Real Wedding – Fiona and TJ

Happy New Year everyone!

I’ve been in Oz for almost 3 weeks now and it’s scary to think that in just over a week I’ll be on my way back to Ireland. Not because it’s Ireland, I love Ireland. More the fact that I’ll no longer be walking around in shorts and t-shirts and applying copious amounts of suncream to this sun starved body. Nothing quite like hardly stepping foot on a (sunny) beach for 5 years to really make one appreciate the sunshine.

So, as a little reminder to all the folks back home that even the Irish summer did indeed have the very odd day of sunshine, I want to bring you this wedding from a day in August last year when Fiona and TJ tied the knot.

I really enjoyed shooting this one and Fiona and TJ were just an absolute dream to work with. In fairness, ‘work’ is the wrong word as really the whole day was spent having fun. I don’t think I’ve ever been around a more bubbly bride and one who so fully embraced the day without even a hint of wedding nerves or anxiety. TJ was the stereotypical gentle giant. I’d been told that there was no doubt that he’d be the first to shed a tear when Fiona walked up the aisle and true to form he lived up to expectations. If you listened closely you could hear the tears splash on the ground from a drop height of 6ft 6in!

Fiona really was a girl for the details. Aside from her utterly amazing dress, keep an eye out for the hanger her dress hung on, her little vintage lace gloves, the VW Camper, the ice cream van outside the church, the little signs guiding you to the reception at the hotel, the straws with their own signs, the sweet table and thumbprint sign board to name a few. This girl (and maybe guy) sure know how to make a wedding look good.

I cannot let this post end without telling you the most incredible story and one that really shows the true character of Fiona. Just before the first dance was due to start, Fiona’s dress…. went on fire… that’s right. Fire. Let this be a warning to all brides – pathways lit with tealights and wedding dresses are a firey combination. As Fiona walked along the pathway the flame from one of the tealights caught the underside of her dress and “Whooooomph!” up it went! Lucky for Fiona it went out as quick as it went up and after some minor dress alterations she hit the floor for her first dance not too long later. How did Fiona cope? With ease. “Did you hear my dress went on fire?!” she shouted to me later as she was still dancing away with a smile on her face. Amazing girl.

I’m sure she won’t mind me quoting a line she later sent me in an email…