Whenever I'm documenting a wedding as well as photographing the bride & groom and the immediate bridal party I'm always watching to see what's going on around them, to identify the other wee stories that make up the overall wedding day...

With big Irish family weddings these side-stories will often include the day of the younger guests, as they get spoilt by Aunties & Uncles, and get to have fun alongside cousins, and other kids they don't usually get to see every day...

Below are a few images from a recent St Columba's Church Drung, Quigley's Point and Ballyliffen Lodge Wedding when I was second-shooting alongside Jay Doherty Photography...

Nadine & Paddy​ lead their families and friends on an August exodus from Belfast to County Donegal for their wedding in The Ballyliffin Lodge and Spa... and they were blessed with the, far from guaranteed, appearance of Inishowen sunshine, meaning their guest were able to spend as much time inside as out.

Having their ceremony & reception in Ballyliffin Lodge gave them that bit more time to spend with those they'd invited along, and meant everyone could get into a celebratory mode as soon as they arrive - be it by Rolls Royce, Helicopter, or a never quite explained detour via Donegal Town!

t was my pleasure to document the day from the morning prep, through to the packed dancefloor, (thanks to Three's A Crowd) as it happened, with little interference and no fuss.

Here's a selection of photographs showcasing Nadine & Paddy's day.

Eileen & Paul's Wedding was the story of two Bally's... with my day starting with Eileen & her bridal party in Ballykelly as they prepared for the day ahead, before it ended late into the evening at Ballyliffin Lodge...

In between there was the wee matter of a wedding ceremony at St Finlough's, where Eileen & Paul said their 'I Do's' in the company of their friends and family; a quick stop off in Ballykelly Forest allowed us a few portraits, before the kind folks of Cool Classics took the bridal party across the Foyle and into Inishowen.

To say the happy couple and their guest intended to enjoy the evening to the full would be an understatement.... and so with the dance floor packed they celebrated into the wee hours...

Here's a few photos from their day.... (comment away below)

​For those interested in the finer details here's a few of the folks who helped make the day...

Eileen's Dress - Beautiful Day Bridal Cottage Greysteel
Suits - Cityman Derry
Ceremony - St Finlough's. Ballykelly
Reception - Ballyliffin Lodge
Flowers - Shaueen Nicoll Limavady
Ceremony & Pre-Dinner Music - Turas Girls
Band/DJ The Collective Wedding band
Cars - Cool Classics Derry
Cake - Kathleen Crossan
Videography - Devine Moments Greysteel
Room Dressing - Canterbury Tails
Selfie Mirror - Walled City Photobooths
Bridesmaid Dresses: Ultimate Dresses