Kildare Wedding Photography At The Abbey

They say when you meet the one that one life isn’t enough and as a Kildare wedding photographer I really hope theres a multiverse so these two can meet over and over again.

I first met Alison And Oisin during their pre wedding session in Dublin,s Memorial Gardens. From that moment I knew they were my kinda people. They laugh like they're teenagers and look at each other like none else in the world matters and as a documentary wedding photographer thats all you can hope for in your images the people are just unapologetically themselves.

The sun was shining with a little cloud in the sky. The setting was The Abbey in Kildare. The giggles coming from the elegant and modern suite that the bridal party stays in the night before the wedding. Who I walked in Alison came and gave me the biggest hug and with a nervous look on her face I asked was she ok to which she replied now you here it all just got a little real! Oisin on the other hand just cracked open the champagne with his best men and chilled on the balcony of his separate suite.

The Abbey is located in Athy, Kildare just off the N7 motorway about 60 mins from Dublin and as an Abbey wedding photographer this iconic period building has been transformed into an exclusive-use space only hosting one wedding per day, featuring an enchanting 18th-century chapel, a stunning ballroom, 38 beautiful bedrooms, and two opulent wedding suites inspired by the finest decor from around the world. In house catering which I can definitely vouch that the food is amazing!!! With two private courtyards and lots of guest parking the Abbey has it all. and I as a Kildare wedding photographer its one of my favourite venues ive gotten to capture some amazing memories in my unique documentary style photography.

With a guard of honour from the Irish Defences Forces waiting for them as they exited the ceremony. As a Kildare wedding photographer I was there to capture all the hugs, the laughs and the occasional guest stuffing some canopies down when they thought no one was watching (yes I will photograph you eating canopies but rest assured you can enjoy your dinner in peace ha). We even had some confetti but top tip for confetti even when you think you have enough get more !!!!

As Oisin & Alison entered the room as husband and wife for the first time everyone was up on their feet to what seems kinda traditional now is to swing napkins in the air. we got down to the speeches and boy was that room full of giggles and a few tears, a documentary wedding photographers dream.

On to dancing as an all the guest gathered around the newly weds. the abbey is unique in the sense it can actually offer two rooms for your evening. you can chose to stay in the ballroom or have everyone party in the chapel. which as you can see from the photos these two decided to stay in the ballroom but that didn’t stop all the friends and family cheer them on as they slow danced to one direction’s “little things”. Random pointing, lifting people up, throwing hands in the air and at one point having a catch a sugar cube in your mouth competition (dont ask). Even after I had gone this lot carried on late into the night with Oisin sending me photos the next day of them doing the limbo under the swords for the guard of honours, sound lads thanks haha. I wish these two the best of luck in everything they do and the album is looking so good and i’ll hopefully see you both soon. thank you to the abbey for always looking after me and if you would lie to book them for your wedding I highly recommend you do!!!

Why I Photograph Close up To Get The Images You’ll Love

Castleknock Hotel Wedding - Fujifilm XT-5 + Xf 18mm 1.4

There is a famous quote in the photography world - “If your photos aren’t good enough you’re not close enough” by the legendary and often mythologised war photographer and founder of Magnum Photo Agency - Robert Capa

When I first picked up a camera I always wanted my images to be about something instead of just something. When starting out I would photograph landscapes, you know churches, ruins, Poolbeg (if you don’t know Poolbeg is the famous red and white chimney stacks located on the south side of Dublin City). But this didn’t or couldn’t hold my attention cos it’s not what drove me. As a documentary Cavan wedding photographer I quickly realised why that didn’t hit me as a creative the way I wanted it to. I wanted to be know for something more, to give people something they could cherish to leave something behind and in those first few weddings I felt I was always holding back, like I was shooting the wedding from the outside. Now my coupes loved their photos and I did a good job but I wanted more from me as a photographer and I think that comes deep from my childhood more likely my teenage years into my 20s when I just wanted more from my life. My expectation of myself is always so high and sometimes Kerri (my better half) has to be the voice of reason for me, but for me I always have to be better not only for me but for my couples the ones who put their trust in me.

Dublin City Hall Wedding - XT-3 +Xf 18mm 1.4

My favourite lens I’ve owned as a documentary wedding photographer is the fujifilm Xf 18mm 1.4. This lens changed everything for me. It’s the equivalent of a 28mm focal length in full frame terms and to the non photography folk thats kinda like the 1.2x on your iPhone. So why 28mm ? This lens made me realised I needed to get closer to my subjects to be able to make people feel like they were back there at the moment of the photo, to get more of the story in the frame but also allowing me to crop if I needed to. whats out of the frame is sometimes as important as whats in the frame. As my mentor Phil Salisbury says crop it until you think you’re right and crop it some more. If you want to see more how I approach your wedding day then click here. The couples I tend to attract are people who love photos but hate posing. Fun Couples who want to do things differently like Suzanne & Ross’ crazy fun wedding in The Medley in Dublin on new years eve. For couples that look for timeless, moment driven photos that can be passed down to future generations.

Shoot How It Feels, Not How It Looks

This is so important to me as a Cavan wedding photographer. That myself and my couples are on the same page. If you want me to have you posed in every nook and cranny in your wedding venue you then I might not be the photographer for you. Now don’t get me wrong I will do some portraits I’ll always take my couples on a wander around the venue just a quick 10-15min break from the chaos but what want for my couples is for the in between moments to become their new favourite memories. That’s what drives me thats what I want my wedding photography remembered for.

Marlfield House Wedding - Fujifilm XT-5 + Xf 18mm 1.4

Like this tender moment between between Megan and her mom in one room and her sister Amy getting her make-up done in the adjacent room. for context as a wexford wedding photographer I’m backed right up against the wall in the hallway with the two rooms split by the door frame. Patiently waiting for things to line up and sometimes thats all you need to do as a moment driven photographer is to wait and let it unfold in front of you and thankfully thats what happened here. It doesn’t always pan out but thats ok the more you do this the more you'll see the moments that your couples will come to love. thank you for reading this far and enjoy a few more images

Like What You See? Click Below And Let’s Chat About Your Wedding plans

New Years Eve Wedding Photography At The Medley Dublin

Medley is a unique wedding venue housed in a renowned Dublin landmark – the Old Irish Times Building on Fleet Street. Located in one of the city’s most historic districts and surrounded by the impressive architecture of Fleet Street, College Green and Trinity College, the venue has been extensively refurbished to the most exacting standards while retaining its warmth and charm. This was the setting for Suzanne and Ross’ epic New Years Wedding.

Medley’s stunning mezzanine area comfortably seated all 100 odd guests, in fact it offers seating from 6 up to 150 with additional space to seat a further 100 downstairs. They can accommodate up to 350 after-dinner guests in total, so nobody has to miss out on your big day. The experienced team of friendly and dedicated staff will work with you to plan your party and coordinate every detail on the day and Dave and the team were on point and can’t be faulted in any way.

Choosing Moya Corcoran an accredited humanist celebrant to marry them. Moya’s chilled and relaxed nature matched them so well and was well and truly a match for Ross’ cheeky nature ha. A stunning ceremony that had one of Suzanne’s oldest friend singing them in and on the exit of their ceremony. There was plenty of laughs throughout and a brilliant way to spend a New Year’s Eve in Dublin.

If you’re planning a wedding and you really, really want to wow your guests, hold it in Medley. There’s no wedding venue like it in Dublin City. Medley is housed in the old Irish Times printing press and has been beautifully preserved in all its unique charm. It is one the most historically significant landmarks in Dublin, opposite Bowes pub where you can have a quick pint before the wedding party starts. With a Mezzanine floor above, the space is flexible and can be arranged to suit your wedding on the day.

The themes of international cuisine resonate in Medley with special menus created specifically for your event. There’s a dish preparation area where you can see Andrew and his team performing their magic, a great cocktail bar stocked with famous labels and exclusive vintages and, wait, is that a dance floor?

Yes it is. As soon as AndreaJones sax player and the dj got going there was no stoping the chaos. the bells hit midnight and the crowd went wild and I loved every second of it!!!! Than yo to Suzanne and Ross for trusting me with their day it was FECKING AWESOME!

Let’s Work Together.

Like every wedding photographer on the planet this is what we live for and if we could we would shoot weddings 365 days a year but that’s physically impossible. So if you think I'm the one for you? Don’t delay and ensure your date is available as space is limited. Instagram or Facebook will be the quickest response but for booking please fill in the form from the link below and check your spam cos your reply could end up there, I'm so excited to see what we can create together.