Last weekend my sister Caitriona married her fiancé Cathal. Now I know you are all thinking 'she didn't get her brother to shoot her wedding?' She is an accountant but she is not that bad. She did how ever ask 'are you going to bring your camera in the evening'. She might as well asked will I be using my legs!
Caitriona and her beautiful Bridesmaids
I am always very slow to take a camera out at a wedding being photographed by someone else. You always get the smart alec who comments on how you think you better than the 'professional' or the 'take a day off'. I managed to catch a couple of shots though and I am glad I did. For me, when I take photographs I remember it forever and this was a day to remember. My family all dressed up, my God Daughter a bridesmaid, my 2 year old daughter a flower girl, and of course my only sister walking down the aisle.
It has always been just me and my sister. We absolutely killed each other growing up. Physically and mentally. You might be thinking... but she's a girl! well that beautiful girl in the white dress is a Black Belt in Karate and her Dad is her Sensei. I remember vividly while she was training for her blackbelt, I came into the kitchen from playing a rugby match. I couldn't have been much older that 16 and Caitriona 15. I heard my Dad shout 'get him, he's a big lad he can take it'. next minute she was coming at me. After all I was live bait. Needless to say i wasn't in the mood and one of us ended up on our back on the kitchen table. We had some laughs and to this day I know if ever I needed anything, Caitriona would move heaven and earth to help.
My Daughter Dubheasa kissing fellow flower girl Caoimhe
My God Daughter Nicole holding my youngest Daughter, Eloise
Nicole playing bubbles with Dubheasa
From all my previous weddings, Caitriona knew the value of shooting the wedding night. Catching your friends and family having the Craic and being able to look back on it with your kids is something you can't really put a value on. After all, she had spent enough money making sure people had a good time, It would be nice to remember it.
The second I clicked the shutter I knew I had this next photo and I am glad I did. I love this photo. Its almost like its just the two of them sharing a moment.
And the the Roast of Cathal Carolan...
The awkward moment your friend tells you that you split your trousers and you new wife has no sympathy!
Whats a Wedding without a Girl vrs Boy dance off? Cathal was taking full charge of this one. It was actually during a one on one dance off that Cathal and Caitriona first battled (met) while on a Stag and a separate Hens in Kilkenny.
It wasn't going his way... the tie had to come off!
Cathal Clearly claimed victory while surrounded by a dozen girls.
Interestingly earlier this year Cathal almost died. He loves telling the story. Turns out he actually started choking and it was his friend who had to give him the Heimlich Maneuver. They very kindly re-played it for the camera with pretty funny results!
I always get a selfie!