Kilshane House Wedding:

A Glamorous, Bubbly Bash with Sparklers, Prosecco, and Tag Rugby Royalty

Timeless wedding photography by Sarah Kate Photography

Let me tell you about Aoibhlinn and Kevin’s wedding at the spectacular Kilshane House in County Tipperary. It had it all: bubbly chaos, glorious flowers, a priest who’s actually the bride’s uncle, a cake baked with maternal love, and Kevin (the groom) looking like he’d rather scrum than smile—but in a charming way, of course.

I, Sarah Katel Photography, Tipperary’s finest (and humblest) wedding photographer, was there for every second of it. And by second, I mean 12 hours, because when I say I commit, I mean I'm there for the full hog, so I am.

The Morning: Bubbles, Bridesmaids & a possible Bird Shit on My Head!

Aoibhlinn (Suzanne Neville-clad, thanks to Kadee Bridal) got ready in the dreamy Dower House on the grounds of Kilshane. There was an actual prosecco tower planned for later in the day, but it turns out the bridal party started the bubbly business early, and I fully support this girlies.

Hair was by Val O’Dea, who could probably do bridal updos while asleep and blindfolded. Makeup was the incredible Sarah Dineen Bridal, who made Aoibhlinn look like a glowy forest fairy crossed with a Vogue cover model. The girls all wore white and I thought it was super classy especially when paired with the fact the boys were in black tie. It might be me but there is something really special about a black tie wedding at Kilshane House in Tipperary.

Even the accessories had a moment. ASOS shoes, a sentimental spritz of perfume, and a carefully curated flat lay that whispered Pinterest, but make it Irish.

We had such a laugh when one of the girls thought a bird shit on my head, to be fair I was hiding in a tree to get a shot and it wasn't until I got home, that I realised she may have been right despite my hair resembling a birds nest all da.

Groom and Bride prep photos at Kilshane house

Kevin & The Lads: Tuxedos and Mild Panic

Kevin and his groomsmen got ready also at Kilshane House (handy for me.....10/10, would photograph again). Dressed in sleek tuxes from Scanlons Menswear in Newcastlewest, they were dapper, slightly overwhelmed, and definitely pretending they knew how to pin boutonnières.

Their big prep moment? Not speeches. Not shaving. Not even buttoning their shirts. It was watching a bird land on the windowsill and wondering aloud if it might be Aoibhlinn’s late dad saying hello.

Yes, I cried. Yes, while holding two cameras, a cappuccino and a croissant.

The Ceremony: Church of the Annunciation, Bansha

It was a full Catholic Mass, complete with a reflection sung by Aoibhlinn’s school choir mates to “May It Be” cue the emotional wreckage (me again). Bonus holy points: Fr. Éamonn Fitzgibbon, the bride’s uncle, was officiating. Honestly, it was practically a Netflix mini-series.

Also, shout out to the church musicians: Maria, Anna Jane, Julianne, and MOH-slash-musical-siren Kate, because why have a soloist when you can have an entire sisterhood of harmonising legends? Honestly they gave us all goosebumps.

Quick Pint at Nellie’s Bar: Because We’re Irish, Obviously

Post-vows, everyone strolled across to Nellie’s Bar for a celebratory pint and a chance for Aoibhlinn and Kevin to enjoy a Guinness as a married couple.

One guest said, “I’m only here for the pints and the band,” and I whispered, “Same, babe.” Only messing.

Back to Kilshane: The Wedding Reception of Dreams

The Nova String Quartet played at the drinks reception, sounding like the soundtrack to a Jane Austen film set in Tipp. And the florals by Karen O'Mahony of Flowers by Karen were the kind of stunning that make you forget floristry is essentially really fancy gardening.

Aoibhlinn’s brother walked her down the aisle, the band was The Luna Boys, and yes—there were sparklers after the meal, which I barely survived photographing without setting my fringe on fire.

The Cake: Brought to You by Mammy Doyle

Kevin’s mother baked the cake, which makes her a national treasure in my books. It was cut quietly, in a moment shared between the couple and me (and my Canon R6), because Aoibhlinn didn’t want a circus—just a sweet nod to her new family.

The Sunset, The Dance Floor, The Vibes

Golden hour delivered. The fields were glorious. The photos were even better than normal golden hour ones because they included two people totally smitten with each other and just slightly buzzed on prosecco.

Then they hit the dance floor like they were back on the tag rugby pitch, only instead of muddy cleats and short shorts, they wore a bespoke tux and a Suzanne Neville gown. Not a dry eye in the house. Or a dry armpit. But mostly tears. Of joy. And sweat.

Special Shoutouts:

• Videography by the amazing Olga Dragon of Sea Forest Films
• Transport by Pristine Classics Occasions
• The staircase and tree-lined driveway at Kilshane (because if Sarah Kate doesn’t get her tree tunnel shot, was it even a wedding?)

Final Thoughts: Pure Magic with a Side of Shania Twain

Aoibhlinn and Kevin don’t have a song, per se, but if you play “Man! I Feel Like a Woman” at full volume on a drive through Limerick, they’ll sing along.

That’s kind of what their wedding felt like—joyful, spontaneous, heartfelt, and totally unapologetic.

Planning your own Kilshane House Wedding or Tipperary wedding?

Start with a photographer who’ll fix your veil, carry your bouquet, wrangle your groomsmen, AND catch the robin in the window. (That’s me, in case you’re wondering.)

Where is Kilshane House, anyway?

Kilshane House is in County Tipperary, close to Cashel about 90 minutes from Dublin and under an hour from Limerick. It’s surrounded by fab agricultural land if you're into that sort of thing, rolling hills, romantic gardens, and that good old-fashioned Irish charm. It’s also one of Ireland’s most exclusive wedding venues, so you get the whole place to yourselves. Yup. No tourists in the background of your first kiss.

Can we get legally married on-site?

You absolutely can. Whether you're going for a civil ceremony, humanist blessing, or something totally personal, Kilshane has the perfect spot for it, like their Victorian conservatory (hello, glasshouse dreams) or the lakeside lawn.

If you're coming from abroad, just make sure you register with the HSE at least three months ahead.

📎 Here’s the official guide on getting married in Ireland

How many people can stay over?

Around 50–55 guests can stay in the house and courtyard rooms, which means your closest crew can keep the party going without taxis. For anyone else, there are lovely places nearby in Bansha, Cashel, Tipperary town, and the staff at Kilshane are super helpful with that.

most importantly What’s the food situation?

One word: lush babe. The food is made in-house and it's top-tier, think local, seasonal, and way beyond standard wedding fare. There’s also a menu tasting in the lead-up so you know exactly what’s being served (and so you can argue over dessert in advance).

Vegan? Gluten-free? No problem. They’ve got you covered.

🗺️ Find it on Google Maps

How much does a Kilshane House wedding cost?

Weddings here are tailored to you, but most couples budget around €30,000–€60,000 for a full celebration. That usually covers:

• Venue hire
• Food & drink
• Accommodation
• Staffing
• Extras like hiring a planner, styling and furniture etc

📸 Let’s talk weddings

📍 See more Kilshane House magic



Kilshane House INSTAGRAM Highlight reel by seaforest film

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