Updated May 2024
Are you daunted by the prospect of being photographed on your wedding day? An engagement shoot is a great way for you to get comfortable in front of the camera while we explore a beautiful place together.
The Mourne Mountains are one of my favourites places in Northern Ireland. As the country’s largest mountain range and the inspiration for the Narnia series, there are few views more striking and inspirational in Northern Ireland.
Annalong Valley – Becca and Paul
Becca and Paul wanted to head back to where Paul popped the question for their engagement shoot. The exact spot was near the Blue Lough – somewhere Paul knows like the back of his hand since he grew up down the road.
We enjoyed a beautiful spring evening walking up the Annalong Valley to get to the Blue Lough – the views of the surrounding mountains was spectacular and we made a number of stops en route to our final destination. By the time we arrived at the Blue Lough, sunset colours were descending around the Mourne Mountains and we got some beautiful shots before we started our descent.
Becca and Paul are both doctors so we chatted about some of their most interesting cases and I had to show off some of my Grey’s Anatomy knowledge (I’m not sure they were that impressed!).
Slieve Muck / Spelga Dam – Michaela and Michael
The Mourne Mountains were an obvious choice for Michaela and Michael’s engagement shoot – the mountains are literally in their backyard (I mean, look at those views!) and that’s exactly where we started our shoot. This must be up there with one of the best views in Northern Ireland!
After we got some photos here, we headed up Slieve Muck. This mountain is deceptively steep but it provides stunning views of Spelga Dam. We walked up a short distance and enjoyed a beautiful sunset! Michael had some walking sticks handy for us to help with the ascent as the ground was quite slippy – we must have looked like shepherds!
Just before dust, we made our descent and got some photos around Spelga in the twilight. I always love when couples are adventurous and Michaela and Michael were happy to get some shots on the clear road. What a beautiful evening we had in the Mournes for this engagement shoot!
Butter Mountain – Catherine and Mark
If you’re looking for a really easy hike with spectacular views of the Mourne Mountains, look no further than Butter Mountain and its backdrop of Spelga Dam for your engagement shoot.
Catherine and Mark decided to take advantage of this picturesque view after taking some photos in a nearby sunflower field. We enjoyed a spectacular sunset over the mountains.
Slieve Doan – Diane and Reuben
Doan is one of my favourite hikes in the Mournes Mountains – with beautiful views from every angle and a relatively easy climb, it’s the perfect place for your engagement shoot.
When I met for coffee with Diane to chat through her wedding plans, she mentioned going up the Mournes for their engagement shoot. We excitedly made plans to go up Doan about a year before they would tie the knot.
Despite being a seasoned hiker, I hate to admit that I missed the path and we had to go up the heathery bog instead. It was a good thing that we had all packed some changes of clothes and shoes for the shoot!
It was a beautiful summer’s evening and we were able to enjoy the Mourne Mountains surroundings mostly to ourselves. Once we had scrambled to the top, we were met with none other than Diane’s neighbour! Northern Ireland sure is a small place.
We were able to get a variety of spectacular shots on the summit before we descended to get some more along the path. Once twilight descended, we headed back to the carpark and discussed all things movie and TV related!
If you’re not sure where to go for your engagement shoot, and want somewhere with spectacular views that is away from prying eyes, look no further than the Mourne Mountains. You’ll not be disappointed!
Get in touch if you’d like to book your Mourne Mountains engagement shoot! Let’s make some memories!
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