Editorial & fine art photography
Sarah Kate Photography
a Luxury Wedding Photographer in Ireland
A Windy Morning Turned Into the Dreamiest Summer Wedding at Castlemartyr Resort
If there’s one thing Irish weddings are gonna do, it’s humble everyone with the weather forecast,
Katie & Dan’s wedding at Castlemartyr Resort started with one of the windiest mornings I’ve photographed in a long time.
Like… full dramatic veil-flying-across-Cork levels of wind. Everyone kept opening weather apps, hoping for better news, while the trees outside were absolutely fighting for their lives.
But honestly? These are usually the weddings that end up being magic.
And somehow, by the time the ceremony rolled around, the skies completely shifted. The wind calmed, the sun came out, and Castlemartyr looked absolutely unreal, glowing in that soft summer light. It genuinely felt like we got four seasons in one day, which honestly feels very on-brand for Ireland.
Vendor Team
Venue — Castlemartyr Resort
Photography — Sarah Kate Photography
Hair & Makeup — @UpstyleJunkie & @Jeannettecronin
Florals — The Village Florist Castlemartyr
Band & DJ — The Buachaills Band
Celebrant — Caroline Murphy Celebrant
Suits — Fitzgeralds Menswear Wexford
Shoes — The Perfect Bridal Company
Castlemartyr Resort is One of the Most Beautiful Luxury Wedding Venues in Ireland
There’s a reason couples travel from all over the world to get married at Castlemartyr Resort.
Between the manor house, the castle ruins, the gardens, and those long tree-lined paths, the whole place feels pure class, without even trying. It’s elegant without being stuffy, luxurious without losing warmth, and it photographs beautifully in literally every kind of weather, which, in Ireland, is important.
One minute, we were battling gale-force winds, and the next, the dreamiest golden light poured across the grounds.
Honestly, the dramatic weather ended up making the photographs even better. The movement in Katie’s veil, the texture in the sky, everyone huddled together laughing through the madness of it all, those are the moments that actually feel real years later.
A Relaxed Wedding Day Full of Genuine Moments
One thing I loved about Katie & Dan’s day was how relaxed everything felt, and the sandwiches!
Nothing felt overly staged or rushed. The entire day was centred on enjoying themselves and actually being present with their people, rather than disappearing for hours to take photos. They wanted the day to feel easy-going, natural, and full of candid moments, and honestly, that’s exactly the kind of wedding I adore photographing.
There was so much laughter throughout the day. Windswept champagne moments, emotional hugs, guests spilling out onto the lawns once the sun appeared, and one VERY happy crowd once the music started later that night.
And when golden hour finally hit? Worth every single weather-related panic that morning.
The light around Castlemartyr that evening was honestly ridiculous. Soft sunshine, warm summer air, and the kind of golden glow photographers dream about. Katie & Dan wandered through the grounds together while their guests relaxed inside, and for twenty minutes, it felt like the whole world slowed down.
Luxury Wedding Photography in Cork & The South of Ireland
As a luxury wedding photographer based in Cork, these are the kinds of wedding days I absolutely love: relaxed timelines, emotional moments, incredible venues, and couples who care more about the feeling of the day than perfection.
Because honestly? Nobody remembers whether there was wind.
They remember how the day felt.
Katie & Dan, thank you for trusting me through the wild Irish weather and for being the kind of couple who just embraced every second of the day exactly as it came. Your wedding was such a joy to photograph, and proof that sometimes the stormiest mornings turn into the most beautiful evenings.
FAQs About Booking a Luxury Wedding Photographer in Ireland
How far in advance should we book a luxury wedding photographer in Ireland?
Most luxury wedding photographers in Ireland book out 1–2 years in advance, especially for summer weekends and destination weddings.
Popular venues like Castlemartyr Resort, Adare Manor, Ashford Castle, and Ballyfin tend to secure photographers very early, so I always recommend enquiring as soon as you have your venue booked.
What makes a wedding photographer “luxury”?
For me, luxury wedding photography is less about stiff posing and more about experience.
It’s about helping your day feel calm, effortless, and enjoyable while still creating beautiful, timeless imagery. It means understanding light, timelines, family dynamics, Irish weather chaos, and how to document moments naturally without constantly interrupting your day.
Luxury is feeling fully present at your wedding while knowing everything is being captured beautifully in the background.
Do you photograph destination weddings in Ireland?
Yes, of course, a large percentage of my couples travel from the US, Canada, Australia, and across Europe to get married here.
I help couples plan timelines around Irish weather and light, recommend locations throughout Cork & Kerry, and help create a wedding day that feels relaxed and intentional rather than rushed.
What happens if it rains on our wedding day in Ireland?
Honestly Girlies? We embrace it.
Some of the most beautiful weddings I’ve ever photographed happened in wild Irish weather. Ireland’s soft light is incredible for photography, and venues like Castlemartyr Resort photograph beautifully year-round.
Also, Irish weather changes FAST. Katie & Dan’s wedding literally went from stormy winds to glorious sunshine within a few hours.
So hire your Etsy Witch, bury a sausage and get your child of Prague to the ready.
How much time should we allow for couple portraits?
Not as much as people think.
I usually recommend around 15–20 minutes at a time so you can actually enjoy your cocktail hour and spend time with guests.
My approach is very documentary and relaxed, so I never want couples to disappear for hours at a time away from their wedding.
You can also book a post-wedding shoot and go somewhere more epic, without the pressure of your wedding-day timeline.
Do you photograph weddings across the South of Ireland?
Yes, totally, I photograph luxury weddings throughout Cork, Kerry, Killarney, West Cork, Kenmare, Dingle, and across the South of Ireland.
Some of my favourite venues include Castlemartyr Resort, Sheen Falls Lodge, Ballymaloe House, Adare Manor, Dromoland Castle, Fernhill House, and Ballyseede Castle.
Do you help with wedding timelines?
Absolutely.
A huge part of my job is helping couples create a timeline that feels relaxed and realistic while still allowing space for incredible photographs.
I help plan around ceremony times, Irish sunset light, family photos, weather backups, dinner timings, and making sure you actually get to enjoy your day.
