Lough Tay Wedding Photographer: Casey and Dominic in the Wicklow Mountains

Casey & Dominic Lough Tay, Co. Wicklow

The wind came up over the ridge just as Casey let go of her veil. It lifted behind her in one long sheet of light, Dominic leaned in to kiss her and the Guinness Lake sat far below them, black as a pint. That is the frame I'd hang on the wall from this wedding.

Casey and Dominic travelled from outside Philadelphia to marry at St Mary's Church in Enniskerry with ten of the people closest to them. Afterwards we drove up into the Wicklow Mountains and spent half an hour above Lough Tay. As a Lough Tay wedding photographer you hope for one decent weather window. On the 3rd of October we got a whole afternoon of it.

Casey found me on Google. Before the day she told me two things: they wanted the photos to show "the intimacy and adventure of the day" and they loved my black and white work. Then Dominic arrived at the church in a white tuxedo jacket. The day was always going to end up in black and white.

A traditional ceremony at St Mary's Church, Enniskerry

Casey wanted the church to feel traditional and the rest of the day to feel fun and relaxed. St Mary's looked after the first half of that brief. Wooden pews, stained glass, candles on the altar and Fr Hyacinth Nwakuna, a kind soul who ran a service that sat comfortably between ceremonial and personal.

With ten guests there is nowhere to hide and nobody to perform for. Casey's dad John walked her up the aisle past her mum Lori and her sisters Aimee and Kerry. Dominic's mum Ginny and his sisters Steph and Shelley were across the aisle. Everyone could see everything.

When they kissed at the altar the family behind them burst out laughing and clapping. I stayed back and let it play out, which is most of my job in a church. Then they walked back down the aisle with their arms in the air and Casey's bouquet held up like a trophy.

Up into the Wicklow Mountains

When Casey first emailed, she asked if I'd follow them twenty or twenty five minutes into the mountains after the ceremony. I offered a few closer options too: Knocksink Wood, the grounds of Powerscourt Estate and the Glencree valley. They went for the big view. Lough Tay is about twenty five minutes from Enniskerry by car, up on the R759 below the Sally Gap.

We were up there for about thirty minutes. With that weather, that light and a couple this easy in each other's company, thirty minutes is all you need.

It was windy. For family photos wind is a nuisance: hair across faces, veils in the way, everyone squinting into it. Casey and Dom didn't mind one bit. For the photos of the two of them the wind did half the work.

Why Lough Tay suits black and white

Lough Tay sits in a deep bowl under the granite cliffs of Luggala. From the road above, the water looks almost black and the strip of pale sand at one end looks like the head on a pint, which is why everyone calls it the Guinness Lake. The fact that the Guinness family own the estate helps the name stick.

Put a bride in cream satin and a groom in a white jacket against that water and the frame is mostly done for you. Dark lake, white clothes, grey rock and a wide Wicklow sky. Standing on the rocks above the lake I already knew which half of the gallery would carry the day.

I kept a colour version of the wide frame too. The deep blue water against the autumn bracken earns its place.

Wedding photos at Lough Tay: what you need to know

You photograph the lake from above. Lough Tay and the land around it belong to the private Luggala estate, so the shoreline is off limits. The views couples want are from the roadside viewpoints on the R759. Some of the land across the road is private too, so stick to the public pull ins.

Parking fills up. The viewpoints have small car parks and roadside pull ins. On a bright weekend afternoon they are busy. Give yourself a few minutes to find a space and ask your driver to wait rather than circle.

Mind the edge. Some of the best angles sit close to sudden drops. In a long dress and a strong wind, stay well back. A good photo does not need you near the edge.

Expect wind. It is high, open ground. That is brilliant for veils and harder for groups. I keep family photos tight and quick and save the movement for the couple.

Thirty minutes is enough. Allow roughly an hour and a half out of your day for the round trip from Enniskerry or Powerscourt Hotel, with about half an hour on location. That fits comfortably inside a four hour intimate package with a church ceremony beforehand.

Watch the light and the weather. In mid October the sun sets around twenty past six, so an early afternoon ceremony leaves plenty of time. Mountain weather turns fast, so keep a sheltered plan B lower down. Knocksink Wood is two minutes from St Mary's.

If you are still choosing where to marry, my guide to wedding venues in Wicklow covers the estates within easy reach of the mountains.

A small family wedding with a big view

After the lake the family went back down to Powerscourt Hotel for dinner at the Sally Gap Bar and Brasserie. No speeches, no band, no first dance, just a long table and a lot of catching up. I said my goodbyes on the mountain.

Small weddings and remote locations suit each other. Ten people fit in a few cars, nobody is left standing at a drinks reception waiting for you and you can go wherever the light is. I've written more about planning small intimate weddings and how much coverage they need.

It also suits the way I work. I don't direct a family into place for an hour. I watch, wait and step in for the few group photos that matter, which for Casey and Dominic meant both immediate families and one of everybody together. If you want to know more about that approach, have a read of my thoughts on candid wedding photography.

Frequently asked questions

Can you take wedding photos at Lough Tay?

Yes. Couples photograph Lough Tay from the public viewpoints on the R759 above the lake. The shoreline and the Luggala estate are private, so you will not get down to the water, but the view from above is the one everyone recognises.

How far is Lough Tay from Enniskerry and Powerscourt?

About twenty five minutes by car from Enniskerry village and a similar drive from Powerscourt Hotel. Allow roughly an hour and a half for the round trip with half an hour of photos.

Why is Lough Tay called the Guinness Lake?

From above, the dark water and the pale sand at one end look like a pint of stout with its head on. The surrounding Luggala estate also belongs to the Guinness family.

Is Lough Tay good for family photos?

It works, but keep groups small and quick. The viewpoints are exposed and the wind can be strong, so I photograph families first and then give the couple a bit of time on their own.

What is the best time of day for photos at Lough Tay?

Early to mid afternoon works well in autumn. Later evening light is lovely in summer. Check the sunset time for your date and leave a margin for the drive.

Thank you, Casey and Dominic

At quarter past ten that night Casey sent me a message: "We will have these photos forever." That's the whole job really.

Thank you both for trusting me with your day. Thank you to Lori, John, Aimee, Kerry, Ginny, Steph, Shelley, Aaron and Paul for making room for me. If you are planning something small with a big view in Wicklow, get in touch.

Ceremony: St Mary's Parish Church, Enniskerry

Celebrant: Fr Hyacinth Nwakuna

Photos: Lough Tay, Co. Wicklow

Dinner: Sally Gap Bar and Brasserie, Powerscourt Hotel

Hair: Shakira Clohessy

Make up: Anita Conroy

Flowers: Tara Hill Flowers

Photography: Kevin Kheffache