The Ultimate Wedding Venue Guide

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Thinking about having your dream wedding at the Drenagh? Then you’ve chosen one of the best venues Northern Ireland has to offer. Drenagh features a grand Georgian mansion set on a vast private estate with beautiful gardens, woodlands, and the iconic Moon Garden for outdoor ceremonies. View more below on all things Drenagh Weddings.

DRENAGH

 

Hey, welcome to the ultimate Drenagh wedding venue guide! A dedicated webpage on my website where I share everything about the wedding venue and why I love shooting there. I’ve been shooting around the grounds of Drenagh for the past 6 years, and even though it’s only up the street from my front door the location couldn’t be any sweeter. I know the place like the back of my hand! I teamed up with wedding coordinator and trusted guide, Gayle, to discuss why Drenagh is the ideal location to have your wedding day. Here is what she says…

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 01.

 

What makes Drenagh such a cherished wedding venue for couples on their special day?

Drenagh is a cherished wedding venue for our couples for several reasons: From our Stunning Settings, The Historical Charm of the House, The Exclusive Use of the Estate and our Attention to Detail, the list goes on…

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What sets Drenagh apart from the rest?

The Moon Garden is definitely one of our standout features, which offers you a unique and magical atmosphere for your wedding ceremony, and also our Staff “Drenagh Dream Team”…..  are known for their welcoming and friendly attitudes, we create a warm and inviting atmosphere, making our couples and their guests feel at ease, we also provide exceptional customer service and ensure that every guest feels special and cared for throughout the day.

 03.

 

What types of weddings does your venue cater to?

We at Drenagh can cater to a variety of weddings such as

The Fairy Tale, Intimate,  Traditional and Cultural,  Destination, the list is endless we will help you plan your dream wedding whatever way you envisage it.

 

 04.

 

COUPLES WANT THE WEDDING OF THEIR DREAMS, HOW DOES YOUR VENUE ASSURE THIS?

We offer Dedicated Wedding Planners and an Experienced Team at Drenagh: who will work with you throughout the planning process who are all committed to delivering amazing service, ensuring every detail is taken care of, allowing you to focus on enjoying your special day, also our Attention to Detail, we will take the time to understand each couple’s unique vision for their day

 05.

 

WHAT TIPS WOULD YOU CONTRIBUTE TO THE COUPLES WHO ARE PLANNING A STRESS-FREE WEDDING DAY

Choosing the perfect wedding venue is one of the most important decisions any couple will make. We would tell our couples to think about the atmosphere they want to create, what photo opportunities are available to them as their photos will last a lifetime and to check reviews as other couples’ experiences can give you a realistic view of what to expect and Finally Trust Your Gut….. Go With Your Instincts..!!

 06.

 

What is the most epic request you have honoured to date?

No requests surprise us anymore……. From Helicopter Arrivals, to Bringing along pet Sheep, to a Chinese Dragons dance, to a positivity Circle…….. We love them all..!!!!!

Drenagh wedding photographer

Some of my favourite

Wedding Stories

Drenagh Estate summer Weddings

A Drenagh summer wedding with

Kate & weston

Drenagh weddings with James Aiken photography

A drenagh wedding with

Melissa & michael

Drenagh Wedding Photographer with Ciara & Megan

A Drenagh estate wedding with

megan & ciara

We are so glad we picked James as our wedding photographer, my partner has a real hatred of getting photos taken but James was incredibly patient, positive and organised with us at every step to ensure that we got the photos we wanted with as little stress as possible. Thank you so much! James was really quick sending over loads of preview images which we were completely thrilled with.

– DEBORAH & ALEXANDER –

From the very first conversation with James we knew we wanted him to be our photographer! Hes the most chilled super fun person to be around, really made us feel so comfortable, we chose the package which included the pre wedding photoshoot and they turned out absolutely brilliant, we couldn’t wait to see him again for our wedding day photos! He even gave us a preview on our wedding night which we loved! James took me and my husband away for a few minutes throughout the day to let us both just take it all in. James standard of photography is next to none! I would highly recommend him, in fact we are gonna get him booked in for future photoshoots! 5* thanks for everything James!

– SARAH-JANE & WILLIAM –

James made things happen by absolute magic, orchestrated photos and people to where they needed to be and did this in such a perfect manner. Even when I was feeling overwhelmed he recognised this and give me and my husband time to take it all in and not rush us, he captured pure magic. James was a joy and an absolute pleasure to have around and so many of my guests commented on how lovely he was. I am sure James does weddings nearly every week but it is so clear he gives 110% every time it clearly shows in his work. He captured our personality and style and relationship perfectly and tells our love story so beautifully.

– EIMEAR & TERRY –

GOT QUESTIONS ? I´VE GOT ANSWERS!

Frequently Asked Questions

WHAT MAKES YOU DIFFERENT FROM THE OTHER PHOTOGRAPHERS

Me? I’ve been told from my past couples that I’m fun, passionate and an all rounded great professional third wheel.

My style of photography is documentary with a twist. I want to capture the heartfelt moments, the unscripted, the flow but also the planned. I’m abit of a wildcard, but I truly love this approach. It’s not all about taking photos, its more so the planning of your unique day and showing you that I wont miss a photograph that you require.

My go-to words are Relaxed, Romantic and Fun Loving.

WE HATE HAVING OUR PHOTO TAKEN, WE DON'T WANT LOADS OF POSED SHOTS, IS THAT OK?

Sure thing!

I know at first-hand what that feeling is like. It can be daunting standing in-front of a camera but I promise you, I can help with your anxiety on this with little actions I’ve picked up over the years – I used to model and have a camera randomly pointed at me too – yikes.  Most of the photos I take during your wedding will be natural, unposed and relaxed. Occasionally I will steal you for 10 – 20 mins to capture some intimate moments of you both, but trust me, you will look back and love them.

Camera Shy? Here’s some info that might help

Can we request specific shots?

I completely understand that every couple has specific photographs they want from their day. That’s why I include a section in my questionnaire where you can tell me exactly what’s most important to you. Whether it’s a particular moment or a set of shots, I’ll make sure to prioritize them based on your preferences, so nothing is missed and everything that matters most to you is captured beautifully.

HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE FOR OUR PHOTOS TO BE READY?

During your wedding day, I’ll share a little sneak peek of the moments we’ve captured so far. After that, you can expect to receive your full gallery within 4 to 6 weeks.

How do you approach wedding day timelines?

In the first intial meeting I ask you what your wedding day looks like. Once I know all the deeds, I will be able to form a rough timeline of your day. If you decide that I’m the guy for you, then 6 weeks before your wedding day I will send you a questionaire for you to fill out, this is where you spill absolutely everything about your wedding (and you will know alot more about it then). 4 weeks before the day – We meet up for another coffee (Yay) and go over a more structured timeline so you know everything about your wedding day as it flows.

Do you require a deposit, and when is the balance due?

In order to secure your wedding date, I require a non-refundable deposit of £300. However, if you prefer, I also offer a flexible payment plan: a cost-of-living deposit of £150 per month for 2 months. After the date is secured: You can choose to pay whatever amount you’re comfortable with, whenever you’d like, and any payments you make will be deducted from your overall balance.

DO YOU HAVE INSURANCE?

I sure do! I have only but the best protection for myself and for you on your wedding day! If you or your venue would like a copy to view this, I can give you a copy as proof. Safety first.

James Aiken Photography
WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER | ICED LATTE LOVER  |  CRAIC STARTER

HEY, I’M JAMES, THE GUY BEHIND THE CAMERA.

 

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A documentary-style wedding photographer based in Derry, with an eye for genuine moments and a knack for making even the camera-shy crack a smile. I picked up a camera in 2014 to document my wee girl growing up, and by 2017, I was capturing weddings—now there’s nothing I love more. I’m all for the relaxed romantic & the fun-loving couples who want their wedding photographs to bring them right back to how it all felt.