Darver Castle Wedding: Peris and Trevor’s All-White Celebration in Co. Louth
Darver Castle wedding film – Peris & Trevor, Dundalk, Co. Louth
A Darver Castle wedding in Co. Louth
Peris and Trevor celebrated their wedding at Darver Castle – a historic castle in Readypenny, just outside Dundalk in Co. Louth. It was a sunny September day: an outdoor ceremony on the castle lawns, every guest dressed in white, and two grooms who did not stop smiling from start to finish.
As their wedding videographer, I filmed the whole day – from the quiet moments before the ceremony to the laughter in front of the castle. Here is a look at their Darver Castle wedding, and a few ideas if you are planning your own.
About Darver Castle
The stone tower house at Darver Castle dates from around 1432, and the name comes from the Irish Dairbhe, meaning oak wood. Restored by the Carville family, who bought the castle in 1997, it is now a hotel, restaurant and one of the best-known wedding venues in Louth – with lawns that are made for outdoor ceremonies.
Getting ready at the castle
Before the ceremony there was time for a glass of bubbly, a last check of the bow ties and plenty of smiles with the groomsmen inside the castle.
An all-white outdoor ceremony
Peris and Trevor asked their guests to wear white, and the result was stunning: rows of chairs on the castle lawn, a sea of white linen and summer dresses, and the two grooms in black velvet tuxedos at the centre of it all. The walk down the aisle brought the first happy tears of the day.
A Celtic handfasting
During the ceremony their hands were tied with ribbon in a traditional handfasting – the old Celtic ritual behind the phrase “tying the knot”. When they were pronounced married, the guests rose to their feet and the first kiss was met with cheers and applause.
Celebrations in front of the castle
After the ceremony everyone gathered in front of Darver Castle. The wedding party, in soft shades of grey, lined up under the white castle porch for group photos that quickly turned into pure fun – lifts, playful tugs-of-war and a lot of laughter. There was even a surprise guest: a black Shire horse, who joined the newlyweds on the lawn for a champagne toast, with one of the grooms taking a seat in the saddle.
Planning a Darver Castle wedding? A few tips
Say yes to an outdoor ceremony. The lawns at Darver Castle are made for it – on a sunny day, with the castle behind you, it is hard to beat.
Make your dress code part of the story. An all-white dress code like Peris and Trevor’s looks incredible on film and gives every guest a reason to dress up.
Use the castle entrance. The stone tower and the white porch are a perfect backdrop for group photos with your wedding party.
Looking for more castle weddings? See Deanna and Jack at Kilkea Castle, Marisa and Paul at Luttrellstown Castle, Reiltin and Caomhan at Kilronan Castle and, also in Co. Louth, Ruth and John at Bellingham Castle. You can also watch more of my wedding films or see my wedding packages.
Wedding suppliers
Venue: Darver Castle, Readypenny, Dundalk, Co. Louth
Videography: Michael Black Wedding
Photography: Emerald Wedding
Cake: Piece of Cake Dublin
Planning a Darver Castle wedding of your own? I would love to hear about your plans – get in touch and let’s chat over Zoom.