Aileen and Jimmy - Wedding Photography at the Bayview Hotel in Ballycotton /  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.

The real MVP

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 /  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

Let the Sunshine In - Engagement Couple Shoot West Cork /  by Jan

It was so fitting that we had such amazing weather on this couples shoot. There was just so much to celebrate with this photo shoot! Not only was it an engagement shoot, with Jonathan and Megan already planning their wedding, but it was also to celebrate their pregnancy. So many new chapters! Which made it incredibly fitting to have this amazing sun shine down upon us and gift us with these amazing sunset couple photos (with the sun symbolizing new life and positivity).

The two also knocked it out of the park with their outfits wearing fully white in this natural environment, and with this golden sun, really made them pop out so naturally and elegantly! I send all of my couples a PDF with my clothing advice for these photo shoots, and either Megan really took my advice to heart or they’re just naturally elegant! Either way, they did a great job with their outfits.

Gougane Barra sometimes feels like a bit of a trek to get to but I’m always happy when I’ve made the long journey (in time, if not in mileage) as it’s such a treat to photograph in. With just a short skip away from Glengarriff and Skibbereen, it is one of West Cork’s, not so secret, treasures! With the forest in one section and the gorgeous St Finbarr’s Oratory on it’s little “island” in the lough, there are so many amazing spots to discover and photograph in. And a little surprise that always astonishes people, is that the oratory is unlocked and free for visitors to enter.

St. Finbarr’s Oratory

Gougane Barra’s gorgeous attraction.

A lot of couples and families that I take to Gougane Barra are from overseas, so I’m lucky enough to show tourists this gorgeous scenery. I remember the first time I came here, and just like everyone else, I was amazed by all of the gorgeous moss growing everywhere. I don’t know why it’s so much more impressive than the tall trees, but for some reason it always grabs everyone’s attention. Ireland is just so green and lush!

If you are looking to do a vacation couples shoot in Ireland, you can contact me here to schedule a photo shoot. We can do a couples shoot in Gougane Barra, or, I do also have a few new locations planned for 2024!