Real Wedding – Debbie and Phil

It had everything. A beautiful bride. A handsome groom. Two gorgeous bridesmaids (one who turned out to be a professional toothbrush model), a great church and reception venue, lovely weather (freezing but lovely) and then add in the fact that it was New Years Eve and people where in that party mood and you’ve got yourself all of the ingredients for what many said was – the best wedding ever.  I couldn’t possibly comment, it’d be unfair.  It was definitely up there!

The preparation shots in Debbie’s that morning were a great laugh.  Multi talented Nikki Kavanagh was on hand with the makeup brush and every other piece of makeup applying equipment you could fathom, not to mention her wicked sense of humor which kept everyone at ease.

Various friends and relatives were dropping in and out while the girls were busying themselves with nail painting and teeth brushing… It was at this point the glamourous Nicola arrived into the kitchen to show us this seasons up and coming toothbrush trends… (She’ll never forgive me for this..)

Ohh c’mon, she still looks great!

Debbie and Phil had booked their wedding day over 3 years ago so Debbie has had lots of time on her hands to think of exactly what she wanted.  One shot she knew she wanted was of her coming down the stairs in her dress.  I however, didn’t know this.  So there I was, hiding, camera on the ready, waiting to capture what I though was going to be a perfectly candid moment.  I could hear the girls at the top of the stairs, readying themselves for the grand entrance, and unbeknown to me, wondering just where on earth I was.  After a couple of minutes I heard “Where is he? Is he there?”…  I had to show my face. “Oh.. are you girls waiting for me? I’m down here hiding waiting to snap you all coming down the stairs”.  Sometimes you just have to do it their way

A not so candid moment

Outside, neighbours had gathered and everyone wanted a photo of the beautiful bride.

I just love the proud beaming smile on the drivers face in the background

A few days before this wedding I picked up my new tilt shift lens and I just couldn’t wait to get to the church to try it out.  The lens works best from a height, but as I couldn’t get up to the balcony (see previous post) I had to make do with shooting from ground level.  Still, I love the shot below as it just focuses all of your attention on the the bridal party.

The tilt shift lens in action

It was a lovely ceremony with beautiful music from Nikki Kavanagh – yes, that’s right, the makeup artist! Well, I did say multi-talented!  The girl has an absolutely beautiful voice, worth checking out her site to hear her samples.

Debbie and Phil both said ‘I Do’ – always a good thing at any wedding and so it was off to Finnstown.

Follow that car!

On arrival at Finnstown aside from the tea, coffee and mulled wine, I saw a table that was just calling my name, and everyone elses now I come to think of it.  It was a table filled with pic-a-mix!  Just the sugar rush I needed!  Guests first, guests first… yes, yes, I know… Who am I kidding? Hurry up! Oh flying saucers! You can eat hundreds of these things without ever getting sick

And not a weighing scale in sight.  This was a good day.

It didn’t take long for the party atmosphere to kick off and no sooner was the meal over when I was being asked to stay and join in with the celebrations.  I’d have loved to but with it being New Years Eve I had my own plans.  So once the dance was well and truely underway and the Irish dancers had entertained the crowd I packed the camera away and left what would have been one almighty party.  Lucky I did too, when I went outside there was about an inch of snow and we all know what happened next!  That’s right, snowmageddon!

The first dance

Thanks Debbie and Phil for letting me share you day with everyone.

To see more from Debbie and Phil’s wedding just click here!