An Chuirt Hotel Weddings

Congratulations to Sara and Nicholas who were married on the 24th of May 2019 in one of Donegal’s finest An Chuirt Hotel Weddings in front of their families and friends. The 24th of May saw me make the journey back to Gweedore for the wedding of Sara and Nicholas- however this was not a typical start to my wedding day which usually sees me arriving at the brides house or the hotel where the bride is getting ready – no this was something different and I like different- different is good! I met up with Sara and Nicholas and lot’s of their friends and families on the picturesque beach of Carrickfinn which is right beside Donegal’s airport which happened to also be voted the second most scenic airport in the world just behind the Caribbean island airport of Saba.

The idea was for everyone to go for a morning swim on Carrickfinn beach before going back to the hotel to get ready for the ceremony. All sounds good right?! Well it being Ireland and it being the Northwest of Ireland and it being the Wild Atlantic Way- Mother Nature decided to test everyone’s resolve and make it a cool damp morning with misty rain and a cold snap to the light breeze!! I didn’t venture into the water myself – forgot my towel cough cough!! but I figured the water temperature would be quite low and with some of the guests running past me with goose bumps as big as big as Errigal mountain I figured my figuring was accurate!!

The cold did not deter the hardy bunch and everyone got into the Atlantic and had a great time doing so- I got some great photos and video and was delighted to be there to capture such a unique start to the wedding day. After the champagne was popped and everyone got changed we made the short trip to the hotel where everyone was getting ready for the ceremony. I met Sara and her bridesmaid Meabh in Serenity Hair and Beauty where they were busy getting their hair and makeup done along with Sara’s mum Marion. I had the opportunity to drop in on Nicholas and his best man Brian who were getting ready a few doors down from Sara for some getting ready photos. After Sara was in her beautiful wedding dress from Barnardos Bridal Rooms in Dun Laoghaire Co. Dublin and we got some photos with her lovely bouquet from BB Flowers in Donegal we made our way down for the ceremony.

The ceremony was beautiful with fantastic readings and poems and it was so personal to Sara and Nicholas. After the vows we got some family photos in front of the hotel before making our way to the old church ruins at Dunlewey for some bridal party photos. I absolutely love the whole Gweedore area as you really are spoiled for choice when it comes to great photo locations and places like the Poisoned Glen are amazing and they can look different depending on the weather and season you go there. On this day the clouds were menacing and hung low across the mountaintops and really added a sense of drama to the photos which I love. After our return to the hotel the meal started followed swiftly by the cutting of the cake which was provided by Clara’s custom Cakery from Manorcunnigham and then it was onto the music and entertainment- the music was by Mc Stoker Ceili band and they were fantastic with the floor filled from the off. The guests were treated to some lovely craft beers and stouts that are a favorite  of Nicholas’s which included a Donegal Stout from the Donegal Brewing Company and  a Yannaroddy Porter from Kinnegar Brewing- would loved to sample them myself only for the long drive back home!

I would like to take this opportunity to thank Sara and Nicholas for having me as part of their wedding and would like to wish them the very best for their future. Please click play below to watch a short video of Sara and Nicholas An Chuirt Hotel Weddings day…. enjoy….

From the beach and the drizzling rain back to the comfort of the An Chuirt Hotel to start the preparations and getting ready for the wedding ceremony Nicholas had a room close to Sara so it was easy to pop into Nicholas to get a few shots as he got ready for the ceremonySara was in the Siren beauty salon getting her hair and make-up done which is part of the hotel

Such a great view from An Chuirt HotelThe Oold church ruins at Dunlewey are a fantastic place for wedding photosI just love my panorama photos – this one is made up of 12 photos stitched together to take in the full view of Errigal mountainHow amazing is the Poisoned Glen in Gweedore – you would half expect an Orc army to come marching into viewThe stunning view of Errigal mountain from the front lawn of An Chuirt Hotel GweedoreThe craic on the dance-floor was at 100% all eveningIf you are planning your own An Chuirt Hotel Weddings and would like to book Fergal Mc Grath Photography for your wedding photography please visit the contact me section of this website to get in touch.

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