#WeddingPhotography | Blog 058 | Mill Park Hotel, Donegal
May 17, 2019 12:30 pm | (Darron Mark Photography)
I did promise I'd write more, which usually sees me losing some 'subscribers' to my blog feed, because, well, I'm not always going to write about stuff that's relevant to everyone, as you all have your own individual likes, needs and wants, which is a bit like how we perceive Jesus - I'm joking! This isn't a radio broadcast sermon. Have you noticed how they always manage to start off with something waaaay over there, and then, without warning, swing you right into the gospel?
I'm not a religious person, never really have to been if I'm being honest with you. I'm too cynical, I over think too much, not at an anxiety level, more in a logical sense. I'm a problem solver by nature. I try things to see how 'things' work, or re-work actions I've taken after having reflected on what I've done to see if there is a better way of doing it. I do this because I'm fundamentally a lazy person. I want to find the easiest way to do something that other people would think to be hard. I just want an easy life, so I think about the easiest way of doing hard, complex things.
Having this mind set enables me to spot others who think the same way as I do, a bit like 'gay-dar' but for lazy folk. Wedding professionals typically fall into this category, because we're all trying to be as efficient as possible, like wedding co-ordinators for example. They're some of the hardest working people I know within this industry. They're planners, they are captains of teams, they are problem solvers, no matter where you look, they are there making sure guests are all having a great time, whilst making it look easy. They've worked out all the kinks through training, mentorship and experience, filing it all down to a sharp point.
When it comes to the speeches and the groom is giving his thanks to everyone, on only one occasion in over 100 weddings has anyone said thank you to the photographer (me), they always default to the team at the hotel first. It's not without reason. These heroes of the day juggle so much in the run up to the big day, that you sometimes forget how pivotal they are to the whole wedding.
As you're booking your big day, you probably don't know the exact numbers who will be attending, you'll have a range that you hope you can stick too, but you won't. Not when all the aunties and uncles start coming out of the wood work, then there's the cousins, the new borns that have shown up between you booking the venue and the wedding day. There's the dietary requirements for those who only eat chicken nuggets to those who won't eat meat.
The seating plan! Let's not get started on that nightmare. All of this has to be relayed back to the wedding co-ordinator, who in my last wedding was the wonderful Mary, of the Mill Park Hotel in county of Donegal.
From the moment I arrived with the happy couple Mary was on the go. She knew the cake had to be ready, she knew the room had to be ready, she had the drinks reception already queued up, and was organising everything like a concert conductor, all with a wonderful smile on her face.
Now, I've never photographed at this hotel before. I've drove past it a good few times, but was never in it. I have to say, the interior is amazing. A mixture of an old guildhall market wooden interior, with a modern design twist. Spacious yet cosy, an open wood burning fire, comfortable seating, and sectioned off areas to just sink into the seats and relax. Her team were as professional as she was. Everybody had a smile on their face the whole time.
My bride on this occasion was Melissa, who it would seem is a bit of a Disney fan. Mary's team were ready and waiting, each adorned with Minnie Mouse ears.
 The Park Hotel team (Mary at the rear centre)Mary and the team at Park Hotel, Donegal all wearing Minnie Mouse ears.
Now, if you have a team THIS ready, then ears off to you!
The whole evening went without a hitch, and as I packed up my gear before I left, I could still see Mary on her feet, still making sure everyone was having a great time.
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