Everyone has pictures that pop up in their minds when it comes to Ireland: It’s green, lush and old. There are castles, narrow streets, hedges separating grass pastures to keep  in the sheep and long coastlines. Did you know that Ireland’s coastline is  about 4660 miles long? – … and there is the WEATHER. No one expects sunshine or warm temperatures on the green island. As a matter of fact, I told everyone that I would be deeply disappointed if we have sunshine during our trip. Ireland didn’t disappoint me at all.

What can I tell you,  is that all the preconceived notions came true and I found exactly what I  was wanting to find in Ireland. Unfortunately we only had one week for our trip, because we had a plane to catch in Dublin to bring us back to to Denver. My wife and I made a promise – we will come back.

Check out part 1 of my Irish views.

This was my companion in Ireland. Beside digital help, I also brought a Plaubel Junior along for the trip.

I felt very honored and proud when I received the news that the creators of Photodoto picked my website for their article about 50 brilliant Photo Sites of Professional Photographers. In their blog post about brilliant photo sites they use my website as on of 50 examples to explain other photographers how to put a professional online portfolio together. Thank you Photodoto, I feel very honored to be part of such an incredible bunch of creative people. I love what I’m doing and I guess it shows.

Ireland is definitely the place when you are looking for a unique, warm and very special destination wedding. A big shout out to Kerry Butler and her team from A Touch of Bliss to make my work so effortless. This is just a start of many more photos.

• A budget is the one thing you need to look at- over and over. Decide what the most important is — the dress, for example, or the photographs — and make adjustments everywhere else.

• Make your wedding you in little ways. There are numerous ways to bring sentimental and meaningful elements into your wedding in order to make your wedding day memorable.

• Call in the cavalry. Find out if your friends have a talent where they can help. Do you have someone that may be able to print invitations, bake cupcakes, even alter or sew a bridesmaids dress What are their talents and use them (now be sure to tell them not to bring you a wedding girt, I mean they DID offer the greatest present you could every ask for- Their TIME!)

• Why stick to a Saturday? Try a Friday or Sunday, when reception venues tend to be at a lower rate are. Trends are showing cocktail parties, dessert receptions or brunch to be an alternative to the traditional Saturday. Many of these options can keep alcohol expenses are dramatically decreased, if not eliminated all together.

• Pick a unique venue. A backyard, clubhouses and parks tend to be MUCH cheaper than the traditional hotel ballrooms — and that a friend or relative’s backyard is free. This is budget friendly for obvious reasons: no venue fees, reducing catering costs and a more casual menu allow for a much more affordable wedding. If you don’t have a great backyard – consider the yard of a close friend or family. A local park is full of fun opportunities. Horse shoes, corn hole games, the fun aspect of a wedding PLUS activities make your wedding a really fun celebration (isn’t that what you want anyway? Fun? Brides opting for this style of wedding need to keep the weather in mind and make sure to have a plan B back up.

• Look for the slow season in your area. There may be a great month where venues are looking at options to book weddings. Just ask.

• Limit the guest list. Having a wedding for 400 people on $10,000 is impossible, ok well not TOTALLY impossible. Maybe boxed lunches are the option. (If you can find a place that will hold 400 people and allow you to serve them. Since there will be many guests not invited or cant come, I suggest you send wedding announcements to those in far away locations after the wedding. Have your Maid of honor do this while you head out on your honeymoon

• Invitations can be expensive. Look and look and look till you find the wedding invitation that you love, but consider the goodies that jack up the price. Printed RSVP cards (buy a custom stamp and do it yourself. Eliminate those fancy card linings. Most of all, remember that the theme is created by your invitations but people toss em. Period.

• Save on postage by creating a website that has an RSVP portal. Facebook groups are becoming a new way. Created groups. One for your invited guests and a group just for your bridesmaids. Remove the chatter of your Farmville posts.

• Fake the cake. Really! There are a few ways to “cut the cake”. You can rent a large, icing-covered foam cake from some bakers for the reception and serve a kitchen cake. A kitchen cake is the same flavor and is layered, just like your wedding cake. Just ask your florist to finish the cake with matching flowers

• If you decide to have an open bar, limit it to beer and wine. There are so many options of reception bars, ask your cater or venue if they can offer advice that will help your financial situation

This guest blog was brought to you by Orlando wedding and event planner, The D Tales.