Slane Castle - Home of The Traitors, collapsing cakes and rock and roll…
If you’ve been watching The Traitors Ireland on RTÉ, you already know Slane Castle looks incredible on TV. The castle’s main hall has become the stage for deception, betrayal, and plenty of side-eye over dinner. But as Kaitlyn and Buck proved on their wedding day, Slane Castle is even more magical when it’s filled with love, laughter, and just a touch of cake-related chaos.
Kaitlyn got ready inside Slane Castle with her 14 bridesmaids (yes, fourteen but no, no Traitors in sight). A doctor by day, she had one mission for her wedding: “I wanted to be a princess for the day, and no one told me I couldn’t. So I booked a castle in Ireland and flew almost 200 of my friends from the US.” Mission accomplished.
Makeup by Dolly Buckley and hair by Declan Chapple set the tone for a morning filled with champagne, laughter, and the kind of anticipation only a castle wedding can bring.
Buck also prepped on site, surrounded by family and friends. The energy was calm but excited. One nice little Traitors like twist was that him and his mother rehearsed their tap-dancing routine that they had kept a surprise from everyone for alter on in the evening. That’s the kind of twist The Traitors producers would be proud of.
First Look
The first look took place outside, right in front of the iconic Slane Castle facade. It was just the two of them, no audience, no betrayal ;) just pure emotion against one of Ireland’s most dramatic backdrops. Although this wedding pre-dated the Traitors, Ireland - check out Buck and his groomsmen (and woman)’s velvet suits. It’s almost like they were preempting the show :)
Ceremony Detail
The ceremony was held in the main hall of Slane Castle (yes, the very same space where the Traitors cast gather for their dramatic dinners). Instead of suspicion and banishments, this hall witnessed heartfelt vows, laughter, and a few happy tears. Their best friend Sara Romano officiated, adding an intimate touch to the grandeur.
Ceremony
With almost 200 guests flown in from the States, the atmosphere was electric. Kaitlyn’s sisters sang Can’t Help Falling in Love before she walked in to Pachelbel’s Canon, a perfect mix of timeless and personal.
Drinks Reception
Cocktails flowed in the entrance hall (where the Traitors plot twists usually unfold) and in the adjoining rooms. Guests mingled under Slane’s portraits and chandeliers while enjoying the magic of the castle.
Dinner
Dinner was served in the ballroom, candlelit and dramatic. It’s easy to see why Slane Castle works so well on TV. Every corner feels cinematic. Speeches ran through the meal, filled with warmth and humour.
Dancing
And then came the fireworks. Buck and his mum opened the floor with a tap-dancing routine that stunned the guests. Kaitlyn and Buck followed with their choreographed first dance (yes, she dipped him). From there, the dance floor was absolutely wild. With Sax and the City providing the music, it felt more like a rock concert than a wedding reception which, given Slane’s legendary music history, was only fitting.
The Sword-Cake Collapse
One of the highlights of the day came when Kaitlyn and Buck brought out a special sword to cut their cake, crafted by George’s Cakes. Things didn’t go quite to plan. The cake began to collapse, so they had to cut it earlier than expected. The result? One of my favourite photographs of the year, which went on to win a Fearless Award.
Proof that sometimes the best moments are the unplanned ones.
Final Word
Slane Castle may be the current star of The Traitors Ireland, but Kaitlyn and Buck showed why it’s even better as a wedding venue. From the grandeur of the halls to the intimacy of the gardens, every part of the castle is designed for unforgettable celebrations.
A huge thank you to all the suppliers who helped make the day so memorable:
Videography by Eoin Healy, Hitched Films
Second photography by Deirdre Rusk
Flowers by Flowers by Moira
Band: Sax and the City
Slane Castle has seen rock legends like U2, Queen, and the Rolling Stones take the stage. Now it’s home to TV drama with The Traitors. But for Kaitlyn and Buck, it was the backdrop to a wedding full of joy, laughter, and a little sword-wielding chaos.