Dublin Film Wedding Photographer

36 Hours, Four Pubs & No Survivors

Nicky and Ale had a full, glorious, slightly feral 36-hour celebration across rainy Dublin. Fuelled by Guinness, adrenaline, shots, more Guinness, and the kind of love that refuses to behave politely.

Day one was the legal ceremony. Intimate, stylish. Just the two of them and family. The bride wore an incredible blue wedding dress that matched her long copper hair perfectly, and looked like she’d stepped out of a film set rather than a registry office. Effortlessly glamorous, totally unfussy. First pub: The Storyteller.

Day two was… louder.
When I saw them again the next morning at the Mayson Hotel, both were visibly running on fumes after the previous night’s marathon. But somehow still radiant af. Nicky had told me the hotel was beautiful (it is), and would I be interested in taking some photos down the cool hallways? (I was). 

Ale, the groom, is from Venezuela, and sings in a band so of course he wasn’t going for a boring wedding look. He wore a Mariachi/charro-inspired suit that looked stunning against Dublin’s grey skies and warm interiors. A bit of rock and roll and a nod to his heritage in the middle of an Irish celebration. Nicky kept the blue theme going with her veil, and can we talk about that stunning bow?!

And then we walked. Through rain. Into pubs. Back into rain. Into more pubs. Pub two: Bruxelles. Pub three (where we met up with everyone and the party really started): Kehoes. Kehoes also had the BEST ladies loo known to man and I could have stayed there all day doing impromptu shoots.

Umbrellas up, umbrellas down. Strangers cheering. Pints appearing as if by magic. The city itself became part of the wedding day. Then the restaurant, gaucho style obv. I was honoured to witness a traditional handfasting, emotional speeches, and the wedding party cheering on what seemed like football team after football team as a bunch of American football players appeared seemingly out of nowhere.

The fourth and final bar of the day – The Grayson. Where we danced under silver helium balloons and I forgot I had a 6am flight the next morning.

I shot pretty much the entire thing on Portra 800. It’s my favourite film for a reason. My ride or die over on this side of the world. I was spoilt rotten with golden California light and Kodak Gold for days. Not over here with our moody skies and erratic weather. (Also the light is much colder here and needs a different approach, but that’s a whole different and nerdy story). A couple of rolls of Ilford HP5 400 for good measure. Probably pushed a stop or two.

I took my friend Louise for Polaroid duty and moral support. Think of a human disco ball mixed with a golden retriever and you’re halfway there.  I’m so looking forward to seeing Nicky and Ale again at their friends wedding later next year. I have a feeling it’s going to be bonkers.

If you’re planning a Dublin wedding and want it documented on film – rain, hangovers, chaos and all – I’m very much your girl.

VENDOR LOVE

Photography: Kate Bunny Hampson
Assist: Louise Malcolm
Restaurant: Fire Steak House
Hotel: The Mayson
Pubs: Storyteller | Bruxelles | Kehoes | The Grayson
Film Lab: Gary the magic
Shot on: Kodak Portra 800 | Ilford HP5 400