Daniel & James’s Wedding at Lusty Beg Island Resort, Fermanagh

Treasure Box Photography
Jul 31
6 min read

All photos by Treasure Box Photography

Two grooms in tuxedos sit on a dock above a calm lake, smiling at each other under dramatic cloudy skies.

Daniel and James’s wedding at Lusty Beg Island was one of those days that had a bit of everything: a boat trip, dogs at the ceremony, lakeside portraits, a rainbow umbrella, a packed dancefloor, and one of the most dramatic evening skies I’ve ever photographed over the water.

When they filled out their pre-wedding questionnaire, they described their day as laidback, fun, rustic and outdoorsy, and that really does sum it up perfectly. Lusty Beg Island Resort in Fermanagh was the perfect setting for it all. It has that brilliant “away from the world” feeling, where everyone arrives by boat and immediately feels like they’re part of something a wee bit special.

Two smiling grooms in white shirts and black vests pose in a mirror in a softly lit room.

Two grooms in tuxedos smile at each other on a balcony above pink flowers, outside dark wooden lodge buildings. — The guys got ready at one of the log cabins before walking up to the main venue at Lusty Beg where the ceremony was taking place

As a wedding photographer, I love venues where everything is in one place. It means the day can unfold naturally without people disappearing into cars and buses every five minutes. At Lusty Beg, Daniel and James were able to get ready, have their ceremony, enjoy the drinks reception, head out for portraits, have dinner and party into the night, all on the island.

Stone-paved courtyard of Lusty Beg Island Resort before a gray cottage with white trim, potted palms, outdoor table, and a wooden bar under an overcast sky.

Getting married at Lusty Beg Island

Lusty Beg Island is such a unique wedding venue in Northern Ireland. Being on an island gives it a real sense of occasion before the day even begins. Guests arrive by boat from the mainland, which is a lovely little adventure in itself, and once everyone is there, the whole wedding has this relaxed, tucked-away atmosphere.

Daniel and James had around 100 guests joining them for the day, with everyone arriving in plenty of time before the ceremony. The setting suited them perfectly: rustic, outdoorsy, relaxed, and full of character.

The ceremony room looked beautiful, with soft white styling, greenery, fairy lights and a lovely warm glow. It had that cosy indoor feeling while still tying in with the natural, rustic feel of the island.

And of course, the dogs made an appearance too, which automatically improves any wedding by at least 37 percent. That’s not official science, but I stand by it.

The ceremony

Wedding ceremony in a bright hall with draped white fabric, greenery, floral arch, seated guests, and a woman reading from a tablet.

Daniel and James’s ceremony was led by Ruby Mae, and it was full of warmth, laughter and proper emotion. One of my favourite things about photographing weddings is watching the guests as well as the couple. There’s always so much happening around the room: big smiles, proud family members, children taking it all in, and little reactions that tell the story of the day.

Two grooms in tuxedos stand beneath white floral arches as a woman officiant speaks at a wedding ceremony in a bright hall.

Their ceremony had all of that.

There was a brilliant atmosphere in the room, helped along by the fact that everyone seemed genuinely delighted to be there. When Daniel and James had their first kiss as a married couple, the whole room just erupted. Those are always the moments I’m watching for: not just the kiss itself, but the hands in the air, the clapping, the laughter, and the people in the background who are completely caught up in it.

Two grooms in tuxedos walk hand in hand down a flower-lined aisle as wedding guests applaud in a bright, elegant hall.

Drinks, canapés and island wandering

After the ceremony, everyone moved into the drinks reception. Daniel and James had planned prosecco and beer, with scones and sandwiches for guests, which is exactly the kind of relaxed wedding energy I can get behind.

Group of friends laughing around a wooden table with drinks in a rustic paneled room with bird art.

The afternoon was full of candid moments: people chatting, laughing around tables, hugging, drinking, catching up and enjoying the island. This is always one of my favourite parts of the day to photograph because nobody is performing for the camera. It’s just real people enjoying themselves.

Busy wedding reception with guest chatting over drinks while a harp trio plays by the window.

We also got through the family photos, including the Dowse family photo, the Cunningham family photo and a larger group family photo. Having a designated photo helper makes a massive difference on a wedding day, and Kai was nominated to help gather people when needed. That meant we could keep things moving without turning the afternoon into a military operation with buttonholes.

Relaxed portraits around Lusty Beg

One of the best things about being a Lusty Beg Island wedding photographer is the variety of portrait locations all within a short walk. You have the lodges, balconies, trees, paths, lake views, jetties and those lovely rustic textures everywhere.

Two grooms in black tuxedos hold hands and smile on a wooden dock by a lake under a cloudy sky.

Daniel and James were brilliant to photograph. The portraits never felt stiff or forced. We wandered around the island, made use of the greenery, the lake and the wooden jetty, and kept things relaxed.

Two grooms in black tuxedos hold hands and smile while walking through a leafy meadow in a wooded setting.

There was a bit of rain at one point, but rather than letting that spoil anything, we used it. Out came the rainbow umbrella, the dogs joined in, and we got some of my favourite photographs of the day. Wedding days do not need perfect weather. Sometimes a bit of chaos, wind or rain gives you something far more memorable.

Two grooms in tuxedos walk dogs under a rainbow umbrella on a lakeside lawn, smiling in the rain.

Later on, the light over the lake turned dramatic. The sky opened up into this moody, cinematic backdrop, with the water reflecting everything underneath. Daniel and James sat together on the jetty, and it gave us one of those portraits that feels quiet, epic and completely Fermanagh.

Two grooms in tuxedos sit laughing on a wooden dock over a calm lake at sunset, with dramatic clouds and trees in back.

That’s the beauty of a venue like Lusty Beg. You can get soft, natural portraits during the day, then if the weather and light decide to do something interesting later, there’s a whole new atmosphere to play with.

A laidback wedding with plenty of personality

Daniel and James said music was a big part of who they are, and ABBA was firmly on the soundtrack. That tells you a lot about the energy of the day. This was never going to be a wedding where everyone politely tapped one foot from a safe distance.

The reception was full of laughter, great speeches and a room that felt completely behind them. The styling was simple and elegant, with whites, greens, candles, florals and soft lighting tying everything together.

Laughing wedding guests lift a groom in a tux on an outdoor patio, with women in colorful dresses cheering around him.

One of the loveliest things about the day was how much personality was in it without anything feeling overdone. It was stylish, but not stiff. Fun, but not forced. Emotional, but never heavy. It felt like Daniel and James had created a day that genuinely suited them.

Evening portraits and dancefloor chaos

After dinner, we made time for a few more creative evening portraits. I always love this part of a wedding day. The formalities are mostly done, everyone has relaxed, and there’s usually a little window where we can make something a bit different.

Inside the reception room, the fairy lights and draped ceiling created a beautiful setting for portraits. Daniel and James had a dance together under the lights, and it gave everything a warm, romantic feel without needing to disappear from the party for ages.

Then the dancefloor properly kicked off.

Two grooms in black suits dance at a warmly lit wedding reception under draped fabric, twinkling lights, and greenery.

Pink cowboy hats appeared. Hands were in the air. The room was packed. The energy went from lovely wedding reception to full-blown party beast. Exactly as it should be.

I always think the dancefloor tells you a lot about a wedding. Daniel and James’s guests were clearly there to celebrate them properly. No half-hearted shuffling. No awkward “I’ll dance after one more drink” energy. Just a room full of people having the time of their lives.

Guests dance at a lively indoor party, many in cowboy hats, raising arms on a wooden floor under warm hall lighting.

Same-sex wedding photography in Northern Ireland

It was an absolute joy to photograph Daniel and James’s wedding. As a Northern Ireland wedding photographer, I want couples to feel relaxed, comfortable and completely themselves in front of the camera. That matters at every wedding, but especially when the whole point of the day is celebrating two people exactly as they are.

Two grooms in tuxedos sit on a wooden bench, smiling and toasting with champagne flutes in a warm, rustic room.

My approach is mostly documentary, capturing real moments as they happen, mixed with a few relaxed portraits and some creative evening photos when the opportunity is there. I’m not interested in turning a wedding day into a photoshoot. The best images usually happen when people are enjoying themselves, laughing with their favourite people, and forgetting the camera is even there.

Daniel and James’s day had all of that in abundance.

Planning a wedding at Lusty Beg Island?

Lusty Beg Island is a brilliant choice if you want a wedding venue that feels relaxed, scenic and a little bit different. The boat arrival gives it a sense of adventure, the island setting keeps everything together, and there are loads of beautiful spots for photos without needing to travel anywhere.

Elegant wedding reception with white drapes, baby’s breath floral arches, candlelit tables, and wooden chairs in a soft cream room.

For couples planning a Lusty Beg wedding, I’d definitely recommend leaving a little breathing space in the timeline for portraits around the island. You do not need ages. Even 15 or 20 minutes can be enough for a relaxed wander. Then, if the light does something magical later in the evening, it’s worth sneaking out again for a few extra photos by the water.

Two grooms in black suits kiss on a wooden dock over calm water under a cloudy sky.

Daniel and James’s wedding was a perfect example of why I love photographing weddings at Lusty Beg Island: natural moments, beautiful surroundings, a relaxed atmosphere and a couple who were fully up for enjoying the day.

Congratulations Daniel and James. What a brilliant wedding to be part of.

Supplier Team

Venue: https://lustybegisland.com

Wedding Phototographer: https://www.treasureboxphotos.co.uk

Celebrant: Ruby the Celebrant

Suits: Bogart's

Cake: Little Cakery

Suits: Bogart's

Entertainment & Decor: https://www.oneillweddings.com

Two grooms in tuxedos lie on a wooden dock by blue water, smiling at each other.

Looking for a Lusty Beg Island wedding photographer?

I’m Eamonn from Treasure Box Photography, a Northern Ireland wedding photographer based in Carrickfergus and photographing weddings across Northern Ireland, Donegal and beyond.

My style is relaxed, natural and mostly candid, with a bit of creative lighting thrown in when the moment calls for it. If you’re planning a wedding at Lusty Beg Island, or anywhere else in Fermanagh, I’d love to hear what you have planned.

👉 https://www.treasureboxphotos.co.uk