HOW TO PLAN A WEDDING IN NORTHERN IRELAND

An unplugged wedding is when you ask guests to switch off phones, cameras and other devices during your ceremony — and sometimes for the whole day. It means you see your guests' faces rather than the backs of their phones, and it gives your photographer a much better chance of capturing genuine reactions and emotions.

We'd recommend it, at least for the ceremony. The biggest practical benefit is that no guest steps into the aisle at the crucial moment just as your photographer is capturing the first kiss. The best way to let guests know is through your invitations, your order of service, and a short announcement from your celebrant before the ceremony begins.

Almost everyone says this before their wedding — including us. The reality is that on the day itself, you will look and feel completely different. A good documentary photographer isn't asking you to pose or perform. We blend in, we watch, and we photograph what actually happens. Most people who were convinced they'd hate it end up with portraits they're genuinely proud of.

Precipitation occurs between 150 and 225 days a year in Ireland, so plan for it rather than hoping it won't happen. Make sure your venue has a good wet weather backup for portraits. Embrace it — some of our favourite wedding photos have been taken in the rain. An umbrella, the right attitude, and a photographer who knows how to work in low light makes a huge difference. Read our full rainy day wedding guide.

An elopement is a wedding attended only by the couple and their two legal witnesses. No big guest list, no traditional format, no pressure to do things a certain way. They've been growing in popularity in Ireland and Northern Ireland for years, and for good reason — they're intimate, personal, and often far less stressful than a traditional wedding. Read our full guide to what an elopement is.

Most photographers at our level book 12 to 18 months in advance, particularly for summer Saturdays. That said, cancellations happen and we do take shorter notice bookings when we're available. If you have a date in mind, it's always worth getting in touch sooner rather than later.

It varies from each photographer to the next. Some deliver as few as 400, others deliver thousands. We deliver around 900-1000 images per wedding. This covers everything without being overwhelming.

We’ve heard horror stories of couples waiting months to get theirs back or never getting them back at all. We think it’s reasonable to expect them back within a month, but we aim to have them to you in a couple of weeks.

ocumentary wedding photography — sometimes called reportage or candid — means photographing your wedding as it actually happens, without staging or directing moments too much. We blend into the day, watch how things unfold, and capture genuine emotions and interactions as they occur. The result is a record of your day that feels more honest and natural rather than posed or constructed.

Two photographers means twice the coverage and less chance of things being missed. It means nothing is missed and the story of your day is told more fully. It also means we can create social media content for you without the need of a content creator or videographer. At Simple Tapestry, both photographers are always included as standard.

The honest answer is that you mostly don't need to do anything — the right photographer does most of the work for you. But a few things help: wear something you feel genuinely comfortable in, choose a venue with good natural light, and build enough time into your day so portraits don't feel rushed. Relaxed couples make better photographs than tense ones every single time.

Yes, and we love it when couples do. A few things to plan for: have someone responsible for the dog throughout the day, check your venue allows pets, and factor in a few minutes for dog portraits separately from your couple portraits — it's much easier than trying to do both at once.

Start with your legal requirements — if you're getting married abroad, the paperwork varies significantly by country and can take months to arrange. Once that's sorted, build your supplier team locally where possible, as local knowledge makes an enormous difference on the day. We've photographed destination weddings across Europe and are always happy to advise on locations and logistics.

It's more achievable than most people think. The key is flexibility — if you're open on date and day of the week, your options open up significantly. Prioritise the suppliers who matter most to you and be prepared to compromise on others. Midweek and off-season dates free up venues and photographers who would otherwise be booked solid.