“For me, planning and preparation always begins with an open conversation, sitting down with the couple to understand what truly matters to them. I want to hear how they imagine their day and see it through their eyes.”

“I also ask what it is about my work that spoke to them. With Saoirse and Hector, we had conversations about the ‘vibe’ of the celebrations and shared some images back and forth that we loved. Once I created and shared some mood boards interpreting their vision, they were over the moon with the direction and from there it all flowed naturally.”

Photographer: Story of Eve

“Under the expert guidance of planner Tara Fay, the celebrations began on Friday with woodfired pizzas and champagne before the bride and groom spent the night apart in keeping with tradition.”

“I try not to arrive with too many expectations during getting ready, but instead ride the wave and capture the fun, the chaos, the laughter, the champagne pops, and everything in between.

When I first started transitioning from videography into photography, I wore it as a badge of honour that I never contrived moments, that I just let things unfold naturally. But over time I realized that some of my best work comes from leaning in, suggesting changes in pose or location, and occasionally pushing for something that might sound unusual in the moment. If I’m confident it will create something special, I’ll always ask.

Being an actress, Saoirse thrived on exploring different angles and poses, which made it such a fun collaboration.”

“With Saoirse and Hector’s wedding, I suggested something different. I wanted Saoirse to get into her dress at the manor rather than in the hair-and-makeup space, where I had already captured lots of the fun that morning. The interiors there had so much more character, and stepping away from the bustle gave her a moment of calm. Those quiet frames ended up being some of my favourites from the whole weekend.”

“I always find tented ceremonies challenging—the light on faces can often feel yellowish and muddy. Fortunately, there was beautiful natural light spilling through the front of the tent during Saoirse and Hector’s ceremony, so I suggested to the celebrant that we pull the table back and bring the couple closer to the opening.”

“That subtle shift made a huge difference, but shooting from the aisle towards the front was still tricky. In the end, I used the bare minimum of flash so as not to distract from guests’ experience of the moment.”

“Having a second shooter at ceremonies is always such a bonus, as it allows me to stay as unobtrusive as possible. I only ever work with second shooters I’ve mentored or spent time with beforehand, because personality is such a crucial part of the team dynamic.”

“One of the most beautiful moments of the day was the exit. Saoirse wanted to include a purple smoke bomb as a tribute to her grandmother, whose favourite colour was lavender. Purple accents ran through the entire weekend. Rather than having the couple walk straight down the aisle, I worked with the planner to suggest looping them back around so guests could gather with confetti. It turned into a celebratory, colourful exit that felt both deeply personal and visually striking.”

“I think the best portraits come when vulnerability meets spontaneity. While much of what we do as photographers involves ‘capturing the moment’, sometimes it isn’t about what’s happening in front of you at all. Sometimes you are creating the frame, which is the opposite of just documenting the moment. I’m constantly scanning for textures, tones, angles, and compositions.”

“Every wedding comes with its own creative risks and quick decisions, and this one didn’t disappoint. Lisa, the videographer (Muse of Marquise), and I had scouted some outdoor spots and different corners of the manor for portraits, but when the moment came we had just seven minutes to work. Faced with the choice of stepping outside into beautiful natural light or pushing ourselves indoors, it felt like a no-brainer to be bold.

That decision led us to some incredible backdrops, a striking floral wallpaper I’d spotted the night before, the tight ledge of a tiny bathroom window, and of course the manor’s antique staircase. But rather than defaulting to the obvious ‘couple standing on the stairs’ shot, I wanted to twist it into something more unexpected.”

Dromquinna Manor in County Kerry was the perfect backdrop for this wedding. The visual heritage of the estate elevated everything: the folk storytelling, the Celtic touches. But what I loved most were the unexpected details inside the manor.

Vendor Credits
Planning: @tarafayevents
Photographer: @storyofeve
Video: @museofmarquise
Stylist: @kkittybb
Hair: @bytimothydavid
Makeup: @m_robyn_w
Male Grooming: @hausofchrismetamorph