Rathsallagh House Wedding Photographer: Kathleen & Stephen
There’s something quietly timeless about Rathsallagh House. The long driveway, the walled gardens and the way the light hits those old oak trees in the evening all make it feel like a place built for weddings. When I arrived for Kathleen and Stephen’s day, it was one of those perfect July mornings that promised great light and a lot of laughter (spoiler alter - it did)
Morning prep and family atmosphere
Kathleen got ready at home surrounded by her sisters and close friends. There was an easy calm to the morning that only happens when everything’s running smoothly and the excitement hasn’t fully hit yet. Dawn Fahy was on makeup duty and Linda Morris looked after hair so the morning was relaxed but full of laughs. The family home in Kilkenny was buzzing with nieces and nephews coming and going, each taking a turn to show off outfits or sneak a peek at the dress from The Attic in Limerick.
Stephen got ready nearby with his groomsmen. Between the usual jokes about tie lengths and missing cufflinks there was a real sense that this was going to be a day to remember.
If you’re in the early stages of planning, my Wedding Day Timeline guide breaks down what a relaxed wedding morning really looks like.
Ceremony at St Brigid’s Church, Lisdowney
The ceremony took place at St Brigid’s Church in Lisdowney. It’s one of those beautiful country churches that somehow manages to feel grand and intimate at the same time. Fr Eamon O’Gorman led a warm ceremony that mixed tradition with just the right amount of humour. The moment Kathleen walked down the aisle Stephen couldn’t stop smiling. It was one of those expressions that makes you forget there’s a camera anywhere in the room.
Arriving at Rathsallagh House
After the ceremony, guests made their way to Rathsallagh Country House, a Wicklow gem that’s as relaxed as it is refined. Olivia and the Rathsallagh team had everything running perfectly from the champagne welcome to the floral details by Renee Fitzpatrick.
Kathleen and Stephen wanted their day to feel family-focused and fun, and that energy carried through from start to finish. The drinks reception spilled out across the gardens with the summer sun making an appearance right on cue. Kids ran around the lawns, guests chatted over glasses of prosecco, and I spent most of that time capturing those unposed blink-and-you’ll-miss-it moments that make a wedding feel alive.
This part of the day is where documentary-style wedding photography shines because so many real moments unfold naturally.
Dinner, dancing, and singing waiters
Dinner was served around half five, with speeches beforehand which is always a great move if you want to enjoy your meal without the nerves. Just when everyone thought they were settling in for a relaxed evening, the Singing Waiters made their surprise entrance. Within minutes, guests were up on chairs waving napkins and singing along. The energy was electric and totally unexpected, and it made for some of my favourite candid photos of the day.
If you’re curious about how to build your own coverage plan, my wedding pricing and content creation options go into detail on how I capture days like this.
Golden hour portraits and twilight magic
Rathsallagh is one of those rare venues where the light seems to cooperate every time. As the evening sun dipped, we took a quiet walk through the gardens for portraits. The golden hour light was perfect, soft, warm, and flattering from every angle.
Later, just after sunset, we headed to the iconic Rathsallagh tree for one last photo. I set up an off-camera flash behind them to create a silhouette against the twilight sky. The result was one of those rare frames where everything just comes together, the couple, the colour, the moment. It’s the kind of image that sums up why I love photographing weddings here.
Final thoughts
Kathleen and Stephen’s Rathsallagh House wedding was elegant, relaxed and full of genuine moments that felt completely true to them. From their family-focused morning to the spontaneous dancing during dinner, it was the kind of day that reminds me why Rathsallagh is one of the best venues in Ireland for documentary-style wedding photography.
If you’re planning your own celebration and looking for a wedding photographer in Ireland, I’d love to chat. You can contact me here.
Shout out as well to Donal from OC Weddings videography who, as always was.inspiring to work alongside..
FAQ’s For Rathsallagh House Wedding Photography
-
Rathsallagh House is in Dunlavin, County Wicklow, about an hour from Dublin. It’s surrounded by rolling countryside and known for its incredible hospitality and beautiful gardens.
-
It combines five-star food, stunning grounds, and a relaxed country-house feel. The staff are known for their attention to detail and calm professionalism.
-
Summer and early autumn are ideal if you want to make the most of the outdoor gardens and golden-hour light, but winter weddings there are also cosy and full of atmosphere
-
All photos were taken by Kevin Kheffache, a documentary wedding photographer based in Ireland.