Vanessa & Adrian

The most glorious day greeted Vanessa & Adrian's wedding on Saturday; summertime and the livin' was easy. There may have been a few pre-match nerves in Vanessa's house in the morning, but everything went smoothly - the flowers from Calla Floral Design had just arrived, Olivia from Enhance was busy with make up and Leona Duffy was doing hair. Davy Connell arrived with the Beaufort wedding car, while Niall Megahey captured everything on film. Vanessa's Auntie, Marie Bolger, and Derek Mahady provided the church music.

Before getting back to the Landmark, we stopped off in Drumsna, on the banks of the Shannon. The Shanley girls all know how to work the camera, and Derek Zoolander better watch out if Damien Davis ever decides to go into modelling.

Strains of mellow jazz drifted from a trio playing in the Landmark Lobby during the cocktail reception, and just before dinner, Vanessa & Adrian took a stroll on the boardwalk in the evening sunshine. As I left, Niall was in the Green Room editing for a highlight clip which was shown on the Landmark's big screens after dinner. You can see it here - www.facebook.com/pages/Complete-Weddings-Videography/115853921785

Doireann & Dave

Last week I was back in the beautiful venue of Kilronan Castle for Doireann & Daves' wedding. There's nothing like a write-up in a national newspaper on the eve of a wedding to put a bit of pressure on the photographer, but luckily the paparazzi were kept at bay. Josephine of Calla Floral Design was finishing off the displays as I did my light check at Kilglass Church and she provided all the flowers including Doireann's bouquet of orchids.

The Porterhouse & Lillie's Bordello girls were in great form, Claire Malone blew the socks off the congregation, and Sean, the best man, wore several pairs. The eighth picture here will forever be known as "Sean's Peek-a-Boo Tree Shot". I didn't fancy it, neither did Doireann or Dave - but how can you refuse a best man who's so on top of the job he forgets his shoes and has to borrow a pair 3 sizes too big from the bride's father???

D&D were as cool and relaxed as I thought they'd be, and if the ash cloud blew the right way for them, they're somewhere on the Maasi Mara now. I'm looking forward to seeing them when they come back for their album for two reasons - Dave's promised to bring a few bottles of the Porterhouse's multi award-winning Wrasslers Stout.

Every Dog Has His Day

I tagged along with my mate Ger, who was photographing Bernie & Jim's wedding in Bloomfield House last week. There was a special appearance by Rocky, their labrador, back at the hotel. You often see peoples' dogs appearing in American photographers' pictures, but it's rare here. When muddy-pawed Rocky jumped all over the wedding dress, you understood why.

Annmarie & Peter

We rode our luck with the weather on Saturday and got away with it.... just. As we left the church in Crossna to head for Cromleach Lodge, the rain started, and by the time we got to Lough Arrow it was a downpour. Luckily, the saying "if you don't like the weather in the West, wait five minutes", held true. The rain stopped, the black clouds began to clear, and a couple of moments later the sun emerged.

Though many of the guests travelled from England, this was a very local wedding. Fr Brian Conlon performed a lovely ecumenical service in St Patrick's, Crossna. Gráinne from Enhance did the girls' make up, Áine's provided the flowers and the photographer was from Killaraght. Christy, Deirdre & Nicholas were as warm and welcoming as ever in Cromleach.

It's good to see that I have some literary couples this year. Last week, Olivia & Peter's reflection was a Walt Whitman poem, while Annmarie and Peter included a quotation from Louise De Bernieres - "Those that truly love have roots that grow towards each other underground, and when all the pretty blossoms have fallen from their branches, they find that they are one tree and not two."

As you'll see from the photographs, Annmarie's smile lit up the day, even when the weather was gloomy.