An April Wedding in Ireland: Ballinafad Castle Ceremony

From Minnesota Molly and Ken travelled to Ballinafad Castle in Sligo to become Mr and Mrs.

When they first emailed me about their Wedding, I was incredibly confident. I told them April was a perfect time to marry in Ireland as our beautiful country is slowly awakening from the madness of snow and wind and rain, and storms and more snow and then a bigger storm to top the last one and they'd be sure to get a sunny day...


April is my favourite month, everything is green, bright, shiny and hopeful. Daffodils are a little on the crispy side but still dancing, bluebells cover the forests and that yellow ragwort covers the hedges for miles (pretty, but pretty deadly if you're a poor ole horse!) Blue skies appear and fluffy clouds too. Also, there's a massive possibility it will be bucketing rain, but that's minor when you live off the fumes of thankfulness that Winter is over and we've turned a corner.

Three-story beige townhouse building with dormers on a street corner in Ireland with stone wall and lamppost in foreground.
Ancient stone castle ruins against blue sky with visitors exploring the historic site on green grass.

Handfasting, Vows, and Personal Details


On a sleepy Tuesday at the start of the month I was blessed with the company of all the goodness an Irish April brings. Along with Molly, Ken and their immediate families I was so incredibly honoured to photograph their intimate Wedding (officiated by Molly's sister Kelli) in the shadow of Ballinafad Castle.

A groom in a navy blue suit listens intently during an outdoor wedding ceremony with a stone wall backdrop.
Rock climbing carabiners and safety gear displayed with black field notebooks against mossy stone surface.
An outdoor wedding ceremony takes place beside a rustic stone wall with a person in green floral dress officiating.
A black and white photo capturing hands clasped in a romantic moment with a stone wall in the background.

Whiskey Toasts at The Shed Distillery


Afterwards they slide into @thesheddistillery in Drumshanbo just before closing time, where they toasted the newly weds with the very finest of Leitrim Whiskey.

Inside a greenhouse bar, people gather on bright blue metal stools under wooden beams and hanging string lights.
Someone takes a big bite of an orange ice cream popsicle while sitting outdoors.

Private Dinner at Paddy Mac’s Holiday Bar

They finished their day with a fab meal by their private chef in @paddymacsholidaybar and flew home to Minnesota happy, married and non the wiser that it hasn't stopped raining since they left!


The luck of the Irish one might say!



A couple stands on a grassy hill in front of the ruins of a stone castle tower under blue skies.

Planning Your Own Irish Elopement?


Thinking about eloping to Ireland? I’d love to help you plan a relaxed, meaningful wedding day like Molly & Ken’s. Get in touch to start planning your dream day.

Blue street sign reading 'Droim Seanbho' mounted on a pole with yellow daffodils blooming below.
A candid black and white photograph showing people relaxing together on a couch in a casual indoor setting.
Professional makeup artist applying cosmetics to a client seated on a gray couch in a home setting.
A JBL portable speaker sits atop an ornate vintage white ceramic boot planter on a wooden surface.
A collection of beauty and makeup products scattered on an orange surface including brushes and cosmetic containers.
black and white photo of lady fixing her hair while laughing with a friend
Black and white photo showing hands exchanging a handkerchief or napkin across a table.
Irish flag with World Cup USA 94 logo displayed on wall featuring green, white and orange tri-color design.
People sitting and talking in an office setting during what appears to be a business meeting or interview.
A close-up view showing a bride getting her hait plaited the morning of her wedding
Black and white photo of boots being put on with a lace dress hem visible in an intimate indoor setting.
A hand holding an elegant bridal bouquet of pink roses and white flowers wrapped with a light ribbon.
Black and white photo showing emotional first look moment on staircase as bride holds bouquet of flowers.
Stone building facade with rustic architectural details and green shuttered windows.
Row of traditional stone houses with white trim along a Welsh village street against bright blue sky.