As a wedding photographer, there’s nothing quite like witnessing the magic of two people coming together in love. Claire and Kieran’s wedding was one of those unforgettable days, filled with beautiful moments, laughter, and emotion. From the moment I arrived, I could sense that it was going to be a special day.
The morning started off perfectly, with the sun shining bright, casting a golden glow over the venue. Claire, surrounded by her bridesmaids, enjoyed glasses of fizz, their room filled with laughter and anticipation. You could feel the emotions bubbling just beneath the surface—excited giggles one minute, tears of joy the next. It was clear this day meant the world to her.
Meanwhile, over with Kieran’s, the energy was slightly different. He was a ball of nerves, trying (and trying again) to get his tie just right. It took him about five or six attempts, but luckily, his best men were on hand to keep him calm and lighten the mood with a few jokes. Their camaraderie was heartwarming to see, and soon enough, Kieran was smiling again.
One of the most touching moments of the day came when Claire’s dad saw her in her dress for the first time. His expression said it all—pride, joy, and a hint of awe at how stunning she looked. It was a moment I’ll never forget, and I’m so glad I was able to capture it.
The ceremony itself was like something out of a fairy tale. Set outdoors, with the soft rustle of trees in the background and the occasional acorn falling, it was utterly dreamy. The atmosphere was serene, and you could feel the love in the air. The way Claire and Kieran looked at each other as they exchanged vows—those are the moments I live to photograph.
After the ceremony, guests lined up for the confetti throw, and let me tell you, it was a moment to remember! The joy on their faces as they showered Mr. & Mrs. Moore in colorful petals was infectious. This was followed by champagne and canapés, giving everyone a chance to relax and congratulate the happy couple.
Once we wrapped up the formal photos, we moved into the portrait session with Claire and Kieran. They were such a fun couple to work with, and even though we had a few eventful moments (some laughter, some nerves), the photos turned out beautifully.
Then, just as the reception was underway, something unexpected happened—a huge thunderstorm rolled in! In minutes, the skies darkened and the rain came down in torrents, flooding the entrance to Morley Hayes. But instead of dampening the mood, it added an exciting twist to the day! Claire and Kieran were absolute troopers. We grabbed an umbrella and headed out into the rain, capturing some epic shots of the newlyweds. The rain, the moody skies, and the joy in their eyes made for some truly unforgettable photos. Sometimes the unexpected brings the most magic!
Back inside, the reception kicked off with the couple being announced into the room, and straight into the speeches. Claire’s father delivered an incredible, heartfelt speech—equal parts touching and comical. There wasn’t a dry eye in the house, especially Kieran’s, who was clearly moved by his father-in-law's words. Kieran himself gave a speech filled with love and gratitude, even giving a special shout out to myself and the videographers, which was such a lovely surprise. But the best men—well, they truly brought the house down. Their speech had everyone in stitches and tears at the same time. It was incredible.
As the evening wore on, the dance floor came alive. There was so much singing, dancing, and pure joy—it was truly a sight to see. Despite the storm, or perhaps because of it, the night felt even more magical. It was the perfect ending to such a beautiful day, and I felt so honored to be a part of it.
Claire and Kieran, thank you for letting me capture your special day. Your wedding was nothing short of magical, rain and all, and I wish you both a lifetime of happiness as Mr. and Mrs. Moore.
What was the best part of your day?
There was lots of moments that we loved but we think to pick one it would be the ceremony seeing each other (Claire loved Kieran’s reaction) and the ceremony/vows, standing in the woodland lodge that we really wanted to do with the rustling of the trees and the sun shining down looking at each other and exchanging words was magical.
Why did you choose your wedding venue?
Kieran already loved Morley with it being a place him and his dad often played golf, we had always joked saying if we got married it would be at Morley, after we got engaged we saw there was an open day and Claire asked her mum if she wanted to go for a nosy. When we came the staff were so helpful and the woodland package was set up (the venue did this dressing) and it was exactly what we had been looking at. Then when we saw the outdoor area, we could picture it. Finally we were shown all the hotel rooms and went into the penthouse suite, it sold it for me I could picture us after the day in the night sitting on our balcony taking it all in (we didn’t in the end but the next morning stood on it for ages chatting about the day with a cup of tea).
What advice would you give to other couples planning their wedding?
The usual enjoy it. Kieran said he wished he wasn’t as nervous in the beginning.
But we would say for couples to think about what they want to remember from their wedding and what’s important to them. It’s so easy when you go to fairs or look online at things, for example we chose to have our cake from m&s as wasn’t bothered about spending loads on cake - it looked just as good and tasted amazing. We made bits for the day and went with the feeling of less is more.
Is there anything that you would have done differently?
To have some of our evening food, neither of us did but it looked and smelt amazing. The guests that had it said it was nice but we didn’t and wish we did!
