Tullyveery House Summer Wedding in Downpatrick

I first met Kirsty and Mark at another wedding in 2024. They were one of those couples you notice straight away, really warm, easy to chat to. When they got in touch afterwards to ask if I would photograph their own wedding at Tullyveery House, I was delighted.

In the time between that first meeting and their day, life moved on for them in the best way. Their little boy, Max, arrived, and we did a family shoot together. Some of those photos are in the gallery from this day, and it felt very special to see that story continue, from bump, to baby, to watching him there in his wee outfit at the front of the church.

The family

A slow, happy morning in Hillsborough

The day started in Hillsborough with bridal prep, with Upstyled by Meghan and ALX Makeup NI working away in the background while everyone eased into the morning. It was one of those calm, bright starts where the village feels very still. Inside, it was the usual mix of nerves and excitement, but it never tipped into chaos. Dresses were hanging up, cups of tea in every corner, and Kirsty was just taking it all in.

I always love those quiet in-between moments, like when the room clears for a second and the bride finally gets to stop, breathe, and look around. There were a few of those, and you can see it in her face in the photos, that “this is actually happening” moment.

A wedding and a christening at Kilmood Parish Church

The ceremony was at Kilmood Parish Church, a little country church surrounded by fields near Killinchy. It suited them perfectly. Family and friends gathered in, the usual rustle of orders of service and last-minute buttonholes, and then Kirsty arrived looking incredible, bouquet in hand with beautiful seasonal flowers from One Small Seed.

A proud dad

What made the day even more special was that they had Max christened straight after they were married, with the church filled with flowers and everyone quietly squeezing up to make room at the front. So it was a wedding and a christening in one, all in the same place, with the same people watching this new wee family make promises together. From behind the camera, it felt very intimate and very “them”, not a performance, just a real family moment.

The minister deserves a mention. He talked a lot about biscuits. Properly committed to the bit. There were Jammy Dodgers, little hearts, and this running theme about how sometimes you just need to take a time out with a biscuit and a cup of tea. Everyone was laughing, but there was real warmth in it too. It suited the tone of the day, relaxed and kind, and I think it put everyone at ease.

Max and the Minister

After the service we did family and bridal party photos outside the church. The sun was out, people were chatting and hugging, and Max was being passed from one pair of arms to another, very happy with himself. Those simple family group shots at the church are some of my favourites, because you can see the whole day stretching out ahead of them.

Tullyveery House in the evening light

From there, everyone headed to Tullyveery House, one of my favourite County Down wedding venues. The courtyard was already buzzing and live music from S&L Music drifted across the stones as guests arrived. It is such a beautiful spot, with the courtyard, the walled garden, the orchard and the views over the fields and lake. It feels like you have your own little world for the day.

Kirsty and Mark had around ninety five guests, which is the perfect number for that space. The courtyard was full but never crowded, and there was room for people to wander, sit with a drink, or sneak off for a chat. We did one big group photo of everyone in the courtyard just before dinner, which is always a fun challenge. I am usually clambering onto something and waving my arms about, but it is worth it to get that one frame where you can see every single guest who was there.

Group photo at Tullyveery

After that we went straight into a table dash. If you have not come across that before, it is where the couple run round each table and we grab a quick photo with every group in a set amount of time. I think it was actually Renaldas from Savage Love Films who suggested it, and it went down so well. Lots of laughs, silly poses, and a nice way to make sure everyone is included.

Dinner was followed by speeches, more music in the courtyard, and the most gorgeous cake from Sophia Rose Cake Design waiting to be cut. I got the sense the couple cared a lot more about everyone enjoying themselves than putting on a big show, which was so refreshing.

In between all of that, we slipped off for couple portraits around the grounds. The walled garden, the swing, the front of the house, little corners of the orchard, all the usual Tullyveery favourites. The flowers from One Small Seed tied everything together so well, from the bouquets to the reception details, which always makes my job that bit easier. Kirsty and Mark were so easy to photograph, very natural with each other, and happy to trust me and just go with it.

Sunset at the lake

One of my favourite parts of the day came after dinner. Charlie, one of the owners, very kindly drove me and Renaldas from Savage Love Films up to the lake with Kirsty and Mark. The light had dropped, the sun was sitting low over the fields, and everything felt very peaceful after the buzz of the reception.

We had time to slow down and let them walk together - just be on their own for a few minutes. Those sunset photos are some of the ones I love most from the whole gallery. There is something very honest about them; no big poses, just two people, the water, and that soft evening light.

Kirsty and Mark at the lake

very kind people

What stays with me from this day, more than anything, is how kind everyone was. Kirsty and Mark are genuinely lovely, and their families and friends were exactly the same. From the morning in Hillsborough, through the biscuit jokes in the church, to the table dash and dancing later on with DJ Jarlath keeping the floor full, it felt like being welcomed in rather than just turning up to do a job.

I drove home that night feeling tired in the best way, knowing we had told their story properly, from that very first hello at someone else’s wedding, to this day with Max in their arms, in one of my favourite places to photograph.

Kirsty and Mark, thank you for letting me be part of it. I loved every minute.

The first dance and that beautiful dress!

Wedding suppliers

I was lucky to work with such a brilliant team of suppliers on this day. If you are planning your own Tullyveery House wedding, you might find these links helpful.

Hair
Upstyled by Meghan
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/upstyledbymegan

Makeup
ALX Makeup NI
Website: https://www.alxmakeup.co.uk

Florist
One Small Seed
Website: https://onesmallseed.co.uk

Cake
Sophia Rose Cake Design
Website: https://sophiarosecakedesign.com

Ceremony and drinks reception music
S and L Music
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sl.music.ni

Evening DJ
DJ Jarlath Ryan
Website: https://djjarlathryan.ie

Videographer
Savage Love Films
Website: https://www.savagelovefilms.co.uk