While we didn’t originally have the Titanic Experience on our to-do list with the wedding dress, when Stewart at the Guinness Storehouse suggested it would make a great shoot we reached out to them. They were very enthusiastic about our coming so we made it our first stop. Titanic is one of Jennifer’s favorite movies. For me, the technical aspects of why the luxury liner sunk and the challenges associated with its rediscovery and recovery have fascinated me for years. The Titanic Experience which opened four years ago does a wonderful job satisfying all facets of interest in the titanic in a wonderfully immersive way. Below is just one of the many exhibits. This one surrounds you with three walls of video to take you virtual walkthrough of the historic ship.

Titanic 3D Immersion

Another great exhibit takes you with a floor view of the explore the wreck of the Titanic as the underwater submersible would have seen it 12,500′ (3,800 meters) below sea level.

Titanic Underwater Exploration

We were too tired to wait for blue light and photograph the building properly, but we did snap a shot from above so show you the amazing internal architecture. The endless amount of detail was overloading in an amazing way. From the largest map of the world that starts on the floor and continues outside, to the building matching the height of the Titanic itself, to the 1,000’s of minor details along the way, everything was spectacular. While we didn’t photograph it, there is also a multi story ride that takes you through a virtual shipyard that left you thankful you are not a shipbuilder from the early 1900’s.

If you are in Belfast, make sure you don’t miss this rare treat. Rain or shine (and it usually rains) go to the Titanic Experience and get lost in the past.

Titanic Experience Grand Hall

Our last stop in Northern Ireland was the Crown Liquor Saloon. Established in 1873, it is one of the most ornate saloons we’ve ever visited. We wanted to shoot it at night and they were willing to let us shoot when they closed, but we didn’t make it. We just couldn’t stay up after a long day of travel and shooting. Instead, we popped in just as they opened. The guy said we’d have to hurry and we did. Jennifer was in the dress in under 5 minutes. I had my camera rig ready to go, we closed the doors for about 30 seconds and blasted off a few shots. Unfortunately, during the day the light was too strong coming through the windows, so we had to do this as multi exposure and do a little HDR in post processing to the windows to look right.

Crown Liquor Saloon