As a destination wedding photographer, I get to travel to some beautiful places and this was certainly the case when I captured Niamh and Jon’s wedding in Galway, Ireland.  

On the day, I first caught up with Jon and his grooms party who were getting ready at Glenlo Abbey Hotel, which is where the wedding reception was taking place.  Jon was in the safe hands of his grooms’ party, and the boys were all in good spirits as they made their final preparations.  They all looked very smart in dark blue three-piece suits from Next with gold ties.  

I then shot over to Niamh mum’s house to catch up with her and her bridal party.  The house was buzzing with excitement, in attendance were Niamh, her sister/maid of honour, her parents, her bridesmaids and her flower girls.  Along with a hairstylist, a make-up artist and one very unobtrusive destination wedding photographer, there to capture those all-important morning of the wedding images.    

Niamh looked stunning in a simple yet striking dress with a sabrina neckline, low back and column shaped skirt that gently fanned out giving Niamh a stunning silhouette in all of my images.  Though the crowning glory was a statement cape that added a touch grandeur to the dress.   The look was complemented with a pretty gypsophila garland and a bouquet of gorgeous flowers with green foliage.  

Experienced Destination wedding photographer in Ireland 

Niamh’s sister/maid of honour and mum both wore pale blue and looked so elegant.   There were also three very sweet flower girls in rose gold.  We got some great images of the bridal party before heading off to St Patrick’s Church for the wedding ceremony.  With Niamh, her mum and dad and her sister travelling there is style in a gorgeous VW safari style campervan. 

St Patrick’s Church is a pretty little roman catholic church built in 1880.  It has a rich history and with a busy calendar and lots of community work, remains today as relevant to the community as it has always been.   Churches can be dark spaces for wedding photographers, but St Patrick’s white walls and beautiful stained-glass windows threw light around the church.  That I played with to create even more beautiful images.  Us destination wedding photographers do love our light! 

After a lovely ceremony, there was a chance to take some fantastic candid images of Niamh and Jon’s guests mingling outside, and a few gorgeous portrait images of Niamh and John in front of the church.  As guests made their way to Glenlo Abbey Hotel for the reception, I travelled with Niamh and John to the beach, for a mini photoshoot and got some great images. 

We then got back into the VW Campervan and headed to Glenlo Abbey Hotel to continue our photoshoot around their beautiful grounds and gardens. It is super duper fancy, I could get used to having all doors opened for me. Our photoshoot included a visit to The Pullman Restaurant, an award-winning restaurant which compromises of two of the original carriages from the Orient Express.  Beautifully restored, they sit within the grounds of the hotel, and made for some truly unique wedding photos.

We then rejoined Niamh and Jon’s guests who’d been enjoying a drinks reception.  They lined up at the entrance for a fun confetti moment using a confetti canon.  There was a lot of confetti, which meant that the images were great, but just about everybody got covered in it, including the entire venue.  

Storytelling destination wedding photography in Galway.

The wedding reception was held in The Corrib Room.  This elegant suite has panoramic views overlooking the idyllic and serene Lough Corrib Lake below.  The tables had been dressed beautifully with crisp white linen, floral arrangements and characterful candles on candelabras.   Niamh and Jon were welcomed in to rapturous applause from their guests.  

Everybody then enjoyed a sumptuous wedding breakfast supplied by Glenlo Abbey Hotel’s talented team of in-house chefs.  And there were also some very well presented speeches.  During which I took my chance to get some great candid images of the guests relaxing and enjoying themselves.  

Evening celebrations started with the cutting of a ‘Colin the Caterpillar’ cake.  (Who doesn’t love a Colin?) which was one of an array of delicious cakes on offer.  This was followed by a romantic first dance.  And with a live band, it wasn’t long before Niamh and Jon were joined on the dance-floor.  Niamh and Jon’s guests were definitely up for a party, and I bravely took to the dance-floor to get some great images.  

Destination wedding photography is always a pleasure to capture, especially at lovely weddings like Niamh and Jon’s.  Congratulations to both of you and thank you for allowing me to tell the story of your gorgeous wedding in Galway. 

Suppliers list;

Bridal hair, Collette Costello Bridal.

Bridal party makeup, Triona lyons make up artist.

Flowers & bouquet, Cleggan Farm Flowers.

Bride's dress with cape, Rachel Burgess Bridal Boutique.

Wedding Jazz band, Lewd Tunes.

Reception wedding venue, Glenlo Abbey.

VW safari bus, Costello's bus hire.

Video - Mint videos.