Surprise Proposals, Engagement, Couples and Dublin Small Wedding Photographer
UPDATED POST, October 2026
Hi I'm Cara, a Dublin wedding photographer, concentrating on medium-sized and small weddings.
Below is a recent example of weddings - Lawlor's of Naas wedding in Kildare, National Portrait Gallery Wedding, Dublin and Maritime Museum Wedding in Dublin, and Temple Bar Newly Wed Walk.
Cara Hodge Photography - Dublin Wedding Photography Style.
My Wedding photos pair traditional newly wed portraits with natural, documentary style wedding photography.
I started out as a Dublin family and baby photographer, but gradually included couples and requests for Surprise Proposals - and then, small weddings.
Whether it's a family or couples session or a wedding, my approach is the same. I tend to pair traditional portraits with documentary style relaxed moments.
I love unexpected moments - those moments you can't plan for. Moments that can't be repeated because they happened exactly like that, and only once. I love those moments that have a slightly scrappy or rather, loose, effortless style. Think kids at a wedding playing with toy cars across the dance floor, a bride throwing her bouquet in the air, grazing grandma's head, and so on...
EMOTIONS. Your wedding day is bound to be one of the most emotional days of your life - lets capture those emotions, the theatrical ones you can't help noticing and also the quieter moments of...wow..this is really happening.
Smile of anticipation...
Wiping a tear...
Cracking up...
And just...too much emotion already...
Quiet moments of reflection among the excitement of the day...when the bride and groom get their first secret, private moments after the ceremony...when the crowds have receded and they are in their own bubble...
Considered Wedding Portraiture by Cara.
This is wedding photography that takes into consideration, not just the emotion or action of the moment, but the backdrop and lighting and other pretty things. These photos can have an editorial feel as they are more "considered".
Don't get me started on flowers. I encourage brides and bridesmaids to be carrying flowers because, well, flowers are just so beautiful...and add texture and colour.
What is vintage-inspired wedding photography?
Just imagine soft faded colours and classic black and white photos that make weddings look and feel like film.
I didn't set out to make family and couples or wedding photos that feel like film, but I knew I was drawn to what I call the dust and scratches of photos, the slight imperfections that give a real-world feeling to a photo. As well as crystal clear focus points, bright catch lights in the eyes, I am drawn to blurry soft focus foregrounds, low light, and the looseness that comes from grain and texture. To be honest, it depends in what's in front of me, but the beautiful thing about a wedding is it is a lived story. Let your wedding gallery live and breathe your story!
My Dublin wedding photography has a vintage inspired quality. This means you can expect softer colours with a faded quality (rather than high contrast bright colours that "pop") alongside classic black and white. I feel this pairing gives a romance and nostalgia or timeless feeling to your wedding story.
I love how the Mimosa the bride is holding is the same colour as the lamp!
The shape of her wedding dress - and the texture of the fabric - look lovely in black and white and window light!
Cara's Wedding Coverage. What to expect from your wedding session.
At the moment I am focused on medium sized, small and micro Dublin wedding photography. I am also open to unusual requests and adventures. I know no two weddings are the same!
I have coverage of 2.5 hours, 4 hours and a full day of approx 8 hours and possible overnight (ha, not so small!). You can see more information on wedding prices on my main wedding page. Please reach out and ask me any further questions.
My wedding sessions include taking the actual photos, selecting the best photos, and editing photos for a full curated gallery. I am focused on delivering a complete editorial narrative of your wedding day.
From small details, like a bunch of flowers abandoned on a chair, or half full champagne flutes - to the big, celebratory moments - such as the kiss after tying the knot, the groom's nerves before the bride walks the aisle. A complete story of your wedding day, captured with care and attention and seen through your eyes
Basically, if it is a good photo it is included: I am not nitpicking over number of photos in a gallery. If it is a two hour session you can expect roughly 150 photos. If it's a full day, about 400.
Cara x
Back to an older post. :)))
I am also a Dublin family photographer and couples photographer, capturing many surprise proposals and couples sessions.
Many couples from overseas are wanting Surprise Proposals in beautiful and iconic Dublin locations!
Below, a beautiful Surprise Proposal on the Howth Cliff Walk.
More to follow...
You can see more Surprise Proposals on my Couples Page.
I will offer suggestions for locations across Dublin, including South Dublin locations - Sandycove and The Forty Foot, The Royal Botanical gardens, Malahide Castle Gardens, Trinity College and Howth Cliff Top Walk in Howth.
Surprise Proposals can be very relaxed or high glam, depending on who you are as a couple! I offer simple tips to prepare for your session, including low fuss wardrobe advice and of course, location tips to make your Proposal feel special.
The most important thing is to just turn up and leave the photographing to me. There is no need for stiff poses. I like to photograph quickly, capturing those in between moments - leaving you with pictures that feel natural rather then awkward and strange!
Well, I have some exciting news to share! I am now doing Dublin small wedding photography.
Below, a kiss reflected in the mirror of a small Christmas wedding done at The National Gallery of Ireland, with a ceremony at 5 Leinster Street
The bride leaving the Merrion Hotel (more photos to follow) and then the wedding ceremony and cutting the cake!
below, cutting the wedding cake!
What is exactly is a small wedding or a micro wedding photo session?
A small wedding (aka micro wedding) may have all of the glitz and glam of a larger wedding but on a smaller scale. It can suit couples who really want to get married, but want to keep it small and intimate. Or who also have other commitments besides getting married, such as saving for a house or an amazing honeymoon, or a host of other things. Other people opt for a small wedding if they're in a hurry to get married, because perhaps there is a move overseas or a pregnancy on the way, and well, why not?!
Couples photo shoots and engagement photo shoots are all about CONNECTION. A kiss is no better way to show that!
Oh, and here are more kisses xxxx. The beauty of Dublin small wedding photo sessions is that fewer friends and family means more time capturing moments of intimacy and passion!
Below, a kiss through fairy lights...
The famous tilt and kiss wedding couples photo (below)
classic, in front of a window after the reception!
As well as vintage inspired soft colour that feels romantic and nostalgic, I will also edit in timeless black and white. I want my wedding photos to have the ageless feel of "looks like film" wedding photos.
I feel that small, intimate weddings really suit the Looks Like Film/Old Money Aesthetic, where less is most definitely more. Think softer colour tones, smoother contrasts, and warm tones.
What really matters is the love you share - because Love really is timeless.
And...black and white often makes a wedding photo look cinematic!
Here in the warm slightly de-saturated, vintage inspired tones. As this this was a small Dublin wedding with less than 30 people, it was easy to slip into the National Portrait Gallery for couples portraits among all the beautiful art (more wedding photos to follow/ Watch This Space!)
Cara, Small Dublin Wedding Photographer: How long do you shoot for?
Basically, as long as you need me! I currently have three main options. A mini option of two and a half hours to cover the ceremony and newly wed couples portraits, to a whole 8 hour day - more info on my sessions on my wedding page. Small wedding photo session packages start from 950 euro!
As with my regular, family and lifestyle session packages, I deliver a full gallery of all the best moments from our time together. There is no need to pick and choose your favourites.
I also have beautiful, handmade albums and fine art books available with any session.
Below, a wedding album is pretty in pink!
Aside from weddings, I love to photograph LOVE in general - including all types of romantic couples sessions, including Dublin maternity photos.
Dublin Couples, engagement and Surprise proposal sessions with Cara.
With that said, this mini couples session was about making the most of half an hour in a summer meadow. Outdoor romantic sessions are about choosing a location you love and feel most comfortable in.
Couples, engagement and surprise proposals sessions are about you turning up as you are. Either very casual or else a bit more dressy (if you are feeling it!). (Seapoint Engagement Dublin, Summer Engagement, Blackrock, Dublin).
Whatever the vibe is you want to create between the both of you, I will capture these precious moments with a natural documentary approach but also include more classic portraits as well. The two of you, just as you are, no frills needed...
In this summer meadow, I love to make use of props readily at hand, n this case, the old wheelbarrow...again. (The wheelbarrow Summer family portraits Dublin).
The wheelbarrow is great for family photo shoots with kids small enough to fit in, but also with adults way to BIG!! After all, when couples are having fun, the expressions are light & fun-filled. It's a great way to encourage connection.
In my couples and family galleries, I will present a mix of color portraits as well as black & white. All my black & white pictures are carefully hand edited from scratch.
On a typical couples photo session, you can also expect individual portraits as well. Aside from cendid moments, there may be some portraits that involve a bit of staging. I might take into consideration the backdrop such as a beautiful, old tree ...
This couples session took place around 6pm, but as the sun sets so late in the summer, I had to embrace hard light. Although I used to freak out at the idea of harsh light, particularly dappled light, now I try to embrace dramatic contrasts. For instance, on this communion session in Donadea Forest Park in dappled light. (Outdoor Communion Photo Shoot)
To embrace the summer light on this romantic couples session, I used a higher aperture number (around F4) and a high shutter speed to create bold forms rather than a blurred background. This also helps to give shapes to the shadows.
At other times, to make the most of rim light, I use a wider aperture to create a softer background and to capture the summer haze.
And more rim light, capturing light on hair, a favorite of mine!!
I loved that this couple chose to wear white cottons, perfect for a summer photo shoot. You can't go wrong with neutrals like white.
When I want to "break the ice", and prevent any self consciousness that might come with being photographed, I like to shoot quickly and capture all the in between moments, the natural expressions and gestures that speak volumes.
You can see more couples photo shoots with a wheelbarrow in Couples Summer Photo Shoot.
I had to include out friendly neighbors - the cows!
Not too close here!
Sometimes it is good to remember the faceless portraits. The focus here (below( is on their hands grasping. A couples romantic gallery will be a mix of all the best moments, as varied as possible.
My couples, engagement and surprise proposals sessions can be done on location all around Dublin and the surrounding areas. Outdoor sessions can make the most of seasonal colour and can be as simple as taking a walk across a landscape you love. I will work step by step with you to make your session as memorable and meaningful as possible.
There are three steps to telling your story.
Three Steps to Telling Your Story. Couples, engagement & surprise proposals Dublin.
Journey starts here Decide on a location you love. We can take a walk together and let the story unfold naturally. Dress up or down.
Click! Romance A few prompts here and there to help you relax. Close ups of the two of you together along with you in the wider landscape. Natural couples & engagement photo shoot Dublin...
Print Print Print Your edited engagement or maternity pictures in a professional online gallery. Options for handcrafted albums in a variety of luxury covers and mounted print boxes
Couples sessions can also to be to celebrate a pregnancy, when love blossoms to start a family! (Maternity with daschunds Blackrock Dublin). I love to photograph all the states of maternity, across all three trimesters.
Please also see my Frequently Asked Questions page that covers popular Q & A.
I look forward to taking your couples and small wedding photos soon, just contact me to ask any questions or book your couples or small wedding photo session!
Have a great week :)
Cara xx
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