Shauna & Ivo’s Destination Wedding in Lanzarote – West Cork Love in the Spanish Sun
There are weddings you photograph, and there are weddings that stay with you forever.
Shauna and Ivo’s destination wedding in Lanzarote is one of those.
When Shauna first got in touch to ask if I’d fly out to Spain to capture their day, my answer was instant — of course, I was in. As a West Cork wedding photographer, it’s a dream to be asked to shoot a wedding in the sun, and this one was extra special because I already knew the couple from photographing their friends’ weddings over the years. Shauna and Ivo are laid-back, salt-of-the-earth people — the kind of couple who just roll with the day and soak in every moment.
Planning your day? wedding photography services
Getting Ready – West Cork Meets Lanzarote
I knew Lanzarote weddings could be intense with the heat and humidity, so I trained for it — no joke. Three months out, I got fitter, dropped two stone, and built a hydration and stamina routine. The Irish lad was ready for the Spanish sun.
Flying out of Cork was a dream, and after a short taxi ride to Hotel Costa Calero Thalasso & Spa, I caught up with Shauna and Ivo the day before. We walked, we talked, we laughed. And in a passing comment, Ivo mentioned how he was “dreading the speeches and when she walks down the aisle.” It was a throwaway remark — but the look on his face said everything. That man wears his heart on his sleeve, and I knew we were going to capture something powerful the next day.
The Morning Buzz
The morning of the wedding was pure magic — 30 degrees, blue skies, and a soft breeze.
First stop was Ivo’s room. He was already up, calm but with that look in his eyes — a mix of excitement and nerves. Then it was over to the girls, and the energy shift was instant. Irish bridesmaids in full swing, laughing, joking, music playing — my kind of morning.
Shauna looked incredible even before she stepped into her dress, glowing with that pre-wedding buzz. At one point, she was playing hide and seek with her daughter Harlow, and we were all in stitches pretending we couldn’t find her. These are the moments that make mornings so special — the laughter, the nerves, the pure joy.
When Shauna stepped into her wedding dress, it was a show-stopping moment. Every detail was perfect. The Spanish sun lit her up, and you could see it in everyone’s faces — this was her day.
The Ceremony – Tears, Laughter, and That First Look
Down on the terrace, the ceremony setup overlooked the mountains, decorated beautifully with floral touches. I stood with Ivo and his groomsmen — the lads keeping him distracted, laughing and joking, doing their best to keep the nerves at bay.
And then it was time.
First down the aisle was little Harlow, basket in hand, scattering petals like a pro. She lit up the terrace with her smile. Bridesmaids followed one by one, and Ivo was counting them off in his head because he knew who was coming next — Shauna.
When she stepped onto that aisle, it hit him. The first look. The deep breath. And then the tears. The kind of moment that stops time. Shauna was a vision, and for that walk, nothing else in the world existed.
Their ceremony was everything a wedding should be — full of love, full of laughter, and just a little bit of Irish chaos. Fifty of their closest family and friends had made the trip from Bandon, West Cork, and you could feel the love and energy surrounding them all day.
Golden Hour in the Marina
After the ceremony, we ventured to the marina for photos. Stepping out of the car, the heat hit us like a wall — but it didn’t matter. The Lanzarote backdrop was everything: blue skies, dramatic light, and that warm golden glow bouncing off the water.
Shauna and Ivo were pure magic together. The way they looked at each other, laughed with each other — it made my job effortless. And little Harlow, darting in and out of the frames, gave us those candid, natural moments that tell the real story of the day.
The Party
Back at Hotel Costa Calero, the energy didn’t stop. Speeches had tears, laughter, and more than a few jokes that had everyone roaring. Ivo, despite his nerves, absolutely smashed it.
As the sun went down, the party kicked off properly, and the terrace turned into a dance floor under the stars. West Cork meets Lanzarote — and it was one hell of a celebration.
Thank You
Shauna and Ivo, thank you for trusting me to capture your day. To your family and friends — you brought the energy and made me feel like one of the gang. To the amazing @aoifecollinsbridalhair, @facesbykatielanzarote, and @weddingsbyannleneghan — you made the day seamless and stunning. And to Hotel Costa Calero Lanzarote, thank you for looking after everyone so well.
