I have been working with couples in Ireland for almost 18 years now. And yet still it hasn’t stopped surprising me with its beauty.
My aim as a wedding photographer and couple portrait photographer is to use the Irish countryside as a beautiful backdrop as much as possible.
One of the most spectacular wedding venues in the country is Ballyfin House and demesne in County Laois
It has been chosen as the best hotel in the world in 2016 by Conde Nast Traveler. It is truly a grand house in the best meaning of this word. So far as the Irish country houses go.
I have photographed weddings on a few occasions there but I want to tell you about one that has been very well reserved by the couple because it lasted 3 days and has been a luxury black tie event.
We were even asked to build a portrait studio in one of the reception rooms with 18th century paintings on the wall for the wedding guests to be photographed. It was a great adventure for me as a photographer and art director leading a team of 3 assistants and the lovely crew of Olivia Buckley team was there to navigate the shoot smoothly.
The event planning agency www.olivibucley.com did a great job with the wedding planning
The couple was really happy with the results and all the guests had a great time being photographed for the wedding guest portrait album. We had delivered 120 wedding guest photo albums as wedding gifts to each participant of this grand ball.
Yes, there was a black tie ball after the wedding ceremony that took place in the Ballyfin house. They have an amazing walled garden and a glass house filled with fresh flowers. The bride loved roses, so we took some photos in the walled rose garden.
The house itself is a majestic backdrop for stunning wedding photos. Filled with 18th century regent paintings and Arte facts, with big library windows and silk furniture to pose the models on, is an unforgettable experience.
The bride and groom were very relaxed on the day and I could just do my job documenting every detail with a precise eye and experienced lens.
Here are a few examples of this particular venue.
Dramatic views and wedding photography | Cliffs of Mother
It was a July wedding party trip for Florida to cliffs of mother , co Galway. We had a lovely time in the Hotel photographing the bridal preparations and the groom and his family in the other wing of the hotel.The bride preparation photography took place in the lovely https://www.fallshotel.ie/.
It was a small party of closest family and friends. We have been in touch with the couple 6 months before the planned wedding date.
We had an understanding prior to meeting that the photos should be relaxed , documentary style.
Wedding photography with ocean as a backdrop
We had the best time, the weather was amazing. It was a hot day with a little bit of wind blowing over the cliffs from the Atlantic Ocean.
It was a moving celebration of love overlooking the calm but vast blue ocean. The scenery is dramatic and world famous. A windy yet romantic day turned into a well documented memory captured in photographs.
I can recommend this location to anyone who is looking for spectacular wedding photos on a world heritage location. Just maybe not between November and March:)
An Elegant wedding venue | No.25 Fitzwilliam Place, Dublin
If you like Dublin and dream about an elegant wedding venue in a Georgian setting then you are in the right place. It’s a superb city venue with prices per person starting for fine dining service. It can host small weddings for up to 60 guests. Situated by the Canal is a perfect Dublin city location for wedding photos.
I have had the pleasure to photograph 3 weddings in their venue and it is one of my favourites . Its elegant dark walls and georgian staircase makes for amazing wedding speech portraits and wedding reception portraits. The weddings have a very elegant, timeless and intimate feel. It hosts civil ceremonies too.
And epitome of elegant romance | Powertscourt Estate
“A wedding at Powerscourt Hotel remains the epitome of romantic elegance. With curved Palladian grandeur embracing the magnificence of Sugar Loaf Mountain and the rolling Wicklow landscape behind”,this is the backdrop for stunning wedding photography.
The hidden garden, the japanese garden , the massive outdoor reception area overlooking the mountains, excellent service and fine dining experience for your wedding guests, what else would you want for your wedding in Ireland?
Thai is truly an idyllic location surrounded by hectares of woodland, rivers, and a picturesque Enniskery village ( Disney’s Disenchanted primary location)a few steps away.
Another great adventure for you and your wedding party is a visit to a nearby Powerscourt Waterfalls-also an amazing wedding photography location.
Powerscourt Hotel and Spa was a backdrop for my photography and we used all possible secret locations to create the best wedding photos for the couple that day.
The vast grounds of the former castle can be visited everyday but for wedding photos the couple has a special entry and use of the grounds and the house.
The cost as of 2025 is €95 to €198+ per person for a package, with additional costs for venue hire.
