Ruth and John's Wedding at Luxury Bellingham Castle
Ruth and John's's Wedding at Luxury Bellingham Castle
Ireland is known for its beautiful castles, and Bellingham Castle is one of the best. Unlike other dark, medieval-looking places, it feels like a fairytale. Just 50 minutes from Dublin and Belfast, this bright and luxurious venue has stunning grounds, amazing views, elegant rooms, and delicious food. Ruth and John’s wedding at Bellingham Castle was full of love, beauty, and unforgettable moments.
A Perfect Start: Preparations at Bellingham Castle
Ruth and John began their wedding day right at the castle. The luxurious rooms, with beautiful views of the River Glyde, gardens, or the nearby church, made for a peaceful and lovely start to their special day. The stunning setting and the attentive service from the Bellingham Castle team ensured everything was perfect from the very beginning.
First Look in the Beautiful Gardens
Before the ceremony, Ruth and John had a special first look in the lovely gardens of Bellingham Castle. The lush surroundings, with wide lawns, riverside paths, and charming footbridges, made the perfect backdrop for this intimate moment. The gardens are a photographer’s dream, offering countless spots for stunning photos.
How Weather Can Affect Wedding Photo Plans at Bellingham Castle
Weather is a crucial factor that can significantly impact your wedding photo plans at Bellingham Castle. Planning an outdoor photo session can be a picturesque idea, but unpredictable elements like rain or strong winds can quickly change those plans.
Impact of Weather Conditions
Rain Showers: A sudden May shower can disrupt your carefully planned timeline. For instance, if you intended to sneak down to the river for some pre-dinner shots, rain can force you to change locations or delay the shoot.
Lighting Conditions: Overcast skies can soften the light, providing a natural diffuser effect that’s great for photos. However, stormy clouds can diminish the overall brightness, affecting the quality of natural light available for your shots.
Sunset Challenges: Bellingham Castle boasts magnificent backgrounds, especially by the river with the castle in view. A cloudy sky can obscure the sunset, altering the golden hour light that photographers love. This golden light provides a soft, warm glow that enhances the romantic atmosphere.
Adaptations and Contingencies
Indoor Options: Make sure your photographer scouts indoor locations within the castle that can serve as a backup. The interiors often offer elegant backgrounds and ample lighting setups.
Flexible Timeline: Be prepared to adjust your schedule. If rain is anticipated, consider shifting the outdoor photo session to a different time when the weather forecast looks more favorable.
Photographic Techniques: A skilled photographer can adapt to varying light and weather conditions, using techniques like artificial lighting or creative compositions to still capture stunning shots.
Weather unpredictability is a given, but with some flexibility and a good backup plan, you can still secure breathtaking photographs at Bellingham Castle. The key is to be prepared and stay adaptable, ensuring your memories are beautifully captured regardless of Mother Nature’s whims.
Outdoor Ceremony in a Luxurious Setting
Historic Events Associated with Bellingham Castle
Bellingham Castle has been the backdrop for notable historical events, capturing the attention of society. One particularly grand occasion was the 1905 wedding of the 4th Marquis of Bute to Sir Alan Bellingham's daughter. This lavish event garnered international headlines, elevating the castle's prominence in social circles.
The castle has also hosted a variety of other significant gatherings and celebrations, contributing to its rich history. Its opulent halls have witnessed moments of grandeur that continue to be celebrated and remembered.
Key Historic Highlights:
1905 Wedding: The union of the 4th Marquis of Bute and Sir Alan Bellingham's daughter.
Societal Attention: Events at the castle frequently featured in international news, highlighting its social significance.
These historic moments have solidified Bellingham Castle's reputation as a venue of elegance and importance.
Planning an Intimate or Micro-Wedding at a Castle
Are you envisioning an intimate wedding amidst the elegance of a real castle? If so, Bellingham Castle offers the perfect setting. They specialize in hosting micro-weddings, allowing you to celebrate with as few as six guests while enjoying the breathtaking venue entirely to yourself.
What You Can Expect
Exclusive Castle Access: For an additional fee of €1200, you can have the entire castle exclusively for your event. This fee ensures privacy and a bespoke experience for you and your guests.
Micro-Wedding Packages: Their packages are tailored to small-scale weddings without compromising on luxury or experience. These packages include all the features of their standard options but are designed for smaller guest lists, making them ideal for intimate ceremonies.
Personalized Experience: Each micro-wedding is meticulously planned to match your vision. Whether you dream of a fairy-tale ceremony in the castle gardens or a cozy reception within its historical walls, the team at Bellingham Castle is dedicated to making it happen.
With Bellingham Castle, you don't have to sacrifice elegance or personalization for a smaller event. This venue offers a unique and memorable backdrop, ensuring your intimate wedding is just as magical as any grand affair.
Despite the rain attempting to disrupt Ruth and John’s wedding photo session, they had a brilliant backup plan. When outdoor shots became impractical, they turned to the opulent interiors of their venue. The elegant drawing rooms and the well-stocked library on the first floor provided perfect settings for stunning photographs.
Key Backup Plans:
Indoor Photography Locations: The luxurious drawing rooms offered an intimate and stylish alternative, capturing the couple against elegant furniture and rich decor.
Library Setting: For a more scholarly and sophisticated vibe, the library’s ambiance served as an impressive backdrop.
While their guests were settling into their seats downstairs, Ruth and John had the upper floor to themselves, making the most of the grandiose period furniture and towering windows. These features allowed for some truly breathtaking wedding photos, despite the inclement weather.
A Reception to Remember
Bellingham Castle can host weddings with a guest list of up to 200 people. Whether you choose a weekday or weekend event, the venue is fully equipped to accommodate your celebration effortlessly. Following the ceremony, the reception was also held in the gardens, allowing guests to enjoy the beautiful outdoor setting. The mature gardens and stunning riverside location provided a picturesque backdrop for the celebration. Guests could mingle in the castle’s elegant period drawing rooms or relax in the library and bars before dining in the grand Bute Suite, which is renowned for its chandeliers and natural light, making it perfect for photographs during speeches.
While the rain was trying to get in the way, we opted for a few photos in the luxurious drawing rooms and library on the first floor. All the guests were finding their seats downstairs, and we had the castle to ourselves. The period furniture and floor-to-ceiling windows create jaw-dropping backdrops for wedding photos.
The blend of historical charm and modern amenities in these indoor spaces makes them ideal for capturing unforgettable memories. Whether it's the intricate details of the drawing rooms or the serene ambiance of the library, each location within the castle offers unique photographic opportunities.
Ruth and John had intended to have a private moment by the river just before they were formally introduced into the dining room at their wedding. However, an untimely May shower disrupted their plans.
Culinary Delights and Unforgettable Moments
Bellingham Castle is famous for its culinary creativity, and Ruth and John’s wedding was no exception. The guests were treated to delectable canapés and a mouth-watering five-course wedding banquet, featuring fresh, seasonal, and local ingredients. The Blissful Bellingham wedding package offers an extensive array of dishes, ensuring a delightful dining experience for all.
For those interested in the specifics of the Blissful Bellingham wedding package, here are the details:
Pricing:
€110 per person for a Friday or Saturday wedding (minimum 150 guests).
€100 per person for midweek weddings, with guest minimums ranging from 40 to 80, depending on the day.
Inclusions:
Exclusive use of the castle and grounds.
A dedicated wedding coordinator to ensure everything runs smoothly.
Red carpet welcome and personalized menus.
Canapés and drinks on arrival.
A five-course meal with wine and prosecco.
Evening bites to keep the celebration going.
If you’re planning an intimate wedding during the Covid-19 pandemic, Bellingham Castle also offers micro-weddings for as few as six guests. You'll have the gorgeous castle all to yourselves for an additional private hire fee of €1200, while enjoying all the same amenities as the larger packages.
Imagine eloping to this fairytale venue and having the entire castle exclusively for your special day. The combination of exquisite cuisine and a stunning setting ensures an unforgettable experience.
Luxury Accommodation for Guests
The castle offers 28 luxury bedrooms, including 19 within the castle and 9 in the boathouse, providing comfortable and elegant accommodation for family and guests. The bridal suite, with its large king-size bed and free-standing roll-top bathtub, was the perfect haven for Ruth and John to unwind after their fairy tale wedding day.
But Bellingham Castle is not just about the bedrooms. It boasts a variety of unique spaces that add charm and character to the venue. Beside the banquet suite, there is an incredibly cute Buttery Kitchen where your guests can pop in any time for a bit of quiet time and a cup of tea.
There's an awesome room with a low vaulted ceiling – perfect for incredible photos and a cool selfie station! The beautiful wine cellar and the games room with a chess set and an arcade machine ensure that your guests will never be bored.
These special nooks and crannies offer delightful surprises at every turn, making Bellingham Castle a truly enchanting place for your wedding and a memorable experience for all your guests.
Conclusion: A Fairytale Wedding at Bellingham Castle
Ruth and John’s wedding at Bellingham Castle was a true celebration of love and beauty. From the enchanting first look in the gardens to the outdoor ceremony and luxurious reception, every moment was filled with magic. Bellingham Castle’s combination of historic charm, stunning grounds, and exceptional service makes it the perfect setting for a fairytale wedding. If you’re dreaming of a luxurious wedding venue in Ireland, Bellingham Castle is the ideal choice.
