Laura & Cathal

It was a Reynolds Clan special last Friday with bride Laura, yours truly doing the photography, and Eamon from Big Apple on video - though none of us are related. I knew this one was going to be good craic, as both Laura and Cathal are outgoing, fun characters. I managed to cross the border from Laura's home in Cloone to Gortletteragh and make it back in one piece, to get to the lads beforehand. This is a real case of love across the barricades, as the local rivarly between the two clubs is very strong. The fact that Cathal is one of Gortletteragh's major stars, only heightens the drama. There's already some dispute over who young Jack will declare for in the future, though Cathal claims to have registered him for the green and gold.

We stopped by the lake at Aghnacliff for a wander on the boardwalk on the way to The Cavan Crystal Hotel. As Davy Connell's limo was pointing in the wrong direction, Laura hopped into my jeep to pop into PJ Hourican's to powder her nose. The Friday afternoon locals watching the horseracing were delighted to see a beautiful bride arriving in to add a bit of glamour to the place. They'd have been very happy to keep her there longer, but we had an urgent appointment elsewhere.

On to the hotel, where we were met by Riona, then dinner and speeches. Laura & Cathal aren't going on honeymoon for a few weeks yet. I think it might have something to do with Championship season. Laura might have more than one reason for wanting to see Gortletteragh go out early this year....

Trudy & Gerard

Bit of a delay in posting these from last Friday week, but hopefully better late than never.... Trudy's house is in a beautiful setting on the slopes of a valley outside Ballymote, with colourful gardens that provided a nice backdrop to the pre-wedding photographs. Then it was off to Emlaghfad Parish Church, where Rev Adam Pullan was conducting his first Irish wedding since his posting from Wales a few months back. He got to grips with the local practices pretty well and all went very smoothly.

After the wedding, we had a stop in the grounds of John Mitchell's Abbey House, before continuing on to The Landmark Hotel. While the rain held off all day, there was a wicked wind blowing off the Shannon, whipping the red carpet off the ground. Always resourceful, Emma & Patricia found the perfect way of keeping it in place - sitting on it until the photo was taken!

Eamon from Big Apple Video was alongside me for the second week in a row and, as always, contributed to the fun and banter on the day. As the evening brightened up, we even had time for a quick stroll on the boardwalk across from the Hotel before dinner.

Deirdre & Seamus

For a photographer, the drive down the N59 from Westport to the lovely Rosleague Manor in Letterfrack on a wedding morning is difficult. The temptation to pull over and take pictures of the stunning scenery is very hard to resisit. However, I managed it, and arrived in Rosleague just as Seamus was suffering a minor crisis after breaking one of his specially-commissioned wedding cufflinks. Luckily, the craftsman who made them is based in Clifden and rode to the rescue in jig-time.

Back at Kate's Cottage, Deirdre's Dad James was alone - the Doyle Girls were all still in the Beauticans - so we jumped in the car and popped up to see what was happening. Once all the make-up and mascara was applied, it was back to the cottage to change before heading for the Church. Deirdre's dramatic pink shoes turned a few heads on the day - for my fashion-concious readers, they were by Kurt Geiger.

After the ceremony, we had a wander on the picturesque deserted beach in Tullycross and a quick stop on the pier for some photographs. Then it was back to Rosleague, where Mark Foley welcomed everyone with champagne and oysters. The day was beautiful, and the everyone gathered on the lawn to socialise in the sunshine. Seamus had carried out extensive research in selecting the wines for dinner and was kind enough to give me a bottle of it to bring home. After the long drive back from Connemara, I was happy to crack it open on Saturday night. I can confirm that he has excellent taste in reds, and the Chateau Remaury 2009 Grande Reserve was very good indeed.

I should point out that Deirdre's mother Helena made the wedding cake below. The only significant absentee from the wedding was Deirdre & Seamus's Wheaten Terrier, Belle, who was in the kennels for a day or two. She did send a text though, and she is coming to the studio to view the pictures in a few weeks time...