Lizzie & Nigel
Lizzie and Nigel’s wedding is one I remember for both its atmosphere and its meaning.
They had been living in Perth for several years and booked me without meeting in person. Planning a wedding in Ireland from overseas brings added complexity. We only met face to face three days before the wedding, but the connection was immediate. They were relaxed, open, and clear in how they wanted the day to feel.
The setting played a major role. Kilronan Castle is a 19th-century estate set along the edge of Lough Meelagh. The architecture is formal and imposing, with stone façades, tall windows, and detailed interiors. Inside, the ballroom provides a structured and elegant space for dinner, while outside, the grounds offer lawns, woodland, and lake views within short walking distance. It is a venue that supports both scale and variety. This was my first time photographing a wedding there, although I had previously worked at its sister venue, Lough Rynn Castle. Even with that reference point, Kilronan stood out immediately.
The day carried a deeper emotional layer. Nigel’s mother had passed away suddenly just weeks earlier. During the ceremony, a candle and a framed photograph were placed on the altar in her memory. Later, these were moved to the head table in the ballroom. It was a simple but effective way of including her presence throughout the day. After the ceremony, we made a short stop at Lough Key Forest Park for portraits. The location offers a mix of lake views and dense woodland, which creates depth and variation. The conditions were mostly stable, with only a brief threat of rain, so we were able to work efficiently without interruption. Back at Kilronan Castle, the reception moved smoothly. Guests spread across the grounds, and we continued with both candid and structured images. The light remained soft enough to allow for consistent outdoor coverage.
One moment stood out clearly. Nigel’s six groomsmen lifted him and threw him into the air. It was unexpected and fast-moving, but those moments often create the strongest images. It was, notably, my first “flying groom.”
What defines a memorable moment in a wedding? It is usually unplanned, brief, and driven by genuine interaction.
Dinner took place in the ballroom, where Lizzie and Nigel had kindly included me at a guest table. That perspective offers a different view of the evening. The food was carefully prepared and added to the overall experience without interrupting the flow. The rest of the evening carried a steady balance of reflection and celebration. The earlier emotional elements did not weigh the day down. Instead, they gave it context.
Looking back, this wedding combined a strong venue, meaningful personal touches, and a couple who approached the day with clarity and ease. I left with a clear sense of having documented something both personal and complete. And I would return to Kilronan Castle without hesitation.
