Three Truths From an Irish Wedding Photographer

No clickbait. No fluff. Just three things I have learned after photographing hundreds of weddings all over Ireland in a style that is as relaxed and real as the people I get to work with.

This is not a guide to timelines or camera settings. It is not about dresses or décor. These are deeper truths. The kind of lessons that stay with you long after the speeches are done and the last pint has been poured.

1. The Irish Weather Will Do What the Irish Weather Will Do.

Last September, Niamh and Conor planned an outdoor ceremony in Wicklow. The forecast promised sunshine. You know how this ends.

The guests arrived at the venue just as the skies opened up. And not that soft misty rain either. This was the kind of downpour that makes you wince when it hits you. Everyone just ran inside without hesitation.

Niamh was a bit gutted at first. But later, during a quick break in the downpour, we stepped outside and the light was unreal — deep grey skies, everything sparkling, and that post-rain glow. Those ten minutes gave us some of my favourite images of the year.

Here is the truth. Irish weather is unpredictable, but it is part of the story. The moody skies, the moving clouds, the sudden shower — it all adds atmosphere. If you lean into it, if you laugh through the drizzle or run barefoot through a puddle, it becomes part of your day. Not a problem to fix, but a memory worth keeping.

👉 You can see how other couples embraced the Irish weather in my real weddings blog.

2. Your Family Stories Matter More Than Pinterest Perfection.

I had a Zoom call with Aoife and James who told me they hated being in front of a camera. Their venue was a small community hall in Kildare. No castle, no elaborate styling. But it was where James’ parents had married 40 years earlier.

That is gold.

On the day, James stood in the same spot his dad had stood. His granny sat in the same chair she had used back then. Those photographs have weight. They tell a story no styled Pinterest setup could ever match.

The weddings that stay with me are full of these moments. The grandfather playing fiddle for the first dance. The same handkerchief passed down through generations. The butterfly that landed on Brenda’s bouquet.

When you are planning your day, ask yourselves what really matters. What is personal? What are the details only your family will understand? That is where the magic is.

👉 See how Riona and Brian made their day truly personal in their Rathsallagh House wedding.

3. The In-between Spaces Hold the Most Precious Moments.

Some of my favourite photographs come from the moments that are not planned. The walk from ceremony to drinks. The quiet pause before the first dance. The five minutes with your dad before the doors open. The glance at your best man as he straightens your tie. The second after a group photo ends when someone cracks a joke.

These are the moments that carry the feeling of the day. They show not just what it looked like, but what it felt like.

The best thing you can do is leave a little space for these things to happen. Do not fill every second. Let people talk. Let the day breathe. That is where the magic lives.

👉 Ruby & MIke/s DAhsley Park Housewedding is a great example of how the in-between moments become the real story.

Final Thoughts

Your wedding does not need to be perfect. It just needs to be yours. The weather, the people, the little unplanned bits — they are not getting in the way of good photographs. They are the photographs.

That is why I still love doing this after all these years.

👉 Browse more wedding stories here.

👉 Ready to chat about your own day? Get in touch.