks in my mind, as straight after the wedding I had to hightail it to The Late Late Show, to promote a calendar I'd photographed. Last week, it was Laura herself who was in the hotseat as she prepared to walk up the aisle to marry JP.

I've met grooms on the morning of their weddings in various states of dress (& undress), but this was the first time I'd met one out herding cattle. A bunch of calves had called over from the neighbouring farm to wish JP good luck and try out his lawn. They were swiftly returned. JP is no stranger to big occasions himself, having played with and managed hurling and football teams at all levels for club & county, and he made sure the Ballyhaunis colours were flying proudly as the lads headed over to Knock. It seemed every hurler in Mayo was going to this wedding.

The Church of St John the Baptist in Knock is a busy venue, and a wedding always attracts a lot of attention from the many visitors to the town. However, the rousing round of applause from a delegation of pilgrims from Philadelphia when we popped into the Apparition Chapel next door was unexpected. I think it might have been a bit too much like being in the spotlight on the catwalk for Laura & JP, but they took a little bow anyway.

On the way to Westport we stopped at Turlough House. It had rained solidly all afternoon, but the clouds parted long enough for us to get a few photographs. We were no sooner back in the cars when the heavens opened again. Miracles obviously do happen for natives of Knock. The Castlecourt was buzzing, and Laura & JP made a grand entrance to dinner to an even bigger hurrah than they'd got from the Americans earlier.