Erin and Miqui’s Backyard Wedding

Erin and Miqui’s wedding was one of my most unique weddings of 2022. It was very much a family affair – her sister was doing everyone’s hair, one of her aunts made their wedding cake while another hosted the wedding in their backyard (where her sister Michal had got married the previous year) along the Ards Peninsula, and her uncle was tasked with officiating the ceremony. 

Erin and Miqui had met during their time on the Logos ship and had to manage seeing each other long-distance during the pandemic as Miqui is from Argentina. 

Erin was the most relaxed bride – I arrived to the house as she was getting her makeup done and she was taking it all in. Megan, her sister, was a bit more stressed doing everyone’s hair but everything was coming together well. The weather was perfect, mild and cloudy, so I immediately got some shots of the ceremony space in case there were going to be any showers. 

Detail shots are always really important – these are the parts of your wedding that you have likely taken a lot of time getting right. The bridesmaids dresses were beautiful and Erin’s boho dress from Seraphim Bridal had added alterations to make it one of a kind. The flowers were made by Natalie of the Floraging Florist, and were beautiful and whimsical. 

I left the girls to head to Miqui and his groomsmen who were getting ready down the road. I always love getting to the second house on a wedding morning as you get to see the mixture of excitement and nerves. We got some lovely shots of Miqui getting ready in the house and got more formal photos with the boys in the garden. 

Back at Erin’s house, guests had started to arrive and it was time to get dressed. It’s one of my favourite parts of the day as it’s usually the time when everything starts to feel real and you realise you’re getting married today. None of her bridesmaids had seen her full look, so we decided to get a first look with them. I love their reactions upon seeing her – it’s so lovely to have this space with your girls. 

Erin also wanted to do a first look with her dad. This was an emotional day for her mum and dad – their three girls had all got married in the last three years, and Erin’s was the final one. Their reactions are so precious. Taking this time with your parents is so important – weddings can be hard on them. 

With all the guests in place, the bridesmaids and Erin started to walk down the aisle. Miqui’s reaction was so beautiful and their ceremony was emotional. 

After the ceremony was over, we got our formal family photos while the guests enjoyed some homemade lemonade and lawn games (which provided some beautiful candid moments). The bridal party headed down to the lough and got some beautiful photos while the tide was out. These photos should be fun – you’re spending time with your best friends and boy did we have fun! I even told them to get their sunglasses on and give me their best poker face and they still couldn’t hold it together. 

Once we had got some great shots, they headed back up to the party to enjoy some time with their guests before we headed to Grey Abbey for their portraits. Don’t think of your photos as time away from your guests but as time you’ll spend together – it’s one of the times during your wedding day that you can have quality time together. 

When we got back, it wasn’t long before the speeches took place. As with the ceremony, one of Miqui’s family members translated the speeches for those who couldn’t speak English. Erin, Miqui and their parents all spoke and they were amazing – there were so many laughs, and a few tears too. Their friends from the Logos ship surprised them by singing a song – the party was in full swing now!

After a beautiful BBQ, we cut the cake Erin’s aunt had made in front of an arch that her dad and uncle had made for her. We were approaching golden hour and the Mournes could be seen in the background which made for magical photos. 

Before the party started in earnest, I nabbed the bridal party for some golden hour shots before getting some portraits with Erin and Miqui. It’s always worth taking 10-15 minutes in the evening to get some portraits as you’ll be much more relaxed with most of the formal parts of the day already completed. The light, coupled with the colours in the sky, was beautiful and these turned out to be my favourite shots of the day. 

What a fantastic day with a beautiful couple and some amazing suppliers!