Stunning Wedding Photography From Windy Donegal
Looking for wedding inspiration for your big day? Have a look at Jayne & Ryan’s super wedding that starts in County Derry. Beginning in Limavady, then goes through Greysteel & Faughanvale and ends up in County Donegal at the fab Redcastle Hotel.
I’ve been looking forward to Jayne & Ryan’s wedding for such a long time. They were super keen to book me and had me booked for their wedding photography for over two years prior to their big day. After an engagement shoot in Limavady and a few visits at different wedding fayres, I knew them quite well leading up to the big day.
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My own day began in Limavady with Ryan for groom preps. Ryan’s home was full of craic. Everyone was glad to see me except for Ryan’s little doggie. Although, I think I won him over in the end. I survived with all my fingers.
Next was Jayne at her home in Greysteel. Jayne’s house was even more fun. (Sorry boys, you were good but the girls were better.) Jayne’s bridesmaids and family were there and having the best wedding morning ever. The vibes were so good and everyone was having so much fun.
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Shoutout to Jayne’s mum, Samantha who was such a big help on the day. Keeping me right with all the details and moving the wedding dress for me. It’s a lot of pressure for the mums, especially when it’s your only girl that’s getting married. Thanks Samantha, you’re a star.
After a lovely morning with Jayne and her family, it was off to Star of the Sea in Faughanvale for the ceremony.
Father McDermott, one of the nicest priests I’ve ever come across was the celebrant and was there to ensure that Jayne & Ryan were comfortable and relaxed. He’s always so good with the couples. There is a lovely moment during the lighting of the candles where Father McDermott was at his best. Have a look through the photos for some laughs.
Wedding Photographers In Donegal
After a beautiful ceremony and handshakes, we jumped right into family photos. We did this inside the church. I light these myself with big professional lights and there is a little work involved getting everything right. It’s a little slower than doing them outside in the ambient light or running and gunning with the flash on the camera. I think these are super important to get right. If they were my photos, I’d be most interested in these.
I think the results are much better with the setup and worth the extra effort. I usually keep the family photos private and you’ll not see them on my blogs so if you want to see any, you’ll have to make friends with Jayne and Ryan. I’m sure they will be blown up and put in big frames in their house.
County Derry Wedding Photographer
Soon we were on the road again but we weren’t heading to the Redcastle, we were heading backwards to go to Limavady to visit Ryan’s granny who couldn’t make it to the wedding. I think this was just a fab idea. Whenever the years roll by, these photos will be only remembered and well worth taking a little time out of the day. We took a few pictures and I left the couple to have some time to themselves with Ryan’s granny.
So, in Friday evening traffic and the Foyle Bridge down to one lane, surprisingly we didn’t arrive too late at the Redcastle Hotel.
During the drive, I was on the phone (handsfree!) to the Redcastle wedding coordinator, Margaret Mary. I was keeping her in the loop with when we were on the road and traffic updates.
The traffic was my biggest fear ahead of the wedding. Ballykelly & Greysteel are always crazy busy with traffic. Imagine the couple getting stuck in traffic and having to arrive late at their wedding reception? That would be a disater. Thankfully, we were good with time.
After arriving at the Redcastle Hotel, we got stuck into the bridal party shoot.
Limavady Wedding Photography
Did I mention that at around this time, there were gale force winds that just arrived out of nowhere? OMG. Apart from being on top of a mountain, I’ve never experienced anything like it. I honestly don’t know how Jayne’s veil stayed on. If it had gone into the sea, Jayne would have got it back because I’m pretty sure she would have thrown me into the water after it!
Fair play to everyone, the bridal party shoot was a bit hectic and very windy but we managed to get some nice shots and I know everyone enjoyed the chaos of it all.
A big massive shoutout to Aimee, one of Jayne’s bridesmaids. She was so much fun and I had so much banter with her which kept the craic going for everyone. Aimee was fab all day looking after Jayne. (Apart from the time she nearly pulled the veil off and the time I had to fix the dress.) See, I’m still doing it. Haha. Really, thanks Aimee, you’re the best!
Back inside to the warmth of the Redcastle Hotel, we had speeches which were so funny. After so many weddings, I still love photographing the speeches, lots of great opportunities for nice shots and the stories that I try not to listen to are so much fun.
Weddings At Redcastle Hotel Donegal
Between the dinner and the dancing, we had an opportunity to go up to the bridal suite for a few pictures. We got some more nice shots. It’s also a chance for the couple to catch their breath before all the evening entertainment begins.
Next up was the first dance. I always stay for half an hour. It gets the first dance, the father of the bride dance and some nice shots of the guests on the dance floor.
The craic was brilliant on the dance floor. Everyone was having the best time.
A little later, all the guests were invited outside for a “group photo”. After a few minutes there was a big bang in the sky. Jayne & Ryan had surprised their guests with fireworks! What a nice surprise for everyone and a really nice touch from the bride and groom.
After the show, I said my goodbyes and that was the end of the photography coverage.
Congrats again to Jayne and Ryan. Such a sweet couple. Thanks so much for having me as your wedding photographer.
