Intros, Questions, Answers and wee drops on inspo to excite for your Donegal wedding…
Greetings, I am Jay Doherty, I photography energetic, fun, real wedding photographs, I tell stories and help you relax and enjoy the best experience possible on your wedding day. I am chief time keeper, bearer of gifts and the occasional glass of Coke when you are thirsty, I’ll be kind to your parents and reassure them the whole house doesn’t need re-wall papered in advance of my arrival -I know the best wee pubs, I know a place to go when it’s windy, I have 3 umbrellas and a set of wellies in my van. My age – between 40-50, I surf, I hike, I laugh with my kids and cuddle my wife. I have bee photographing weddings for 20 years, I love it more than ever right now. I have published 3 books – ‘The Craic at Irish Weddings’, Guinness Brides’ and ‘Wedding Grannies’.
Your questions and worries might find relief below…
Q: Why choose Jay Doherty Photography for your Donegal wedding?
A: Jay Doherty Photography captures natural, relaxed wedding moments across Donegal with a documentary style that tells the full story of your day, your people, the craic, the feeling, the wee moments in between. I have been living and surfing in Donegal for 25 years, I know the countryside, the weather, the wee pubs, the carry-on !
Q: What areas in Donegal do you cover for wedding photography?
A: I photograph weddings throughout Donegal including Inishowenn, Letterkenny, Downings, Donegal Town, the wild West – Dungloe, Gweebara, Gweedore, Foreland, Ballybofey, Buncrana, Ardara, Dunfanaghy, and destination weddings along Donegal’s Wild Atlantic coastline – the cliffs, the hills, the beaches.
Q: What style of wedding photography do you offer?
A: I specialise in candid, storytelling wedding photography, a documentary style – the natural goodness and story with a mix of natural portraits on the shore or the hills and the lush woods, – emotional moments, family group shots, the pub- pouring a Guinness.
Q: Do you photograph elopements and smaller weddings in Donegal?
A: Yes.I cover intimate elopements, micro weddings, civil ceremonies, and full-day celebrations. Every wedding day is uniquely amazing – message me your ideas – we can create a reality together.
Q: Do you shoot massive Donegal-buster weddings ?
Yes, this is my bread and butter – I thrive in the chaos and the craic. My biggest wedding has been 500, my smallest 4 !
Q: How far in advance should we book our Donegal wedding photographer?
A: Most couples book 12–24 months in advance, especially for summer and weekend dates. Right now 2028 dates are being booked steady.
Q: What are the best Donegal wedding photo locations?
A: Popular locations include beaches, dramatic cliffs, castles, woodland settings, and scenic countryside viewpoints unique to Donegal. My personal faves- Inishowen – Malin head, Isle of Doagh, Ballyliffin, Mamore, Lough Eske, Atlantic Drive, Erigal and the Poison Glen, and the country lanes and scenery across the county.
Q: How many wedding photos will we receive?
A: Couples typically receive a carefully edited gallery of high-resolution images that capture every important moment – approx 700-100 depending on your chosen package. Your wedding album will carry 80-100 photographs within.
Q: Do you help couples feel comfortable in front of the camera?
A: Absolutely. I can gently guide couples naturally so photos feel authentic and relaxed and there is no stress. The very basics of holding hands, having a wee walk and a cuddle – then let’s head back to the reception and party. I can shoot so much goodness in a short, fun period of time.
Q: Who else to you photograph on a wedding day ?
Your guests, your family, the youngsters, grandfolks, laughing and loud people, gangs of cousins,the work wans, football team, college friends, the gals, wild aunties, uncles drinking pints, dancefloor kings, the best of your folk having the best time on your wedding day.
