The Merchant! What a wedding venue! It's prime position in the Cathedral Quarter makes this hotel a photographers dream! Niamh and George were married upstairs in the Garden Suite ~ a small but absolutely beautifully formed ceremony room. Perfect if you have fewer guests; and gorgeously quirky, with leaf adorned walls and big swathes of natural light. Perfect. Intimate.
I always say your wedding, your way. This was definitely the case for Niamh and George ~ they had thought about all the little details that were important to them,. but let go of some traditions ~and then made others of their own!
It was absolutely lashing when I arrived to capture the getting ready, but, because the Merchant has SO many nooks and crannies in the inside it really didn't matter at all. The rooms were massive ~ perfect for a full bride tribe! And once we were ceremony ready, sure its only a floor down to the beautiful ceremony room.
Niamh and George choose a huminist celebrate, and a traditional hand fastening and candle lighting, complete with traditional musicians. Straight after the ceremony ~ the rain took its cue and totally stopped ~ allowing us to head to a shiny, cobbled Cathedral Quarter for some photos. A stop at the Duke of York and then round the corner to Gordon Street. These couple portraits do not need to take up all of your day, or take you away from all your guests for long. It only took us a quick 20mins, perfect!
Then back to The Merchant for the family photos and refreshments and mingling with the guests. Niamh is such a talented musician, so she treated us all to accompany the musicians!
Time for speeches and toasts. Again making new traditions with the dinner; finger food was served. It was such a hit with the guests! And the wedding cake was a cake of cheese ~ again thinking outside of the box!
A very quick room turn around ( the staff at The Merchant are just class!) and bring on the dancing! Their first dance was to Dreams by the Cranberries.