So you're thinking of eloping?
Eloping to Ireland is such a fantastic idea! The island is full of places to consider, North or South, Ireland is packed with stunning locations which will leave you spoilt for choice!
We have one of the longest defined coastal routes in the world simply labeled The Wild Atlantic Way. Locations so striking they took the world to a galaxy far far away to find Luke Skywalker's home in Star Wars! They helped transport Harry Potter & Dumbledore on their quest to defeat you know who!
Around every corner, this magical mythical coastal road features giant cliffs tops, blissful sandy beaches, mystical islands.
Of course we pretty much are the real Westeros and Iron Irelands, as when it comes to Game of Thrones (one of the most popular and successful fantasy TV series ever made).
Speaking of mythical & fantasy, the Causeway Coastal Route, home of the world famous Giants Causeway (the 8th wonder of the world), will certainly provide many landscape locations and epic backdrops to consider standing at to say your vows to each other.
Heading inland, North & South, Ireland has a vast amount of locations, like mountains, valleys, castles, churches, farms, forrest parks, waterfalls and much more!
So if you need someone like me to officiate for you, whether it be a legal ceremony or perhaps a symbolic ceremony, count me in!
Here are just a few of the beautiful elopement's I've had the privilege of officiating.....
Kinbane Castle
The Giants Causeway
Sarah-Kate & Bennet eloped from the United States of America to the Causeway Coast of Northern Ireland and they tied the knot just beside the ruins of Kinbane Castle as the sun was setting, providing some of the best views you could get at this coastal clifftop location!
We all worked on the ceremony which was complete with a mix of traditional & personal vows, handfasting + a hand written letter from home which had us all in tears!
Then it was off to the Giants Causeway itself as the sun was setting on the North Atlantic Ocean for a few evening pictures beside the legendary volcanic stones.
I was blessed once again to work with the absolutely
wonderful amazing Paula McManus!
Jessica & Olen eloped from the United States of America to Northern Ireland and I officiated for them at Hamilton's Seat along the Giants Causeway on the famous Causeway Coast Route, and as you can see from this one image, it was some back drop to stand in front of and tell the person you love that you promise to be with them forever!
This ceremony took place in March, so there was a worry with the weather, but it was actually really warm that day, with a few dark clouds in the sky, but hey, that's Northern Ireland! This image was taken by the fantastic Paula McManus who frequently captures elopements along this route, and as you can see Paula picked the best spot for Jessica & Olen!
Kimberly & Gary were a couple who knew what they wanted. Just them, a couple of friends in their favourite location, the lower waterfall at Glenariff Forest Park, as it felt right to them, and you can agree it was perfect location.
Kimberly & Gary planned a ceremony with plenty of traditions and meaningful symbolic elements.
Did I mention this was a Scandinavian & Scottish elopement? Yes this ceremony was complete with a dressage horse, handfasting, swords and a lot of traditions!
They choose the end of summertime to say their vows to each other and simply have their friends take the photographs! Simple, personal, the way they wanted it.
Why not break from the norm and have your wedding ceremony at night? That's what this couple did, 8pm to be more precise at the end of September in a little forrest setup in the beautiful grounds of Altahammond Wedding Barn not too far from where I'm based in Carrickfergus but more closer to the beautiful Whitehead By The Sea.
Altahammond Wedding Barn offers many little ceremony locations inside and outside and just look at this image, the dress, the candles (don't worry they're not real), the festoon lighting overhead. It was stunning and the rest of the images were a gift that kept on giving, all thanks to the thought behind the location and the time of day.
Again if it's just both of you, think of what you want and find someone who'll find somewhere to make it happen for you!
Crystal & Mark eloped from the United States of America to the Emerald Isle of Ireland and I officiated for them at Narrow Water Castle, afterwards we took the ceremony to Murlough's National Nature Reserve.
Crystal & Mark came over by themselves and spent the week here after the ceremony. They contacted me via Facebook and I was able to bring my good friend and photographer Steven Hanna onboard as his landscape images as well as his wedding images are superb, plus I knew he'd know the good spots to goto for pictures, and he did!
The ceremony took place mid September and we got the weather! We shared in some Disney Wedding laughs plus got some fish & chips, the perfect day out of the office!
