Belleek Castle Summer Wedding by Aidan Oliver Photography / August 25, 2018 by Aidan Oliver Weldon

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/

Claire and Ruairi's Wedding Adventure in Derryleckagh House / May 5, 2017 by Aidan Oliver Weldon

When I say "what a February 2017 wedding adventure", I mean it. This was all about a step into an old ruin of a house on the bride (Claire's) dad's land post ceremony. It was wet, dark and slightly treacherous but it was fun and not just different for sake of it - it was personal. I was up for a change of scene as were the bride and groom, there were many memories in that house, family memories and as a fearless photographer who loves a good story, it was to provide the backdrop for later, maybe even defining their day as the perfect photographic memento, and an adventure into the recent past.

I travelled from Dublin up to the townland of Derryleckagh to capture Claire for her bridal preparations, which were well under way when I arrived. I had visited the church (Mayobridge) to get an empty pew photo before checking out Derryleckagh and heading to Claire's parents. It was a jaunt up the road and I was well on time. There was a definite buzz happening which was noticed, and bridesmaids Amy and Niamh were in control of the situation!. I busied myself taking it all in while melding into the background and watching. I heard it mention that the ladies were up until all hours the night before but it certainly did not show in expressions or energy, that is the benefit of youth for you. Fiona, the makeup artist had her illuminated makeup mirror ready to go and it provided the catchlight for one or two gorgeous photos of the ladies. Pretty soon the cars arrived (one and Austin Westminster and the second a Beauford) and I left the smiles, laughter and banter for Mayobridge.

Sure enough, the lads had just arrived and I caught them climbing the steps, all dapper in the drizzle and weather that it was. Ruairi is a character and I caught a great shot of his sister in law (to be) dusting his jacket whilst greeting guests as they arrived. The weather would clear later, I knew it, I was confident. Ceremony over, we took some photos outside the Church and the guests scarpered to their cars and made a beeline to the reception. Bride and Groom, videographer and myself and headed to Derryleckagh for the fab photos that were envisioned. It took a bit of help to get Claire into the ruins and by the time we had taken our shots the rain outside had abated; result!. As I mentioned at the start Derryleckagh is a special kind of place and we did well to grab what we could inside the ruins as there was water dripping down and broken glass everywhere. The natural stone depth of the the window provided a super directional fall off in light for a few shots of the newly married - they looked so content, beaming in their youth. The excellent videographers (Declan and Caoimhe) from Filmitstudios requested a few shots outside Derryleckagh and I hung on the periphery taking the occasional shot when I spotted an ideal situation.

Photos over, we then went to the reception which was held in Darver Castle, Readypenny, a twenty something mile jog across the border off junction 16 on the M1. Mary (proprietor) was waiting with a couple of glasses of bubbly. The couple relaxed for a while and I headed to the function room to see and capture the layout. People were at this stage gathered in the ample reception rooms, orangerie and bar so there was some craic and conversation captured. We then flew through the family shots, Filmitstudios grabbed a few couple shots and then it was soon time for the meal. Everyone settled, the speeches started and they were brilliant, some real gems of statements and the wedding party was set alive and kicking. Claires uncle's Birthday was not missed and Claire presented her uncle with a birthday hat (and cake). I left them dancing to the tune of the fiddler and headed back to Dublin, delighted with day that had just flown. I wish them the very best for their future together.

The wedding gallery is just below: