Finnebrogue Woods Wedding - Katie and James

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.

Old Court Strangford Wedding - Natalie and Connor

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.

Castle Leslie Estate Wedding - Hannah and Declan

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.

Poulaphouca House Wedding - Beth and Stephen

We have crossed paths with Beth and Stephen at so many weddings over the years. We have photographed them in bridal parties, family groups, and often just caught them in the background, doing their best to avoid the camera. By the time their own wedding came around, they were probably well and truly sick of the sight of us.

And what a wedding it was. We always love a trip to County Wicklow. It is so close to the buzz of Dublin, but once you arrive it feels like the rest of the world melts away. This was our first time at Poulaphouca. It took us a lot of attempts before we could say its name without butchering it.

The venue itself is wonderful. It is built around the idea of being outdoors and embracing the weather, whatever it brings. We love that kind of optimism. Luckily, Beth and Stephen got married in the middle of our unexpected little May heatwave. There is something special about a space that manages to pack so much charm into a relatively small area. You can nip off for photos without vanishing for ages or wandering a million miles away from the celebration.

We had so much craic at this wedding. A big part of that was down to the number of familiar faces. We counted a half a dozen couples we had photographed before, and a few more who have booked us for the future. We always love catching up with our couples on down the line.

And then there’s Beth and Stephen. Two absolutely amazing people - easygoing, warm and full of craic. This was class from start to finish.