TJ & Aaron’s Rainy Day Celebration

When fellow wedding filmmakers TJ and Aaron asked me to capture their day at Montalto House, I was thrilled – and okay, maybe a tiny bit nervous about having such talented videographers watching me work! But from the moment I arrived at this stunning manor house in Ballynahinch, I knew this was going to be something special. They transformed the front lawn into the most incredible ceremony space, with a pink aisle leading down to their handmade stage, all overlooking the lake. And even when the rain came (because of course it did – this is Northern Ireland!), nothing could dampen the joy of this incredibly creative celebration.

As videographers themselves, TJ and Aaron knew exactly how to infuse their day with personal touches that would translate beautifully on camera. I even gave them retro 00s camcorders to capture candid moments from their perspective throughout the day – a service I now offer to all my couples who want to add their own personal touch to their wedding story. Their ‘pink and camp’ theme was evident everywhere – from the decor to the music choices. Instead of a traditional evening band, they created their own curated playlist of music videos, projected for everyone to enjoy. Their afternoon picnic baskets for guests were another thoughtful touch that perfectly suited their intimate 50-person celebration. They even had a piñata, and in one of my favorite moments of the day, chose their ceremony witnesses through a game of duck, duck, goose!

Their celebrant Jean captured their relationship perfectly when she said, “TJ shares that Aaron is the sun… He has the most infectious joy for life. Every sunset is the best one. Every dog is the best one.” And about TJ, “She is passionate, opinionated and determined… from the day they met, Aaron thinks she is the most beautiful person he has ever seen and has only gotten more beautiful since then.”

The weather kept us on our toes all day, alternating between summer sunshine and dramatic downpours. But that’s the beauty of Montalto House – whether you’re inside the elegant manor or out on the grounds, every spot offers something special. The front lawn ceremony site, with its views over the lake, provided a stunning backdrop for their vows (and some epic rainy shots!). Speaking of capturing moments, I worked alongside an incredible creative team – my second shooter, two photographers, a content creator, a drone operator, and even a super 8 videographer. It was amazing to see how everyone came together to document this celebration from every angle.

As someone who loves shooting intimate, non-traditional weddings, this day was an absolute dream. My documentary approach meant I could focus on capturing all the natural moments and genuine emotions – from the tears during their personally written vows to the laughter during their music video dance party.

Their Cinematic Wedding Video

TJ and Aaron opted to extend the length of their film – while my Signature Wedding Films are usually around 10 minutes long, couples can choose to upgrade to a 20-30 minute extended film to tell their story in more detail. You can see their extended Montalto House wedding film here.

Watch out for the gorgeous ceremony readings, their unity candle and whiskey blending ceremonies, that epic duck, duck, goose moment, and of course, those incredible rainy moments that just added to the magic of their day. The amazing drone footage was provided by Cinematic Sky.

The Team

I was part of a truly fabulous team this day, so I wanted to give them a shout out below.

Planner: Lily & Twine Events

Photographer: Elizabeth Naomi Photography

Drone Coverage: Cinematic Sky

Super 8 Film: Memory Lane Video

Content Creator: Sarah Mac Moments

Florist: Boom Barn

Humanist Celebrant: Jean Barrett Quinn

Gelato Cart: Brook Avenue

String Quartet: Ulster Quartet

Makeup: By Kerri

Hair: Hair by Aoife

Dresses: Reflections Bridal Lisburn / Strawberry Lane Designs

Interested in having your wedding filmed like this?

I’m currently booking for weddings in 2025/2026. If you’re planning your own unique celebration and like my documentary approach to capturing these moments, I’d love to chat! Get in touch via my contact page here.