Sharon and Paul's wedding extravaganza in Crescent Church Belfast and Ballygally Hotel

Sharon and Paul were married in September this year. It has been a busy year for Sharons mum as both her daughers, Sharon and Esther were getting married within 4 weeks of each other.
I arrived at the house bright and early as it was an early start wedding in Belfast Crescent Church. This was the first time I covered a wedding in this church. It is located very close to Queen's University. With its Belfast City Centre location there was alot of hustle and bustle around the church as the boys arrived. Of course when the girls arrived, the traffic slowed and alot of school girls stopped to watch the wedding rather than make their way to Queens' open day.
I love some of the city shots taken around the church with the taller buildings, cars and people as the backdrop. They are so full of life and excitement.
After the beautiful service, we made our way to Ballygally Castle Hotel on the Larne coast road. The sun came out and it was perfect wedding weather. We made our way to the beach across from the hotel for some fun bridal party shots and exquisite scenery shots.

Later we made our way onto the grounds of the hotel. The magnificent garden was out in full bloom.

Sharon and Paul are a beautiful intimate couple together which was wonderful to photograph. Each wedding is different and if you had to use one word, each wedding would have its own. So the word I would assign to this wedding is intimate.

We finished at the wedding cake cutting, but it was not long until I met up with Sharon and Paul only the next time, Sharon had on the coloured dress while Esther was the beautiful bride. Photos and blog of Esthers wedding to follow.

Mixed Weather Day at Belfast Castle

It was a mixed weather day when Laura and Gareth were married. It had been predicted to be a very wet day, so we did well to get some dry weather. This was a nostalgic day for me as Laura got married in the same Church that I was married in 16 years ago. It does not feel anywhere near that time. The music that was played was very similar to that played on my own wedding which brought it all back to me. When I think back to my own wedding, it seems like such a short time ago yet so much has happened since then. Life can pass you by so quickly. So remember to celebrate the good time and make memories that last.

The great thing about a mixed weather day, is that you get two completely different styles of photography which you can see from the shots. If it had been a good day, we would not have got the window shot below. Then again, had it been a great weather day all the family shots would have been taken outside.




We had agreed with Laura and Gareth to go back to the Castle later that evening for a night time shot. Love the punchy blue in the skies in night time photography.

Belfast Castle is one of the great locations for weddings. As a photographer it offers it all...indoors and outdoors.

Stunning wedding in Killyhevlin Hotel, Enniskillen

Last month, I shot a beautiful wedding in St Matthew's Church in Belfast and then later held their reception in the spectacular Killyhevlin Hotel in Enniskillen.

I met the girls early in the morning at Boudoir Make Up rooms in The Conway Mill. What a pleasant surprise that was. The mill is like a little cottage industry for beauty. There was a hairdresser, make up artists, nail technicians and spa treatment rooms. There is an holistic floor in the mill for reflexology, massage and lots of lovely treatments.

This was such a great wedding because I got to meet up with so many couples who's weddings we have covered in the past.

Although I had seen the dress and watched Aisling get her make up done, it was still a shock when she walked down the aisle . Her spanish lace veil was breath taking. Stephen and the boys had to wait on girls arriving, but it was worth the wait.

After the mass, we all headed down to the Killyhevlin Hotel in Enniskillen for the photo shoot and the reception. The weather threatened to break but held off until we had the photographs taken and all the guests were called into the room for dinner.

Britain and Irelands Next Top Model Stacey

We are so excited to hear that Stacey Haskins has made it to the current series of Britain and Irelands Next Top Model shown on Thursday nights on Sky Living TV.

Stacey and her mum came to the 4ever Photos Portrait Studio almost 3 years ago to get a model portfolio started for Stacey as she wanted to try her hand at modelling.

As soon as the camera started shooting, we all knew she had something special. This is one of the shots taken on the day. No make up artists, hair stylists or team, just Stacey, her mum and myself with a few bits of props sitting around the studio.

I feel so proud and excited for her. She is going to be a huge succeess. Not sure how it all works on this programme, but if she gets to the end and it takes votes - we will all have to get behind her. So tune into the Britains Next Top Model and follow her progress.

Funky School Photographs

New School Term starts next week and all those little 4 year olds are taking the huge step of starting school. As a busy portrait studio we have photographed lots of babies over the years. A few mums have asked us to put on a school photography package as their little ones are starting school next week and we have photographed them since birth. Both these boys Danny who is starting P1 and Ryan who is going into p6 have been photographed by ourselves since they were born.

Ryan goes to St John the Baptist and their uniform changes this year. His mum brought him in his uniform to the studio to be photographed.

So, we are putting on a special package for school photos of just £20 to include a 7x5 mounted print (that half our normal sitting fee) You can bring your little one in the luxury of the studio, get some funky little shots taken to choose from. So for just £20 you get a choice of images. As Northern Irelands Family Portrait Photographer of the Year 2010, we have the experience and expertise when photographing children.
With hands on experience dealing with kids with Aspergers, Autism and ADHD and ADD - we capture their little personalities in a relaxed, unobtrusive environment.

So, hyper, happy, shy, fearful, posy, quiet or whatever their personality or traits, book them in to capture this very special time in their lives. This is not just a shot for you to keep, it is building up the memories for your little ones to cherish as they get older. We all love looking at our youth. Make sure you get a good one for them.

To book your place, telephone 028 90 611 488. This can be done before school starts, on the first day or even the week or two afterwards.

Designer Glitz & Glamour for Suzanne and John at 5 Star Lough Erne Resort

Designer style and glamour were the theme of the day at Suzanne and John's exclusive wedding held in the 5 Star Lough Erne Resort in Enniskillen. As with most girls, Suzanne loves her shoes and accessories and as a stunningly beautiful bride she felt she was worth it to accessorise with Jimmy Choo shoes and bag. Those little bits of bling really suited her fabulous dress. Although we were not around at this point, later in the night, Suzanne removed the large skirt of the dress to reveal a "little white number" which showed off those glitzy Jimmy Choo shoes to perfection.





When John and Suzanne walked down the aisle, they had a surprise at the front doors of the church. All John's Hurling mates had brought along their hurling sticks to form a guard of honour at the front doors. This was very personal and another great opportunity for photographs.

Suzanne chose a two photographer wedding package, starting from bride and grooms homes. We travel all around Northern Ireland with our wedding photography. Enniskillen may be over an hour and a half away from home, but we love covering the Lough Erne Resort. Having worked very closely with them and Marie Scott to organise their Wedding Extravaganza in March last year, we know the hotel intimately and love to shoot at it. If you have not been down to visit it and particularly the Thai Spa area, give yourself a big treat. The spa treatments are the best I have ever experienced in such luxurious surroundings.
So from the shoes, to the hotel, to the dress to the guests, it was a glitzy, fabulous, designer affair. I am sure you will agree, Suzanne was an absolutely beautiful bride.

Photography by 4Ever Photos Belfast, Northern Irelands award winning wedding and portrait photographers. To discuss your wedding day in Northern Ireland, Ireland or abroad, check out our website www.4everphotos.net or email annette on annette@4everphotos.net

The Most "on-time" Wedding in Slieve Russell Hotel, Cavan

Maureen and Benny were married at 11am in July. I left the house at 7.30am that morning which is the earliest ever for a wedding. I had reckoned that the day may go a little behind as there were three bridesmaids and it was such an early start but when I arrived at 9.30 all the girls, mum and aunt were ready to put on the dresses - Now that is organised!!!

Maureen wore a stunning dress from the My Lady Collection from Reflections Bridal in Lisburn. The bridesmaids dresses were also from Reflections. I love this range of dresses, although they blow must budgets. By 10am - all girls were dressed, downstairs and ready for photos in the lawn. Maureen and Benny went for the Diamond Collection which mean't that while I was with Maureen, Sean was with Benny and his family shooting the getting ready shots. At this point, Emma and the girls were packing up the portable studio and on their way to the Slieve Russell to photograph the 30o+guests who were attending the wedding. At 11am Maureen walked up the Aisle of the church in Draperstown to a very proud looking Benny. As you can see from the shots, she was a beautiful bride and as we left the Slieve Russell at 10.30pm, the bridal party were in full swing on the dance floor. The 4Ever Photos team got back to Belfast at 12.30am - very tired but satisfied to have captured a beautiful wedding.