Anna and Luke got married with an elopement style wedding at Dunluce Castle on the 12th of June, one of the windiest days we've shot a wedding on in a while. From the second we arrived the wind didn't let up once, but instead of fighting it the two of them just laughed their way through it. That set the tone for everything that followed, nothing was going to knock them off course, and they went with whatever the day threw at them without missing a beat.

Anna got ready at her mum and dad's house in Portadown, with her two bridesmaids. No big production, just hair, makeup, and good company in a house that clearly meant something to her. There was a calmness to the morning, the kind that comes from being somewhere familiar with the people who know you best, and it carried through right up until it was time to leave for Dunluce.

Dunluce Castle Wedding Photography

By the time the ceremony started the wind was at its worst. Anna and Luke had a small religious wedding ceremony outdoors, close family and friends only, standing with the castle ruins behind them and the sea below. Anna's brother conducted the ceremony, so the person leading them through their vows was someone who actually knows her, which gave the whole thing a different weight than having a stranger stand up there.

The wind made its presence felt the entire way through, but rather than letting it get to them, Anna and Luke found the whole thing hilarious. You could see it in their faces, neither of them remotely bothered, just enjoying being there together regardless of what the weather was doing. That kind of reaction says a lot about two people, no stress, no fuss, just getting on with it and having a laugh along the way.

Anna and Luke left Dunluce Castle in a 5.7 litre Mustang, which felt like exactly the right way for the two of them to head off after a day like that, loud and full of energy, much like the rest of the day had been. From there it was just Anna, Luke, and us for a run along the coast to grab some portraits before the reception.

Wedding Photos at Ballintoy Harbour

You could tell they were both still buzzing from earlier in the day. The wind hadn't let up but neither had they, still laughing about it, still completely unbothered. At Magheracross View Point they stood right at the edge with the coastline dropping away behind them and just looked at each other like none of it mattered, the wind, the noise, any of it. That's the thing about photographing two people who are properly happy, you don't have to ask for it, it's just there.

Ballintoy felt different. Quieter, more sheltered, away from the drama of the castle. While we were there we took them down to a secret little beach close by that most people walk straight past without ever knowing it's there, which gave us a completely different backdrop again, just sand, rock, and the two of them. After all the excitement earlier in the day it gave them a minute to actually slow down together, not performing for anyone, just married and clearly delighted about it.

Wedding Reception at The Pot Belly

The wider group of guests had been waiting at The Pot Belly in Craigavon, with confetti at the ready as Anna and Luke arrived to start their wedding reception properly.

Anna and Luke are big animal lovers, and with donkeys on site at the venue they made a point of going over to say hello before the night got going, which felt like such a small thing but summed them up perfectly. One of the donkeys liked Anna so much it tried to take a chunk out of her shoulder! After hours spent out in the wind, getting inside and settling in felt good for everyone, and the room had that easy, relieved energy that comes once the big moment is behind you and all that's left is to enjoy the night.

Anna and Luke's wedding proved that the weather doesn't get to decide how good a day is. An intimate windswept ceremony at Dunluce Castle led by Anna's own brother, fun portraits at Magheracross View Point and Ballintoy Harbour, and a full reception at The Pot Belly with everyone together at last, all added up to a day that suited exactly who they are.

If you are planning your own elopement style wedding at Dunluce Castle, take a look at our elopement photography page for more on how we can help capture your day.

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Tommy and Laurene, Pure Photo N.I.