Pataire & John’s Kerry Wedding at Waterville & Kenmare Bay Hotel
Some weddings feel relaxed from the very first minute you arrive.
That was Pataire & John.
No fuss. No performance. Just two genuine people who wanted to get married, celebrate properly with family and friends, and enjoy every second of the day.
And honestly… those are usually the weddings that end up being the most memorable.
A few month’s before the wedding, we met up for an engagement shoot. For me, those shoots are never really about “posing.” They’re about helping couples realise the camera isn’t something to fear.
It’s a chance for us to have the chats, walk around, laugh a bit, and let people settle into themselves naturally.
Because the truth is, most couples feel awkward at the beginning.
That’s completely normal.
So instead of barking orders or trying to turn people into models, I keep things simple.
“Hold her there.”
“Look at her.”
“What do you do again John… making signs is it?”
Anything to keep minds off the camera and let personalities come through naturally.
By the end of that shoot, they absolutely flew it.
And by the time the wedding day rolled around, they already knew the craic.
A Proper Irish Welcome in The Kingdom
I arrived early at Pataire’s family home on one of those beautiful Kerry mornings where the countryside looks like it’s showing off a little.
The drive down into the Kingdom was stunning.
The sun was splitting the sky.
Fields glowing green.
Not a bother in the world.
And before I even got to the front door, I was greeted by an old sheepdog who honestly looked like he’d been expecting me all morning. He wandered over for a rub behind the ears and sat there grinning away like we’d known each other for years.
Inside, the house was buzzing.
The girls were flat out with makeup and hair, music going, breakfast plates everywhere, tea flowing constantly, and that perfect mix of excitement and nerves hanging in the air.
Then came the famous Irish welcome.
“Sure James, you’ll have something to eat won’t ya?”
“Tea or coffee?”
And honestly… that warmth is something we Irish probably take for granted sometimes. It’s one of the things that makes weddings here feel different.
The generosity.
The humour.
The way people make you feel at home within five minutes.
Finding out I was a Cork man only added fuel to the fire once I met Pataire’s father.
Cork and Kerry rivalry was alive and well from the start 😂
But he was brilliant craic all day long. The kind of man you can instantly have the laugh with, and by the end of the night I think I’d finally won him over.
Rain, Wind & A Little Bit of Kerry Magic
The ceremony took place at the beautiful Mary Immaculate Church in Loher, just outside Waterville.
A tiny rural church overlooking the ocean deep in the Kingdom.
Absolutely stunning.
By this stage though, Kerry weather had started doing what Kerry weather does best.
Wind.
Rain.
Then more rain.
Still, once the ceremony finished, we decided to head down towards the pier for portraits.
Fair play to Pataire & John because they never hesitated once.
“Sure let’s go anyway.”
And thank god they did.
Because the second we reached the pier, it honestly felt like someone upstairs waved a hand across the sky.
The rain stopped.
The wind eased.
And for about twenty perfect minutes, Kerry gave us a little window to work with.
Those ended up being some of my favourite moments from the entire day.
Just the two of them together beside the water, wrapped up in the moment, laughing through the cold air with the rugged Kerry landscape sitting quietly behind them.
Real moments.
Nothing forced.
Nothing overdone.
Just them.
A Wild Reception at Kenmare Bay Hotel
From there it was back to the brilliant Kenmare Bay Hotel where over 200 guests were waiting to welcome the newlyweds.
And when I say the place erupted when they arrived…
I mean erupted.
The cheers.
The hugs.
The selfies.
People pulling John one direction and Pataire the other direction trying to get a moment with them.
The whole place was absolutely bouncing.
The energy just lifted from that point on.
The sun even decided to make another appearance, the pints started flowing properly, and the atmosphere became one massive celebration from start to finish.
A Gang of Nurses keeping the energy levels at 100.
Some of the best craic imaginable all day long.
A few of them are getting married themselves over the next few weeks, so genuinely, we just want to wish ye all the very best. Whatever weather Ireland throws at ye… go for it anyway. Ye’ll be grand.
Speeches, Music & One Serious Dance Floor
The speeches brought plenty of emotion before the evening properly kicked off.
Then came the first dance.
Family and friends packed around the dance floor roaring them on while Arklight Band absolutely tore the roof off the place.
From that moment on, the dance floor never slowed down.
One of those weddings where every single generation was up dancing.
Exactly the way it should be.
Huge Thanks to Jim Rocks
Massive thanks as well to Jim Rocks for covering the morning over at John’s house for me.
Absolute gentleman.
And a final mention has to go to Oisín, Pataire’s brother, who I believe is already heading back to Australia today after flying home for the wedding.
An absolute gent from start to finish and great craic all day long.
There’s always something special about family travelling across the world to be home for a wedding like this. Safe travels back Oisín, hope the head survives the flight after the celebrations 😂 and thanks again for all the laughs throughout the day.
Suppliers
- Venue: Kenmare Bay Hotel
- Dress: Finesse Bridal Wear
- Makeup: Makeup by Maura
- Singer: Charlotte Reidy
- Band: Arklight Band
- Videographer: Film Me Videography
- Second Shooter: Jim Rocks
Planning Your Own Kerry Wedding?
If you’re planning a relaxed wedding in Kerry or anywhere across Munster and want natural photographs without hours away from your guests, have a look through my work below.
