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

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.

Anita and Conor's August Wedding in Castle Durrow

Anita and Conor were married in Durrow this August just gone. Anybody who is familiar with Durrow knows that not just is it a quaint little village with a wonderful castle right smack in the middle of its centre - but that it hosts equally wonderful creative Scarecrow Festival every year. I though it fitting to start and finish with a shot from this festivals entries as a tribute to what you see when you enter and leave. I also made a little trip to the Church as I normal like to get the lie of the land if it has been a while since I've been there last. 

Photographing the bridal preparations is made much easier when you have a large room with plenty of light and the natural backdrop of the castle gardens always provide great scenery to muse over, loose a minute or two. It was a very relaxed affair, and I even managed to nip over to Conor's room to grab a few photos of himself to tie all it in nicely. 

The lovely couple were married locally in Cullahill Church by the wonderful father Tom McGree who by all accounts was a lively priest for his 75 years of age. The ceremony was celebrated with smiles and genial laughter. A quick greet post ceremony and we all headed back to Durrow for an outside reception in the blistering sun. I love watching people, having a laugh, a joke and just generally interacting. We took some informal photos of the families and bridal party then headed in when called for the meal, through the garden pavilion and to the banqueting hall. 

Speaking of food, much of the castles organically grown produce is used for their weddings fare and the very same gardens are a joy to see in seasonal bloom, August being no different. Food is their speciality here so it is important to see everyone sat in time as it can be a long day. 

Grace was said and my day was done. I had a tasty bite to eat in the main bar and back off to Dublin I went, delighted and honoured to be able to have captured Anita and Conor's wedding. I wish them the very best for their future together.