Couple walking down the aisle in an outdoor wedding ceremony at Segrave Barns

I've said it before and I'll say it again... I LOVE MY JOB. It’s hard to narrow down to the best shots when Niamh & Tony received almost 1400 images. Black & whites/colours, details, pouring the perfect Guinness, dance floor moves, oh yea and the alpaca that brought the rings down the aisle... in the middle of a forest!

Niamh had her bridal preparations at the beautiful Segrave Barns with Tony also staying onsite in a cottage at the other end of the venue. The couple really lucked out with the weather, it stayed dry all day which meant they could have their ceremony outside the the forest at Segrave. I’d never been to this venue before but it really blew me away not just with an outdoor ceremony space and spaces for entertaining but also the very welcoming & friendly staff… oh and the food!

During the ceremony the couple played a prank on the best man, he had previously been given a box containing the rings but when he opened the box when called forward to box way empty. Another groomsman jumped up and ran down the aisle saying he knew where the ring were and he’s be back in a minute. A few seconds later he appears at the bottom of the aisle with an alpaca… to everyone’s surprise the alpaca was actually the ring bearer!

After the ceremony the couple were taking by staff, along with their guests to the front of the venue, while I went up to a balcony above to get a group shot of everyone. The staff said they were waiting on one more person and a few moments later the groomsmen appear in a blue camper van, tooting the horn… it was Niamh’s dream to have a camper van and this was another total surprise not just to Niamh but to all the guests. The van was parked at the back of the group shot so I was able to incorporate it into the photo along with the breathtaking view of the venue and out to see!

I then let the couple greet their guests outside in the sun with a glass of process then we headed off around the ground for twenty minutes to get some fab shots, including back at the ceremony space which had been so beautifully decorated by The Flower Barrow. I then had the best man help me round up the bridal party and family for photographs at the front of the barn and then headed into the barn where the reception was taking place to get photos before any guests arrived in.

Speeches were in the main part of Segrave Barns, laid out beautifully allowing me to get some really nice photos of the crowd reacting and Niamh and Tony taking it all in. The bridal party were announced in to the barn first the girls, then the guys and finally Niamh & Tony who went up on stage and cut the cake. I was able to put my feet up for an hour at this stage to backup the photos and of course (one of my favourite parts of the day) EAT!

During dinner as dessert was being served the head chef came out of the kitchen with a microphone to chat to guests and also performed some opera singing, guests then formed a large conga line around the room and were led out to the bar. The couple were then invited behind the bar to have a go at pouring a pint of Guinness each, which if you know my photography you will know I LOVE photographing Guinness. Niamh isn’t too keen on Guinness so gave hers to the well deserving groomsman that had pulled off the two surprises!

As the band Electric Circus set up we went into the forest, back to the ceremony space with the beautiful flowers and did some sparkler photos, at night time the space is lit up with fairy lights and it’s really quite magical! The couple then had their first dance as husband and wife and the bridal party formed a circle around the couple dancing and cheering. I stayed for about 10 songs then thought it was time to hit the road as I had quite the drive ahead of me!

Top wedding suppliers included-

Bridal/groom preparations, ceremony & reception venue- Seagrave house Dunany

Wedding Florist- The Flower Barrow

Humanist Wedding Celebrant- Edel O'Connell - Wedding Celebrant

Bridal Hair- Donna Brennan Hughes Bridal Hair

Bridal Makeup- Tara Doran Make Up

Wedding Ceremony Music- Aoife Trainor

Wedding reception band- Electric Circus

Venue- Segrave Barns, Dunany, Ireland