If you're getting ready onsite, you're in for a treat. The place is beautiful, and the staff are unbelievable — everything runs like clockwork, so let it. Your job in the morning is simply to enjoy it.

The prep rooms are made for photos: great light, big mirrors, and the Barn prep room looks out over the garden.

A LITTLE TIP FROM ME

Keep bags and hangers tucked away in one corner. And seriously consider a first look — with parents or bridesmaids in the light-filled bridal suite, or with your partner in the private gardens. A few quiet minutes can settle the nerves and make for beautiful photos.

Ballymagarvey's ceremony room is wonderful. It's unique and intimate, which is part of its charm — but it can also mean space is tight, especially with a big crowd.

For your musicians: they may need to sit at the back rather than the front. It's worth flagging that beforehand so no one's surprised on the day.

WORTH KNOWING

The greeting line after the ceremony can easily take half an hour. If daylight is precious, especially in winter, you might prefer to head straight to your couple shots and catch up properly with guests at the drinks reception. Your celebrant can help make that transition seamless.

The walled garden. The courtyard. The manor house. The lake, waterfall, gates and arches. Ballymagarvey is spoiled for locations, and there's always something that looks especially lovely on the day.

But great photos don't mean disappearing from your own reception. I've photographed couples who wanted five minutes and others who happily spent an hour. There's no right answer — we'll work out what's right for you.

MY LITTLE LAKE SECRET

If the weather is promising us a nice sunset, I might save the lake until later. It's beautiful all day, but when that golden light hits, the reflections are magic. No point doing it twice when the second time could be extraordinary.

My aim is always to get you back to the drinks reception as quickly as possible. With a simple list and a little help, family portraits can usually be wrapped up in five to ten minutes .

Think immediate family first. Ask someone who knows everybody — a bridesmaid, groomsman or friend — to help gather the right people. The front of the manor house often works beautifully, and shade there can help on a sunny day.

ONE OF THE MOST OVERLOOKED MOMENTS

There may be a chance to see the dining room before guests are called in — often around 5:15 for a 5:30 dinner call. Confirm the timing with the venue team. It's your chance to see the room pristine and take it all in, together, before the celebrations begin.

Depending on the season and the weather, we'll slip out to Ballymagarvey's stunning lake. It's one of my favourite things about photographing here — the still water, the reflections and that soft low light.

When the light plays ball, ten minutes away from the party can give you some of the most beautiful photographs of the day.

DON'T BUILD YOUR DAY AROUND A SUNSET FORECAST

The weather doesn't always cooperate — and that's absolutely fine. We'll keep things flexible, work with the light we get and make lovely photos either way.

After dinner, there may be time for sparklers outside the dining hall and photographs by Ballymagarvey's signature lantern tree — one of the venue's classic evening scenes.

I'll coordinate with your band around the start time, so if we head out for a few photos, we'll get you back into the room just before the first dance. You won't miss a beat of your own party.

ONE LAST TIP

Check sparkler plans with the Ballymagarvey team in advance. Timings and what can be arranged on the day should always be agreed with the venue.