Christina and Colm's SEPTEMBER 2016 Wedding by Aidan Oliver Photography /  by Aidan Oliver Weldon

Christina and Colm came over to Ireland last September from Canada to get married in magical Connemara. They held their civil ceremony in Clifden and I was asked to cover the reception side of their wedding which took place in Cashel House Hotel, just off the N59 Maam to Clifden road. September in Clifden, well you may take the weather with a pinch of salt and this day was a mixed one with that post rain smell lifting the senses and freshening things up a notch. The sun even made an appearance late in the evening which was most welcome.

Cashel House as a backdrop is absolutely beautiful, nestled against the rocks and directly across from the shores of Cashel Bay, a real retreat from the bustle of Clifden and similar townships. The wedding planner Christina and Colm chose was Samantha Harding and I've yet to see a more passionate person look after a wedding. Everything was finished to an absolute T and I really must do a separate blog about the flowers at some stage as they were the most beautiful seasonal arrangement of flowers, stems berries and leaves. 

I had taken a stroll around the grounds of Cashel House earlier during the day and had noticed the wonderful herb garden along with an overgrown walkway up steps and into a canopied clearing that very much reminded me of a jungle. When the lovely couple arrived post ceremony at 17:05 we took this route for a stroll and as always I captured as unobtrusively as possible, letting the newly married chat about their day and have a bit of fun. It's funny, many couples tell me that they really value this small bit of time on their own, a chance to recap on the day and the busy weeks that have led up to this point. 

A few family photos were captured, dinner was served, Colm and friends sang as a Barbershop Quartet and Christina shed a tear whilst they performed. I thanked them for being wonderful to work with, wished them the very best for their future and headed back to Dublin, and all along much reminiscing about the day that really had just flown.

Suppliers:

Photography: Aidan Oliver Photography

Venue: Cashel House Hotel

Wedding Planner: Samantha Harding Events

If you are getting married and would like to have a chat about your wedding day give me a call on 087 2861544 or 01 4602617. Alternatively fill in the contact form here and I'll get back to you immediately.

30 Wedding Photographs that encapsulated 2016 by Aidan Oliver Photography /  by Aidan Oliver Weldon

2016 was a great year wedding photography year for Aidan Oliver Photography. It was a year that I traveled north, south, east and west to capture some rather unique ceremonies and celebrations. One of my favourite weddings of 2016 was Lynda and Jeroen's wedding which took place in Killyon Manor in Meath, nestled between Boardsmill in Trim and Kinnegad, Westmeath. Their ceremony was held in the island forest adjacent to the Manor and it was pure magic. Mayo beat Tyrone in the All-Ireland football quarter-final that very day and Lynda's friends from the Heather County (while glamping it out later) tuned in to the game that afternoon, post ceremony. I captured a few choice expressions from the ladies as the points were scored...and chances lost, emotions were high let me just say. 

I was also chuffed to be asked by my friend and awesome wedding photographer Leanne Keaney to assist at a wedding she was shooting in Kinsale at the end of May. Leanne was expecting a few months later and wanted a wingman to help take the pressure off. The wedding was a sheer delight to photograph if only due to the fact that you get to be a tad more creative by taking time to see more, to mingle, to observe. I focused on the lads getting ready in Actons Hotel, the walk from Actons to the church and guests arriving, drinks outside the landmark Greyhound pub & market bar post ceremony, all in the glorious sunshine, the craic, and much more. Both myself and the blonde made a weekend of it. We were told not to leave without eating at the Black Pig & Bruno's restaurants - we did on alternate nights and were not dissappointed. 

Another memorable wedding was Cora and Sean's wedding, the ceremony which was held in the RC Church in the picturesque Inistioge, a number of miles from Kilkenny City and in the Nore valley. What a beautiful village, what a happy couple to photography, as content as I have met over the year. They wrote me an unprompted Facebook review which went as follows: 

"Aidan completed the photography for our wedding in October. We only booked him a few weeks beforehand after receiving a recommendation. What an excellent recommendation it was. 

We wanted an easy going photographer to do a documentary style shoot, with minimal amount of time spent posing and maximum amount of time with our guests. Aidan listened and understood our requirements from the outset. He is a consummate professional, with a fantastic manner. Family commented how easy he was to have around the house as he was not at all imposing in our space. He created a very relaxed atmosphere. 

The end result was excellent photos, which we were very happy with. When I printed some of them out, the printer asked me who the photographer was, as he said it was abnormal for a wedding photographer to provide so many consistently high quality shots. 

I would highly recommend Aidan as a wedding photographer."

Now that 2016 is over I have shortlisted 30 images below from throughout the year that I have enjoyed capturing during my various weddings - not all made the cut but this does not mean they are better of worse, the 30 below just made more of an impression on me throughout the year.

All that is left for me to do is to wish everybody a very happy, prosperous and content 2017 and I thank the universe for enabling me to pursue a career that gives me such immense satisfaction. 

Finally, if you are looking for a photographer to capture your special day in a unique style and most importantly want a documentary photographer who is seasoned, who is unobtrusive and accommodating just give me a call on 087 2861544/01 460 2617 or email me at aidanoliverphoto@gmail.com. I'd be delighted to have a chat and see where it takes us. You can also fill in a request form here.

 

Here is an excellent article on how to edit wedding Wedding Photos from the folk at ShootDotEdit:

As a wedding photographer, editing photography is one of the responsibilities that comes with the job. Knowing how to edit wedding photos is a time-consuming, stressful, and tedious part of your post-wedding workflow. Here at ShootDotEdit, our mission is to empower the success and increase the profit of professional wedding photographers. And because of that, we know your time is better spent on things you love to do (meeting clients and vendors, shooting) rather than on wedding edits.

Jennifer and Scott's Intimate Spring Wedding at the National Gallery /  by Aidan Oliver Weldon

I was contacted by Jennifer early this year (February to be exact) to see if I was interested in photographing both herself and hubby to be Scott's wedding on the 31st March. I replied sending back relevant information, including links to real weddings and the next email I received was to see if I could be booked - always a pleasure to be booked so early and on the strength of images and a brief written response. Five weeks later Jennifer, Scott, Mum and Dad and Jennifer's two daughters arrived all the way from Salt Lake City, Utah and the stage was set for an intimate wedding in the National Gallery - a first for me to have photographed there so you can just imagine, I was very excited. 

As a photographer I get to see and photograph many old buildings and the National Gallery being a first, the Hone room in particular, overlooking the junction of Clare street, Lincoln Place and Leinster Street South, presented itself exactly as I would have envisaged a fashionable Georgian building of its time. 

The ceremony was conducted by Rev Ann Cannon an interfaith minister based in Dublin. This involved presenting gifts, hand binding, eating bread and some words - little rituals that help us connect, help us celebrate, help us understand. There were tears of joy, tears of remembrance.

We listened to a reading from John O'Donohue's 'Benedictus'. It went like this:

"As Spring Unfolds the dream of the earth,                                                                                                     May you bring each others hearts to birth.

As the ocean finds calm in view of land,
May you love the gaze of each other’s mind.

As the wind arises free and wild,
May nothing negative control your lives.

As kindly as moonlight might search the dark,
So gentle may you be when light grows scarce.

As surprised as the silence that music opens,
May your words for each other be touched with reverence.

As warmly as the air draws in the light,
May you welcome eah other’s every gift.

As elegant as dream absorbing the night,
May sleep find you clear of anger and hurt.

As twilight harvests all the day’s color,
May love bring you home to each other."

Once the ceremony was over we headed next door for a few photos on the modern balcony which had just been constructed. I have included a few photos of this part of the in this post - all in black and white, my favourite way to shoot. 

The wedding party then headed to Peploe's restaurant for something special.

Three months later this wedding still echoes in my mind as very special, a ceremony that will remain fresh in my thoughts for a long time to come.  

 

Minister: Rev Ann Cannon

Location: National Gallery of Ireland. Contact Sinead Leahy on: 01 6633512

Photographer: Aidan Oliver Photography

Reception: Peploe's Wine Bistro

Johnnie and Joanne's Dublin City Engagement Photo Shoot /  by Aidan Oliver Weldon

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!.