There are some couples whose love story you get to know from the beginning. Lenna and Nic are one of those couples for me. I had the honor of capturing Nic’s surprise proposal. Then came their engagement session. And finally, their wedding day half a world away at Luttrellstown Castle in Ireland. Walking with them through every chapter has been one of my career’s greatest gifts. Their April wedding day was the kind of moment you carry with you forever.

A California couple, and an Irish castle: Luttrellstown Castle

Lenna and Nic are based in California. They dreamed of something a little more storybook for their wedding. So they brought their closest family and friends across the Atlantic. They took over the entirety of Luttrellstown Castle for the week. It turned the destination wedding into something closer to a private retreat. There is something so intimate about renting a whole castle. Mornings turn into shared coffee on the lawn. Evenings turn into long dinners. By the wedding day, everyone you love is already woven into the experience.

A vision that let the castle shine

When Lenna and I talked, she kept coming back to one idea. She wanted to honor the charm of Luttrellstown Castle itself. Nothing over the top. Nothing that would compete with the history living in those stone walls. We landed on soft whites and blush florals for an Irish spring palette. A candlelit dinner turned the great hall into something out of a fairytale. But a quiet, grown-up one. The kind of fairytale that trusts itself enough not to shout.

The cufflinks (and the moment that broke me a little)

Before the wedding, one of Nic’s groomsmen passed away. It is a kind of grief that doesn’t go quietly into a celebration. Nic and Lenna chose to carry him with them in the most beautiful way. Nic gifted each of his groomsmen a pair of small wing cufflinks. They became a quiet symbol of the friend they had lost. Tucked inside Nic’s jacket, near his heart, was a special pin. It held a photo of his friend and a blessing written beneath. You couldn’t see it from the outside. It wasn’t for show. It was just the truth of the day, walking with him into every vow.

And then the skies cleared

Anyone who has been to Ireland in April knows the deal. It rains. And it had been raining all week leading up to the wedding. Then Saturday morning came. The sky turned a brilliant, defiant blue. Golden light spilled across the castle grounds. Soft breezes moved through the gardens. The portrait conditions were the kind you only get to dream about. The Irish weather decided, just for one day, to cooperate beautifully. Lenna and Nic got exactly what they deserved.

Some weddings stay with you…

Some weddings stay with you long after the gallery is delivered. And this one is absolutely one of those. Truly, I feel so honored to be part of Lenna and Nic’s journey. From the surprise proposal to the wedding day, I got to witness every chapter. And hopefully, this is just the beginning of our story together. Someday, I would love to capture them starting a family of their own. I will carry the cufflinks moment with me for the rest of my career. Above all, this wedding will live in my heart forever. To Lenna and Nic, thank you for letting me witness it all.

The team that made it real

A wedding like this doesn’t happen without an extraordinary team. Endless gratitude to:

• Venue: @luttrellstowncastleresort
• Wedding Planner: @waterlily_weddings_
• Content Creator: @graceelizabethevents
• Florist: @thefrenchtouchflowers
• Hair Stylist: @shaunalawlorhair
• Makeup Artist: @makeupbyyvonne
• Cake Maker: @thefoxandtheflour
• DJ: @djtommyelliottt
• Dress Designer: @grace_loves_lace
• Videographer: @dearoliverweddings
• Chair Rentals: @caterhire.ie

Planning your own destination wedding?

Capturing weddings abroad is one of the great joys of what I do! From California to Ireland, and everywhere in between. Are you dreaming up a destination wedding of your own? Maybe a castle in the Irish countryside, or a vineyard somewhere quieter. I would love to hear about it. Click here to inquire about your dream wedding.