Lia & Eric | Waterford Castle Wedding with a Connemara Pony, Ring Hawk & Afterparty at The Reg
A Waterford Castle wedding is always special, but Lia and Eric’s day felt like something else entirely. Two Americans getting married in an Irish castle, a Connemara pony walking into the ceremony, an eagle delivering the rings, heartfelt vows that silenced the lawn, and then a bus full of guests heading into Waterford City to take over The Reg. It was elegant, playful, emotional and just the right side of wild. An Irish castle wedding with personality stitched through every moment.
A Waterford Castle Wedding Ceremony with a Ring Hawk and Connemara Pony
The ceremony took place on the lower lawn at Waterford Castle. It is a spot I love because I can stay well out of the way and still frame the castle properly in the background. For a documentary approach, that matters. It lets the moment breathe.
Their friend Mitch Magrini led the ceremony. The vows were the emotional high point of the day. Not rushed. Not surface-level. Properly written, properly delivered, high emotional intensity. You could feel the weight of it in the air. Even with 55 guests, it felt deeply personal.
Then came the surprise elements.
First, the ring hawk from the National Bird of Prey Centre. An eagle delivering wedding rings at a Waterford Castle wedding is not something you see every weekend. The guests had no idea what was about to happen. That sense of genuine surprise is gold for me. No rehearsed reactions. Just pure disbelief and laughter.
And then Lia’s sister appeared with a Connemara pony at the ceremony.
A horse at a wedding sounds chaotic on paper. In reality, it was magic. The pony stood calmly, part of the scene like it had always belonged there. An Irish castle wedding with a pony feels almost cinematic, but because it happened naturally, it never tipped into gimmick.
Portraits at This Waterford Castle Wedding – Oak Tree, Avenue and Evening Light
We kept portraits tight and efficient. That was important to them. They did not want to disappear from their own party.
We started under the oak tree before the ceremony. That tree has survived decades of Irish storms because the castle shields it. It has presence. For a first look and a handful of clean portraits, it is unbeatable.
After the ceremony, we grabbed some portraits with the Connemara pony, including a few along the avenue. That stretch of tree-lined driveway in summer light is classic Waterford Castle. Add a pony and two delighted Americans getting married in an Irish castle, and it becomes something else entirely.
The best light of the day came later. Evening at the back of the castle. Soft, directional, warm without being heavy. That is when everything settles. The energy drops a notch and couples finally exhale. Those frames felt timeless. The kind of images that will age well.
I shot heavily on film that day as well. Bright conditions, strong light, white stone behind them. Film loves that. It added texture and imperfection in just the right way.
Drinks Reception Chaos – A Pony, A Surprise and One Very Public Wee
The drinks reception unfolded exactly as planned. Hawk moments. Pony portraits. Friends gathering in clusters. Champagne moving quickly.
And then the pony did what ponies do.
Right in the middle of the drinks reception, the Connemara pony stopped and did a very unapologetic wee.
It was perfect.
No one panicked. No one was embarrassed. Guests roared laughing. That is the beauty of documentary photography at a Waterford Castle wedding like this. You are not chasing perfection. You are capturing what actually happened. And what happened was funny, human and unforgettable.
The atmosphere throughout the reception felt relaxed and buoyant. A warm Irish summer evening. No jackets needed. Guests spread across the lawn as if they were on holiday.
From Irish Castle Wedding to Waterford City Afterparty
Dinner and speeches at the castle carried that emotional tone forward. The vows may have been the peak, but the room stayed connected.
Then came the pivot.
Coaches arrived. Everyone piled in. The entire guest list heading into Waterford City to take over The Reg.
On paper, it almost sounded like too much. Logistically complicated. A risk.
In reality, it worked brilliantly.
The Reg was electric. Luke O’Malley Trad Band earlier in the day had already warmed people up. Now DJ energy took over. The grandparents were on the dance floor. The parents had their special songs. Thunderstruck was played. It was full-on party mode.
I stayed for about an hour. Long enough to see it hit its stride. We slipped out for two minutes onto the Vincent Wallace Plaza by the River Suir. Just two. They threw on cowboy hats, and we grabbed a handful of frames against the city backdrop. An Irish castle wedding that finished in cowboy hats by the quay. Why not.
It felt very them.
Why This Waterford Castle Wedding Worked
This was not a production. It was not overly styled or forced into a mould.
It was an Irish castle wedding shaped by two people who trusted their instincts. Americans getting married in an Irish castle who embraced the place rather than trying to control it.
They let the surprises land. They stayed present. They did not overthink portraits. They booked a pub in Waterford and brought everyone with them.
When I sent the slideshow, the response came quickly:
“Just finished the video…. Screaming crying throwing up etc!
You are so incredible! Will have to formulate the proper words later….”
That reaction tells me everything I need to know.
If you are planning your own Waterford Castle wedding and want it documented honestly, with space for ponies, hawks, laughter and the odd unscripted moment, you can get in touch with me here
Vendor Credits
Venue: Waterford Castle
Celebrant: Mitch Magrini
Florals: Lambert de Bie
Videographer: Best Day Productions (Rodolphe)
Ceremony & Reception Music: Bryan McDonnell
Band: Luke O’Malley Trad Band
Transport: Whites of Waterford
Cake: Eve’s Cakes
Flower Pony: Lake Tour Stables
Ring Hawk: National Bird of Prey Centre
Evening Reception: The Reg, Waterford
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