Sporting Wedding Video Kilkenny

Well, after a hat trick of a weekend – that’s 3 weddings back to back! – its nice to relax on a Sunday evening and do a little blogging. Thursday’s wedding video in Kilkenny was a fantastic day, I would think its 50/ 50 with wedding videos in Kilkenny and in my own county of Tipperary,  I have always been lucky enough to be filming a large amount of weddings in both county’s but of late Kilkenny is very popular with a large number of couples booked in for  2015 and  2016  so happy days!    OK, I know I crossed over the border into county Kilkenny for the wedding of  Allison & Brian, but it was worth it. I started filming at Allison’s home that morning, just off the Kilkenny-Mullinahone road, to  capture the girls getting ready for the big day. It’s a great way to start a wedding video as its shows where it all begins. The girls were well on the way to looking great when I arrived and, with Allison getting her dress on, I left for the church to find the lads. The day was lovely with blue skies and everyone was in fantastic form and looking forward to the wedding. Brian arrived with the lads close by.  I had a bit of banter about Tipperary and Kilkenny with the famous hurler and his groomsman, Tommy Walsh. But, as I was in their turf, I left it well enough alone 🙂  St. John’s Church was the venue with Fr Sean O Connor who I meet  quite a lot  while  filming wedding videos in Kilkenny. He is very nice, easy to work with and great fun as well.

Their photographer for the day was the famous  John McIlwaine . I have worked with John on many famous weddings in and around Kilkenny. John is a fantastic and famous sports photographer all over Ireland and Allison & Brian wanted no one else to capture their day. John is so easy to work with and is like lightning to capture those all important shots of the day. As Brian and the  lads were being lined  up for their photographs, I was capturing their guests arriving. I have seen quite a lot of large weddings in my time, but this one was the biggest I have seen so far. The guests were from all over the globe; of course, Kilkenny – Tipperary, I’m not so sure – but USA, Australia and lots more far off places. The couple asked to stream live over the net so that some of their friends abroad could see, so Fr. Sean got  the guests to turn around and wave at the camera that was placed at the back of the church. This went down very well.

The couple chose Langton’s hotel in the heart of  Kilkenny city to have their reception. Again, I have never seen this hotel looking so well and so packed. Even the outer area of the hotel function room had places set for guests to sit at. I like to be at the hotel before the couple arrive. This way, I get to film the guests enjoying the food and drink the bride and groom have put on for their  guests. As it was a lovely day, all of the guests were outside enjoying themselves with a musician entertaining them while they awaited the couple’s arrival. This is just part of the “set” as its called in Langton’s hotel. It’s a magnificent set up and well worth a visit as there are lots of popular shows on around this time of year. Bridie’s Bar is always a big hit with weddings in Kilkenny to have a photograph taken outside with the old bicycle. Sean was on hand to look after the bride and groom for the evening and he is always so helpful on the day.

A short time later, the bell rang for the guests to enter the dining room. What a fabulous job the staff made of the function room. Allison chose to carry out the speeches before the meal. This has become very popular with weddings in Tipperary, Kilkenny and Carlow. It’s a great way because the lads can enjoy their meal knowing the speeches are over and they can relax. I also find its handy for us video guys as well. Also, the guests are awaiting their dinner and are a lot more alert to the speeches. It’s well worth a thought for you brides and grooms to have the speeches before the meal.

Another great idea the couple had was the famous singing chef, whom I have often filmed before. He really entertains the guests with his singing and music. Again, well worth that little bit extra to hire him. You can find all of these Tipperary and Munster wedding suppliers on our sister website, Brides in Munster. Uptown Band was on hand to rock the night away as soon as the floor was clear. Such a professional band, they were set up and ready with the first dance at 9:30, which all weddings should be. As I have often said, bands can be expensive, so let’s get the money’s worth. I have often seen bands take 2 hours to set up and, again, often the first dance starts at 11p.m, which is way too late. People get tired of waiting  around especially after a heavy meal. The dancing is a way to work it off! So thanks again to Allison & Brian for choosing  Abbey Video Productions to capture their special day as we like to say Tipperary’s and of course Kilkenny’s  most  Professional Affordable Unobtrusive  wedding videographer   ~  Joe