I'm a Cork-based wedding photographer, but I'm certainly not limited to Cork. Weddings take me all over Ireland, and Shane and Suzy's day at The Village Barn in Tyrrellspass, Co. Westmeath was well worth the trip up the country. If you're looking for relaxed, natural wedding photography with plenty of real moments, laughter and very little fuss, distance doesn't bother me.
Explore JOD PhotographyShane & Suzy’s Wedding at The Village Barn, Tyrrellspass
Shane and Suzy are honestly two of the most down-to-earth people you could imagine.
I had travelled a few hours from Cork to photograph their wedding at The Village Barn in Tyrrellspass, and from the minute I arrived at Shane’s mother’s house that morning, everything just felt easy.
I was a long way from home, but the welcome was fantastic.
Shane was there with his young son, Ollie, and one of Shane’s first important jobs of the day was getting the little fella dressed and ready for the wedding.
His best man arrived shortly afterwards, followed by Shane’s mother, and there was no madness or photographer trying to manufacture a morning that wasn’t happening. Just family, a bit of anticipation and everyone getting ready for what was ahead.
Shane’s mother also had a stunning garden out the back of the house, so before leaving we were able to use it for a few photographs and wrap up that side of the morning without having to go anywhere else.
Suzy and Bella
Then it was on to Suzy.
She was getting ready at the home she shares with Shane, and she was exactly like him. Completely down to earth.
But there was another little character waiting for me there.
Their daughter, Bella.
She was the highlight of the morning.
She had a question and an answer for absolutely everything.
There was a confidence about her at such a young age, and we had great craic together. These are the parts of wedding mornings I love because none of it needs to be created.
Kids don’t really care that there’s a wedding photographer in the house.
They’re just themselves.
And when they’re such an important part of their parents’ lives, they’re going to be an important part of the photographs as well.
Arriving at The Village Barn
Then I arrived at The Village Barn.
My golly.
What a venue.
You walk down this beautiful outdoor corridor towards the barn and then the place opens up in front of you. The barn itself is stunning, but what struck me just as much were the gardens surrounding it.
For a photographer, it’s a brilliant setup because you’ve got everything in the one place.
And Shane and Suzy got the weather for it.
Proper summer heat.
The doors and windows of the barn were open and whatever little breeze we could get was drifting through. Their family and friends were all around them and the whole place had that relaxed summer-wedding feeling.
They really couldn’t have asked for much more.
Together Was Where the Nerves Disappeared
There are nearly always a few nerves on a wedding morning.
That’s normal.
But something changed when Suzy came down the aisle and reached Shane.
The two of them knew they were getting married.
Standing in front of everyone they loved and actually saying the words was almost the formality.
Once they were beside each other, they were grand.
Together they were stronger, and you could see it immediately.
That’s one of those things I watch for on a wedding day.
I’m not only looking at the person walking down the aisle. I’m watching the person waiting at the other end too. I’m looking at parents, children and the people around them because sometimes the photograph is happening somewhere completely different from where everyone expects it to be.
Wedding Photos at The Village Barn
After the ceremony, we didn’t need to turn the day into a photoshoot.
The grounds at The Village Barn gave us everything we needed, so we simply used what was around us.
A few photographs here. Move somewhere else. Have a laugh. Get what we need and keep the day moving.
And the craic was mighty.
The Cork wedding photographer was holding his own up the country.
I slid straight in with the guests, figured out fairly quickly who the characters were and just fed off the energy.
That’s how I like working.
For most of a wedding I’m not directing people or dragging couples away from their guests. I’m talking to people, having a laugh and watching what’s going on.
When I need to step in, I step in.
When I don’t, I disappear back into the wedding.
And with this crowd there was plenty happening without me having to manufacture anything.
A Proper Irish Summer Wedding
You really couldn’t have asked for a better day.
Great weather.
A stunning location.
Family and friends together.
A ton of laughter.
And right in the middle of everything were Shane, Suzy, Ollie and Bella.
That’s what I’ll remember most about this wedding.
Not just Shane and Suzy as a couple, but the four of them as a family.
The entire day ran smoothly. Their families and friends were fantastic to be around, the energy never really dropped and Shane and Suzy were an absolute dream to photograph.
An Irish wedding, summer heat, great craic and a beautiful venue.
Sometimes that’s all you need.
Thank you, Shane and Suzy, for bringing me up the country to photograph it.
Getting Married Further Up the Country?
I'm based in Cork, but weddings regularly take me much further up the country. Shane and Suzy's wedding at The Village Barn in Tyrrellspass is a perfect example. If you love relaxed, natural wedding photography with plenty of laughter and very little fuss, don't let the distance put you off. I'm always happy to pack the cameras, point the car north and photograph a great wedding wherever it takes me.
Explore JOD Photography