Michelle & Killian

Getting lost on the way to Michelle's house wasn't an option. Killian makes his living as a navigator. He is the leading provider of Pace Notes for Irish Rallying as well as being a co-driver of international renown. He has been widely featured in the media, most recently showing Senator Marie-Louise O'Donnelll the ropes in a feature for the Pat Kenny Radio Show. As I write this, he's competing in the WRC Series Rally in Spain.

Michelle is a specialist Theatre nurse, responsible for safely delivering little bundles of joy to their parents, but that was far from her mind as I arrived to a bustling house on a lovely Autumn morning. Her bridesmaids were all pretty in pink in their tea-length dresses. Not everyone could carry it off, but these four looked like a 1950's girl group. Sarah had travelled all the way from Australia via her new home in Dubai, so was able to show off a natural bronzed look that you just can't get in Mayo. On another day, a bride could be upstaged, but there was no danger of that with Michelle.

The other girl to take the limelight was Tiffany, Michelle & Killian's Bulldog, who made an encore appearance after the wedding. She flounced in, threw a few poses for the camera, before retiring for the evening. Meanwhile, we headed to Mulranny Park Hotel.

After dinner & a speeches, guests were treated to a fine fireworks display fired from the beach below the hotel by my former next-door neighbour, Gary from Rocket Pyrotechnics. It took a while to get them settled down after Best Man Paul's knockabout comedy speech, but the display was a great way to let the dinner settle before the dancing to Sean Slattery got going. started. It was good to work with Cathal Farrelly on video again.



Finally, I thought several times during the day that the new Mrs Duffy reminded me a little bit of someone. Then I twigged it.

Mrs Duffy bears more than a passing resemblance to Duffy, the Welsh popstar. I don't know if Mrs Duffy has quite as good a voice, but I definitely reckon she's prettier.

Bell XI - Chapel Sessions, Carrick-On-Shannon, 8th November 2012

Niamh & Alan - The Landmark Hotel

Alan is a neighbour of mine, Niamh isn't from too far down the road either, their wedding took place in Boyle, with the reception in The Landmark in Carrick, so this one was really on home turf. Alan and his Dad Ernie were still in their wellies when I popped by on the way to Niamh's house- a farmer's work is never done - even when there's a big wedding on in a couple of hours' time.

Following Josephine & Lindsey, Niamh completed my hat-trick of beautiful beauticians - she works in the Ciúnas Spa in Cromleach Lodge, another fine local venue. Again, Gráinne was busily at work when I arrived, on what was a fine sunny morning. If the sun comes out, Autumn light is beautiful to work with. There is a quality to it that you just don't get in June or July, when it tends to be almost too bright and contrasty. And the afternoon sunshine is great as the sun is lower in the sky, casting a warm glow and long shadows.

If you're travelling from Boyle to Carrick, it's a no-brainer to stop in Lough Key Forest Park, so that's just what we did. Then it was on to The Landmark and the usual warm welcome from Trish & Emma. By the time we hit The Black Mint Bar all the hubub of the day had eased away and Alan and Niamh were able to completely forget about the camera and take a romantic few minutes together.

In the Facebook era, people often post pictures from weddings almost as they happen. Sometimes these are, frankly, pretty crap. So Niamh asked me if I could post one on her Facebook page. It's not something I'd ever done before, but it was nice to see them getting lots of "likes" and especially to see that Niamh is now using one as her Profile Pic and another as her Timeline Front Cover. So to all my future brides, (and there were two at Niamh's wedding), if you want to go to my woefully underused JR Photography Page and "Like", I'll do the same for you if you want.

Lindsey & Peter - Kilronan Castle

When we were kids, we'd be brought to 9.30 Mass in Jamestown every Sunday morning. Often, my Dad would stop and give a lift to Patsy McGovern as she walked to the Church. Patsy is Lindsey's grandmother, and it was good to see her again after all these years. It made me quite feel old to think Lindsey wasn't even born back then though.

Like me, Lindsey has moved away from Jamestown, but only as far as another lovely village where her and Peter have just bulit a fine new house, in Keadue. It might be on the wrong side of the Leitrim/Roscommon border, but it's very handy for her commute to work in the Spa at Kilronan Castle. And everyone at the Castle put on a fine show to welcome one of it's own to Lindsey & Peter's reception.

Unusually, I hadn't met Peter before the day of the wedding, so called in to his Mother's house in time for breakfast on my way to Lindsey's. Peter told me he wasn't too keen on posing or spending the entire day modelling for a photographer. I told him that was why Lindsey hired me, and from that moment on, we got on great.

Back at bridal HQ, Grainnne from Enhance was putting the finishing touches to the girls' make-up, Helena from La Belle Fleur had delivered the flowers, including Lindsey's striking Heirloom Bouquet, while videographer Paul Noone was filming all that was going on.

This was a nice relaxed afternoon, everything happening within a mile or two's radius. There was time for a stop in the Gardens in Keadue, for a pint in McCabes, a few photos at Lough Meeelagh, and to still be back in lots of time for the champagne & cocktail reception in Kilronan. We even squeezed in a visit to the Spa and a little walk in the Castle grounds before dinner.