Tara & Colm

If you ever find yourself in West London and in need of a pint, take a little wander down Putney Bridge Road to The Hop Pole, where Colm & Tara run a very welcoming establishment. I'd say it was pretty quiet on their wedding day, as there was a big delegation of locals from the pub over in Ballygar for the weekend.

Denise from the Radisson had arranged for Tara & Colm to arrive at the hotel in stlye by boat, which was a new one to me. We had a tight deadline to make sailing time, so we had a brisk drive from Athleague where we'd stopped to take a few pictures. The two chauffeurs must have a history of either track racing or driving getaway cars, based on our journey down. They certainly enjoyed the two 5-Series BMWs. Colm's brother Sean is a member of the Garda Traffic Corps - he was in the car behind me, and I suspect he may have noted a few names & numbers.

After docking, everyone got to relax on the patio garden overlooking the Shannon in the glorious evening sunshine before dinner. From my experience, they're pretty strict on closing time in London Pubs, but I suspect the resident's bar in the Radisson got a right old rattle into the early hours.

Linda & Gerard

The beautiful village of Ardagh was the venue for Linda & Gerard's wedding. I've photographed quite a few weddings in its pretty Church, which has been a popular substitute for people who would otherwise have had their weddings in St Mel's Cathedral. It's a terrible shame that St Mel's burnt down, as it was a spectacular venue, but good to read in the news today that restoration is about to begin, and that 100 jobs will be created in the process.

We had lots of time in Linda's house pre-ceremony, so everything was nice and relaxed. It always makes life easier for everyone to be ahead of schedule instead of scrambling to make up time. Linda was even able to sit down and chill out before leaving for the Church. Uncle Fred was on video, and as you can see below, he didn't miss a moment.

The old lock at Rooskey is a favourite place for Linda & Gerard. It's a spot they often like to wander down to. In fact, Gerard may even have proposed to Linda there. So it was the perfect place for us to take some photographs. I've taken shots by the Shannon in Drumsna, Jamestown, Carrick, Athlone, Tarmonbarry, Clondra & Clonmacnoise among others, but had never been down to the weir in Rooskey before. I'll definitely be there again though, as it's a lovely location.

Back at The Landmark, Trish laid on her usual big welcome and the champagne flowed in The Green Room. Linda & Gerard sneaked upstairs to The Black Mint Bar for some nice romantic shots, and then it was down to dinner, after which the party really got started with Night Fever.

In case you're wondering, Gerard isn't a Wexford County hurler - the cake topper shows him in his Grattan's club gear - he's their crack centre-half forward. Apparently Grattans men always greet each other in the French fashion. The girl in the fine hat is Laura, who gets a special appearance for being a special sister/sister-in-law.

Elaine & Donal

I took a trip to the Midlands for Elaine & Donal's wedding which took place in Durrow. Not the one in Laois, the one in Offaly. All was nice and relaxed at Elaine's house beforehand, with lots of time for a few photos before I headed for the Church. I'm not sure how relaxed Donal was at 5 to One, but he kept a brave face, depite the slagging of his three brothers who were his Groomsmen.

Someone had left a bicycle at the church door - I had visions of Elaine & Donal re-enacting the Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head scene from Butch Cassidy & The Sundance Kid, but Elaine wasn't too keen on sitting on the handlebars in her slinky designer dress.

So we drove rather than cycled to the old Abbey which contains the High Cross of Durrow. Local legend has it that if you can reach around it and touch your fingers together, you'll have a long healthy rewarding life, with loads of children. Donal succeeded with a little stretch, which augurs well for the future.

They have a great sense of the theatrical in The Bridge House Hotel in Tullamore. It was my first time to do a wedding here, though I've been to the hotel on a few occasions before. Elaine & Donal were greeted at the door with champagne, and led by a piper into the imposing foyer with its grand staircase. Waiters bearing canapés and sparklers served them, and their entrance to dinner was something to behold. A fanfare is sounded, a great curtain is drawn back to reveal the happy couple sitting on thrones high above the crowd, where they soak up the applause of their guests before descending for dinner. All of this expertly choreographed by Anne Starling and filmed by Eamon. It left me quite breathless.

Mary & Damian

When Mary & Damian came to the Studio for their pre-wedding photoshoot a couple of weeks ago, Mary was very relaxed. She assured me she'd be completely dressed and ready for photos by 12 o'clock on the day, saying "sure, what is there to do?!" She was so confident that she offered me a €5 bet on it. I was so confident, I accepted. Needless to say, I won the fiver. She's a good sport though, and was a pleasure to be around on the day. Especially after I waived payment of the wager.

Anyone who reads this blog regularly, (and I know there are a few of you out there), knows I am a bit of a dog-lover. We have three of them at home, so I'm always happy to see them on Wedding Days. In England or America, dogs often get to go to weddings, but that rarely happens here. Mary's Jack Russell, Skip, took a keen interest in the build-up to the ceremony, particularly in the shoes. I had visions of a bridesmaid's shoe being buried with his stash of bones in the garden, but all survived intact.

While Mary organised all the tasks and details that go in to planning the wedding day, Damian also used his time to good effect, brewing three different wedding-themed ales for the champagne & beer reception. He wasn't drinking his own produce in The Harpers before the ceremony - I think it might have been a nerve-settling brandy - but I'm told they were top-notch. I don't partake when I'm working, but was hoping to bring a bottle home to try it later. Not a chance though - they went like hot cakes. I heard they packed a bit of a punch too, more in the Trappist style than "lite" lagers.

It was also lovely to meet Catriona & Fiona, two of my recent brides, enjoying themselves at the wedding as well as the other newly-weds Ciara & Nick. No doubt Mary & Damian are chilling out on a Thai beach somewhere now sipping cocktails - unless that is, Damian packed a supply of homebrew...