Wedding Blog, Northern Ireland for simple tapestry, alternative and creative wedding photographers based in Belfast.
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Weddings
Beth and Stephen’s wedding at Larchfield Estate was a joyful celebration full of laughter, energy, and candid moments. Keeping both ceremony and reception at the estate created a calm, connected day, while beautiful outdoor spots and cozy indoor spaces provided endless opportunities for storytelling photography.
Susie and Aaron’s wedding at Larchfield Estate showcased everything that makes this Northern Ireland venue so special: the sunken garden for a stunning outdoor ceremony, versatile locations across the estate, and a calm, stress-free day from start to finish. From woodland paths to the lake, their relaxed wedding was full of candid moments and storytelling, perfectly captured in every frame.
Holly and Daisy’s relaxed Belfast wedding combined the elegance of an Ulster Museum ceremony with the historic charm of a White’s Tavern reception. From portraits in Botanic Gardens to intimate moments at their reception, their day was full of candid photography, storytelling, and unforgettable memories in the heart of the city.
Erin and Oisin are the definition of laid-back, keeping their destination wedding at Lough Eske Castle in Donegal effortlessly relaxed. With Irish roots, Oisin was thrilled to celebrate surrounded by family and the rugged beauty of the Emerald Isle. From candid moments at the castle to a meaningful detour to an old rail bridge, their day was full of laughter, storytelling, and unforgettable memories.
You can tell a lot about people by the company they keep. Stephen has spent years living and travelling all over, picking up traces of different accents and, more importantly, close friends in every corner of the world. It’s easy to see why - he’s warm, sharp, and irreverently funny. I think Jenny used the word “cheeky,” and we’d say that’s pretty spot on (in the best possible way).
Castle Leslie is absolutely breathtaking, inside, outside, every corner of it. Jenny’s plan was to have as much of the day outdoors as possible, soaking in the surroundings. While the weather didn’t quite cooperate for the ceremony itself, it was brilliant to see so many guests from all over the world enjoying the gardens during the drinks reception. There's nothing quite like the grand surroundings of it all.
Like many couples lately, Jenny and Stephen opted for a first look before the ceremony. It meant most of the main portraits were already done early in the day. We then grabbed some more photos while their guests were being seated for dinner. This meant that they were able to enjoy their full drinks reception without having to nip off for photos.
One of the standout moments of the day came during the drinks reception when Jenny’s sister, Annabel, sat down at the grand piano in the castle. You never quite know what you’re in for when someone takes to that piano. Usually it's alcohol rather than talent that compels them. But Annabel was something else. Her performance was genuinely incredible, and the entire room fell silent just to take it in. Proper goosebumps stuff.
Massive shoutout to our friend Rory McKeever on video duties. A total legend, as always, and just one more reason the whole day ran like a dream.
For those of you that follow our blog, Helen and Ryan are one of the many couples that booked us on the recommendation of Beth and Stephen, who we've seen at a bazillion weddings (including their own). And of course, it was at Beth and Stephen's wedding that we first bumped into Helen and Ryan.
Helen, like ourselves, is from west Tyrone, but had to go all the way to the USA to find her soulmate, Ryan. And you know what, we'd say it was worth the trip - he's a top lad! And he brought a whole squad of his family and friends over to the tiny village of Greencastle for the wedding.
Sometimes Americans have an idea in their heads that Ireland is all fields and old cottages and we spend most of our time drinking and doing ceiles in barns. And as much as we might want to dispel that stereotype, Helen and Ryan's wedding was on Helen's family farm. In a field. Next to some old cottages. And yes, there was a ceile. In a barn. And there was an open bar... Ok, ok, so maybe that's exactly who we are.
We genuinely couldn’t have loved this wedding more. There were sunshine and rainbows (like, literal rainbows), loads of laughs, and the kind of laid-back energy that makes the day fly by. One of those weddings where the couple and their friends and families made us feel more like guests than photographers.
Our first Larchfield wedding of 2025! And a brilliant one to kick off the year at one of our favourite venues. Isobel and John couldn’t have been a better match for the place: totally chilled out, great craic, and a joy to be around from start to finish. Isobel, your perfectly dry sense of humour kept us laughing all day.
After battling the West Belfast school-run traffic, arriving at Larchfield felt like stepping into another world. It’s hard to believe somewhere so calm and quiet is just half an hour from the city.
One of our favourite touches was the speeches in the courtyard. Having them outside made everything feel more relaxed and informal, and seemed to put the speakers at ease. There’s something about standing under the open sky with a glass in hand that takes the pressure off.
After dinner, we had time for a few more portraits as the light dropped - always worth it at Larchfield, with its winding paths, old stone walls, and soft evening light. A quick breather for the couple before the dancefloor filled up and the party properly kicked off.
A class day with a couple who knew exactly how to keep it all feeling easy and fun. More like this, please.
Here’s something we learned at Katie and James’s wedding. Put an Essex lad in a field with a pint of Guinness, and the Irish DNA kicks in almost immediately. Accent aside, we’re convinced James is completely Irish. It's not just the Guinness either, it’s the love for Donegal and the deep, heartfelt commitment to planning stuff around the weather.
When it came to choosing a venue, Katie and James were completely sold on the outdoor charm of Finnebrogue Woods. There's also something very entertaining about watching city friends navigate a field in heels and dress shoes. To their credit, they adapted quickly. Turns out, a few drinks go a long way towards making grass more manageable.
Wanting to maximise time with their guests (many of whom had travelled a fair distance), Katie and James made the smart call to do most of their formal photos before the ceremony. It's a move we often recommend. There's less pressure later in the day, and everyone looks fresh before the hugs, weather, and drink take hold.
They had a beautiful humanist ceremony, led by the brilliant Jean Barrett Quinn, followed by a full-blown confetti storm leading up to the reception. From there, it was full tilt into the evening party, and when we left, it was still going strong.
Big shoutout to the incredible supplier team who helped make it all happen:
Hair and makeup legends Tippy Logronio and Ciara Armstrong kept the morning running like clockwork. The stunning florals were by Floral Earth, and Lily Pink Bakery delivered yet again with that unreal cake. Owen Donnelly and Crystal Dawn kept the drinks reception going, and The Luna Boys took it up a level for the evening. And last but not least, Matthew from Trinity Films is an all-round gent and our new partner in crime! Dream team.
There aren’t many venues in Northern Ireland that can compete with Old Court in Strangford. It’s full of charm, character, and stunning views over the lough - but when the weather shows up like it did for Natalie and Connor, the place is genuinely unbeatable.
The ceremony was something special: an outdoor humanist service under the shade of trees, with the water sparkling just beyond. And midway, a heron casually flew in and a tiny dog turned up out of nowhere to take it all in. There must be an old Irish saying about dogs and herons at your wedding meaning good luck. If not, we’re starting one.
Natalie and Connor chose to skip the usual morning prep coverage and have us start at the ceremony instead. More and more couples are opting for this, especially when the priority is candids of the party unfolding. It also gave us time later to explore the grounds properly and make the most of that golden hour light. We ducked out just before dinner for portraits in the warm evening sun, and it was absolutely worth it.
The vibe all day was exactly what you'd hope for; laid-back and never too serious. Natalie and Connor don’t do stiff or formal - they're there for the craic, plain and simple. One of our favourite memories is Natalie on the swing, laughing her head off as her dress trailed back and forth along the ground gathering muck. Somewhere, a dressmaker is crying but Natalie couldn’t have cared less.
And then there was the dancing. A lot of dancing. And glowstick thingys. Very few DJs can start a party like Mark from Bespoke Music Solutions. This was one of those weddings where you know the buffet was going to be ignored as an unnecessary distraction to the dancing.
If you’re planning a wedding at Old Court, or anywhere with a bit of space, scenery, and flexibility, take a leaf out of Natalie and Connor’s book: keep it simple, surround yourself with your favourite people, and never worry too much about the dress.
We love a Castle Leslie Wedding. It’s one of those great venues that has everything going for it in all seasons and weathers. But when the sun shines, it’s utterly spectacular.
Hannah and Declan got married during our mini May heatwave in my hometown of Omagh. Hannah lived up the road from me growing up. Her dad was briefly Deci’s PE teacher. The fact he has no memory of having taught him tells you all you need to know about his sporting skills. Nonetheless, we loved the warm welcome we got in her gorgeous home.
Hannah is one of those people that’s completely unflappable. We loved how she just coasted through her wedding day like it was just like any other day of the week (but with added prosecco).
Declan isn’t from Omagh but that’s ok, we still somehow managed to warm to him nonetheless. Although, we were dismayed that he apparently thinks our favourite chippy, Cod and Cow, is overrated. I guess everyone is entitled to opinions, no matter how wrong they are.
