International Weddings

Cora and Sean's Mount Juliet Wedding by Aidan Oliver Photography /  by Aidan Oliver Weldon

Cora and Sean are the perfect couple, and are honestly one of the most genuinely happy couples I have met in a long while. You'll see in the photos as you pan down the wedding collection. They were married in the postcard picturesque village of Inistioge, Kilkenny last October on a beautiful crisp Autumn day. Inistioge (the jewel of the west) is nestled in the Nore valley in which the river Nore winds an almost semicircle from Ballyduff to Woodstock and is surrounded by magical woodland and walks that take hours to complete, or you could just pop into the Woodstock Arm's, then O'Donnell's pub for a, (ahem!), coffee or latte. Woodstock Gardens and Arboretum, up the hill on the right is listed in Georgina Campbell's Ireland guide. You have many choices upon entering Inistioge, interesting ones, adventurous ones. 

The couple held their ceremony in Saint Columcille's Church in the village, literally side by side with St Mary's Church. Cora had asked for a shot of the empty church, i.e., before guests arrived and I always find solace in sussing out a venue pre arrival of the wedding party - it helps to create the framework in my mind for each and every individual wedding story. After a coffee in the quaint "circle of friends" cafe off I drove to Mount Juliet to meet the groom. Sean had stayed the night in Mount Juliet and was chatting to his Dad when I arrived. I captured a few photos of the Manor House and the groom with his Mum and Dad and headed off to Maidenhill, Kilkenny to meet the bride. 

Cora was as relaxed as can be and there was plenty to see and photograph so I watched and observed, took some time out to grab a few detail shots not forgetting to mention that her red dress was absolutely stunning, even more beautiful on Cora than I envisioned as it waited patiently upstairs. So unusual to see a bride move away from the norm, so refreshing. I wished them the best and headed back to Inistioge (yes, the miles were clocking up well!) to get guests arriving and see the lie of the land. There was plently of banter and Sean was enjoying being pulled left and right by his neices and nephews - they were as excited about the wedding as Sean. Cora arrived and most guests were settled in the church so a few adjustments (bride adjusting drivers necktie) and we were off. 

Ceremony over we grabbed some family shots in the village and then some relaxed couple shots agains the varied backgrounds in Inistioge. Back in the car we all headed to Mount Juliet where we took a few couple shots at the walled garden then they were chauffeured off back to the Manor as requested, and to enjoy the celebrations, the canapés and the people gathered. Spending time with their guests was a prerequisite and I just knew we had some lovely shots in the bag. I spent some time moving around watching guests engage in conversation and capturing this emotion. Speeches were pre-dinner and in the Manor House, the stairs providing the perfect arched podium for some very funny anecdotes. Dinner was called and guests took a stroll in the evening sunshine up to Kendals restaraunt. This is where the guests were treated to a real surprise with the food - it was a mixture of Moroccan, Italian and Irish food, cooked at stations, both laid out and also served to guests - the smells were enticing. You chose what you wanted, spoke to other guests regarding what they are getting and what might tickle your fancy. You could feel the energy in the room, people were excited about what to try next, and there was a giddy anticipation for more. There was of course a star dish, it being a succulent minature beef wellington that people kept going back for. I captured the atmosphere of this very personalised and entirely unique meal and headed back to Dublin. Cora did surprise me with a doggie bag of goodies for my trip home. I thanked them both for being such wonderful people.

I do wish Cora and Sean the very best for their future together they were made for each other.

Suppliers:

Photos: Aidan Oliver Photography

Venue: Mount Juliet

Dress: Miriam Rice

Grooms Suit: Louis Copeland

Makeup: Sarah Bateman

Hair: Antons hair Saloon

Church Flowers: Soah Flowers

 

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.

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

August Wedding Celebrations IN the Dean Hotel /  by Aidan Oliver Weldon

Think about getting married in Rotterdam, in Great St Lawrence Church - Grote of Sint- Laurenskerk, then the SS Rotterdam for a meal and celebrations. A couple of days later fly back to Ireland to have a celebration for the Irish, and then throw a christening into the mix while you are here?... well that it is exactly what Carl and Kim did in August just gone. Their little fellah Eoin was christened in Shankill earlier that day. 

I was asked to photograph the Irish celebrations part as I photographed Carls brothers (Micks) wedding a few years previously - which was a four day wedding and a magnificent one at that. The venue chosen was The Dean Hotel, Dublin's newest boutique hotel. If you have not been here so far well all I can say it that it is well worth a visit. The bridal suite was full of great music, books, and fabulous decor. Something to see around every corner and an ideal place to get ready for the ensuing party. Photographing the getting ready bit was wonderful, so much to capture, a lot to take in and process, quality problems for my good self as snapper!. I just love the B/W shot of Kim standing in the hallway of her room, right before she sprayed her hair. 

Room shots covered, we headed downstairs for a shot outside as I wanted to capture an image of them both through a passing Luas, to tie it all in with Harcourt Street and the Hotel.

Carl and Kim were well up for a little walk into Stephens Green for a couple of photos on the bridge, as Carl had noted the night before that a certain sliver of light passed through the trees around 19:15. It did bathe a streak of warm evening sunlight on the happy couple just as evening crowds ambled by with kids, shopping, life.

We then went back to the hotel for the celebrations, the dancing and some Dutch style selfies which I could not resist capturing. A little spin up to Sophies for a push on the swings and what about that captioned insect picture frame on the wall, done Irish style? - it was all there. What a thoroughly enjoyable wedding it was to photograph. I wish Carl, Kim and Eoin the very best for their future together.