A and K’s ( The Rock stars) Big Day at Almiral De La Font

If anyone looks at my Instagram and pays attention to the photographer then they will know that often it is Jo Kemp, we work at weddings quite a bit and we often do yoga together. Yep, we are mates. When Jo started doing wedding photography (one of her firsts was the wedding of my ex ……. which was amusing) I knew she was going to be amazing at it. With everything Jo gets a buzz-on for she is absolutely the type of person to take a rocket to the moon to get the results she demands from herself. The latest buzz is to become a shepherdess and a few of us are hoping she doesn’t disappear to pursue that adventure (bit chilly Jo). She has just sent me a wedding blog that we did together last year. Here it is. This is Amanda & Kieran and here are Jo’s cool photos. Lastly I need to say that everything Jo says about Kieran and Amanda I echo mucho.

So I have tried to write this blog three times, one would think that with being in total Isolation for a week I would have written 20 blogs and caught up on my to do list and so on. But the impacts of a pandemic (how surreal!?) on a small event based business like mine has been pretty big! finding focus with so many new things to navigate, taking care of family members, its all a lot isn’t it people!.
However, Today I woke up feeling that this could be the day! writing a blog is a nice virtual gift for my couples and with that I have re-found the mojo in my Jo! May it transport us back to happier times, especially for you Amanda and Kieran and give all you love birds some fab inspo and something to look forward to on the other side of these crazy times when you say I do !

Let me introduce you to Amanda and Kieran, I promise you this is a wedding will bring a smile to your face! Amanda is one of those people that finds quality comedy in every moment and even before I met her I was having a little chuckle to myself as I read her client form” Kieran and I are both from Co Cork, and growing up he was (and still is) my older cousins good friend. So, needless to say as a very cool drummer in a band, he was my school girl crush! He however didn’t even know I existed, and the last we had seen of each other was when I was 17, he was 22, and we went off on our separate ways.. That was 7 years ago and I'm happy to say now that my school girl crush is going to be my handsome husband”

Venue Goodness!
These two chose Almiral De La Font as their wedding venue. A stunning Spanish Masia in Sitges Spain with a killer infinity pool, jaw dropping sunset views and a uniquely renovated interior that can sleep a good proportion of your wedding guests. Surrounded by vineyards and with a beautiful ceremony platform and outdoor dining its got a big wow factor.

Personal touches!
I absolutely loved all the little thoughtful details these two had dreamed up and weaved into there day. Amanda, a make up artist ( one of her many talents, more of that later on!) chose to do her own make up which made for some of my fave getting ready pics ever! Amanda surprised Kieran with cousin Keith playing an acoustic version of Everlong by the Foo Fighters (these too like there rock bands) as she walked up the aisle, she felt it very apt as Kieran likes to think she takes too long to get ready :-) Keiran’s mum made the hand ties for the ceremony using lace from Amanda’s mum’s wedding dress ( how awesome is that!). For the Spanish tradition of the letter in the wine box they had brought Amandas Grandads Hammer for the fun moment of bashing the nails and sealing up the box.
They tried to involve all family members in the ceremony in some way and Kieran’s mum crocheted a mini A and K as a little surprise for the top table.

Mutual weirdness forever!Music is so important to these too, so the tables were named after there fave bands, “Tool” for the top table and everything from “Incubus” to “Thin lIzzy” for the rest, you get the vibe! A bucket full of champers with a Clue tag tied around the neck of each bottle gave all the guests a good laugh as they tried to work out the answer to find there table. When it came to couple pics I totally went with what felt most natural for these too, a quiet shared cigarette moment post ceremony, and then later on we found a moment for a sunset stroll through the vineyards with A and K wearing a a monkey and a unicorn mask , as you do! :-) both moments a lovely confirmation for me as a photographer that couple shoots need no posing and love needs no direction and that magic happens when we really allow a couple to be themselves.

Little bit of Rock starAfter a lot of laughs and a fair few tears during speeches, that were full of Irish wit and charm, out came the glitter and with it the rock star in the bride! The girl can sing, impressing her drummer hubby and the front man of el club de las Muneacas as she belted out tune after tune.First dance was to Incubas followed by a good old romantic smooch under the stars. I found it hard to leave this wedding, we made friends in a day and I went home just loving my job and feeling blessed to get to know such lovely human beings that care about all the right things.

Have a good scroll to the bottom ( literally hahah) to read what Amanda and Kieran had to say about having me as there photographer and to get the full vendor and wedding attire details.
Leave it some good vibes , give it a share it on Pinterest, spread the love people when we need it most!

Amandas beautiful dress by Willow by Waters, veil by Aisling designs both from Memories Bridal Boutique in Cork, shoes by Jenny Packham from Lk Bennett, bridal Jewellery by Loulerie ,

Kieran very dapper in a custom linen suit by Tom Murphy, Scull and cross bone Cuff links a a surprise present from Amanda by J fox and wedding bands by Bespoke Diamonds Dublin

Al Miral De La Font - Beautiful and close to the small coastal village of Sitges

Finishing touches in the Bridal suite at Almiral De La Font

Quiet little shared moment post ceremony

Philippa - I am going to interrupt here and explain what happened. Kieran & Amanda had shared their kiss and walked back down the aisle, everyone let out a brilliant cheer. Now it is time for me to guide all the guests down to the entrance to the aperitivo area. The plan is to line them all up and with myself and my assistant hand out petals making ready for the newly wedded to make their way down to be greeted with clouds of confetti. The cava is about to flow, everyone is armed with petals. Time for me to give the okay to K & A. Where are they? All the guests lined up and looking expectantly up the path for the gorgeous couple but they don’t appear. I find them and Jo says “yeah, they are just having a moment and a smoke” . Okay, these are my clients and I cannot disturb them and didn’t want to. A wedding day is such an emotional day and therefore not everything HAS to go to plan. So, as I am walking back towards the path, I put on a big smile and explain that we need a moment and how about everyone quenches their thirst with a cool glass of cava whilst waiting. Pop pop went the corks and wonderful staff walked up and down the lines of guests with cava. Glass in one hand confetti in the other all good. Kieran and Amanda soon came down and following photos explain the rest.

What a beauty!

Gorgeous bridesmaids dresses from St Frock an Aussie Brand

Mum & Daughter LOVE

Almiral De La font has it’s own vineyard, perfect or a stroll at sunset

When a monkey and Unicorn went for a stroll

First Dance Gold

Great job Jo!

And lastly the kind words that Kieran and Amanda had for Jo….

“I don't even know how we can say thank you as we are lost for words...a mean feat for me!! Every time I go to look through our gallery there is another brilliant photo that just takes us right back to our big day.  One of the big worries you can have getting married is "are the guests going to enjoy it?" And looking at your photos we can honestly say that everyone looks so happy. You captured exactly what we wanted - natural, unposed ,real moments across the board and looking back through the photos brings us right back to that day. Just pure and utter fun and enjoyment and that has been the greatest gift we ever could have asked for. You know that Kieran wasn't exactly looking forward to being in front of a camera but it's clear to see how comfortable you made him, and everyone else on the day too! So many people have told us how much they were in awe of you - a total photo ninja who never stopped going and yet it felt like you were totally part of the furniture!
Aside from your outstanding skill, we just love you as a person. It didn't feel like we had a "vendor" ,it felt like we had a friend there with us on the day. I can honestly say I have a major girl crush so I will be insta stalking you forever now 🤣🤣
Thank you doesn't seem to cut it at all Jo , there is no way for us to ever thank you for the amazing job you did. You made us feel like rock stars! And I hope you know how much it all meant to us. Next time we visit we will have to take you out for a treat! Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of our little mad hearts ❤️ “

Now for the vendors!
Wedding Planning/ florals/ https://www.philippaevents.com/
Mua bridesmaids and mums/ https://www.nikoletamakeup.com/
Celebrant https://www.theweddingman.eu/
Catering https://www.gaucatering.com/en/
Band El club de las muneacas
Video odosvideos