Getting Ready at Markree Castle / Garden, Sunset & Boathouse Photos

July 16, 2025

Markree Castle is one of those venues where every part of a wedding day – from morning preparations to late-night dancing – feels truly magical. In this post, I’ll show you not only the classic getting ready moments in the Butler’s Kitchen and Bridal Suite, but also garden portraits at sunset, emotional ceremony highlights, and peaceful photos by the Boathouse. Each image comes from a real wedding, offering a wide range of visual inspiration.

📍 Want to see more full wedding stories from this venue?
👉 Check out my Markree Castle Wedding Gallery – a curated collection of beautiful images from real Irish weddings.

All of the photos were captured by me in a candid, documentary and artistic style – for couples who value emotion, light, and authentic storytelling. If you’re planning a wedding in Ireland – maybe even here – this post is for you.

Bride and groom running joyfully through the garden at Markree Castle during their candid wedding day

Bridal Suite – Getting Ready Moments

Getting ready in the Bridal Suite at Markree Castle is more than just a morning routine. It’s a peaceful, light-filled moment filled with elegance and emotion. With its bright interiors, vintage details, and calm atmosphere, the suite offers the perfect backdrop to capture real, moving moments – from makeup and hairstyling, to slipping into the dress, mirror reflections, and quiet hugs with loved ones.

Below, you’ll see a collection of getting ready images from different weddings – each unique, each beautiful. All captured in a natural, documentary style with no posing and always in soft, flattering light.

📍 Want to see more real wedding inspiration from this venue?
👉 Markree Castle Wedding Gallery

Bride getting dressed in the Bridal Suite at Markree Castle – emotional and elegant black and white photo
Bride hugging her mum in the Bridal Suite at Markree Castle – candid morning moment before the ceremony
Bride standing by the window in the Bridal Suite at Markree Castle – soft natural light and elegance

Butler’s Kitchen Vibes – Relaxed Morning Moments

The Butler’s Kitchen is one of those hidden gems at Markree Castle that instantly feels warm and welcoming. On the wedding morning, it often becomes the heart of preparations – the smell of fresh coffee, children running around, bridesmaids laughing by the table, and the bride quietly taking a deep breath.

It’s a space that gives more than just beautiful light – it allows real moments to unfold: conversations, glances, tension, calm. I often begin the wedding day here, capturing the simplest frames that later become the most meaningful ones.

📍 Want to see more moments like these from other weddings?
👉 Markree Castle Wedding Gallery

For more getting ready inspiration, check out this related post:
👉 Markree Castle Wedding Photos by a Dublin Wedding Photographer

Bridesmaids laughing together during wedding morning prep in Butler’s Kitchen at Markree Castle
Bridesmaids and bride getting ready in Butler’s Kitchen at Markree Castle – candid wedding morning moment in front of the mirror
Elegant black and white bridal portrait in the Butler’s Kitchen at Markree Castle – wedding morning moments captured in natural documentary style
Bride, her mother, and bridesmaid smiling during wedding morning preparations at Markree Castle – black and white portrait in Butler’s Kitchen
Two bridesmaids laughing while taking a selfie during wedding preparations at Markree Castle – joyful candid moment before the ceremony
Bridesmaids and bride reflected in mirror during wedding morning preparations at Markree Castle – candid getting ready moment in Butler’s Kitchen
Bride walking into the side room at Markree Castle as bridesmaids react with joy – colourful First Look moment
Bride shows final look to bridesmaids at Markree Castle – emotional black and white moment in Butler’s Kitchen side room

Ceremony Highlights – Chapel & Garden Moments

Wedding ceremonies at Markree Castle are as diverse as the couples who celebrate them. Some choose the stained-glass chapel with its medieval charm, while others prefer a vibrant garden ceremony, surrounded by greenery and stone walls. No matter the setting, every ceremony is full of emotion – the kind that deserves to be captured honestly.

This section features photos from both indoor and outdoor ceremonies at Markree – real vows, quiet glances, hand-holding, and the walk back down the aisle as newlyweds. I photograph these moments unobtrusively and with heart, aiming to capture not just how it looked, but how it felt.

📍 Want more ceremony inspiration? Explore:
👉 Markree Castle Wedding Gallery

Groom walking down the aisle with his mother during wedding ceremony in Markree Castle chapel
Bride walking down the aisle with her father inside the chapel at Markree Castle
Bride and groom share a whisky toast from a traditional two-handled quaich during their Markree Castle chapel ceremony
Bride and groom walk down the aisle after their Markree Castle chapel ceremony, surrounded by cheering guests
Outdoor woodland wedding ceremony setup at Markree Castle with rustic benches and floral aisle
Bride and groom walking down the forest aisle after their woodland wedding ceremony at Markree Castle
Bride adjusts her veil during outdoor woodland ceremony at Markree Castle
Bride and groom share their first kiss during a woodland wedding ceremony at Markree Castle
Emotional bride wiping a tear during woodland vows at Markree Castle
Groom placing a ring on bride’s finger during a woodland wedding ceremony at Markree Castle
Bride and groom exchanging wedding rings during a forest ceremony at Markree Castle, with celebrant and guests in view
Bride and groom share their first kiss during an outdoor woodland ceremony at Markree Castle, surrounded by guests seated under trees and festoon lights
Bride and groom smiling and holding hands moments after their first kiss during an outdoor woodland ceremony at Markree Castle

Boathouse Moments.

The Boathouse is one of the most photogenic spots across the entire Markree Castle estate. Hidden along the riverbank and surrounded by greenery, it offers a magical backdrop for quiet portraits, romantic couple moments, or even small family group photos. It’s where some of the most peaceful and intimate frames can be captured – far from the wedding buzz.

During one recent wedding, I photographed a beautiful moment of the bride with her father just outside the Boathouse – it instantly became one of my personal favorites. This little corner works perfectly not only for portraits, but also for those calm in-between moments – either before the ceremony or during golden hour when the light gets soft.

📍 To explore more from this iconic venue, feel free to visit my main gallery:
👉 Markree Castle Wedding Gallery

Bride and groom standing in the stone doorway of the Boathouse at Markree Castle
Bride and groom first look moment near the Boathouse wall at Markree Castle
Bride and groom standing among tall trees near the Boathouse at Markree Castle
Bride laughing on groom’s back near the Boathouse at Markree Castle

Sunset & Garden Portraits

Sunset in the gardens of Markree Castle is when the magic truly peaks – the light turns golden and soft, perfect for intimate portraits. No matter the season, this moment always brings a sense of calm and connection. It’s often the only time in the day when couples get to breathe, slow down, and enjoy a few quiet minutes together – surrounded by nature and beautiful light.

In this section, I’m sharing sunset portraits from several weddings – walks through the garden paths, soft embraces in the tall grass, romantic photos under the trees or against the stone walls of the castle. It’s a unique time where everything slows down, and the emotion comes through in every frame.

📍 Looking for more sunset and portrait inspiration from this venue?
👉 Markree Castle Wedding Gallery

Bride and groom spraying champagne in celebration in front of Markree Castle during golden-hour wedding
Bride standing alone in the golden hour light at Markree Castle, facing the historic Irish castle in the garden
Bride and groom walking hand in hand through the sunset gardens of Markree Castle during their Irish wedding
Bride and groom sharing a romantic dance at sunset in front of Markree Castle during their Irish wedding
Close-up of bride and groom embracing during golden hour at Markree Castle in Ireland
Bride and groom walking hand in hand during golden hour in front of Markree Castle, Ireland

Night Moments & Sparkler Exits

There’s something truly magical about nighttime at Markree Castle – a glow in the air, real emotions, and an atmosphere that simply can’t be recreated during the day. One of the most unforgettable moments is the sparkler exit – when the couple walks through a tunnel of sparkling lights, surrounded by cheers and celebration.

At Markree Castle, sparkler exits often happen in the courtyard – a beautiful open-air space framed by the castle walls. Another popular spot is the Archway, which turns into a dramatic backdrop after dark, sometimes even hosting a spontaneous first dance. No matter the setting, these nighttime moments are always cinematic and full of emotion.

📍 For more real wedding stories and magical end-of-day moments:
👉 Markree Castle Wedding Gallery

Bride and groom walking through a sparkler tunnel at night under the archway at Markree Castle
Bride and groom dancing under string lights during sparkler moment in Markree Castle courtyard
Bride and groom kissing under the archway at night at Markree Castle
Bride and groom watching fireworks in the garden at Markree Castle during their wedding night

Photo Highlight

Father & daughter near the Boathouse – a quiet moment before the ceremony

Some images stay with you not because of the light or location, but because of what truly happens within them. One of those moments was a quiet walk between a bride and her father just before the ceremony – right in front of the Boathouse. There weren’t many words – just looks, a deep breath, and a gentle handhold.

This photo reminds me why I photograph weddings – because the simplest, most human moments often become the most meaningful memories.

Bride walking arm-in-arm with her father through the woods toward a garden wedding at Markree Castle

What couples say about Markree Castle weddings

Lynne
“Markree Castle was the perfect venue for our intimate wedding. Wojciech made us feel so comfortable in front of the camera, and his documentary photography style captured every emotion naturally. The photos are filled with magic, light, and joy — exactly what we dreamed of!”

Bernadette
“Wojciech was an absolute dream to work with. He knew Markree Castle inside out, suggesting the most beautiful locations for our photos. His photojournalistic approach meant that every shot was filled with emotion and natural beauty. The final photos? Breathtaking!”

Muireann
“We got married at Markree Castle, and Wojciech knew exactly where and when to capture the best shots. His photojournalistic style made the entire album look so natural and full of real emotions. We highly recommend him to any couple looking for an experienced, talented, and professional wedding photographer!”


Markree Castle Wedding – FAQ for US & UK Couples

Can we bring our dog to our Markree Castle wedding?
Yes! Markree Castle is pet-friendly and welcomes well-behaved dogs on your big day. Whether it’s walking down the aisle or being part of the portraits in the garden or boathouse, many couples include their furry friend in both ceremony and celebration. Just be sure to notify the venue in advance.
Where are the best photo spots around Markree Castle?
Markree Castle offers stunning locations for photos: the Garden, Boathouse, Sunset Lawn, the Chapel, and the iconic Archway. Each spot has its own vibe — romantic, cinematic, or grand. Couples love using multiple spots for variety in their gallery.
Is a sunset photo session possible at Markree Castle?
Absolutely! Sunset at Markree Castle is magical, especially near the Boathouse or Garden. Plan 10–15 minutes with your photographer just before golden hour for the most flattering, soft light. These moments are often the most cherished in albums.
Do we need a wedding planner for Markree Castle?
While not required, having a wedding planner — especially for destination weddings — is highly recommended. Many couples from the US or UK work with local Irish planners familiar with Markree Castle to ensure a seamless day.
Is there accommodation on-site for guests?
Yes, Markree Castle offers luxurious on-site accommodation for your family and guests. Rooms are elegant and ideal for immersing in the full castle experience without needing external transport.
How do we book a garden or outdoor ceremony at Markree Castle?
You can request an outdoor ceremony during your booking process. Weather permitting, the Garden and Boathouse areas are popular spots. The venue team will guide you through setup options and a backup indoor plan if needed.
Can guests easily travel to Markree Castle from Dublin?
Yes, the drive from Dublin Airport takes around 2.5–3 hours. Many couples provide private buses or shuttles. There are also train options to Sligo, followed by a short taxi ride to the venue.
Are drone photos allowed at Markree Castle?
Yes, drone photography is allowed with prior permission. The castle and grounds look spectacular from above — especially during golden hour or sparkler exits.
What time does the party usually end?
The reception typically ends around 2am, depending on your package. Many couples plan their first dance shortly after dinner, allowing plenty of time for live music, DJ, and night-time portraits.
Do you offer slideshow or highlight reels with the photos?
Yes! Many photographers — including myself — offer slideshow highlight reels that capture the full story of the day. These can be shared with family & friends who couldn’t attend, and are great for reliving the best moments.


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