Stunning Civil Wedding At The Maryborough Hotel Cork
I originally met Aoife and Cian at The Southern Brides Wedding Fair in January 2017, and I was delighted when the asked me to be the photographer for their wedding at the Maryborough Hotel and Spa in Cork in April 2018. We met up in West Cork in February to have our planning meeting and to do a pre-wedding photo shoot in Castlefreke Woods, near Clonakilty. The shoot went really well and Aoife and Cian chose one of the images for their guests to sign at their reception.
On their wedding day, I went to see Cian and his five groomsmen for a quick hello and a few photographs first. I then went over to Aoife’s house where the pre wedding hair and make up preparations were in full swing. With Aoife, her five bridesmaids, her mother and 3 flower girls to get ready, the two hairdressers and two make up artists were slightly under pressure but everything went to schedule and we got all the photographs we needed. From there it was a short drive to the magnificent Maryborough Hotel and Spa for the ceremony.
As arranged, I met Cian and his parents and groomsmen at the hotel for some photos before the ceremony and I had a quick chat with the celebrant and the videographers to plan out the ceremony coverage. The venue for the ceremony was The Orangery at the Maryborough, which is a fantastic light filled room with wisteria trailing all along the ceiling. Aoife arrived with her dad in a vintage VW camper van and we got the wedding party ready for the procession.
The room was tightly packed with Aoife and Cian’s many friends and relations and there were gasps of ooh’s and aah’s as Aoife and her dad made their way down the aisle. Their ceremony included poetry and prose readings and some brilliant ukulele playing from one of Cian’s young nieces. After the ceremony and the greeting line we went out to the camper van for some photographs with the entire wedding party and then back to the drinks reception.
The Maryborough has some fantastic rooms in the original part of the hotel and we used one of these as a backdrop for our formal family photographs. I think that it is important for the couple to have lots of time to mix with their guests on their wedding day so I went off to the function room to shoot the layout and the wedding cake to give then some time to mingle. Shortly before the dinner bell, Aoife and Cian came to see the function room for themselves. It is really nice for a couple to see their room all laid out waiting for their guests, and we took the opportunity to do some cool romantic photos in the room at the same time.
Often on a wedding day the best photographs happen in the quiet time just before dinner, while the guests were being seated. We had time to do some more shots with the wedding party in The Orangery and with Aoife and Cian up in the beautiful bridal suite. Then, at around 6pm, the hotel manager announced the wedding party into the room and the guests cheered them to the top table. The speeches were held before the meal and this is another favourite part of the day for me. I just stand back with the long lens and catch the reactions of the wedding party. There is usually lots of laughter and emotion and the occasional teardrop as friends and relations are remembered and celebrated.
I sent Aoife and Cian a sneak peek selection of their photographs the morning after their wedding, here is what Aoife messaged me back…
Hi Dermot, I got your email and have looked at the pictures omg I absolutely adore them. Thank you so much you were absolutely amazing and you were such a special part of the day I can’t thank you enough. I would be delighted for you to share the photos and tag me. Thanks again 
Aoife and Cian
Click here for some top wedding day tips
Stunning Civil Wedding At The Maryborough Hotel Cork
