What a fantastic wedding I had last week! Caroline and myself usually head off for a little break (in search of some street photography) in November but we delayed that after receiving Heather’s phonecall earlier this year.

Heather and Richard really wanted me to shoot their wedding at the Seapatrick Parish Church in Banbridge and reception at the Old Inn in Crawfordsburn and I’m glad I agreed because their wedding on Thursday was just lovely.

I’m happy to say that Heather and Richard’s wedding was very relaxed with lots of wonderful moments the whole day long. As ever, here are just a few of my personal favourites.

Ceremony: St Malachy’s Church Belfast

Reception: The Merchant Hotel Belfast

Beautiful weather on Saturday made for some gorgeous autumnal sunshine – quite a difference from Friday when it decided to rain all day long.

The light spilling into the Merchant Hotel and at Saint Malachy’s church at the start of the day was fantastic and the day was just full of beautiful fleeting moments.

Helen and Dan were two of the most lovely people to shoot pictures for. They’d travelled over with many of their friends and family from London for the wedding – so it was good to see Belfast looking lovely in the sunshine for them.

With that in mind, the day had a great ‘destination wedding’ feel even though the surroundings were very familiar for me. I grew up catching the bus home from Bridge Street and High Street and for a period about eight years ago I lived right across the square from the Merchant Hotel.

Dan and Helen didn’t stop smiling all day and the love shown to them by friends and family was just lovely to witness. I always think that the sign of a great wedding is that when I go to leave I always wish I had attended the wedding as a guest and got to know everyone a little more. The best weddings always leave me with that feeling. I’ve said this before but it’s the people who make for a great wedding.

As for what makes a great picture… I look for light, composition and storytelling. If I can get those three elements within the frame when I press the shutter then I’m a happy man.

As ever, here are some of my personal favourites.

Jo and Andy are both pilots and have been in Belfast (and up in the sky) for a few days before they head off on honeymoon next week. In between flying their aeroplanes across the water they’ve sent some lovely words of appreciation. I just loved what Andy said about Jo arriving:

“Dylan the photos are all amazing. We sat down to dinner last night & pressed play on the slideshow. Dinner had to be reheated! We were blown away and both very teary (OK OK Andy teary and me sobbing my heart out! If I could gather up all the compliments you have had since you’d be bowled over.” – Jo

“Hey Dylan, Have been looking at our pictures on the blog and they are fantastic! Really reminds us of the great day we had and how special we were made to feel by everybody who came along.They also really reminded me of standing at the front of the church waiting for Jo to walk in, that nervous/excited feeling. And then seeing the white dress appear behind the guests in the corner and move towards me and become the vision that took my breath away. Thanks again for all your help in the build up, and on the day, you were great.” – Andy

Arriving at the church I stepped out of the car and walked up the drive – a walk Jo and her parents must have been making ever since she was a little girl. The bells rang out as Jo arrived and I stepped back inside the hushed church with my camera and watched the drama unfold.

I was back in Parkanaur Manor again last Saturday – this time for Leanne and Jonathan’s wedding ceremony in the Long Gallery. Parkanaur Manor is quite a tricky place to photograph in as the space is very tight but the place just looks fabulous and I love being challenged on a wedding day. Afterwards we travelled up to the Radisson Resort in Limavady for speeches and the evening celebrations. The parents (and especially the Mums) at this wedding were in great form all day and that was lovely to see.

Here’s a few of my personal favourites from the day:

I loved everything about this wedding – it had all the best ingredients for great photographs – romance, anticipation, excitement, great characters, love, friendship, beautiful backdrops, quirky details and loads of real life split-second moments – all just waiting to be trapped by the eye and the camera.

Claire and Russell’s ceremony took place in the grand setting of Belfast’s City Hall. Afterwards they toured Belfast on a double decker bus before heading up to the Malone Road for their reception at the fabulous Barking Dog restaurant. I really enjoyed shooting in The Barking Dog – warm light, beautiful colours and lots of little nooks and corners to get photographs in. The table plan was fun too with all of the tables named after their friends and families dogs!

Claire’s sister Jenny sent me these lovely words after the wedding:
The photos are amazing!! Thank you so much for being such a great support and so lovely to us on Claire and Russell’s big day. You really were the perfect wedding guest!

Claire and Russ sent me this lovely email after seeing their pictures online on return from their honeymoon:
Hi Dylan,
Thank you so much for photographing our wedding day – the pics are just fabulous, and everyone has said how lovely you were!
We just got back yesterday and still a bit jetlagged! but we’re very excited to see the album put together.
You managed to capture some really fab moments of the day, so thank you again for your wonderful work!!
Claire and Russ xx

As ever, these are my personal favourites from their day:

I’m really lucky to have the best clients in the world. Last Wednesday I received this lovely hand-painted little card from Jo and Andy (the day before their big day).

When I saw the front cover of this card I started laughing and at first I thought, “hey, is that me in the past with my long hair?” Yes, folks I once had hair down to my knees, but no! – it’s a light curtain and that thing I’m holding up in my left hand is a flashgun – another piece of antiquity (for me at least!). :)

On the inside Jo had written a lovely message –
“Dear Dylan, Courtesy for your kind, beautiful wife, we reckon you’re opening this card the night before Andy and I get married. It’s finally here, and whoohoo what a ride! We got engaged just over 18 months ago and the 2 things we did quickly were find the place to do it and the person to record it. You know how much we love photos to capture memories to cherish forever. The past 18 months has given us so so many and tomorrow we are so lucky to have you doing that for us.
The day we met you and saw your work there was no doubt. You’re so talented Dylan and the odd evening when one of us has taken a peak to see what you’ve been up to on your blog it usually results in getting the other one into the room to gasp and admire what you have managed to capture!
We had so much time to get organised and it’s blessed us with this precious month of lead up to the wedding to take some time out. We had seen lots of our friends and family making this such a magical month of love and hugs. This past week I’ve never felt adrenaline like it. I catch myself watching Andy sometimes and the rushes of love overwhelm me somedays. I’ll never quite understand how I was lucky enough that he chose me. When you see me tomorrow mostly I’ll be thinking exactly that! Thank you for capturing such a huge day for us. See you tomorrow…. Love Jo & Andy

Needless to say, Jo and Andy’s wedding was just fantastic. I’ll be posting some of my favourite photographs from their fabulous wedding next Friday so, as they say – keep your eyes open (and no blinking)!

PS – the lovely card (and indeed all of the wedding stationery) was hand-painted by the lovely people at the Lighthouse Cards Drawing Rooms – highly recommended and well worth making an appointment to discuss ideas and see their full range ‘in the flesh’ so to speak!

Heather and Simon had their wedding at the Old Inn in Crawfordsburn. Their day was blessed with beautiful weather and they managed to get round to Crawfordsburn Country park for a little stroll and drive in their old Windsor car.

Heather sent me these lovely words after seeing her pictures online:
Hi Dylan
Everyone has said how lovely the pictures are! It’s funny as everytime I looked at them I found something new – the little one peeking round the corner or our neighbours little girl standing with her wee camera amongst the rest of the group of girls all camera ready for our first dance! And to see who was sitting where and their facial expessions and what was happening in the background of something else in the forefront – it builds the day for us and reminds us of little things too.
Thanks so much,
Heather

I have to admit I love photographing at this time of year – the light is usually beautiful, even if it’s overcast or sunny and I also enjoy working at the Old Inn in Crawfordsburn. All of the weddings I’ve photographed here have been very relaxed, intimate affairs (which suits the way I work) and the light inside is simply beautiful (if a little challenging – a real mixture of strong directional window light, dark corners, candlelight and overhead tungsten).

For me it’s more satisfying to make a picture when everything comes together visually for a brief moment than to step in and start arranging things. I think as soon as a photographer does that then the moment has gone forever and the fleeting movement in the picture will have disappeared. I think that’s why a lot of posed photographs or ‘camera-aware’ pictures have little appeal for me – there’s no movement or mystery within the frame.

Anyway, in addition to the light, the other reason I love autumn weddings is that 20th September is our own wedding anniversary! Caroline and I have now been married seven years! :)

Here are some of my personal favourites from Heather and Simon’s day: