A REAL WEDDING IN COUNTY GALWAY
Back to Black at Cloghan Castle
An intimate celebration for Megan & Michal
A black wedding dress. A historic Irish castle. Just thirteen of the people who mattered most. Megan and Michal’s wedding on 22 February 2022 was a celebration of doing things their own way.
Photographed at Cloghan Castle in County Galway, their day brought together deeply personal choices, an intimate civil ceremony and the creative work of wedding planner and floral designer Kate Deegan of Perfect Details. Explore more Cloughan Castle wedding photographs in my collection.
THE STORY
A Wedding Entirely Their Own
Megan and Michal wanted their wedding to feel like a gathering of family and close friends, rather than a large event. Their plans centred on time together, meaningful moments and the freedom to leave unnecessary traditions behind.
Both prepared at Cloghan Castle. They planned a first look in Megan’s preparation room, followed by something especially personal: walking into their civil ceremony together. Their ceremony included personalised vows, with their closest people sharing the occasion.
After the ceremony, a toast, family photographs and portraits around the castle offered space to enjoy the day without rushing from one tradition to the next. The small guest list was not a compromise. It was the point.
A DIFFERENT KIND OF BRIDAL STYLE
The Black Wedding Dress
Megan’s striking black wedding dress gave the celebration its unforgettable visual signature. Against the stone and historic character of Cloghan Castle, the look felt both dramatic and beautifully understated.
But the most memorable thing was not simply the colour. It was how naturally the dress reflected the couple’s approach to the day: personal, confident and unconcerned with convention.
THE CREATIVE VISION
Kate Deegan of Perfect Details
Wedding planner and floral designer Kate Deegan of Perfect Details was part of the team behind Megan and Michal’s celebration, taking care of both planning and flowers. Her involvement helped bring together the details of this distinctive, intimate castle wedding.
This is one of several real Irish castle weddings I’ve photographed involving Kate. Discover her approach in my Kate Deegan wedding planner feature, or browse the Kate Deegan real wedding collection.
THE PEOPLE BEHIND THE DAY
Recommended Wedding Suppliers
PLANNING & FLOWERS Kate Deegan Perfect Details | WEDDING FILM Mudita Films Wedding Videography |
| VENUE | Cloghan Castle |
| CATERING | Green Olive |
| CAKE | Veganera |
| HAIR | Martina Garraghy |
| CELEBRANT | Sean Cloonan |
| SUIT | Itsuits |
| PHOTOGRAPHY | Wojciech Koza Photography |
THE PHOTOGRAPHIC STORY
The Story in Photographs
A remarkable black dress, a castle full of character and a wedding that felt unmistakably like Megan and Michal.
AS FEATURED IN CORK INDEPENDENT
Back to Black / A Wedding Beyond Tradition
Megan and Michal’s wedding photographs were featured in Cork Independent in September 2023, celebrating Megan’s striking black wedding dress and a bridal look that challenged convention.
DISCOVER MORE AT THE VENUE
More Weddings at Cloughan Castle
Every celebration at this County Galway castle has its own story. Explore more real weddings and photography from the venue in my dedicated Cloughan Castle collection.
CASTLE WEDDING INSPIRATION
20 Best Castle Wedding Venues in Ireland
Planning a wedding in an Irish castle? Discover more real celebrations across the country, from intimate historic venues to grand country estates. Explore my guide to 20 castle wedding venues in Ireland for further inspiration.
Discover the full 20 Best Castle Wedding Venues in Ireland guide or visit my Markree Castle wedding guide.
More castle stories:
Kilkea Castle
·
Cabra Castle
·
Belleek Castle
WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY IN IRELAND
A Wedding That Feels Like You
Whether your plans involve a small gathering or a grand castle celebration, the photographs that matter most are the ones that tell your story naturally.
