Bellingham Castle Wedding - County Louth
Caroline + Stephen live in New York — she’s American, he’s Irish with French roots — their wedding brought together two worlds in the most effortless way. They chose Bellingham Castle in Co. Louth as the place to bring everyone together, and it couldn’t have been a better fit: historic, elegant, but not at all fussy.
This wasn’t your typical quiet castle wedding. From the moment we arrived, the pace was full tilt — a big bridal party (American scale, obviously), energy in every room, and no shortage of moments worth catching.
Forget the typical officiant setup — Caroline’s brother delivered the ceremony. And he absolutely nailed it. It was warm, funny, completely grounded, and somehow managed to hold the space with zero fluff. The kind of ceremony that has people properly listening, not just waiting for the rings.
Caroline and Stephen’s wedding had all the structure of a classic venue, but none of the formality that usually comes with it.
Their wedding was fast-paced, family-led, and full of people who weren’t just showing up — they were *in it* from start to finish.
Venue: Bellingham Castle
Photographers: Alexander and Eve Photography
Suits: Statement Menswear
Dress: Justin Alexander
MUA/ Hair: Carly Proctor/ Dani Pattinson
• Your Perfect Wedding?
If you haven’t been, Bellingham Castle sits just off the River Glyde — all ivy-covered walls, hidden gardens, stone bridges, and candlelit corridors. It’s romantic without trying too hard. We moved easily between grand interiors and quiet corners, with that hazy Irish light doing what it does best.
It’s the kind of venue that feels personal once you fill it with the right people — and this crowd made it come alive. Champagne in the library, group shots spilling down the staircase, and couples tucked away under archways. Every backdrop hit differently.
• The Ceremony: Personal, Honest, No Scripts
Forget the typical officiant setup — Caroline’s brother delivered the ceremony. And he absolutely nailed it. It was warm, funny, completely grounded, and somehow managed to hold the space with zero fluff. The kind of ceremony that has people properly listening, not just waiting for the rings.
You could feel how much it meant to have someone close tell their story. That tone — personal and real — set the vibe for the whole day.
• The Bridal Party: Loud, Loyal, and All-In
The bridal party was full-on, in the best way. Big personalities, proper hype crew energy. The prep was loud and fast, and the dynamic made the photos easy — nothing staged, just reactions, movement, and momentum.
• Portraits: Quick, Natural, Unforced
We kept the portraits relaxed. Nothing over-posed, nothing dragged out. The grounds gave us plenty — soft evening light near the river, structured shots on the castle steps, tucked-away moments under stone arches. We stole 10 minutes here and there rather than pulling the couple away for ages.
• The Reception: Big Speeches, Bigger Moves
Once the formalities were done, things escalated — fast. Speeches were full of sharp lines and loud laughter, the wine was flowing, and the energy never dipped. Dinner rolled straight into dancing without the usual drag, and the floor filled within seconds.
One of those nights where everything’s slightly ahead of schedule because everyone’s ready. You just keep shooting and try to keep up.
• Final Word
Caroline and Stephen’s wedding had all the structure of a classic venue, but none of the formality that usually comes with it. It was fast-paced, family-led, and full of people who weren’t just showing up — they were *in it* from start to finish.
