Tincy and Martin (who live in Vancouver – Martin is Irish) decided to get married in Dromoland Castle in Ireland (post to follow) and a few days prior I met them for the first time and we got a little session before the wedding in. The best cuddlers that existed….

Just a little outtake while I asked Tincy to let me test the light…

Who doesn’t love some canoodling, Blogstalkers?

Here’s a snippet of the session:

I *really* adore Kurt + Lindsay, Blogstalkers. Like, as in really, really.

(More info to come later with their beyond fabulous wedding…)

-A

I digress. Anyway, the lovely Aoife got ready at her parent’s house (which is tradition in Ireland) and I must tell you – everything about this lovely bride screamed a Walt Disney princess. In the literal way. As if Walt himself sketched her by hand.

Back to the rain – Aoife and Enda were bound and determined to get a photo or two on the beach – even if the conditions weren’t ahem…”sunny”. (Regardless if she was in Jimmy Choo’s in the sand, and it was raining and turned my umbrella inside out because of the wind. You know, no problem.) I, from that moment forward admired the will of these two and how much they cared about me being able to get photos! Needlesstosay, we couldn’t spend too much time outdoors as it wasn’t just drizzling but full out pouring but we did manage to sneak in a few moments of them and they got to enjoy the day regardless of rain or shine…which is how it should be. And the decor these two put together. Oh my! Cherry blossom tree right in the middle of the reception room? Take a look:

(Ballymaloe House)

None of you realise how hard it was raining on the beach, Blogstalkers.

-A

Behold, the most photographed, cute, cuddle-y dog:

Lastly, for fun at a wedding I compared my Canon 5KMKII (image only colour corrected) to the Contax 645 with Portra 400. Can you guess which is digital and which is film? I could show you a few more photos which look SO far from similar and you can immediately tell which is which, but that wouldn’t very fun, now would it?

Is film image 1 or 2, Blogstalkers?

-A

Suman + Miral’s wedding was a full blown 3-day event full of me falling off a chair during family photos, breaking my 50 1.2, working with these two crazy kids (watch the superb video in the link!) and lots of ceremonies, love, and events that are better described by the photos below than me rambling on.

In Living Color, Blogstalkers.

-A

Lastly, some footage Miss Katie put together: (Be warned, this was the first time I ever tried to film and I even accidentally shot a frame vertically. Gasp!! : http://gizmodo.com/5915888/an-important-psa-on-why-you-should-never-shoot-videos-vertically )

Groses bises Blogstalkers,

-A

Loads more to come, Blogstalkers

-A

Check out a little video I made from an impromptu candy* inspired shoot we did last week. Tara, the model, grew so fond of her sugar glazed eyebrows she left them intact all night and almost considered sporting them to a party (with real people, in a public environment). We managed to restrain her but lets just say the sugar has certainly gone to her head, but damn she does look so sweeet!

Much like my modelling career (which was short lived) I am also a film rookie and this was my very first attempt at filming and editing, so cast not your judgmental eyes! If I said that camera shake is a new trend that I read about in a highfalutin movie magazine, would you believe me? Well you should, trust me, it’s all the rage.

*I would like to add I feel very uncomfortable referring to sugary confectionary as ‘candy’ – in Ireland we call them ‘sweets’ but you know…it’s all the same amazingly flavoured crap at the end of the day really isn’t it?

A big shout out to ‘the team’ for making this possible, thanks team, you’re the best.

Photographer: Amanda

Model: Tara Walsh

Stylists: Amanda, Tara, Katie (that’s not someone else that’s just me referring to myself in the 3rd person – it’s important to thank yourself sometimes)

Hair/Make-Up: Tara, Amanda

Film + Editing – Yours truly!

Okay ’til next time

K x

Technically more than a week, but lets just keep with the story shall we? (Oh also, I broke ANOTHER iPhone so I’m compensating for the lack of until I get a replacement for next week’s.)

This week I learned:

How to properly drink tea (only at Betty’s of course).

My hair is long. Bordering jeans skirts and hair buns long.

Lazy, slept-in Saturdays do wonders for my attitude.

Where all the swanky restaurants are in Dublin. Finally.

To have a glass of whisky like a sissy girl. Mad Men would allow me to move this from the dinning room to my office, right??

I REALLY can’t wait to see Maverick.

Sterling is the prettiest currency. I wish I had more £££ than $$$.

The only pretty place in Leeds, England is maybe the photo I took.

How to refinish an antique. (And that spray paint doesn’t rinse well out of one’s hair.)

Gloomy shopping days aren’t actually gloomy. Helloooo you’re shopping. (According to Christina at least.)

I love pretty interiors. (Well, I already knew that.)

The last two years were momentous to me as I did a lot of soul searching.  I spent over a year mostly disconnected in order to find myself professionally and personally. I travelled too much. I worried too much. I slept too little. I’ve spread my business and myself over two continents. I’ve had a laughable series of misfortunes. But – I’ve had as well some of the best and most rewarding times too. Now that we’re well on to a new year (hello almost March 2012!), I can’t say that all my struggles are over but I feel my heart is lighter, I feel so loved, and am slowly realising that I’m heading professionally and personally in a direction that is truly…me.

xoxo, Blogstalkers.

In true drizzly-gray Irish fashion, married on the same grounds as Cecelia Ahern (the author of P.S. I love you for my American friends) was Karen + Paul’s lovely affair. The couple infused their wedding with details of where they met (Electric Picnic), and spiced it with lots and lots of laughter and sweetness (and amazing hats or fascinators I learned).

UK and Irish weddings are a different creature altogether. To celebrate my first Irish post, a few little fun facts:

- Kissing at the alter? Not as big a thing.

- Sometimes B&G’s (none of mine yet thankfully) want to take family photos immediately (and I’m talking immediately) after the ceremony. As in, in front of the guests while they watch in their seats. Whew…

- American weddings are SO structured comparatively. Late to the ceremony? No problem. Everyone’s almost always late. (This makes my eyes twitch.)

- B&G’s don’t do anything in the reception right away. No dancing, toasts, etc.

- There’s a phenomenon called “the afters” here. Meaning, you’re invited to the party but not the meal if you’re a distant friend, work friend, etc. SO strange, right?? I know that wouldn’t fly in America!

- The party for a wedding in Ireland/UK will outlast almost any American party, lasting at the reception until laaaaate into the morning sometimes. Where a singsong is mandatory thereafter (and a bar hours extension).

- MUCH smaller bridal parties. Usually 3 max.

- Rarely outdoors. Even if the weather were to be amazing on the day, the law actually limits where you can get married. No fields, parks, barn, etc. wedding. And only fairly recently can you even get married in a hotel!

- In my opinion, the toasts/speeches are amazing and so heartfelt with lots of quick humor. They’re more toasts in America and speeches in Ireland/UK.

Can you think of more differences (those who know)??

Coming soon to onefabday.com with more details, Blogstalkers!