A Day of Love, Laughter, and a Sprinkle of Killarney Traffic Chaos

Ah, sure look it, if there’s one thing you can count on in Ireland, it’s that a wedding will never be just a wedding. It’s a feckin’ experience. And Rebecca and Mark’s big day at the Great Southern Hotel Killarney? Well, it was nothing short of legendary. An unusually sunny St. Patrick’s Bank Holiday weekend in March, meant we had the kind of day where the sky is so blue you’d swear God it was a summers day but the -5 start was a bitter reminder of the cool spring temperatures.


But, of course, this being Killarney, the traffic was absolutely bananas. The place was bursting at the seams with tourists who’d descended on the town like a swarm of enthusiastic leprechauns, all there to celebrate Paddy’s Day. But amidst the chaos, Rebecca and Mark’s wedding was a little oasis of love!


The Wedding Vendors: The Dream Team

Now, I have to give a shoutout to the incredible team of vendors who made this day possible. These are the people who turn a wedding from “nice” to “feckin’ unforgettable”:



5 star Review - Sarah Kate you are the best!🩷🩷 Those are so amazing xxx

Bride and Groom Prep Photos at The Great Southern Hotel, Killarney

A groom in a navy blue suit and cream vest stands by a window in dramatic natural lighting.
A smartly-dressed person in a navy suit and white vest sits relaxed in a patterned armchair next to a table lamp.
A black and white portrait of a person in a formal suit looking pensively through a window.
A vintage black and white photograph book cover from Christian Dior featuring an elegant woman in luxurious white fur.
White bridal shoes and wedding invitation cards with perfume bottle arranged on dark velvet couch.
A classic white rose bridal bouquet wrapped in ribbon rests on a white windowsill in natural light.
Elegant white sling-back heels with crystal embellishments and pointed toes displayed on dark velvet surface.
Artistic window shot with soft blurred elements showing white panes and burgundy curtains in natural light.
A black and white photograph showing sunlight streaming through a window beside a table lamp with dark curtains.
A person applies makeup during a wedding day preparation in an elegant room with dark walls.
A makeup artist holds a brush while working on a client in a white robe during bridal preparations.
Two people in white dresses stand by a bright window, one holding a bouquet in an elegant black and white moment.
Two women in white dresses stand by a window with dark curtains in black and white photography.
A bride in white holds an elegant bouquet of cream-colored roses against a soft white background.
An elegant bride in a white long-sleeved wedding dress holds a bouquet of cream roses against a dramatic landscape painting.

The Morning Shenanigans: aka Bride and Groom prep

The day kicked off with bridal prep at the Great Southern Hotel Killarney, where Rebecca and her bridesmaids were getting ready in a room that was so full of light, you’d think they’d rented out the sun for the day. Rebecca’s dress from Bella Bleu Bridal in Cork was the stuff of dreams—elegant, timeless, and with just enough sparkle to make you go, “Ah, now, that’s class.” Meanwhile, Mark and the lads were across the hall, suited and booted in their threads from Morleys Suits Cork, looking like they’d just stepped out of a GQ spread.


Now, I’ll admit, I’m a sucker for those candid moments—the ones where everyone’s laughing so hard they’re nearly crying, or where the bride’s mam is fussing over her hair like it’s a national emergency. And Rebecca’s mam, Toni? She was like a proud chicken watching her egg hatch and yes I'm well aware thats a super weird analogy but let's just role with it.

Wedding photos by Sarah Kate Photography at St. Mary’s Cathedral, Killarney

A happy couple sits in the back of a vintage car on their wedding day with a white bouquet of flowers.
A wedding ceremony taking place in a beautiful stone church with arched columns and guests seated in wooden pews.
People seated in wooden pews inside gothic cathedral with soaring arches and stained glass windows during ceremony.
A traditional wedding ceremony takes place in a grand cathedral with soaring gothic arches and stained glass windows.
Wedding ceremony in a church with floral aisle decorations and guests seated in wooden pews.
A couple shares a romantic moment under a stone church archway decorated with elegant white floral arrangements.

The Ceremony: Well Holy God says Miley, T'was Pure Gorgeous Boy

The ceremony at St. Mary’s Cathedral Killarney was, in a word, stunning. The cathedral is as ethereal as it is magnificent. Rebecca walked down the aisle looking like a vision and I love the photo of her locking eyes with her Nana.


The ceremony was filled with beautiful music from Deborah Murphy, whose voice could probably make a stone cry. And then, just like that, they were married. Cue the applause, the tears, and the inevitable “Ah, would you look at them!” from the aunties in the back row.

Wedding Couple Photos at Ross Castle, Killarney

Wedding couple poses together under stone archway with bride holding white bouquet and wearing flowing veil.
A couple embraces in a stone archway entrance while wearing elegant wedding attire with a flowing cathedral veil.
A couple in formal attire stands by a scenic lake with mountains and a blue tour boat in the background.
A black and white wedding photo of a couple in formal attire against a mountain landscape backdrop.
Black and white portrait of a bride in a white robe holding roses and smiling at the camera against a stone wall.
A romantic monochrome wedding photo through sheer veil fabric with soft bokeh lights in the background.
A bridal party poses together outdoors wearing blush pink bridesmaid dresses and holding neutral bouquets.
Wedding party in formal attire poses against rustic stone wall with bridesmaids in blush gowns and groomsmen in navy suits.
A romantic wedding moment captured under sunlit tree branches on a beautiful sunny day, holding a white bouquet.
Bride wearing stylish sunglasses poses in elegant long-sleeved white wedding gown against stone wall with flowing veil.
Groom in navy suit and ivory vest smiles while leaning against stone wall on wedding day.

The Reception: Pints, Craic, Confetti, and repeat


After the ceremony, it was over to Ross Castle for some epic couple and wedding party shots and then onto the Great Southern Hotel Killarney for the drinks reception. Now, I don’t know if you’ve ever been to a wedding in Killarney, but let me tell you, the place knows how to throw a party. The drinks were flowing, the canapés were disappearing faster than you could say “Paddy’s Day,” and the Pat Fitz Band had everyone tapping their feet like they were auditioning for Riverdance.


And then there was the golden hour. Ah, the golden hour. It’s like God’s way of saying, “Here, have some magic.” Rebecca and Mark and I snuck out for a few photos, and the light was so perfect, it was like the universe had decided to give them its full attention.


Dinner was a feast fit for royalty, with speeches that had everyone laughing, crying, and laughing so hard they cried. The cake from O’Carrolls Cakes Killarney was a work of art, and the sparklers? Well, let’s just say they added a touch of Hollywood glamour to the night.

A romantic wedding scene with a bride in a flowing white gown and veil on elegant red-carpeted steps outside a venue entrance.
A couple stands together on their wedding day next to a vintage luxury car outside a historic building.
A wedding celebration with people throwing white flower petals in the air during a joyful outdoor moment.
A couple poses on a lawn wearing formal attire - navy suit and blush pink pantsuit - in front of a conservatory.
A group of five people in formal attire pose together outdoors at an elegant event on a sunny day.
A couple poses on a lawn wearing formal attire - navy suit and pink pantsuit - with palm trees in background.
Two people in navy suits with boutonnieres stand together on grass with palm trees behind them.
A happy couple poses outdoors on their wedding day, wearing elegant white and navy blue attire.
A formal group photo of six people in elegant attire standing together on a lawn with a building backdrop.
Elegant white wedding cake with gold brushstrokes and a single ivory rose decoration on a crystal cake stand.
An elegant four-tier white wedding cake with delicate gold details displayed on a silver cake stand atop an ornate table.
A group of six friends in pastel and neutral toned outfits gather together for an elegant outdoor photo.
Someone wearing an elegant white button-front dress walks and laughs under a lush garden walkway with hanging lights.
Three friends in colorful dresses - green, white and coral - stand together holding beverages at an outdoor venue.

Why Choose Me, Sarah Kate Photography for your wedding in Killarney?

Look, I’ll be honest with you, weddings are my jam, as they'd say in Australia I'm a sook for romance. There’s nothing I love more than capturing those little moments that make a day truly special. The way the groom looks at the bride when she walks down the aisle. The way the bridesmaids laugh so hard they nearly spill their Prosecco. The way the mammy cries during the speeches. These are the moments that make a wedding, and they’re the moments I live for.


So if you’re planning a wedding in Killarney, and want the best photographer in Killarney, then let's chat sure. Whether it’s at the Great Southern Hotel Killarney,St. Mary’s Cathedral Killarney, or some other gorgeous spot within the town, it can be a local wedding to an American or Canadian destination wedding, I’d be so honoured to be part of your day.


And hey, if the traffic’s bad, don’t worry—I’ll be there early. Because that’s the kind of dedication you get with Sarah Kate Photography.

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