Updated March 2025

Clandeboye Lodge Wedding

Located 30 minutes outside Belfast, the Clandeboye Lodge is one of the most popular wedding venues. The rustic location provides a perfect location for your full wedding day.

Getting Ready at Home

While it can be easier to get ready at the hotel, I love when you get ready at your house or your parent’s house as it’s more personal to you, with lots of old, family photos that tell your story. It also gives me an idea of what you guys love to do – at Aine and Daragh’s house they had some Pokemon Funko pops in their bookshelves, which really told me lots about them. 

When I arrived at Aine’s house on the morning of the wedding – everyone was relaxed as I got all the detail shots. Your wedding morning will always be the perfect chance to get some gorgeous candid moments of people getting ready, so it was great to get lots of little moments captured before Aine got into her dress.

Getting into your wedding dress is always one of the most intimate parts of the day. The reality that you are hours away from marrying the love of your life finally hits (if it hadn’t already!). Aine’s bedroom had an awesome floor to ceiling mirror, which was perfect for those gorgeous reflection shots.

I love documenting the reactions of your parents and bridesmaids to seeing you in your wedding dress. Aine’s mum’s reaction was so special!

Getting Ready at the Clandeboye Lodge

If you’re having your full wedding day at the Clandeboye Lodge, I would recommend getting ready at the hotel. It means you’re only a short distance from your ceremony and makes everything more stress-free. 

Jess and her bridesmaids got ready in one of the Clandeboye’s hotel suites, with everyone getting their hair and makeup done. They had used a luggage cart earlier that morning and we took advantage of it to get some cool shots!

While the bridesmaids got ready in this same suite, Jess went to another hotel room to get into her dress. This is one of my favourite parts of your wedding morning – it’s when everything starts to feel real!

After her mum got her into her dress, she did a first look with her dad and bridesmaids – I love getting all these beautiful, candid moments!

First Look

Does the idea of everyone looking at you while you walk down the aisle make you anxious? The answer to getting rid of those nerves could be seeing your other half before the ceremony!

While it’s considered more of an American tradition, I think it’s a lovely way for you to carve out some much-needed quality time with each other. 

Lauren and Matthew decided to do a first look in the Ultra-Lux suite at the hotel and Matthew’s reaction was so sweet! They swapped cards and I think this is a lovely way to stay in the moment!

Ceremony

The Blackwood Suite is a beautiful, rustic room – whether you choose a religious, humanistic or civil ceremony, the rustic beams  and gothic windows provide the perfect setting for your wedding.

Samantha and David had their religious ceremony in the Blackwood Suite. As an only child, her parents were very emotional and there’s some particular poignant moments with her dad as he was giving her away. 

Group Shots

I usually like to get your family and bridal party shots done straight after the ceremony, so everyone can enjoy the drinks reception and get checked-in (if they’re staying the night). 

The gardens around Clandeboye give lots of opportunities for nice photos. If the weather isn’t good, we can get some shots inside – the Blackwood Suite and the fireplace are good options for this. 

Portraits

You don’t need to spend a lot of time to get some beautiful photos, but it’s so important to enjoy some quality time together. Your wedding day will fly by (everyone will tell you this and you better believe it!) and you won’t have a lot of time just the two of you – your portraits are a great way to enjoy to take some time together!

If you’re having your ceremony elsewhere, you may stop somewhere enroute to the hotel. If you’re having your full day at Clandeboye, we can explore the gardens for photos.

Speeches

These are one of the best times for me to capture candid moments – whether there’s laughter, tears or *major* embarrassment, I love capturing all the reactions!

Night Shots

I love being able to take 10-15 minutes with you in the evening – it’s a great way to steal some time away and enjoy some more quality time!

If you fancy getting your guests included, I’d highly recommend doing a sparkler tunnel. It’s a great way to get hyped for your party!

Party

Your first dance is the last formal occasion on your wedding day. If you’re not a keen dancer, you only need to be on the dance floor together for a short time before you invite the rest of your guests to join you.

This is also a great time to get some awesome candids of your guests and their antics on the dance floor!