30 Wedding Photographs that encapsulated 2016 by Aidan Oliver Photography

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

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

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!. 

Faith and Keith's Winter Wedding in the Heritage, Killenard

It was a showy wintry day, the 19th of December 2015 when Faith and Keith were married last Christmas. Their chosen venue was the Heritage in Killenard, about an hours drive from my home in West Dublin and a fairly straight run out the M7. 

I had met the lovely couple for the first time at the start of 2015 when we discussed their wants, wishes and wedding day. I was also in the middle of a house extension/renovation so that is how I remember this meeting well. There were looking for a photographer to capture the day as it unfolded with minimum intrusion, they wanted someone dependable, somebody who knows their art, more importantly, they wanted to spend precious time with their guests. Faith and Keith were impressed and I was booked shortly after. We met again in November 2015 for a wee chat and to go through the day as it was planned. Along with the wedding day discussions we discussed sending over my public liability insurance to Valerie in the OPW (Office of Public Works) as it was decided to grab a few shots in the grounds of EMO Court, post ceremony. 

The 19th, December arrived and while it was blustery and wet nothing mattered behind the doors of Killenard. Bridal preparations were ongoing and the spirit was high. A Child of Prague statue sat on the balcony table outside, in the hope that the weather might break for some shots outside. A few shots were captured here and the ladies were very relaxed. I left them enjoy a glass of bubbly before heading over to St Pauls Church in EMO, a short jaunt up the road. I caught some umbrella rain shots as guests arrived, heads down and bee-lines made for the comfort of the pews. Faith arrived shortly after her bridesmaids and it was not long before I witnessed her very proud dad John hand his beautiful daughter over to a beaming Keith. A fitting tribute was made to Faith's mum who passed away some years back. The ceremony ran short of an hour and (from the balcony) I snapped a lovely shot of Faith walking down the isle while a familiar guest touches her shoulder in very moving and comforting gesture. 

The lads had just finished writing 'just married' on the Rover coupe before we headed over to EMO Court, tin cans and all. We grabbed a few shots on the steps of this neo-classic mansion but unfortunately it was too windy to do much else. The same wind literally took the umbrella from Keith's grasp numerous times and this brought peals of laughter from the bridal party. Few shots captured and back to the hotel we went, bridal party in the Bentley Continental and Faith/Keith in the Rover. 

Back in the hotel the celebrations started, the cinema was setup just next to to the bar area and people wandered in and out to catch a running slideshow of the couples lifestyle over the years. I headed into the function room to capture some photos of the tables and the detail. I loved the Readers Digest books that formed part of the overall theme, and which stood on each table -  Archers 'As The Crow Flies' being one of my favourite novels.

There was one shot that I had suggested earlier that morning to the couple and they were well up for it. As Star Wars 'The Force Awakens' had just been released a couple of days earlier, and having managed to borrow my fiancé's illuminated Star Wars umbrella, it was proposed that this would make a great photo opportunity. Well it did and you can see the results in the last few shots of the collection below.

It was not long before the dinner bell rang out and you could tell by the quick step into the function room that people were hungry. Faith and Keith appeared shortly, Grace was said and it was my cue to leave, well satisfied that I had covered the day as best I could. What a day, what a fabulous couple. I wish them the very best for their future together. On the way out I passed by the signing frame that was well filled in, filled in with the best wishes for them both. I smiled and headed home.