Waterford Castle Wedding: Sarah and Patrick’s Intimate Island Castle Wedding
Waterford Castle wedding film – Sarah & Patrick, an intimate island wedding in Co. Waterford
A Waterford Castle wedding on a private island
Sarah and Patrick travelled from the United States to get married at Waterford Castle – a castle hotel on its own 310-acre private island in the River Suir, just downstream from Waterford city and reached only by a short ferry crossing. It was a very small family wedding, with just 13 guests, and that made every moment feel personal: tears and hugs in the morning, an outdoor ceremony in the castle gardens and quiet portraits around the old stone walls.
As their wedding videographer, I spent the whole day with them. Here is a look at their Waterford Castle wedding – and a few ideas if you are planning an intimate destination wedding in Ireland.
About Waterford Castle
The site has a long history: it began as a single medieval stone tower, and the Anglo-Norman FitzGerald family owned the island for around eight centuries, building the castle we see today. Now it is a castle hotel and golf resort with an 18-hole course, ivy-covered granite walls, mullioned windows, a courtyard and wisteria climbing the façade – and because the island is only reachable by ferry, it feels completely private.
Getting ready in the castle
Sarah got ready in one of the castle's period rooms, with damask wallpaper, heavy curtains and tall leaded windows. She wore an off-the-shoulder gown with a long veil and soft, loose curls. There were happy tears from her mum, a long hug and a kiss on the forehead from her dad, while Patrick adjusted his bow tie by the window in his navy tuxedo.
An outdoor ceremony in the castle gardens
The ceremony took place outdoors in the gardens of Waterford Castle, with white blossom trees and lanterns lining a stone path. Sarah walked down the aisle with her dad, carrying a bouquet of white flowers and eucalyptus, while Patrick waited with a white orchid buttonhole. With only 13 guests, everyone was close enough to share every word – and her mum's smile said it all.
Portraits around the castle and confetti in the courtyard
After the ceremony, family and friends showered the couple with confetti in front of the castle. Then we took Sarah and Patrick around the island: under the wisteria by the old windows, against the ivy-covered tower and in the courtyard, where Sarah twirled her gown in front of the great wooden door. A castle on its own island, almost to ourselves, made this one of the most magical portrait sessions of the year.
Planning an intimate wedding at Waterford Castle? A few tips
Small can be perfect. With 13 guests, Sarah and Patrick had time for everyone – and the castle felt like their own home for the day.
Plan around the ferry. The island is reached by a short car ferry, so give guests and suppliers the crossing times and build a little extra time into the day.
Use the whole castle for portraits. The courtyard, the ivy-covered towers and the wisteria on the façade are all a short walk apart and look beautiful on film.
Travelling from abroad? For a destination wedding in Ireland, a venue where you can stay, get ready, marry and celebrate in one place makes the day much easier.
Looking for more intimate and destination weddings? See Catherine and Chris at Tinakilly House, who also came from the USA, Fiona and Luke at Dublin City Hall and, for another castle, Deanna and Jack at Kilkea Castle. You can also watch more of my wedding films or see my wedding packages.
Wedding suppliers
Venue: Waterford Castle Hotel & Golf Resort, The Island, Ballinakill, Co. Waterford
Videography: Michael Black Wedding
Planning a Waterford Castle wedding of your own? I would love to hear about your plans – get in touch and let's chat over Zoom.