If you’re planning your perfect wedding, you’ll want the perfect pictures to remember it. After you’ve done your research and chosen a photographer that will perfectly capture the spirit of your big day, you might want to do some research on locations for your Kildare wedding photographs. If you’re lucky enough to be celebrating at the Osprey Hotel, we have done the hard work for you and chosen our all-time favourite locations for your perfect wedding pictures in Kildare.
Japanese Gardens
One of the most unique spots in the county, the Kildare National Stud has one of the only Japanese Gardens in Ireland. Whether you are culturally aligned with the gardens or not, this beautiful space is a stunning backdrop for wedding photographs. It’s an oasis of calm in the otherwise bustling National Stud, giving you a serene setting for some beautiful nature shots. A visit to the Japanese Gardens in Kildare gives you the opportunity to explore and photograph a place where Eastern and Western cultures and imagery seamlessly intertwine. Make sure it’s on your short list for truly unique wedding pictures.
Castletown House
A hidden gem of Irelands Ancient East, Castletown House is the home of a Georgian palace in the heart of Celbridge in Kildare. The country house was built in 1722 for William Conolly, the Speaker of the Irish House of Commons at the time, and is the centrepiece of a 550-acre estate. The house itself is tastefully decorated in a period style, with all of its originals fixtures and fittings. It would be ideal as a backdrop for an unconventional wedding shoot. The perfectly manicured grounds and the rolling fields and parklands surrounding the house are perfect for group shots. The entire area is picture perfect and gives a gorgeous natural background for wedding photographs.
Dondea Forest Park
If you want a true back to nature feel for your wedding photos, head to Dondea Forest Park, and about a 40-minute drive from Osprey Hotel. It’s a National Heritage Area and covers 243 hectares of mixed woodland with a more rustic natural feel than the surrounds of Castletown House. Inside the park, you’ll find the remains of Donadea Castle and walled gardens which have been reclaimed by nature, the remains of a church and tower built by the Aylmer family and a beautiful lake inhabited by ducks and swans. There is also a range of forest walks full of native wildlife and trees. It’s a great place for rustic, nature-inspired wedding photographs.
The Royal Canal Way
You might associate the Royal Canal with Dublin but did you know this beautiful waterway was built to connect our capital to the River Shannon, passing through numerous counties including Kildare along the way. The Royal Canal Way is easily walkable and flat underfoot for the entire Kildare section, so it’s ideal for outdoor wedding photos without the mess of climbing over muddy ground. Along the route, you’ll see captivating wildlife, examples of centuries-old engineering including stone bridges and canal locks and of course, the odd canal barge too. The scenery makes a lovely setting for wedding pictures.
A Traditional Irish Pub
It has become increasingly popular for the couple to have some pictures taken inside a traditional Irish pub, either pouring or enjoying a pint of the black stuff. If you’re heading through Kildare Town, there are no shortage of traditional pubs to choose from or plenty in Naas, the closest town to our Kildare hotel. Try Graces Pub, Kavanagh’s pub or McCormack’s Bar for stylish but traditional backgrounds. You might want to call ahead to give them a heads up that you’ll be arriving but most pub owners are happy to oblige.
Osprey Hotel
We may be biased but we think Osprey Hotel is the perfect place to take some stunning wedding photographs. Make full use of our outdoor space, our public areas and best of all our newly refurbished ballroom where you and your guests will enjoy the evening of your dreams. Visit our website to enjoy a 3D virtual tour of our beautiful new ballroom and ballroom bar, our modern and stylish reception area or our bright and contemporary Herald and Devoy Restaurant – whose floor-to-ceiling windows give the perfect natural lighting for wedding portraits. You can also enquire about our great value wedding packages or arrange a virtual meeting with our dedicated wedding planner.
