A Darver Castle wedding full of joy
Some weddings feel like a celebration from the very first minute. Peris and Trevor’s Darver Castle wedding was one of them: a sun-drenched September day in County Louth, an outdoor ceremony with every guest dressed in white, and two grooms who could not stop smiling.
Darver Castle, Co. Louth
Darver Castle sits in the quiet countryside of Readypenny, just outside Dundalk and about an hour north of Dublin. Its story goes back to the twelfth century, and the stone tower that still welcomes guests today was built around 1432. Even the name has a romance to it: “Darver” is said to come from the Irish Dairbhe, meaning oak wood.
Lovingly restored by the Carville family, it is now one of the most loved wedding venues in Louth, with manicured lawns made for outdoor ceremonies and a warm, family-run feel.
An all-white outdoor ceremony
Peris and Trevor asked their guests to dress in white, and the result was breathtaking: rows of white chairs on the castle lawn, a sea of white linen and summer dresses, and the two grooms in black velvet tuxedos at the centre of it all.
The walk down the aisle brought the first happy tears of the day. During the ceremony their hands were bound with ribbon in a traditional handfasting, the old Celtic ritual that gave us the phrase “tying the knot”. When they were finally pronounced married, the guests rose to their feet and the first kiss was met with cheers and applause.
Champagne, friends and a castle full of laughter
After the ceremony the celebrations moved to the front of the castle. The bridal party, in soft shades of grey, gathered under the white Darver Castle porch for group photos that quickly turned into pure fun, with lifts, playful tugs-of-war and plenty of laughter. There was even a surprise guest: a gentle black Shire horse, who joined the newlyweds on the lawn for a champagne toast and one of our favourite portraits of the year.
The wedding film
Their wedding film tells the story of the whole day: the calm before the ceremony, the emotion of the vows and handfasting, and the joy of being surrounded by the people they love most. In their own words, it is “an emotional masterpiece”. It mattered to Peris and Trevor to feel safe, respected and fully seen, from the first conversation to the final film, and it was an honour for us to be part of their story.
Planning your own Darver Castle wedding?
If you are getting married at Darver Castle or anywhere in County Louth, we would love to hear about your plans. Emerald Wedding offers wedding photography, wedding videography or both, with one team and one consistent style for your whole day. Every couple is welcome, and every love story deserves to be told beautifully.
Venue: Darver Castle, Co. Louth · Photography & film: Emerald Wedding