Dunluce Castle Elopement in Sage and White / Northern Ireland Wedding Photographers
Wedding or elopement photography in Northern Ireland usually falls into one of 2 categories - it’s pouring all over and we need to get family photos done indoors, or it’s cloudy and windy and we just need to roll on with it. The Irish coast definitely sets the mood for any shoot and dictates the overall aesthetic - just look at this engagement photos taken at exact same place 2 months earlier featuring lush greens and sunset! Nonetheless, here in Ireland, we are blessed with amazing castles, cliffs, and Celtic sea and that’s the set up for today's fine art editorial elopement with this gorgeous couple (see blog post for their engagement photos).
Elopements are such a great option for couples traveling to Ireland all year round. You’re guaranteed a breathtaking scenery, no-frills ceremony with only a few close family and friends present — or perhaps no one at all. Elopements have an overall better flexibility, budgeting options and of course, it’s just utterly romantic and special to read your private vows in a faraway land. One choice isn’t inherently better than the other; it’s an intensely personal decision, but I’m always glad couples stay true to themselves and trust me in photographing such a big moment.
Today's fine art wedding shoot at Dunluce Castle, Northern Ireland is an amazingly creative mixture of Charlotte’s vision combined with a set of skilled vendors, perfectly stylish Irish cottage, cliffs of North Coast, centuries-old castle and of course, a little help with planning from the photographer and a stunning couple. Beautifully flawless makeup by my favorite Sinead (Maid by Sinead), whom I trusted so many times and can’t recommend enough (Instagram @maidbysineadbridalmakeup). The dresses come from a local bridal shop in Lisburn (Instagram @ivyandwhitebride) which stocks the most amazing editorial and modern pieces you could ever dream of finding in Ireland. This one was designed by Bo & Luca (Instagram @boandluca), a luxury, an Australian brand. You can see every detail on Charlotte’s hair thanks to KellyAnn (Instagram @hairbykellyannjackson) and her skills in creating textured, relaxed hairstyles, absolutely perfect for a non-traditional and laid-back wedding. Beautiful, locally grown flowers created by Emma from Honeybee Blooms (Instagram @honeybee_blooms), always a pleasure to work with her in creating bespoke posies with attention to every detail. The kimono comes from the brad I had a pleasure to work with before in France, This Modern Love (Instagram @this_modern_love_bridal) which was my recommendation. It’s simply stunning, so delicate, handmade and perfect for the bridal preparation morning. The shoes were Charlotte’s something old, the veil came from Hello Precious Veils (Instagram @hellopreciousveils) and stationery from Ollies Studio (Instagram @olliesstudio). Photography, Paula from @hellosugar_photography
Tasha & Kurtis / Intimate Eco Irish Wedding at Slieve Aughty, Galway
There have been a few funny stories between the Weir family and me, but possibly the funniest one dates back to 2016, of how we met. I have never photographed a wedding at that stage, but I had 2 booked for late summer and autumn and I knew I want to pursue it. Tasha dropped me an email because she was pregnant and she liked the look of my baby photography. I wasn't overly professional at that stage, so I read her email exactly a month after she sent it. Boy, was I mad at myself. But if you ever talked to Tasha you know, that these small things are not a problem for her. She is a pure walking kindness.
The wedding has been now published at Love My Dress.
Natasha & Kurtis got married on the 30th of August in Slieve Aughty Centre in Galway, Ireland. They had an intimate, humanist, outdoor ceremony with only 25 guests. The ceremony was non-religious, without a script & tailored to meet their needs. It included oak tree planting, poem & vows reading and a ‘ring warming’ tradition, where the rings were passed around the guests and each was asked to warm them with their hands. Tasha & Kurtis are both vegans & environmentalists, therefore the food during the day was organic & vegan.
