28/08/2026
Damien & Monita travelled all the way from New Zealand to celebrate their wedding with family and friends at the beautiful Ballyseede Castle, and from the moment I arrived, you could feel just how much this day meant to everyone.
The Irish weather had other ideas, and what was meant to be an outdoor ceremony became an equally beautiful indoor one. After the summer we've had, I don't think we can complain too much... although I was definitely keeping one eye on the sky all day!
The emotions throughout the morning were impossible to ignore.
Monita shared something with me that instantly put everything into perspective. The incredible dress she wore had been lovingly handmade by her late mum. As she spoke about it, her eyes began to fill with tears. It wasn't just a dress. It was a piece of her mum, there with her on one of the biggest days of her life.
And that love was woven throughout the entire wedding.
Her mum loved birds, so a tiny hummingbird charm was attached to Monita's bouquet. Her brother wore a matching hummingbird pendant. There were little reminders everywhere that the people we love never really leave us.
Despite the rain, the day absolutely burst with colour. Monita, her sisters, the flower girls, every outfit, every detail... it all reflected such a vibrant celebration of two families coming together. I honestly couldn't get over how beautiful everything looked.
Meanwhile, Damien slipped straight back into old friendships as if he'd never left Ireland. Watching him and his best man fall back into years of messing and laughter was brilliant. Living on the other side of the world hadn't changed a thing.
One moment that really stayed with me was when a song quietly brought Damien's sister back to a memory that clearly meant the world to her. No words were needed. Just a few tears and a room full of people who understood exactly what that moment meant.
These are the moments I love photographing.
Not because they're perfect.
Because they're REAL!
Venue: Ballyseede Castle
Hair: Tricia O'Sullivan Bridal hair
Makeup: Marilyn McSweeney MAKEUP ARTISTRY
Cake: Heavenly Baked
Flowers: Eleanors Florist
Band: 'T H E S I X T Y F I V E'