It's been an thrilling and creative wedding year at Jay Doherty Photography. I have had the privilage of working with many wonderful characters, in some stunning and very private locations and witnessed many touching moments in time. It' s been emotional for me, at the heart of possibly the most important days of a young couple's lives, to be on the front line of all the action, the drama and the fun. I will be forever grateful for the opportunity, it is an exciting job, I get to feel the glitz and glam of a Hollywood snapper, meet many crazy and beautiful characters from near and far, eat the finest meals and get appreciated, hugged and paid for it - so I thank you good people.
At this year's 1st annual Jay Doherty Photography wedding awards I have complied a list of fine moments, people and locations that struck me as particulary awesome. For the craic, for the memories I give you....
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The most rock n' roll wedding of the year - Orla Hutton and Joe Nelis. Not only did these cats bring their instruments to Prehen House for their wedding photos, they set up a spontaneous gig and shook the room. What a band, I'd pay large to go see them in action. Cathair on guitar, Joe on drums and Orla taking the lead role.
Most exciting shoes award (sponsored by Connell's shoe shop Limavady!!) - I was particualry blown away by Nikky Forrest's custom made white silk DM boots!! Along with Nicky I have a history and a love of DMs and these were shockingly good, had plenty of personal meaning and fun, fun, fun. Stomping up the aisle in a set of DMs?? Go on girl!
The bravest couple - Megan and Jamie posing on the Redcastle pier, 11pm in a gale. The waves were crashing over the rocks in a generally very calm bay, they acted like it was nothing, we shot a single frame. 3 seconds after this we were sprinting back to the shelter of the Redcastle Hotel. 3 Irish coffees please!
The rockingest dress - I've witnessed an amazing array of wedding dresses this year, in all shapes and style but Maggie Watson's formula 1 mini dress struck me. Never was a dress more perfectly suited to a particular bride- bursting with personality, made for speed and fun!
The loudest bridesmaids - Caroline Montgomery, Ema McKay, Lucy Murray and Alison Cowen. Lifelong friends and mistresses of mischief Caroline and Ema led the charge into the Ballyliffen's green waters post-rainstorm and let everyone within a 3 miles radius hear them!
The most hungover groomsmen - Niall and Kevin Gileece. Rumour had it that these fellows propped up Limavady's Radisson Hotel til 4am the night beofre, sampling their wares to be sure it would be good enough the next day's guests. They did however hang on in there the next day and made their brother Martin proud.
The most picturesque independent photo location - I've chosen this as we were very lucky to be granted permision to shoot some wedding photos on the grounds of the Bellerena Estate. We spent 2 hours dandering around the lush garden and scenery of the estate, shot so many amazing photos and didn't even see the half of it. What a scoop, thanks to all involved in making this happen.
The most adventurous couple - from the road we spotted a field of wild flowers so I suggested we venture in for a spontaneous photo. Phillip and Seamus were keen, but nearing the field i noticed these flowers were perhaps 6 feet high and growing thick. Undetered, Seamus led the battled through the flowers weilding his umbarella to clear a path to the centre of the purple magic. Old school heroism!
Most stunning bride of 2011 - ALL OF YOU , WOOP, WOOP!!
The most impressive wedding cake - as a massive sweet tooth and no stranger to a dentist myself rthere could have been no other victor in this category than Nicky's 'mountain of sugar' as baked by Hunter's bakery in Limavady. They had to post a fulltime security guard to keep the weans (and me) back from it during the meal. What a treat, and the bride let everyone get stuck in after the dessert!
