Relaxed and Romantic Summer Lockdown Wedding in Ireland

All of 2020 weddings have been so incredibly special and personal, all planned under difficult circumstances, all absolutely stunning and worth mentioning. Today I’m showing you one of those Covid weddings where the couple had to push their original April date to August and get married at home. Planning a wedding during a pandemic is incredibly difficult, it’s hard to get excited and motivated, there’s just so much uncertainty it’s difficult to know what to do and say. Cutting down your guest list, having no music or first dance, no venue of choice is all incredibly upsetting to think about but I want you to know it won’t take away from your day.

You will be married and the day will be amazing and it really is all that matters. You will be relieved and you will be able to call him your husband(or wife)! 4, 15 or 80 guests, you will absolutely not regret going ahead! You will love the feeling of being married, the feeling of not having to worry about it ever again.

Real WeddingsPaula PuchaczJanuary 28, 2021northern ireland wedding photographer, relaxed wedding photographer, natural wedding photography northern ireland, irish wedding photographer, garden wedding lockdown, 2020 covid weddingComment

How To Plan Your Relaxed Wedding Day Timeline

Planning your wedding day ahead as much as possible is the key to having a relaxed day focused on spending time with guests and celebrating. I know it contradicts itself a bit, but trust me - I have photographed lots of weddings since 2017 in Ireland and abroad and I have seen things done right and things not done at all. No matter how casual and informal your day is going to be, people should know what’s happening and where.

Top 10 Wedding Venues with Beautiful Gardens in Northern Ireland

I prepared this guide to help you narrow down your venue choice. The guide is split into four parts - this is the first one, Walled Garden Wedding Venues. Here you’ll find 10 amazing wedding venues in Northern Ireland (and 2 just across the border) that feature incredible gardens. Some of them are bigger, some smaller but all equally stunning for your wedding photos or drinks reception.

As a wedding photographer, I’ve experienced weddings in different locations. Below you will find some of my favourite venues to photograph if you’re looking for greenery, romantic atmosphere and elegance.

Choosing your venue will be an extremely personal decision and there are many factors to take into consideration. If having a beautiful and elegant garden for you and your guests to enjoy is one of them, this guide will help you narrow down your options.

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Chateau Soudtard, St. Emillion black tie wedding of Ella & Will, Bordeaux

I am so pleased to be able to share with you this fabulous, super romantic & elegant, black-tie wedding at a dazzling French castle, Chateau Soutard.

This was a dream of a wedding! The stunning backdrop of this idyllic castle, emotional outdoor ceremony and fabulous reception full of music, food and Aperol! A real joy to witness this big day, which took months to plan and prepare, as couples families flew from Australia. Planning a wedding in France is a challenge, especially if you live in another country and your guests will fly from every part of the world. Nonetheless, it's all worth it because you can't put a price tag on memory you’ll treasure forever. All your favourite people in one place to celebrate love, family and togetherness!

How to Choose a Makeup Artist for Your Wedding Day

If you’re a little overwhelmed when it comes to choosing your wedding suppliers - especially makeup and hair, look no further! Today I’m chatting with my business friend and a person I recommended to my brides countless times, the multi-award-winning, pro-make-up artist Sinead from @maidbysineadbridalmakeup. She’s kindly answering all my questions about booking a pro-make-up artist for your wedding, giving some tips on how to stay sane on the morning of your wedding and talking about switching career and starting her business. Sinead has helped so many of my brides achieve that beautiful glow, which ultimately resulted in stunning photos on the day. She's always positive and calm, which helps you relax when you're a little stressed during the getting ready part. If you’re unsure what suits you and your bridal party, she can advise you in a way that will enhance your natural beauty, rather than putting a mask on your face.

Tips & Planning AdvicePaula PuchaczJune 19, 2020wedding planning tips, how to choose wedding makeup artist, wedding makeup tips, bridal makeup, how to find a makeup artist for wedding, wedding makeup ideas, maid by sinead makeupComment

Benefits of Having a Second Photographer On Your Wedding Day

There are many benefits to booking your wedding package with a second photographer (second shooter) included. Having a wider verity of images from your wedding day, especially when things are happening at the same time, will ensure better coverage and more memories captured. I have a few second photographers ready to work with me and my couple, who are experienced and trustworthy. Booking a package like that is of course highly personal and your photographer will advise you best on what to do.

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Benefits of Having a Pre-Wedding Photoshoot with Your Wedding Photographer, The Dos & Don’ts of Engagement Photo Shoots & My Favourite Engagement Shoot Locations in Northern Ireland

Unless you’re a model, being photographed probably feels a little awkward. I do this for a living and still, feel a little out of place when I have my photos taken. I’m a big fan of engagement sessions for a few reasons.

First, they allow you to get comfortable in front of the camera and all the attention of it on you. It takes time for most couples to warm up to being photographed. Timelines can be pretty tight on weddings days and 10-30 minutes may be all we have for portraits - which is why wedding day portraits turn out so much better when couples do engagement sessions ahead of time.

Second, you can showcase your personalities in a more casual setting that is significant to the two of you (and even include children or pets!). They’re great for save-the-dates, we’ve taken engagement photos anywhere from 18 months in advance to a few days before the wedding. Your complimentary session is included in the price, but you don’t have to book it only with your wedding package. It can make a great gift for newly engaged friends, anniversary gift to your significant other and so on.

Have a read through the advice below to help make your mind up.

Tips For Planning A Small Wedding Guestlist. Elopement Planning Tips For Intimate, Non-Religious Weddings

Small, intimate weddings might become a new normal in the post-Corona times, but how do you decide who gets an invite and deal with upset family and friends? How to trim off that large, summer wedding guest list without hurting anyone’s feelings? Or perhaps you’re planning an elopement since that big wedding is no longer on the cards, you would still like to do something meaningful on your original date and have a party later?

Tips & Planning AdvicePaula PuchaczMay 19, 2020natural wedding photography northern ireland, northern ireland wedding photographer, Northern Ireland wedding photographer, natural and vibrant wedding photography northern ireland, candid wedding photographer northern ireland, coronavirus wedding planning, Destination wedding planning, small wedding guestlist, planning a small wedding guestlist, small wedding planning tips, how to organise a small wedding in IrelandComment

Photographer's Tips For a Perfect Wedding Confetti Moment

Confetti throw is probably one of the most fun ways of including your guests in your wedding photos. It gives you an opportunity to get happy photos, full of smiles and excitement on your guest’s faces. It’s a memorable moment worth considering for your wedding - cheap to create, fun for adults and children and often a ‘‘money shot’’ of the day. My Instagram page is full of confetti ideas because I love organising it for my couples and sharing happy memories! If you’re wondering how to organise a confetti moment on your wedding day and where to start, follow this post to the end for tips and advice. This will give you a comprehensive look at what to get, where to do it and how to make sure you get the most photos out of it!

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Dreamy Elopement in a Far Away Land - Azores Elopement Wedding, Portugal

Elopements are such a great option for couples travelling to the Azores, all year round. You’re guaranteed a breathtaking scenery, no-frills ceremony with only a few close family and friends present — or perhaps no one at all. Elopements have overall better flexibility, budgeting options and of course, it’s just utterly romantic and special to read your private vows in a faraway land.