Belleek Castle Summer Wedding by Aidan Oliver Photography

The wonderful Belleek Castle was the choice for Katelyn and Michael to get married in June just gone and what a month of joyous Summer sun it was. The couple both live in Canada and many emails crossed the pond before we met. Michael hails from Belfast so the three of them (including  their little guy Killian) arrived over to visit Michaels family prior to their wedding. When you have a kid and live in Alberta and have organised a wedding remotely you have to be saluted for the sheer effort in pulling it all together.

As a photographer my aim is always to help where and when I can by communicating as clearly as possible, putting peoples mind at ease then pulling out the stops to deliver the very best I can. We started our conversations a year prior to the 8th, the day they got married. 

I asked Katelyn where they met and she told me this "Michael and I met st. Patrick's day at a small pub in Brandon Manitoba. I was a student trying to avoid studying and he was fresh to Canada and not looking for a girlfriend", brilliant, and very real of course. I am fascinated by stories of how folks initially meet. Katelyn continued with the story "We instantly had chemistry and started talking. The relationship was on and off the first year as we both weren't too sure what we wanted in life but life kept drawing us together. The cheesy line "absence makes the heart grow founder" is very true to us as once we started distancing from each other we knew we only wanted each other".  What a lovely few words said just there. 

I arrived for the bridal preparations and not before I took a walk around the castle to capture the esscence of the grounds and also wanted to check out the 19th century Knox-Gores stables where the civil ceremony was to take place. They also have a café in the same courtyard where guests can have a coffee outside, and prior to being called to sit. I headed up to say hello to Katelyn and the day oficially began for me. It was very relaxed and I moved between the bridal suite and outside as Michael and Killian were around, the hurl's were taken out and some frendly pucks were made between the lads on the green, a great way to ease them all into the exciting day ahead. As usual  watching it all unfold and capturing all that goes into making each day unique, the lads getting ready the restrained excitement in the bridal suite, Killian being dressed each day unfolding in its unique way. I could not resist getting a His 'n' Hers shot of the couples favourite tipple, his being Jack Daniels and hers, being Fireball. Bridesmaids pressies were handed over and Mum shed a tear which I manage to capture. There was also a giddy moment on the stairs with Katelyn and her dad Michael right before they made their way over to the stables.  

The photo of Katelyns Dad Michael just after greeting her hubby to be Michael Gough while hubby to be catches a coy smile from Katelyn is one of my favourite of the day. The stables is such a rustic place to get married and the ceremony was full of life and laughter and thoughtfulness it was a sheer pleasure to have captured. McGarry's florists did a wonderful job at arranging the flowers with Daragh Gillen entertaining the guests with his mystical harp playing. 

After the ceremony the couple greeted their guests in the grand entrance hall of the castle while siping on a glass of bubbly, Killian was also in on the action and it was such a pleasure to see him so involved in the day, celebrating as a trio. 

We headed off for some couple photos on the grounds of Belleek and as a large estate you get to see something different each time, each season, each week in fact. I had photographed a smaller wedding in Belleek a few weeks prior and was delighted that the weather had kept - surely the best Summer we have had since 1976, well it felt like it. We walked through the small forest adjacent to the castle and right up to the shore of River Moy, the couple sat and watched the moored boats bob in the sparkling water, chatting about the fab day it was. There is something magical about forests and the estate surrounding Belleek is a wonder to walk around with its approximately 1000 acres of woodland to traipse around in. 

 Katelyn also wrote me a line that said "We have a amazing son together and so glad he was there to celebrate our day with us. We had the most dreamy day for our wedding and can't wait to spend the rest of our lives together". I do wish Katelyn and Michael the very best for their future together.

Suppliers list: 

1. Venue: Belleek Castle 

2. Photographer: Aidan Oliver Photography

3. Cake: Mayo Wedding Cakes

4.  Florists: McGarry Flowers

5. DJ: Midland Djs

6. Harpist: Daragh Gillen

7. Hair and makeup: Bella beauty

If you would love to chat about your wedding I would be delighted to sahy hello. You can contact me on 00 353 87 2861544, aidanoliverphoto@gmail.com or send me your details here: http://www.aidanoliver.ie/contact/

Colm and Silke's Borris House Wedding by Aidan Oliver Photography

Borris House in October is a rather wonderful setting and I have been meaning to blog about about Colm and Silke's wedding for a while now and here we are. As usual (and as I normally and happily expect) there was a good deal of emailing and conversation before we decided on a package to best suit the couple. After contacts were signed the time flew by and pretty soon the 7th October and the sumptious Autumn colours were upon us. Driving under the gate lodge I pulled in to take some photos and noticed some conkers (horse chestnut seeds) on the wall which brought me back to my childhood and the competitive games we used to play. The drive up to Borris House revealed itself gradually - I was heading for the saw mill where I knew Colm was staying close by, having driven up in his wonderfully refurbished Volkswagon Transporter camper van, it beaming out in royal blue. I noticed an ancient tree leaning toward a gate and immediately thought of a scene from LOTR (Lord of the Rings). There is so much to see around the estate, plenty of woodland walks which hold much character. The ice house itself looks almost like a mini Newgrange. 

Silke hails from Germany and Colm is from the capital and they both enjoy potholing or caving as it is known internationally. If I remember correctly this is where they initially met. I introduced myself to Colm and Silke then set about watching the day unfold moving back and forth between the couple, keeping my eyes peeled for interesting conversations, ongoing preparations and wedding day detail that would tell their story. The chapel on the grounds was being prepared for the ceremony so this provided for another focal point between bridal prep and other ancillary stuff Colm and the lads were looking after. The coffee van also arrived, we were ready to go.

After guests were refreshed and had been seated Silke appeared and greeted her dad at the end of the stairs. It was a rather touching moment, Silke wiping a tear from her dads eye. She was then driven with her bridal party and mum in the Transporter around the corner to the church. The ceremony was stunning, friends sang and played music, kind and light hearted words were spoken, there was a traditional hand binding and a tree planted, all symbols of the love this couple have for each other and the gestures made to celebrate it. The newly married couple were then driven back to the house in the Transporter (of course) for refreshments and to begin the celebrations.

Colm being a keen brewer had a couple of kegs lined up for guests to sample as the chatted around the Transporter. The weather was beautiful for early October, a warm sun lifted spirits higher as a selection of canapés and traditional teas were provided. There were kids of all ages at the wedding, some very young and it was lovely to see such inclusivity. We took some family family photos over near the couples favourite tree then and I took the couple for a brief walk as they wanted to spend as much time with their guests as possible prior to the meal. Colm and Silke said a few words outside when we arrived back and then everybody was called to sit for the meal. The remaining speeches were undertaken during the meal. 

I left the wedding party and headed back to dublin not before grabbing a photo of the imfamous camper van against the majestic Borris House. I wish Colm and Silke the very best for their future together. 

Supplier list

Photographer: Aidan Oliver Photography www.aidanoliver.ie

Wedding Venue: Borris House, borrishouse.com

Catering: Blackstairs Catering https://www.facebook.com/blackstairscatering/

Flowers: Tina from the thewildbunch.ie/

Hair and Make up: Christine http://snipsandlips.com/contact.aspx

Silke's Cape: Roisin Cross Silks http://silks.ie

Johnnie and Joanne's Dublin City Engagement Photo Shoot

Johnnie and Joanne are getting married this August in the picturesque Kenmare, Co Kerry and I can't wait to photograph this wedding. I suggested an engagement photo shoot to them last October when we met up (most couples chose me at least a year before they get married) and straight off the bat we got on well which is half of any battle when couples decide on a photographer and vice versa. 

Cue eight months later and we have fixed a date for their engagement shoot. Normally I give two options, urban or rural and they decided on an urban shoot. I knew there was a lot going on down the North East Quays heading towards the 3Arena, so we picked the coffee shop (you know the one!) adjacent to the Gibson Hotel as a meeting point and a 7:30 start. Eye opener coffee's were a requisite to start. 

We headed on a loop around the block, starting off on Mayor Street, took a left at Guild Street, a right onto North Wall Quay and back to the 3Arena. A couple of kilometres of a walk but with plenty to see. I am delighted that the old unfinished Anglo building is now under construction as the New Central Bank. It was an eyesore and a testament to the most ridiculous legacy we have ever seen in this country, period. Some of the images we captured included people as it was early morning, and people were going to work, some with suitcases, which means they had travelled here for that purpose. The IFSC (Irish Financial Services Centre) is close by. We also nipped onto the MV Cill Airne for a shot or two on this working restaurant boat which really made the shoot special. 

Simply put we, had a bit of fun and it shows in the shots I captured. That is the main reason why I am chosen as a photographer - I make it easy for people, I know what my art is so I bring a bit of excitement to each shoot. 

Later that night I took the Luas (Dublin's tram system) in to see Hans Zimmer right back to the 3Arena where I witnessed a concert of epic proportions. A very satisfying day overall.

Roll on August, Johnnie and Joanne - we will have some fun!. 

Quilter Cheviot & the RHA 185th Annual Exhibition Pre-show

Having photographed various Quilter Cheviot Investment Management events over the last couple of years I was invited along to capture the spirit of the latest Royal Hibernian Academy (RHA) 185th Annual Exhibition for a pre-show viewing in the Gallagher Gallery, 15 Ely Place, D2 on the 21st May. 

From the 10th to the 11th April just over 1,000 artists left in their paintings, drawings, prints, photographs and sculpture into the RHA for review by 8 members of the Academy whose job it was to select 10% of this overall work for show. To quote Patrick T Murphy (RHA Director) "The 185th RHA Annual Exhibition is like its predecessors, a magnanimous act of inclusion".

Having seen the fantastic work which went on show I have decided to submit a piece for inclusion into the 186th RHA Annual Exhibition. More information can be found regarding submissions here. Wish me luck!. 

The images below were provided courtesy of Quilter Cheviot and the RHA. The first image shows Mick O'Dea PRHA (far left) chatting to Quilter Cheviot executives and Patrick T Murphy. 

Photography: Aidan Oliver

Location: RHA, Gallagher Gallery, 15 Ely Place, D2

Sponsor: Quilter Cheviot