Aileen and Jimmy - Wedding Photography at the Bayview Hotel in Ballycotton / February 20, 2024 by Jan

A Whimsical Wonderland Wedding at the Bayview Hotel in Ballycotton, Cork

Photographing weddings has been such a tearjerker ever since I got married last year. And this wedding was just that! A couple who made their special day very unique due to their interest and hobbies. It is such a lovely tale of love, laughter – and one of the most adorable ring bearers I’ve ever seen!

I recently had the pleasure of photographing this gorgeous wedding of Aileen and Jimmy, a couple whose love story is as unique as their big day. Taking place at the picturesque Bayview Hotel in Ballycotton, it set the stage for their nuptials. It made for such a scenic backdrop, being located right next to the charming Ballycotton harbour with the iconic lighthouse standing tall. It’s really a great spot for any wedding, and the backdrop came in handy later on for the family group shots!

The ceremony took place indoors at the Bay View Hotel, and before they exchanged vows, a ring-warming ceremony took place, followed by a handfasting ceremony, sealing their commitment in a truly heartfelt manner.

But let me introduce you to the real MVP of the day – their furry friend, who not only stole the show but also played the vital role of the ring bearer. This dapper dog also got dressed up for the occasion with a beautiful flower collar, and boy, did he look adorable!

After the ceremony, it was cake cutting time. A lovely “cheese cake” with Lego figurines, that looked like the couple, on top of it. An actual cake made of cheese.

I couldn't resist leaving Ballycotton without a wedding couple's shoot at the famous Ballycotton cliff walk. The mix of the ocean, gorgeous sun light we had on the day, and the dramatic cliffs, always make for an amazing photo shoot experience. And Aileen and Jimmy made it look easy. We had such a blast doing the couple shoot, with strangers coming up and congratulating us here and there.

Aileen and Jimmy's passion for fitness shone through as they flexed their muscles for a fun photo that truly showcased their personalities.

Flex it!

Aileen and Jimmy's passion for fitness shone through...

And it’s not just their love for fitness that they share but also their love for the Circus Factory. They even had their friends perform a post-ceremony show, which added a unique layer of fun and excitement to their special day. It’s not everyday that you have fire performers at a wedding! And it wouldn’t have worked or made sense at any other wedding, but it was great to see a couple have a wedding that reflected their personalities.

5-star Google Review

Aileen and Jimmy were so happy with the photos they received that they wrote me this lovely 5-star Google review:

“Jan was our wedding photographer. His photographs are beautiful and he was so easy to deal with. We also loved how chilled out he was on the day, letting us enjoy our time with our guests, while still popping up at all the appropriate times to get great photos but without taking over the day. He was also a big fan of our little canine flower girl (our dog), and that was important to us! Thanks Jan for such a great experience on the day and for such gorgeous photos. We love them.”

— Aileen

Here's to a lifetime of love and adventure for the newlyweds!

If you would like to book me as your Cork Wedding Photographer, say hi to me here or click here for more Irish wedding photography.

G&N - Elopement Photography at the Hayfield Manor / February 8, 2024 by Jan

I had the pleasure of photographing a lovely elopement at the Cork City registry office, a place that holds sentimental value for me. It's where I exchanged vows nearly two years ago. I think I’ve said this before but I am always surprised how this registry office has a knack for turning a simple affair into a heartfelt celebration. I personally, was just expecting to sign a document and that be it but it’s actually a full on ceremony! They are even more than happy to accommodate post-ceremony group photos indoors.

Gavin and Niamh are the couple of the day. Having exchanged vows and rings, making it official with the legal paperwork and signatures, it was time for the couple photo shoot!

We made our way to the elegant Hayfield Manor. This was my recommendation as we would be able to do the couple shoot even with the rain. We found refuge from the rain and wind in the charming greenhouse within the front garden, creating a picturesque setting for capturing intimate couple moments. The rain, rather than dampening the mood, added a unique charm to the photos.

With the brother/brother-in-law supplying us with his chauffeuring services, we drove to our next destination; the River Lee Hotel. Here family and friends were waiting for us, for some post-elopement celebrations. We took some lovely group photos of everyone there, and then my time came to end. And I left Gavin and Niamh, now husband and wife, to celebrate into the evening, before heading onto a plane to New York City for their honeymoon!

5-star Google Review

Gavin and Niamh were lovely enough to leave me this amazing review;

“Jannik couldn’t have been more professional or courteous, was brilliant to deal with from start to finish and made everyone feel at ease. Shooting with him was like second nature. Would highly recommend.”

— Gavin and Niamh

A&F - The Anglers Wedding Photographer / November 22, 2023 by Jan

I had the immense pleasure of witnessing the unique love story between Adrian and Fadzai unfold on their special day. With Ireland’s unreliable weather, most of my weddings take place indoors, but Adrian and Fadzai took a chance, and it paid off. Located at The Anglers, the wedding had a beautiful, bohemian air filled with light and love.

The couple played with tradition, keeping some elements intact while also creating their own, special variations for others. Which brings me to the things I loved the most…

1) Starting Out Together at The Kingsley Hotel

I thought it was so unique that the couple had decided to get ready together, and it was so much fun to photograph the pre-wedding preparations with them together. When I met them at The Kingsley Hotel, where they were preparing, I sensed an air of excitement and unity. The traditional concept of the bride and groom getting ready separately was beautifully replaced by their joint anticipation, culminating in a heart-warming walk down the aisle hand in hand. This departure from convention created a sense of togetherness that set the tone for the day.

2) UCC - A Love Story Captured

The couple opted for family photos and a couple shoot to take place prior to the ceremony, at the University College Cork, the very place where their love story began. Taking the photos before the ceremony felt less rushed and allowed for a more relaxed and natural flow. The architecture of UCC never fails to provided a picturesque backdrop, each building telling a chapter of their journey. From the iconic structures to the intimate chapel which we used for the couple shoot, even if they didn’t tie the knot there. These photos resonated with the depth of their relationship.

After UCC, the couple dropped in at the pub they used to frequent as students for a quick toast to the new chapter.

3) The Charm of The Anglers Bar & Restaurant

I really enjoyed the outdoor setting at The Anglers as it offered the perfect lighting and created a relaxed and vibrant atmosphere. Even though certain traditions were put aside, others were embraced. The guests were given the chance to bestow their blessings upon the union with the ring warming; and there was a lighting of candles to honour departed loved ones.

Thoughtful arrangements emphasised the natural beauty of The Anglers, making it feel like the grand celebration it was. From the bouquet toss (a fun interval in any wedding) to the speeches, every moment was a blend of significance and warmth.

The evening culminated in capturing a few awesome shots of the women – the high spirits of the day giving inspiration to act and pose spontaneously without needing any direction from me. This marked a happy end to an eventful day, reflecting the easy joy that filled the celebration.

5-star Google Review

Adrian and Fadzai's wedding was a tapestry of unconventional yet deeply meaningful snapshots. I am delighted that I got to document these cherished moments, and they clearly had a great time too, leaving me this amazing 5-star Google review:

“What can I say, Jan was absolutely brilliant to work with from beginning to end for our wedding day!
He was so professional, organised and helpful as we planned the photo shoot and party photos. When the day came we were a bit nervous about being the centre of attention but Jan made the photo shoot so relaxed, easy and a lot of fun, we ended up really enjoying it!
The photos in the end were SO SO beautiful. Going through them was like reliving our wedding day all over again as he captured so many natural happy moments of us and also of friends and family!
Thank you so much Jan for the amazing photos, we are absolutely delighted and looking through them gives us that warm fuzzy feeling every time! :)”

If you would like me to be your wedding photographer in Cork, you can contact me here for my wedding packages and availability. I’d love to hear from you!