No one does castle weddings like Ireland. Ireland has a huge choice of incredible castles all around the country available for weddings. I covered one such gorgeous wedding at the castle of Athlone a few months back. It was Hazel and Paul who got married like royalty at this majestic castle and gave me the opportunity to photograph their precious and private moments.

Months later, an incredibly talented local artist named Anna Boles created a beautiful painting out of one of my photographs, which happens to be the couple’s favorite picture from their wedding. Here they are standing and kissing each other on a part of the castle tower with the Irish flag flying high above. This photograph is one of my favorites too. I am honored that this picture got so much attention and coverage. I am thankful to Anna Boles for turning this lovely photograph into a lovelier painting.

Recently, I got the chance to speak with Anna Boles about her life, her art, and how she came about painting the image for Hazel and Paul.  Here’s what she had to say:

Artistic Renderings of Wedding Photos with Anna Boles

Can you tell me about yourself?  How long have you been an artist?  When did you move to the Midlands?   

I have been painting since I was 4 years old. I always had a pencil or paintbrush in my hand and was hugely passionate about it from a very young age. All I ever wanted to be was an artist and this was always my answer to the question ‘what do you want to be when you grow up’. I’m blessed to have achieved that wish in my life. I was always recognized as having a unique gift in school when it came to art. I started to get commissions from people at around the age of 15 and it progressed from there. I went on to study Art & Graphic Design. I continued to paint throughout. 

I moved to Athlone from Dublin over 12 years ago with my husband Phillip when our first child Jake was just three weeks old. We went on to have two more children, Katie & Sophie. Athlone is home to me, and I love the beautiful inspiration the town gives me through its beauty and nature. I constantly see beauty in the landscape to paint and I don’t think I’ll ever get tired or bored of what Athlone has to offer scenery-wise. 

The people of Athlone are really kind to me and have always supported me for my work. I’ve had several exhibitions here so far. I’ve also been doing a calendar for the past 3 years. I paint the scenes of Athlone for the calendar. The calendars get posted all over the world to the Athlonian people and their families as a little piece of home away from home. Each year, I give away the money raised from calendar sales to the local charities in Athlone. These charities include South Westmeath Hospice, Pieta house and Barnardo’s of Athlone. I’m also a member of Athlone Musical Society since 2015 and have done several shows with them. However, I’m now on the stage for a different reason. I am there these days as a scenic artist painting the set! It was something I always had a huge interest in, so when the opportunity came up to paint the set a few years ago I jumped at the chance. Since then I have been painting the set for the Athlone musicals and pantos. It’s great fun and a huge challenge which I love.

What do you like most about your job?

The creative freedom. I love being able to express myself through what I love the most. The challenge of a new commission piece, the fact I can get lost in my own mind and alone in a creative way that gives me calmness and clarity to deal with certain emotions I may be struggling with in my mind. I truly believe painting is my therapy that helps me keep myself balanced. It’s a necessity for me and I adore it. The beauty of this is that I get to do this and help my mind, and, at the same time produce something that makes others feel happy. They receive a little bit of magic from my work. That, to me, is priceless and I will forever be grateful for the capability I have to make someone feel positive and happy. I feel blessed to be able to bring back a fond memory for them through my paintings.

Tell me a little about the portrait that you did from Hazel and Paul’s wedding?  

Hazel’s mother Maureen got in touch with me, asking if I would paint an image for her of her daughter and her husband on their wedding day. It was a surprise gift for her daughter from Maureen for Christmas. She sent me the beautiful photo taken by Liam Kidney on their wedding day. The photograph depicts a beautiful view of Athlone with the Irish flag flying high above Athlone castle where a newly married couple stand. I was delighted to be asked to work on such a beautiful commission piece. It’s great to be a painter, even when you are asked to paint a photograph the way it looks, you still have the creative freedom to enhance the shades and make it look livelier. In this case, I was able to create a blue sky even though in the photo it looked dull. I could also make the Irish flag look a bit more fluent and flowing. That’s the magic and beauty of painting and the freedom you get with it. The person tells you a story and my job is to make that story come alive with my paints. Of course, the painting would never have been created, had it not been for the knowledge and skill of a photographer who was able to capture and produce such a beautiful photograph.

Did the couple like the result?

They loved the result! Maureen sent me a beautiful photo on Christmas day with the very happy couple holding their new painting. It was so lovely to see. The painting got a great reaction from the public, in fact, our lovely Mayor here in Athlone, Frankie Keena, presented a framed print of it as a gift to the Indian Ambassador to Ireland, Mr. Sandeep Kumar, on his visit to Athlone on the 6th of March 2020. I’m so proud to be able to represent this beautiful town through my paintings and art. It’s a total privilege.

Is this something you have done before or offer future couples going forward?

I’ve been asked quite a few times to paint couples on their wedding day, so it wasn’t my first time to do something like this. In fact, I was also painting another commission at the same time as I painted this piece of another married couple walking across Athlone town bridge hand in hand. Athlone people seem to be very romantic! Lol. I always love receiving these types of commissions.

Any funny stories to share about your business?

…Hummm, I suppose the funniest and most regular thing is, when I’m painting, I nearly end up accidently dipping my brushes into my cup of tea and drinking the paint water… It’s a frequent occurrence at this stage! 

I’d like to give a huge thanks to Anna Boles for taking the time to chat with me about her incredible artwork. Can’t wait to see the work she puts out next! If you’d like to take a look at more of Anna’s work, CLICK HERE!

You can view a full slideshow of Hazel’s and Paul’s wedding below.

While Hollywood might still paint a picture of castles and bagpipes, Irish weddings are truly coming into their own as couples are more and more looking for natural surroundings and modern luxuries to host their wedding reception. Of course, a wedding at a castle is grand and amazing, but a wedding at Wineport Lodge bubbles with personality. 

Liam Kidney Photography | Wineport Lodge 

I recently covered the wedding of Christine and Ruairí, who executed the most spectacular of Irish weddings in Athlone at Wineport Lodge. I had the good fortune of getting to know Christine through her work as a skin care specialist. Wedding vendor relationships are of paramount importance, so the opportunity to work with a valued vendor is a true gift. 

Christine had taken great care with every detail of the big day, right down to hand-tied wedding bouquet of pastel colours and Jimmy Choo wedding heels. Capturing the moments of her getting ready was especially poignant as her mother had made her wedding gown and veil. These quiet moments before the wedding ceremony are some of my favourites, and the portraits created with mother and daughter mark a space in time that I hope will be cherished for years to come. 

Christine & Ruairí’s St. Mary’s Ceremony 

Christine and Ruairí’s ceremony took place at St Mary’s in Athlone. The gorgeous arched doorway was the ideal location for a last-minute moment captured as the father-of-the-bride paused for a moment with his little girl. They were married by Father Declan, a wonderful man, and priest; his words at wedding ceremonies are always very heartfelt. 

Inside St. Mary’s, the space radiated with natural light which is every photographer’s dream. The stone exterior and spire of this civil parish church in County Westmeath made for a classic wedding backdrop for family and wedding party portraits. 

Ruairí, a rugby player for the local Buccaneers Rugby team, cut a dapper figure in a modern blue suit against the vibrant greenery of Wineport Lodge. The area breathes romance with its spectacular panoramic lakeside views and walking paths, perfect for capturing candid wedding party portraits 

Wineport Lodge Reception Photography 

We were blessed with the weather, the day ending with a beautiful sunset where I was able to create some of my favourite portraits of Christine and Ruairí using reflections and the lake. I find that couples are most able to enjoy their wedding day when they don’t have to be pulled far from the party for photos, and the Wineport has an abundance of magnificent backdrops. You can get so many different looks for your wedding photos without leaving the property. 

On-site, there is a  wooden jetty stretching back from the water, creating a wonderful space for capturing romantic portraits or hosting a lakeside drinks reception before moving inside for a fantastic 5-course meal made with the finest locally sourced produce. On this night friends and family danced the night away with the always popular Simon Casey and his band bringing everyone to the dance floor. 

Wineport Lodge Wedding Photography 

Wineport Lodge serves Westmeath as an exclusive, luxury wedding venue with the most attentive of staff. The lodge itself is a boutique hotel that makes for an exceptional Ireland destination wedding location for family and friends as each bespoke room or suite offers panoramic lake views. 

Many amenities are available, including world-class massage services to relax those muscles after an early morning walk around the property. In the evening, open fires and cosy nooks and crannies invite you to share a glass of wine with a loved one, dine with friends, or curl up with a good book.   

Wineport Lodge takes only a select number of weddings per year, so I encourage you to book early in your engagement. Weddings at the Wineport Lodge truly embody their commitment to warmth, passion, and luxury. 

If you’re seeking a wedding photographer in Athlone, I’d love to speak to you about your wedding. My style is relaxed, natural, journalistic, and inspired by love and laughter. 

I can be reached at +353 (0) 87 22 7331 or contact me here. 

In order for a wedding day to be successful, many things happen behind the scenes and often the bride and groom are completely unaware. Then it comes to relationships between wedding suppliers, one of the most important relationships is that between the wedding photographer and wedding videographer. I think it is very important that the wedding videographer is on the same wavelength as the wedding photographer on the day of the wedding so that they can work well together for the couple. I have worked a lot with James from LoveStruck Films (website) down through the years and it has always been a pleasure. His wedding videography work is exceptional and his manner on the day is second to none.

I recently interviewed James from LoveStruck Films as part of my supplier of the month section of my blog to learn a bit more about him and his business.

Why and when did you set up LoveStruck Films?  How long have you been in the industry?

I studied Film & TV in College and worked in TV production for over 10 years before setting up LoveStruck Films in 2013. The TV work took me around the world for shows that have appeared on RTE, TG4 and Netflix, but I wanted to start my own business for a better work/life balance. It made sense to stick with something that was video/film-related; I had the equipment, knew about crafting a good story and had experience dealing with lots of different types of people. But most importantly, I had already filmed a few friends’ weddings as favours and really enjoyed it! I enjoy it even more now, seven busy years later and with a few awards under my belt!

What Service does LoveStruck Films supply?

I specialise in wedding videography and can offer Cinematic Short Films of either 5 or 10-minute duration and 1 minute Instagram Films.  I also offer longer documentary films, which can be up to 2 hours. All of these are created with nicely framed footage, creatively edited to a carefully chosen soundtrack. I like to stay up to date with equipment too, so drone, 4K and modern compact cameras are all part of the available options.

What advice would you have for a couple regarding Wedding Videography?

I think the most important advice I could give is to properly look into your preferred suppliers in advance of booking them – whether that’s Video, Photo, Make-Up, Celebrant, etc. You’ll be welcoming this person into a very private and special celebration – make sure they’ll enhance the day rather than make things awkward. Read customer reviews, even give them a phone call for a quick chat. Another piece of advice would be that if you already know the supplier you’d like to book, check their availability as early as possible. I usually have the most popular dates booked up 2 years ahead which I’m sure is the case with a lot of other suppliers.

How can you help the couple prepare for their big day?  What type of things do you suggest?

I always contact each couple before their big day and talk through my own schedule and how I film – which is very much unobtrusive and in the background. It’s great to hear each couple’s plans and I offer advice where I can – such as what locations would be good around the area, where’s a good backup location in case the weather turns bad. On the wedding day itself, I’ve even helped a few grooms write their last-minute wedding speeches!

Any wedding tips?

Delegate as many jobs as you can! You don’t want to have to do anything on the day except enjoy yourself. 

Do you have any special offers on at the moment?

Best thing to do is get in touch through the website as we often have special offers available at different times of the year.

Recent LoveStruck Films Sample Video — Fiona & Liam

or Visit: https://vimeo.com/lovestruckfilmsireland

You can see the photography from this wedding in this Slideshow

Contact Details

James Ryan (Website)

LoveStruck Films Facebook

Email: hello@LoveStruckFilms.ie

Phone: 085 800 1200

Location: County Galway (We film nationwide)

The featured weddings in these sample photos are Carmel and Shane’s wedding at the Sheraton Hotel in Athlone and the Fiona and Liam’s wedding at the Claregalway Hotel.

It’s important to me that I can provide recommendations for wedding suppliers to my wedding couples. For more supplier and venue recommendations, please visit the Wedding Advice section of the blog.

When it comes to destination weddings, Galway is a stunning backdrop for couples to say, “I do.” That was the case for Suzi and Ian who travelled to Galway for an intimate destination wedding. Their wedding was a small and intimate civil ceremony in the nearby Oranmore Lodge. I met up with the two of them after their ceremony to document the occasion and photograph them at Oranmore Castle. I was so honoured to be their destination wedding photographer.

Destination Wedding Photography at Oranmore Castle

Suzi and Ian were so in love and happy. I loved how relaxed the couple were. They were able to truly enjoy their wedding day because they were not distracted by the stress that sometimes accompanies a larger wedding event. We then did family portraits. When it comes to small and intimate destination weddings, family wedding portraits are a bit easier to capture. Once we finished the family photos, we headed to the stunning Oranmore Castle (website), in Oranmore Co. Galway.

Oranmore Castle is a fantastic location on the outskirts of Galway that is underutilised as a wedding venue and for photos. They have only recently opened the venue up to weddings and for hosting small events from 15-50 guests making it a lovely option for intimate destination weddings and elopements. This Romantic Norman castle is thought to be built at some point in the fifteenth century, and it might even have been built on the site of an older castle. With four stories, a staircase turret, and sweeping seaside views, it makes for a truly stunning backdrop for wedding photography. Whether hosting an intimate wedding reception at Oranmore Castle or merely using it as a photography location, it is an excellent option for destination weddings in Galway. With its proximity to Oranmore Village

I truly enjoyed being the wedding photographer for Ian and Suzi for their intimate destination wedding in Galway. They were a very easygoing couple. After their wedding, I reached out to interview them both about their wedding experience.

How did you meet?

Ian:  Through friends. We were introduced at a party and started dating soon after. We’ve been together for 16 years.

How did he/she propose?

Ian: I proposed while we were on a family vacation in California. I had this big elaborate proposal planned for New York, but panicked, and didn’t want to fly with the ring, just in case it got lost. So, I ended up proposing to Suzi at our vacation apartment. That was in 2008.

What was important for you both when planning your Oranmore Castle wedding?

Ian: Simplicity. We’re not religious and didn’t want a big ceremony with a lot of pomp and grandeur. Being surrounded and supported, with our family and friends close by, was the most important thing to use. So that’s what we planned for. That’s also why we split the entire wedding into two days, day one would be family and very close friends and day two would be everyone else to join us in a celebration.    

Did you have a wedding theme?

Ian: Simplicity. 

Where did you get your dress?

Suzanne: As it was a two–day event, I ended up with three dresses! On the first day, I wore a sheath column lace dress for the ceremony and professional wedding photos at Oranmore Castle, a burgundy one shoulder chiffon sheath dress for reception dinner and then I wore an A-line tulle and lace ivory princess dress for the bigger celebration on Saturday. All dresses were purchased online at Coco Melody.

Where did the groom and get his suit?

Ian: My wedding jacket was from Joe Brown and the rest of my outfit was from Debenhams. 

Who did your hair and make up?

Suzanne: my hair was styled by Cat’s mobile Hairdressing which was an amazing service as she was able to come to my house the morning of my wedding to style my hair. I applied my own makeup on both days!

What do you remember most from the ceremony?

Ian: Getting nervous when Suzi put the ring on my finger. I started shaking and began to well-up with tears. 

Suzanne: I remember being very happy as we had a lot family in attendance, some of whom I had not seen in a long time. Nerves were a–plenty, but it was an amazing feeling to finally tie the knot!

What was special to you in the ceremony?

Ian: The length. It was under 10mins! Everyone complimented us on the ceremony afterwards. No readings, no ceremony, no pomp. Just us, family and a few friends caught in a moment of pure love.

How did you choose your venue?

Ian: I scouted and chose the location for our wedding shoot. The old pier immediately grasped my interest and I knew right away what I wanted: Suzi and I framed on the pier, with the bay in the background. And we got it!

What was your favourite part of the Oranmore Castle wedding day?

Ian: Suzi’s Dad’s speech. It was incredibly touching and personal. It meant a lot to me.

Suzanne: Everything was so special, I just loved the overwhelming feeling of love from everyone on the day, it meant the world to us to have everyone there with us. The photoshoot was a highlight for me as it was really beautiful to have everyone come together for photos that we can cherish for the rest of our lives.

Have you any advice for future couples planning their wedding?

Ian: Keep it small. It’s really, really, really easy to have your wedding spin out of control and grow in scope and expense. Set yourself some early limits and try your best to stay within those limits.  

Suzanne: When I’ve told people all of this was planned within 6/7 months, they thought we were mad! It is 100% doable once you are organized, budget well and above all plan for the day you truly want not what you think others expect.  

Suppliers:    Hair:  Catherine Fahy www.facebook.com/mobilehairgalway

Oranmore Castle: http://www.oranmorecastle.com/

In July, I photographed the magnificent Castle Leslie Estate Wedding of Anne & Scott. Their wedding was truly an adventure, and I was pleased to be their wedding photographer to capture the love and excitement at their amazing Castle Leslie Estate wedding.

A Castle Leslie Estate Wedding

Castle Leslie Estate is considered by many one of Ireland’s elite wedding venues. Located on a sprawling 1000 acres, the estate features majestic woods, picturesque lakes and a lovingly restored estate. Infused with old-world grandeur, it was the perfect backdrop for Anne and Scott’s beautiful wedding. Since the wedding spanned a few days, we took full opportunity to take pictures throughout the Castle and the grounds, including deep in the woods.

Anne and Scott’s grand wedding event featured so many unique and memorable elements. From falcons and Irish dancers to medieval sporting events, including axe throwing, it was truly an event designed for the bride, groom and guests to have an unforgettable time. For their wedding day, the theme was ‘old-world romanticism’, inspired in part by Beauty and the Beast. But it was by no means a Disney wedding. Anne and Scott subtly and thoughtfully wove their theme into the day using lovely props and colours.

I am thankful to Melissa Mannion for assisting me in photographing this romantic wedding event. After they had returned home, I reached out to Anne and Scott to ask them about their wedding and to see what advice they had to offer other couples planning a destination wedding in Ireland.

How did you meet?  

We both attended the Yukon Beer Festival in Whitehorse, and since Anne doesn’t drink beer, we both visited the oyster and scotch table, which was hosted by a friend of Anne’s. We got to talking and while we were distracted by other friends throughout the evening, we continued to gravitate towards each other and make eye contact through the crowd over the course of the evening. The next day, Scott asked a mutual friend for my phone number and we spent a number of days going for long drives, watching a historic blood moon and a month later, we were crazy about each other and spending all our free time together.  

How did he propose? 

During Christmas, we went on a 5-day sailing trip to Poet’s Cove on a small island off of Vancouver Island. During the summer, it is a very busy marina and has beautiful cottages and walking trails. The night before Scott proposed, he was talking to my brother about getting up early (6am!), to go for a sunrise walk to take family portraits for Christmas to share with my Nana (maternal grandmother). I was not overly impressed, as I am not a morning person. But, in the spirit of fun, family Christmas adventures, I agreed.

We all got up very early, dressed and when I looked out the window, there was not only no sunrise, but a snowstorm and complete whiteout – which is very rare for the island. Scott was not dissuaded and the three of us bundled up and went walking through the snow. It had quieted to a slow, soft snowfall and was quite pretty but very slippery. We walked around for 30 minutes while the boys debated the merits of various locations. I finally suggested two big beautiful trees I had seen that overlook the marina and the water and we went there. As soon as we arrived, Scott turned to me and said: Rachael Anne Lewis, will you be wife? Marry me. My brother was filming and taking pictures. A great morning walk after all!  

We were also very lucky that we met up with my Nana when we docked, had Christmas dinner and celebrated our engagement as she passed away in early January of that year. We were both very close with her and it broke our hearts that she wouldn’t be coming to Ireland with us, but we were so thankful she was there for the celebration of our engagement and had given Scott her blessing to ask me to be his wife.  

What was important for you both when planning your Castle Leslie Estate wedding? 

That we had fun, no stress and that we would be surrounded by people who supported the love and laughter that is a big part of our lives. Only people who have been active support and loving friends, colleagues and family were invited. We wanted to ensure that there was no drama. Everyone who attended had to travel a great distance from various places in Canada and the US, and we wanted the week to be as much as an adventure for them as it was for us.

We set up activities, events and time to just be in the moment with our guests. One of the things we were told constantly when we got engaged was that “the wedding would be a blur”, “you won’t remember a thing”, “you won’t get much time to talk and be with guests” – we DID NOT accept that any of this would be our wedding. And we made that happen. We had special time with each of our guests, enjoyed every moment and have beautiful memories. As a Bride, I thoroughly enjoyed the planning process, and Scott was very supportive of our ideas and goals. We touched base on everything at the beginning to make sure we were on the same page – and then he let me run with it on the final details.  

All that being said – none of it would have been as easy, magical and beautiful if we didn’t have Collette O’Leary at Elegant Events [www.elegantevents.ie] to work with. She and her team were incredible and saved us an incredible amount of time, energy and money but providing amazing suggestions, guiding us how much of this and that we needed and cautioning us for going overboard – which let us focus on the important stuff! By the time we landed in Ireland for our 5-days of wedding adventures, we were able to just be along for the ride and enjoy it right along with your guests!   

Did you have a wedding theme for Castle Leslie Estate? 

Our theme was old-world romanticism, which was 99% accomplished by hosting it at the magnificent Castle Leslie Estate (Website). We stepped back in time from the moment we pulled up. We also took some inspiration from my favourite movie – Beauty and the Beast but kept this very simple and didn’t try to have a Disney wedding, but incorporated little bits of it to add charm and fun. Our colours also aligned with this as we chose gold and rose gold, which is a tribute to our home – the Yukon, home of the Klondike Gold Rush. We both work in mining and it is a big part of our lives.  

Where did you get your dress?  

I traveled from Yukon to Calgary to get it from Ethos Bridal. We made a girls’ weekend of it, with 6 of use staying 5 days in Alberta – trying on dresses in Edmonton and Calgary and taking lots of breaks to just have a girls’ weekend – shopping, games, and relaxing. We didn’t put much pressure on the event and were very lucky to find the wedding dress and bridesmaid dresses at the same store. The Ethos Bridal team treated all of us like royalty and we said Yes to the Dress over champagne and tears! 

Where did the groom and the groomsmen get their suits? 

Scott had his suit custom made at an incredible store in Victoria, BC and he, the Father of the Bridge and my brother who was a groomsman, also got their rehearsal dinner outfits from the same place. 

The groomsmen had custom suits made by Moore’s.  

Who did your hair and makeup? 

Hair – Caroline Zinck 

Make-up – Michelle Field

Both were incredible, fun and had great ideas. They were part of our fun girl team on the day of!  

What do you remember most from the ceremony? 

Our mantra for the wedding day was: be in this moment, remember this. We took it slow and reminded each other to be a part of each thing we were doing to avoid just going through the motions. We had a number of very special moments in our ceremony: 

1. Each person in our wedding party was invited over to us individually to whisper a word of advice, encouragement or to help us laugh. It was very special to take that time with them and feel their love and support in such a unique way that was just for us. 
2. At the 11th hour, we were unable to obtain our legal marriage certificate (thanks to lack of communication by the Government of Ireland!), but we recovered by having a handfasting ceremony, which for us was even more impactful as we stood in a country with incredible history, on the steps of an ancient family home and castle and had a wonderful man perform an ancient marriage ritual – we wouldn’t trade it for the world. Our parents helped with the ceremony and it was amazing to have them participate in this unique way. (We did sign papers back in Canada, though!) 
3. We wrote the entire ceremony, vows and blessings and chose all the songs ourselves, so everything was very personal and held meaning for us. Taking the time to make it relevant to us was important. We also wanted it to be special for our guests as well.  

What was special to you in the ceremony? 

I think for both of us, it was when I surprised Scott by reading a note that his mother had written him 10 or more years ago. Both of Scott’s parents passed away prior to our wedding and I wanted to find a way to bring them into the event wherever we could. When we were cleaning up and going through some of his family’s stuff, I found a note that was his mom and it was just reminding him to have a fun night out, come home safe and that she loved him. It was on a ripped piece of paper and barely legible anymore, but we were able to read her words to him in that moment and have them in the ceremony with us. We also lit a candle for all of those we loved, who are remembered but could not be there.  

How did you choose Castle Leslie Estate as your venue? 

On the day we got engaged I must have looked at 100+ venues in Ireland and after getting completely overwhelmed, I decided I needed a wedding planner who was based in Ireland. Collette helped us narrow it down to 5 venues and we selected one and made plans to come to Ireland to visit them. When we arrived at our choice venue… it was everything I did not want (despite being a gorgeous venue). It wasn’t private, had been modernized to the point of losing the old-world charm I was looking for, and the rooms didn’t flow the way we imagined our day would. We visited all our alternates and I did not like any of them.

Completely deflated, we left the last one. As we pulled out, Collette asked what I was looking for and when I described it again, she recommended Castle Leslie. I instantly googled it, perused the website and it was love at first “site”! Collette was able to call the Castle and fit us in the next day to go up to see it and as soon as we turned past the stone wall and started driving up the quiet wooded driveway – we knew it was the place for us. We were in awe of it from the beginning. We wanted history, family, connection, and privacy in an elegant and comfortable setting. Castle Leslie was incredible. The staff were unbelievably helpful, kind and made us feel at home. For 2 magical nights, it felt like it was our home – so much so, none of us bothered to lock our room doors and were wandering the halls from room to room to see all the beautifully designed, distinctive rooms. I could rave about Castle Leslie all day. We can’t wait to go back! A special shout out to John who went above and beyond, over and OVER AGAIN, for the 3 days we were there. Amazing.  

What was your favourite part of the Castle Leslie Estate wedding day? 

Our first look. We choose to do a first look before the wedding ceremony so that we could have some special time together and get all our pictures without being rushed, on a schedule, or feeling like we were missing out on the party. We ended up with some truly spectacular memories – of course, credit goes to Liam and Melissa for being so open to sooo many different shoot locations and set-ups. We had a blast with you guys!  

Have you any advice for future couples planning their wedding? 

There is no reason to stress! You do not have to believe what everyone tells you about how their wedding went, or how a wedding should go. We made our wedding exactly as we wanted and wouldn’t change a single thing about it. We invited only people who would be there to celebrate, have fun and support us and that had to be the best (and maybe the hardest) part. Know who you want there for YOUR day and stick to it. I promise you it is worth it.  

I loved every minute of wedding planning – and part of my trick, put on a fun movie, have a glass of wine or tea and hit each wedding item one at a time. Enjoy Pinterest, magazines, and researching – it’s great for inspiration. Make each part of it an adventure and enjoy checking it off. We made wedding dress shopping a girls’ trip, with someone for everyone – those little things make it less like a checklist and more like the journey to the alter it should be – time with loved ones who helped you get there! 

Have a wedding planner – even if it’s just for the days leading up and the wedding day. You won’t regret someone else answering the million questions that day. You will get to be IN THE MOMENT and enjoy your family and friends – as well as your new partner! 

Featured Wedding Vendors

Wedding Planner: Collette O’Leary – Elegant Events by Collette

Venue: Castle Leslie (Website) 

Hair: Carolin Zinck Hair 

Make-up: Michelle Field

Photographer: Liam Kidney 

Videographer: Cathal Farrelly 

Wedding Band: Sway Social Band 

Wedding Entertainment: Celtic Irish Dance Fusion 

Celebrant: Dara Molloy  

Flowers: The French Touch 

Décor: Event Planner NI 

Ceremony Music: Brenda Grealis and Dave Clarke 

Axe Throwing & Archery: Orange Works 

Falconry: Castle Leslie  

Invitations: Minted – www.minted.com 

Wedding Dress: Ethos Bridal 

Nails: Fifth Avenue Dublin 

Save the Dates: Designed by bride and groom  

Portlick Woods Environmental Portrait Photography

Early in November, I did a shoot of three beautiful kids in Portlick Woods.  The shoot had been set up by the childrens’ grandmother, Mari who had plans to watch them for the weekend. The weather was absolutely perfect!  There was glistening sunshine streaming through the trees as we headed into the woods to capture this portrait session.  After we walked into the woods for five to ten minutes, the kids felt right at home. It was an adventure for them! I organised to photograph them first individually and then together in a lovely, relaxed environment.  The kids absolutely loved this experience.   

As an environmental portrait photographer in Ireland, there are not many days with beautiful, golden, sunny light like this. I loved the magical light in the forest during this family photography session. The family was wonderful, and the light was simply perfect. The photoshoot went so well, that I rang my wife so I could do a photoshoot with my own children here in Portlick Woods!

After the prints from this environmental portrait photoshoot were delivered, I interviewed Mari for some feedback. Mari had booked the shoot for her daughter as a surprise!

How did you initially find the Liam Kidney Photography website? 

I Googled photographers in Athlone area and came across your website. 

What did you like about his work? 

As I was looking for an outdoor informal shoot, I liked the informal outdoor shots on your website. 

How did you find the environmental portrait photoshoot?  Was it an enjoyable experience? 

 The photoshoot worked out brilliantly. A beautiful sunny November morning was an added bonus. 

Did the kids enjoy the photoshoot? 

Liam had an easy, relaxed way with the girls, in so far as they enjoyed their walk in the woods and barely noticed the fact that they were mainly there for a photoshoot.

When the photos were delivered from the environmental portrait photoshoot, how did you feel about them? 

The photos were amazing and made a lovely Christmas present for Karen. 

Is there anything you would like to add? 

All in all, it was well worth doing, and something I would definitely do again, and I was delighted with the quality of the photos. I would certainly recommend Liam for an environmental portrait shoot. 

If you are interested in booking your own environmental portrait session with Liam Kidney Photography, award-winning photographer in Athlone, Co. Westmeath, please fill out the contact form!

Irish Portrait Photographer

Last Thursday,  I photographed Dan Moran on his 101st birthday as a present for his family. It was a real privilege and honour  for me to be to do this.

The Life Of Dan Moran

Dan Moran was born on March 15th 1918 to John & Sarah Moran(nee Morris) at Bushypark, Mount Talbot, Co. Roscommon.  He came from a family of ten children.  Dan and his sister Lizzie Fallon are the only remaining members of the family now and they reside in the Tearmainn Bhríde Nursing home in Brideswell, Co. Roscommon.

 

Dan attended Mount Talbot National School until he was fourteen years of age.  He then learned Carpentry from his father.

 

In 1935 he emigrated to the U.K.  During the following years he worked throughout the UK.  While there he pressued his main hobby: playing the the accordion in Pubs and Clubs.  He even played it it in the London Tube stations when people were seeking refuge from German Bombers during the war.

 

He met his his future wife Josephine Hanley from Limerick and marreid in Chiswick in 1946.  They returned to the Ireland in 1948 to the Homstead, where they farmed and he woked as a carpenter.  He maintained his musical hobby and played with various bands and was a member of of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann.

 

He had keen interest in Sheep trials and become an expert on the Border Collie breed.  He was the first Roscommon man to breed and train Border Collies.  He ran the first Sheepdog Trials in Four Roads and completed in trials in Ireland and the UK.

 

In his workshop he perfected the art of manufacturing Shepherd’s Crooks and Walking Sticks and distributed them at home and abroad.

 

Dan celebrated his 101’st birthday yesterday by entertaining his guests with a great rendition of two of his favourite songs.  “The Lake Isle of Inishfree” and “When Irish Eyes are Smiling”

 

“Ní bheidh a leitheíd ann arís”

Liam is currently involved in a project where he is photographing elderly people in the community and recording their stories.  If anybody has a elderly friend or relative that they would like to get photographed please get in touch with Liam Kidney by email at info@liamkidney.com

 

https://www.liamkidney.com/portraits/info

 

Hodson Bay Hotel Wedding

I recently covered the wedding of Aisling and Eoin in St Peter and Paul’s Church in Athlone.  Their reception was held in the Hodson Bay Hotel. It was a real fun wedding and the couple never stopped smiling for the day.  They were living in Melbourne before the wedding and this made it tricky for them when they were trying to organise everything.   I caught up with them recently to ask them about their wedding and if they had any advice for future couples getting married.

How did you meet?

We meet at Schwartz Crossfit in Melbourne in October 2013. Our intentions to get fit both led us to meeting here and becoming friends which soon led to us to becoming more than that. I was the first one to greet Eoin on his first day at the gym as he looked a little lost! I think the fact that we both were from Ireland meant we both understood the Irish accent and humour!! Eoin is loving, honest and generous, which were attractive traits to me and still are.

How did he/she propose?

Eoin proposed back in December 2016 with a helicopter trip to the Yarra Valley (the winery but more importantly a chocolate haven!) just outside Melbourne Australia, where we were living at the time. It was a complete surprise at the time and I had no idea what was in store as I had been convinced somehow that he had won it as part of a competition. It was a lovely day and it was a surprise to turn around and see Eoin on one knee with the engagement ring which he had helped to design.

What was important for you both when planning your wedding?

To have lots of fun and enjoy the day with family and friends. We also wanted a fantastic photographer to be able to capture our special day.

Did you have a wedding theme?

We didn’t have a theme so to speak but I suppose if you could call it anything I’d say ‘Wild and Rustic’.

St Peter and Paul’s Church in Athlone

Where did you get your dress?

I had my dress made by Luci di Bella Design House, Armadale, Melbourne, Australia. Luci and her staff were delightful and were very helpful throughout my dress fittings.

Where did you get the Bridesmaids Dresses?

I bought my bridesmaids dresses online through Tulle and Chantilly website. Despite being a little anxious buying these online they ended up being fantastic and I was delighted with their quality and delivery.

Where did the groom and the groomsmen get their suits?

Eoin bought his suit in Peter Jacksons in Melbourne, Australia and the groomsmen got their suits in Tom Murphys in Cork.

Who did your hair and make up?

Hair by Kelley O Sullivan at Custom Cuts, Athlone.

Make up by Aileen Duffy.

 What do you remember most from the ceremony?

We remember the beautiful music which Noreen Rabbette provided on the day…we have to say we didn’t think we would get as emotional as we did but we absolutely loved her amazing voice. I remember moments including my mother looking at me before she walked me down the aisle, Eoins’ lovely words as he met me at the top of the church and the beautiful ceremony which Fr.John Deignan gave on the day. He made the whole experience both leading up to and during the day very relaxed and comfortable. He was fantastic and we really enjoyed his ceremony.

What was special to you in the ceremony?

To remember and include those that couldn’t be there on our special day including family friends and relatives including my dad Tommy and both Eoin and my grandparents, who have all passed away.

How did you choose your venue?

I used to work in the Hodson Bay Hotel when I was younger and had fond memories of the staff and hotels’ location. Being a local I have always found it to be a very special place and didn’t have any question as to where the venue would be. The staff at the bay were absolutely fantastic especially Micheal Dolan, Teresa Kelly and Emer Heavin. The day ran so smoothly and the service was second to none…in other words excellent!

What was your favourite part of the wedding day?

Saying I do!! We enjoyed meeting all those who were part of our special day and catching up with family and friends. We loved having Liam Kidney capture all the fun and memorable shots of us together and with our family and friends. From the start he had us all laughing and set the tone for the rest of the day. We also really enjoyed our journey with our novel VW Combi van “Dorothy” both to and from the church with Derek McMahon and Claire Brown at the Fine Wine and Food Co. Athlone for organising our untraditional Cheese tier cake which was delicious!

Have you any advice for future couples planning their wedding?

Enjoy as much as you can and at the end of the day try not to stress too much. As long as your family and friends are there and you both show up everything will fall into place.

Suppliers:

Hotel:  Hodson Bay Hotel

Church: St Peter and Paul’s Church in Athlone

Hair: Custom Cuts

Makeup: Make up by Aileen Duffy.

Bride’s Dress:  Luci di Bella Design House, Armadale, Melbourne

Bridesmaids Dresses: Tulle and Chantilly website