Back at the beginning of summer, I made my way over the water for an Irish wedding. I had always wanted to produce wedding photography at Ballintubber Abbey and now I had the opportunity!

I was a chilly day for Naz and Fergles nuptials. Ireland seems to have a habit of being cold when I’m there, but nothing detracts from the beauty that the countryside affords. I have been there only to work. Dublin weddings, Sligo weddings and now a County Mayo wedding. I’ve been a lucky camera man over the years!

CATHOLIC WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY

Below I have added some apertures of a wonderful catholic wedding ceremony. Ballintubber is a treat to shoot inside and out. It was a beautiful service with enough emotion and happiness to keep any snapper happy. After exchanging rings and saying their vows, you couple were married and, being a military wedding, received a guard of honour on leaving the church!

If you are getting married and the stunning Ballintubber Abbey, and you love the photographs that I produce, then please get in touch. Remember, I am a destination wedding photographer, so I am happy to travel for weddings all over Europe and beyond!

Tradition in Ireland states that if you “Marry in white, everything’s right”. This opening line to a lengthy rhyme sets a precedent for the entire Irish Catholic wedding experience; full of superstition, conditions and rituals that must be followed – lest the happy couple suffer the unfortunate consequences.

FULL OF WEDDING TRADITION

Irish weddings these days are lavish, large affairs, often bringing together hundreds of family members and friends for what is, in essence, one giant party. If you look back into history however, Irish weddings were shrouded with rules, not least concerning the colour of the Bride’s dress or the flowers she wears in her hair.

Among these rules are a wide variety of required documents that must be completed prior to the wedding day, on top of a pre-marriage course – the evidence of which must be supplied to the Priest in advance of the wedding. Irish Catholic weddings place a large chunk of the decision making onto the Priest himself, with many claiming that the variations in wedding traditions and required documentation depend entirely on which Priest the couple approaches.

Music is another important part of the Irish Catholic Wedding, and again it is recommended – if not required – that every piece chosen by the couple should be agreed with the Priest.

IRISH WEDDING RING

The traditional Irish wedding ring is called the Claddagh Ring, and is one of the oldest traditions still upheld today. The ring features two hands clasping a crowned heart, symbolising love and loyalty. This ring will often be held in the same family for many generations, and as well as a wedding ring can also be used to identify the relationship status of an individual – if the ring is worn on the right hand, the wearer is single and looking for love. Worn on the left hand, the wearer is married or engaged.

Once married, the Bride must travel from the church via a different route to her arrival, to symbolise and respect her new beginnings. In Irish catholic tradition, the idea of the journey is both metaphorical and literal – while nowadays we talk about a new path metaphorically, back then it had a much more literal meaning.

And one of the best traditions to come from the Irish Catholic ceremony? Mead – a rich alcoholic beverage made with honey. Cheers!