Tinakilly House Wedding Photographer
Tinakilly House in Rathnew, Co. Wicklow, is a Victorian country house by the sea, set in 14 acres of mature gardens about 45 minutes from Dublin. Ivy-covered walls, grand stone steps, a fountain lawn, a white garden gazebo and woodland walks make it one of the most photogenic wedding venues in Wicklow, and it’s close to home for me.
I’m Niall Scully, a natural, fine art wedding photographer based in Wicklow, and I’m proud to be recommended by Tinakilly House. If you’re looking for a Tinakilly House wedding photographer who knows the gardens, the light and how the day runs there, you’re in the right place. Below you’ll see the house and gardens, six real Tinakilly weddings, and answers to the questions couples ask me most.
Recommended by Tinakilly House
Being on a venue’s recommended list means a lot to me. It means the Tinakilly wedding team has seen how I work on the day: calm, on time and never in the way of your guests or their staff. Roisin, Emma and the team there are incredible, from time keeping, to placements, to arranging, they have everything under wraps.
“Niall made everyone feel completely at ease, from camera-shy adults to excited children. He somehow managed to be both discreet and everywhere all at once! … The images he created are simply stunning.”
Sheena & Johnny, married at Tinakilly House
Why Tinakilly Works So Well for Photos
Tinakilly was built for Captain Robert Halpin of the Great Eastern, the ship that helped lay the first transatlantic telegraph cable, and the house still has that grand Victorian feel. Most of the day can happen right here: getting ready in the house, your ceremony in the gardens or indoors, drinks on the lawn and dinner in the Great Eastern Pavilion.
For portraits, everything is within a few minutes’ walk. There’s the pillared porch and ivy walls at the front, the sweeping stone steps with their urns, the fountain lawn, the wooden garden arch on the box-hedged path, the white gazebo and the tall trees of the woodland walks. In spring the cherry blossom comes out, in summer the hydrangeas take over, and by late summer the creeper on the house starts to turn red. The woodland walk around the fountain and back around the gazebo is my favourite, so many stop off locations and incredible light breaking through the trees!
Outdoor Ceremonies at Tinakilly
A garden ceremony at Tinakilly is something special. Rows of white chairs around the fountain, with the house looking down from the top of the steps, make one of the loveliest outdoor ceremony settings in Wicklow. If the weather doesn’t play along, there are indoor options, and the porch, the Pavilion and the house itself give me plenty to work with between showers.
Real Tinakilly House Weddings
Every couple uses Tinakilly a little differently. Here are six weddings I photographed there, from spring blossom to late summer.
Sheena & Johnny: Cherry Blossom Season
Sheena and Johnny married in spring, when the cherry trees along the garden path were in full pink bloom. A vintage car on the drive, a dramatic veil on the stone steps and the house framed by blossom made for some of my favourite Tinakilly photos.
Orla & Aaron: Spring in the Gardens
Orla and Aaron’s day had fresh spring colour everywhere, from the flowering shrubs to the soft new leaves in the woodland. Aaron’s blue suit looked brilliant against the grand steps, and they spent most of their portraits laughing.
Claire & Conor: A Garden Ceremony
Claire got ready in soft window light, then she and Conor said their vows outdoors with their guests all around them on the lawn. Afterwards we wandered from the wooden arch on the hedged path to the white gazebo and back up the garden steps.
Tara & Robin: Summer Woodland
Tara and Robin loved the quieter corners of the estate. After a few classic photos at the porch and on the steps, we headed into the woodland, where the tall trees and the tree-lined avenue gave their portraits a soft, green, timeless feel.
Beth & Eoghan: Late Summer Glow
Beth and Eoghan arrived in a classic vintage car just as the creeper on the house was starting to turn red. We used the drive, the garden steps and the lawn, then finished under the old trees as the light softened.
Kathleen & Matt and Naomi & Matthew
Want to see a whole Tinakilly day from start to finish? Have a look at Kathleen & Matt’s Tinakilly House wedding (the reception photos above are from their day) and Naomi & Matthew’s Tinakilly House wedding. You can also browse my Wicklow weddings or all my real weddings by venue and county.
Tinakilly House Wedding Photography FAQ
Where is Tinakilly House?
Tinakilly House is in Rathnew, near Wicklow town, about 45 minutes from Dublin. It overlooks the Irish Sea. You’ll find full venue details on the Tinakilly House website.
Have you photographed weddings at Tinakilly before?
Yes, many times. Every photo on this page was taken there, and Tinakilly House recommends me to their couples. I’m based in Wicklow too, so it’s close to home.
Can we have an outdoor ceremony at Tinakilly?
Yes. Garden ceremonies on the fountain lawn are one of the highlights of the venue, and the wedding team will talk you through the indoor options in case the Irish weather has other ideas.
Where are the best photo spots at Tinakilly?
The grand stone steps with the house behind them, the wooden arch on the box-hedged path, the white gazebo, the fountain lawn and the woodland walks. In spring, the cherry blossom by the steps is hard to beat.
How do I check if you’re free for my date?
Send me your date and venue through the contact page and I’ll get back to you to let you know if I’m available.
Getting Married at Tinakilly House?
I’d love to hear about your plans. Tell me your date and a little about the day you have in mind, and I’ll let you know if I’m free.