Aly and Naoise got married on a beautiful warm day in May, at one of my favourite wedding venues — Cabra Castle. I’d actually met the two of them before their wedding day even came around: Naoise had booked me to capture his secret proposal to Aly at Killiney Hill, so by the time their wedding rolled around, I already knew them both. It made photographing their day even more special — getting to witness the full story, from the proposal right through to the “I do.”
A Day That Started in Two Places
Aly got ready at Cabra Castle itself, while Naoise got ready back at his own house with the lads. Since this was a big wedding, I brought along my trusted second shooter, Dena Shearer from Dena Shearer Photography, to capture Naoise’s morning while I was with Aly — and with a day this size, Dena stayed on with me right through to the dinner bell. Niall Mulligan, one of my favourite videographers to work alongside, was also there capturing the day on video.
The Ceremony at Church of the Sacred Heart, Kilmainham Wood
Aly and Naoise exchanged their vows at the Church of the Sacred Heart in Kilmainham Wood, County Meath, before heading back to Cabra Castle to celebrate properly with family and friends.
Golden Hour at the Castle
Back at Cabra Castle, we spent a little time getting portraits in the courtyard, one of my favourite corners of the estate for photos. Later, once the speeches wrapped up, we slipped outside again during golden hour for a few quiet minutes with Aly and Naoise in front of the castle — the kind of light that makes Cabra Castle look every bit the fairytale setting it is.
A Brilliant Day All Round
It was a beautiful day from start to finish, in a venue I love working in, with brilliant staff who made everything run smoothly. Getting to photograph Aly and Naoise’s wedding after capturing their proposal made it feel like I’d been part of their story from the very beginning — and that’s exactly the kind of day that reminds me why I love this job. The whole thing was captured in a natural, documentary style that let their day unfold exactly as it happened, from the quiet moments getting ready to golden hour in front of the castle.
If you’re planning your own wedding at Cabra Castle, or anywhere in Ireland, get in touch — I’d love to help tell your story too.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where did Aly and Naoise get married?
Aly and Naoise exchanged their vows at the Church of the Sacred Heart in Kilmainham Wood, County Meath, before heading to Cabra Castle in County Cavan to celebrate with family and friends.
Can you get married at Cabra Castle itself?
Yes — Cabra Castle now has its own dedicated chapel for civil ceremonies, so couples can choose to marry entirely on-site, though many, like Aly and Naoise, still opt for a nearby church.
What’s a good spot for wedding photos at Cabra Castle?
The courtyard is a lovely, sheltered spot for portraits, and golden hour in front of the castle itself is hard to beat — the light against the ivy-covered stone makes for some of the most striking shots of the day.
Do you need a second photographer for a wedding at Cabra Castle?
For a larger wedding, yes — having a second shooter (Dena Shearer, in this case) meant we could capture both the bride’s preparations at the castle and the groom’s morning at home at the same time, rather than missing one entirely.
What photography style suits a Cabra Castle wedding?
A natural, documentary style works particularly well here — letting the day unfold as it actually happens, from quiet getting-ready moments through to golden hour portraits, rather than staging shots along the way.
Can a wedding photographer also capture the proposal beforehand?
Yes — I photographed Naoise’s secret proposal to Aly at Killiney Hill before going on to shoot their wedding, which meant I already knew them both by the time their big day arrived. It’s something I love being able to do for couples when the timing works out.
