Cloughjordan House Wedding Photographer – Aoife & Brian
There’s something special about a wedding where every single guest matters. Aoife and Brian invited just 60 people to celebrate with them at Cloughjordan House in Tipperary which means they weren’t filling seats. They were gathering the people who had shaped their lives. Immediate family and the closest of friends. No one there by obligation. Just love.
It was June 3rd 2025 and the day had that relaxed intimacy that only comes when a couple trusts both their venue and their people. Among the guests were Aoife’s brother John and his wife Sarah who arrived with their new daughter. It felt like things had come full circle since John and Sarah had tied the knot twice themselves. Once in a small registry office during Covid and later with a bigger celebration at Trudder Lodge.
As a Cloughjordan wedding photographer I’ve learned that the best days are the ones where the couple let the story unfold naturally. This was one of those days.
Morning at Cloughjordan House
Aoife got ready in one of the house’s bright upstairs rooms with Joanne Kelly styling her hair and Aidan Corcoran working magic with makeup. There’s always a calm before the ceremony. A mix of stillness and nerves and I try to stay invisible during those moments so the story tells itself.
Meanwhile Brian and the lads were in the cowsheds. If you know Cloughjordan House you know it’s full of character and the converted outbuildings are no exception. The atmosphere there was the opposite of calm. Laughter, music and the usual banter that comes with groomsmen prep. Also, birds. Lots and lots of birds :)
The First Look
Before the ceremony began, Aoife and Brian shared a first look, just the two of them seeing each other for the first time in a quiet corner of the garden. It was a really sweet moment that let them have a bit of time together before everything got underway. We also did most of their formal photos before the ceremony, which meant they had loads of time later to relax during the drinks reception and even fit in a little extra couple shoot. Doing a first look like this always gives a couple a chance to calm the nerves, get those photos done early, and spend more of the day just enjoying themselves.
A Ceremony Led by a Friend
One of the most personal touches of the day was having David, a close friend, officiate the ceremony. It’s always special and moving about being married by someone who really knows you. David brought warmth, authenticity and some hilarious little jokes and it meant the world to everyone there.
Bow Music, a string quartet, played throughout the ceremony and filled the space with elegance. The kind of music that gives you goosebumps.
Family and Friends at the Heart of the Day
Brian’s Aunt Kay held a particularly important place. Brian’s mother had passed away when he was a child and Kay had been a guiding presence in his life ever since. Watching them together throughout the day was a reminder of how family shows up in all its forms.
Aoife had asked for relaxed group photos with their friends in the bridal party. Nothing stiff or forced, just natural photos of people who mean the most to them. Those are the kinds of group photos I love because they feel like a snapshot of connection rather than a posed requirement.
They also asked for a whole wedding photo of everyone together which you can also see in more real weddings on my blog. With only 60 guests it was possible to fit every single person into one frame. It perfectly summed up the intimacy of the day.
The Baker Room at Cloughjordan House
Myself and Annie are on the recommended Cloughjordan House photographers suppliers list which means we’re there several times a year but this was my first time photographing in the new Baker Room and it is spectacular.
Cloughjordan House recently added this glass-enclosed garden pavilion within the walled gardens. Built by the Baker family and now run by Julie Baker and her husband Stephen, it marks a new chapter for the venue while keeping the same relaxed charm that has always defined it.
The Baker Room was purpose-built for weddings but it feels incredibly personal. The floor-to-ceiling glass gives panoramic views of the gardens and floods the space with light. It works beautifully for dinners and speeches but also for ceremonies and retreats. The architecture doesn’t compete with the gardens outside but instead it blends into them and creates a seamless flow between indoors and out.
For couples researching Cloughjordan House as a wedding venue the Baker Room is a definite highlight. It is elegant but unpretentious, bright but intimate, and it photographs beautifully.
Drinks, Laughter and Candid Moments
After the ceremony guests spilled out into the gardens for drinks and canapés. Jackets came off, conversations grew louder, kids ran across the lawn and the whole place filled with laughter.
Sofia and Poppy, the flower girls, added the kind of joyful chaos only toddlers can bring. Those little moments of spontaneity are what documentary wedding photography is all about. Conversations over champagne, glances across the lawn, the groom resting his hand on his aunt’s shoulder. Real memories captured without direction.
A Twilight Gamble that Paid Off
As twilight settled in I noticed the sky shifting into a deep purple and the marquee tent glowing with soft light. I had an idea for a photograph that would only work for a few short minutes. I asked Aoife and Brian if they would trust me and step outside. They didn’t hesitate - i love that. It was one of those ones where I told them “this might not work and you may never see this photo if it’s a mess” but they didn’t mind. If anything, they leaned into it.
I positioned them on one of the outdoor sofas under the canopy, lit from below so that the two of them seemed to be in their own little cinematic bubble. Behind them the trees were silhouetted against the sky and the whole scene came together in a way that felt both dramatic and intimate.
It became one of my favourite photographs of the year. A gamble that paid off thanks to a couple who were completely up for it.
Dinner, Speeches and Dancing
Dinner was served at 5.30pm in the Baker Room and the atmosphere was relaxed and full of joy. Speeches were heartfelt and funny in equal measure. The kind of stories that make you laugh and tear up at the same time.
Arthur (who I had only recently seen in action for the first time in Tankardstown House) provided the music for the evening and by the time the dance floor opened everyone was ready to celebrate late into the night.
Closing
Cloughjordan House weddings have their own magic. The character of the house, the intimacy of the gardens, the light-filled Baker Room and staff that just seem to love their jobs create a setting that feels both grand and homely. But what makes it truly special are the couples who choose it. Aoife and Brian knew that their wedding was not about impressing anyone. It was about celebrating with the people they love in a place that felt like home.
If you are planning your own Cloughjordan House wedding and looking for natural documentary photography I would love to hear from you. You can also explore my wedding albums for how your story can be preserved beautifully As a Cloughjordan wedding photographer I am always drawn to days like this, full of heart and real moments worth remembering.
Cloughjordan House Wedding Photography FAQ’s
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Cloughjordan House can host weddings of many sizes, from intimate gatherings of around 40–60 people to larger celebrations of over 150 guests. The new Baker Room garden pavilion provides a light-filled space that works perfectly for dinner and speeches.
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The Baker Room is Cloughjordan House’s new glass-enclosed garden pavilion. Nestled within the walled gardens, it offers panoramic views, plenty of natural light, and a seamless connection to the grounds. It was purpose-built for weddings and is ideal for both ceremonies and receptions.
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Yes, Cloughjordan House offers on-site accommodation in the main house and converted farm buildings. Many couples and their families choose to make a full weekend of it, with plenty of space for guests to stay and celebrate together.