Maria & Michael - The Landmark Hotel

With all that was going on in the run-up to the big day, Maria & Mike didn’t make it to our planned pre-wedding photoshoot. Maria had told me that Mike was a little bit anxious about the photos and being in front of a camera. But even without a dry run in advance, there was no need to worry -he played a blinder.

Maria’s house was lively, with plenty of comings & goings through the morning. Flowergirl Rebecca was in the thick of the action, making sure the dresses were all correct and present, keeping everyone on schedule, and regularly checking the photographers work.

With a Gurteen ceremony and Landmark Reception, I was very much on home ground.  I’ve shot in Gurteen Church a few times before – it’s full of fluorescent lighting, which casts a green pallor in photographs. If you’re not ready for it, the results can be nasty. As always, I zoomed in for the handshake as Maria and her Dad, Joe, arrived at the top of the aisle. It’s a tricky technique that often doesn't pay off. Usually it’s a throwaway frame and the next one is the shot I’d use, but this time I like the zoom effect and the way the central point of the handshake is captured, as the rest of the picture is blurred due to the lens movement. 

After the ceremony, we stopped off at Lough Key, where, after chasing away a large troop of boyscouts, we took some romantic shots by the shore. Then it was back to The Landmark for pre-dinner drinks. There was plenty of time to mingle and chill out before dinner, and I had a wander around.  I haven’t  included many guest shots on the blog lately, so am throwing in a couple today – a very sharp Mohican, and Maria’s brother John & his mates. John had patiently chauffeured all day, and was well ready for a nice cold pint bottle of Bulmers when we arrived.

I know all the people who worked on the day very well – Grainne from Enhance did the girls’ make-up, flowers came from Chantelle in Pure, Eamon from Big Apple was alongside me on video again. Trish & Emma in The Landmark are outstanding at their jobs. Maria's beautiful dress came from Pamela in Dinagh Modes. The Conquerors provided the entertainment, I've written before how having good professionals can enhance a couple's wedding day experience, and this shone through again. It was great to see that all the suppliers were local too, and operating at the highest standards. The one thing that isn't local is the honeymoon - Maria & Mike have got away from it all and are sunning themselves in Mexico right now.