Ellen & Conor's Dublin City wedding at Stephens Green Club
- Brian Connolly
- Jan 23, 2020
- 3 min read
Updated: Jan 27, 2020
Meeting The Groom
You just know when you meet somebody for the first time what kind of wedding it will be. I met Conor for a sneaky early evening pint in the cosy surroundings of the Belfry in Stoneybatter. It's a chance for him to dig a little more about what I do on the day of a wedding and to see if I'm the right character to tag around with them on what can be not only a fun, but a stressful day. He's really sound. He tells me about his fiance Ellen, their young kid and their new life together in Stoneybatter. I can tell straight away. I can see it in his eyes. I can hear it in everything he says. They are mad about each other. It's brilliant.
The Wedding Day
Fast forward 6 months and after lots of phone conversations and planning on Whatsapp, I'm meeting Ellen and her family at their home in Stoneybatter on the morning of the wedding. There's some homes that are a photographers dream for wedding prep. This, most certainly, is one of them. From the bridal shoe shots in their cute back garden to the colourful portraits together out the front the place is full of character.
In the dining area, Ellen, her mum Lynn and two bridesmaids Anna & Sinead are getting their makeup (by Natasha Ray www.natasharayray.com) and hair (by Lisa Smyth https://www.lisasmythmakeup.com). Ellen and Anna are reminiscing and singing songs to each other. There's a lovely moment when Lynn takes Ellens hand and gives a few words of advice for the future. Jim, her dad, is trying to make himself scarce by nipping out to get coffee or hiding in the other room with the dog, watching the football on my phone that I've lent him!
Going To The Chapel (well, not exactly!)
Dublin city centre weddings are so much fun, but you always have to be well prepared for parking and not to get stuck in traffic on the way to the ceremony before the wedding party arrive, especially the last Saturday before Christmas. Here's a no-brainer, get a lift with the bridesmaids! If that didn't call for a selfie, what would......
The Stephens Green Club
www.stephensgreenclub.ie
You can't be more in the beating heart of Dublin. Overlooking Stephens Green is the wonderful Stephens Green Club, a private members club that's also available to hire for weddings. This place is steeped in history dating back to 1840. It's ornate entrance and grand stairway is ideal for family photos. The interior is plush but comfortable with cosy corners and regal furniture. For photographers, the lighting is rich and moody but bright in the right places. Special mention for the ceremony room which is stunningly elegant and the snooker room for pre-ceremony shot is just 👌
The Ceremony
It's only at this point did I realise how in love these two are. As a wedding photographer you're in a privileged position of being right there in the moment. You're looking through the lens at what you can see is a huge event in peoples lives, and capturing it all. I was genuinely moved by Conor and Ellen. The emotion in the room hung on the air as she walked up the aisle and continued throughout the ceremony. I'm just going to let the pictures do the talking for this one.
The Afters
Everybody retreated back to the bar afterwards to celebrate with the couple and enjoy a tasteful and informal speech from the father-of-the bride. I nipped into the dining room before I bid farewell and what a room it is. Check this out....
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