My most recent wedding was a great couple from County Mayo in the Republic of Ireland, Elaine and Frankie. They had a traditional Catholic wedding ceremony at the church in Monte Gordo.

Mind you, when I say “traditional”, I am not sure exactly how many other Catholic weddings feature a singing priest!

Father Peter Gannon came over from Ireland with Elaine and Frankie especially for the wedding. His relaxed, easy-going manner helped to make the ceremony a joyous as well as a solemn occasion.

The bride looked stunning in her gorgeous figure-hugging dress, and the groom was equally dapper in tails.

Ok, so after a traditional Irish Catholic wedding, where do you go next?. A traditional Irish bar, obviously

After some post-ceremony drinks at McGinty’s Bar in Monte Gordo, the wedding party all moved on to the spectacular Castro Marim Golf Course. This is a marvelous venue for wedding receptions (and for the the ceremony as well). It’s relatively high elevation gives it fabulous views towards the Monte Gordo area, the Atlantic, and Ayamonte just over the border in Spain.

A long day then, over 12 hours of photography, but very enjoyable!. A smashing couple, a great day, and I think some pretty nice images.

AR FEADH AN TSAOIL!!

Neil x

wedding photography by www.neilmarksphotography.com

I recently shot my first Algarve Wedding of 2011 and had a great time photographing a really sweet couple,  Jen and Joe, and their adorable little girl Poppy. The venue for both the ceremony and reception was the Grande Real Santa Eulalia resort in Albufeira. This is a terrific location for a wedding, over looking Santa Eulalia beach and with great views of the Atlantic and the spectacular cliffs that characterise the central and western Algarve coastline.

Jen and Joe both wanted a very informal shoot with a minimum of posed shots, and so I focused on just capturing the unfolding day as it happened, and in particular to try to capture as many images of little Poppy, the other star of the show.

Room 234 was the scene of the girls-getting-ready, and boy was it crowded!.  Here are a couple of Jen trying to get a few moments to herself

The wedding was a very intimate affair, with just 9 people in total and was organised by Vicky Berry of The Wedding Director. The ceremony was held on the sun terrace of the hotel, and in an unusual twist the bride was given away by her mother

After the ceremony the wedding party relaxed for a while with canapes and champagne.

And after relaxing for a while we all wandered down onto the beach for a stroll.

And after a quick cold shower, I managed to get some images of the dining room where Jen, Joe, Poppy and the party settled down for a celebration meal. Phew!.

The first wedding of the year over and done. A small, but intimate and enjoyable wedding to shoot, made easy by having a charming bride and groom to work with. Congratulations!.

Neil x

wedding photography by www.neilmarksphotography.com

(ps if anyone ever goes to this hotel and finds a pair of all-black prescription sunglasses, please contact me!)