Niamh and Paul’s Borris House Wedding
Every couple planning a wedding feels the pressure of the script. There is a checklist of traditions, a timeline of expected moments, and an unspoken expectation that the day must run flawlessly from start to finish. In the pursuit of the “perfect” wedding, it is surprisingly easy to lose sight of what the day is meant to honour: two people who love each other.
But when a couple steps away from that script, something special happens.
Niamh and Paul’s Borris House wedding, held on Halloween, was a perfect example of how powerful a celebration can be when you follow your own rules. Their approach was intentional, personal and deeply authentic. Nothing was done because “you’re supposed to.” Everything was done because it meant something to them.
Here are four moments from their Borris House wedding that show how unforgettable a day becomes when you make it truly your own.
They Made the Most Important Moments Private
While the ceremony in the chapel was public and heartfelt, Niamh and Paul understood that the most meaningful commitments do not need an audience. Their celebrant, Fr. Dan O’Reilly, led a beautiful handfasting during the ceremony, but they quietly decided not to exchange their rings there. Instead, the rings were saved for later, just for the two of them.
The most powerful moment happened in the library. The room is famously private—Borris House only opens it on rare occasions because it holds valuable family records and historical documents. Even on the morning of the wedding, permission to use the room was uncertain. When the door finally opened, they stepped into a space filled with history and silence, and exchanged their vows privately.
No audience.
No instructions.
No performance.
Just two people choosing to keep a piece of the day for themselves.
It was emotional, intimate and deeply grounded. I feel lucky to have witnessed it, and I do not think I will stand in that room again. It is that rare.
They Deconstructed the Speeches
Speeches are often stressful, especially for couples who do not like being the focus of a room. Niamh and Paul’s original plan was to skip speeches entirely. I always think it takes a surprising amount of bravery not to do them at all, because they can weigh heavily on people all day.
But instead of removing them, they reinvented them.
Later in the night, just before pouring a champagne tower, they said a few short, beautiful words. Guests were relaxed, glasses were in hand, and the room was already warm with laughter. They removed the pressure of a formal lineup, but kept the heart of the moment: gratitude, joy and sincerity.
It was honest, simple and perfect for them.
They Turned Family Photos into Something Creative
Family photos are typically efficient and traditional. Line everyone up, tick the combinations, get through it as quickly as possible. Paul had a completely different idea.
He wanted the portraits to look like mid-1990s Hello! Magazine – glamorous, tongue-in-cheek, a little extravagant. And Borris House was the perfect backdrop for it. We pulled out chairs, created striking compositions in the Drawing Room, and made it feel like a styled feature rather than an obligation.
The best part?
It took about twenty minutes.
It was fun, fast, full of personality, and it resulted in some of my favourite family portraits I have ever photographed. All Seasons Catering, The Daily Dose and The Good Hustle were already getting ready for the evening reception while family laughed through the shoot. Nobody felt dragged away from the day, and everyone ended up with something unique for the album.
They Chose Authenticity Over Perfection
Wedding culture often encourages a polished version of reality. Flawless dresses, edited emotions, curated images. Niamh had no interest in pretending to be someone else. She smoked on her wedding day, and asked me to photograph it. She and Paul even set up a cigarette table with a couple of hundred cigarettes for guests — a detail that still makes people smile.
Their goal was not to appear like the perfect couple. Their goal was to enjoy themselves, surrounded by friends and family, without self-censorship.
When a couple is comfortable being exactly who they are, it changes the atmosphere of the entire day. Guests relax. Laughter becomes louder. Photos become real. You can feel the truth in the images.
Your Wedding, Your Rules
Niamh and Paul’s Borris House wedding was extraordinary, not because it followed tradition, but because they were selective about what mattered.
They:
• kept their most important promises private
• reinvented speeches to remove pressure
• transformed family portraits into a creative event
• embraced authenticity without apologising for it
Their day felt genuine because it was genuine.
So here is the question they leave behind for other couples:
What tradition would you be brave enough to change to make your wedding truly your own?
If you love the idea of candid, documentary photography that captures the atmosphere of your day rather than staging it, I would be delighted to chat. Feel free to get in touch or book a short discovery call.
Wedding Vendors
- Venue: Borris House
- Makeup: Sarah Keogh Makeup
- Hair: Elevation Hair
- Catering: All Seasons Catering
- Drinks: The Daily Dose
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