The Ultimate Wedding Venue Guide
__
Redcastle Hotel, set along the stunning shores of Lough Foyle in Donegal, is a dreamy setting for weddings with its breathtaking coastal views and elegant charm. The venue blends luxury with a relaxed atmosphere, offering everything from a private pier for romantic photos to beautifully designed reception spaces overlooking the water. Known for its warm hospitality and attention to detail, Redcastle makes every wedding feel personal and unforgettable, whether you’re planning an intimate celebration or a grand gathering.View more below on more things Redcastle Hotel.
REDCASTLE HOTEL
Hey, welcome to the ultimate wedding venue guide! A dedicated webpage on my website where I share everything about the wedding venue and why I love shooting there. I’ve been shooting around the Redcastle Hotel for the past 7 years, and even though it’s only a 25 minute drive away from my front door the location couldn’t be any sweeter. I know the place like the back of my hand! I teamed up with wedding coordinator and trusted guide, Emer, to discuss why the Redcastle Hotel is the ideal location to have your wedding day. Here is what she says…
___
01.
What makes Redcastle hotel such a cherished wedding venue for couples on their special day?
With Redcastle Hotel being part of the Inishowen community for such a long time,
many of our wedding couples would have cherished memories of the hotel from their
childhood and have siblings, parents, and even grandparents who celebrated their
wedding at the hotel. Although times have changed since then, it is these memories
that make Redcastle Hotel such a cherished and sentimental venue for our couples.
For couples who have no previous connection to the hotel, the wonderful location of
the hotel and the rapport that is built with the team ensure that they continue to
return for years to come after their wedding celebrations.
02.
What sets the redcastle hotel apart from the rest?
What sets Redcastle Hotel apart from the rest is most definitely the amazing
wedding team and the location of the hotel. Set directly on Lough Foyle with stunning
views of the water from the Ocean Suite, guests can watch boats passing in the
background while enjoying their wedding meal. There are so many opportunities for
stunning wedding photographs on the day that couples don’t need to go anywhere
else.
03.
What types of weddings does your venue cater to?
Redcastle Hotel offers wedding packages for a minimum of 80 guests and can
accommodate up to 325 guests. Many of our couples would opt to have a civil
ceremony on the hotel grounds. We understand that each couple is so different and
our always open to adapting to suit their needs and requirements. Although many
couples would go for a traditional Irish wedding, we have had brides & grooms of
Indian, Chinese, Nigerian, Scottish heritage as well as many others and have been
able to incorporate their wedding traditions into their experience here in the hotel.
04.
How do you help couples create a stress-free and seamless wedding day?
From the moment a potential couple walks through the door for their initial
appointment, throughout the planning process, and on the day itself our team
provide them with consistent support and guidance while also building a personal
relationship with them and their families. The week of their wedding they would meet
with the wedding team one final time to go through all the details of the day and how
exactly they would like everything to go. Our team are so experienced in weddings
that when unexpected hiccups arrive on the day they are usually resolved before the
couple are even aware anything went wrong.
05.
What advice would you give to couples when choosing the perfect wedding venue?
My advice to couples when choosing the perfect wedding venue would be to take
your time and enjoy it. Although the venue itself is so important, pay attention to
other details like the staff in the hotel and how they respond to your enquiries and
the food & beverage served. Ensure to have a clear understanding of everything that
is included in the wedding package, and most importantly, trust your gut. Most
couples know as soon as they walk in the door if it is the wedding venue for them,
and your intuition is usually right.
06.
What is the most epic request you have honoured to date?
In May 2024 we had a beautiful wedding in the hotel and the groom was of Chinese
heritage. As part of their wedding celebrations they had a lion dancing performance
as the bridal party arrived at the hotel which was something completely different for
the hotel. Once the guests were seated for dinner, rather than having the wedding
speeches the couple instead took part in a traditional Chinese tea ceremony which is
again something that we have never done before and was a learning experience for
us all. As Ireland gets more and more diverse and people move away from tradition
over time, we are seeing more and more requests for alternative weddings and
different elements taken from other cultures, and this is something we are always
happy to accommodate to the best of our ability.
Learn more about the Redcastle Hotel by tapping the button below.
Derry wedding photographer
Some of my favourite
Wedding Stories
A Redcastle Hotel wedding with
Amy & adam
A Redcastle Spring wedding with
emma & christy
A redcastle hotel Donegal Wedding Day with
elle & andrew
GOT QUESTIONS? I´VE GOT ANSWERS!
Frequently Asked Questions
WHAT MAKES YOU DIFFERENT FROM THE OTHER PHOTOGRAPHERS
Me? I’ve been told from my past couples that I’m fun, passionate and an all rounded great professional third wheel.
My style of photography is documentary with a twist. I want to capture the heartfelt moments, the unscripted, the flow but also the planned. I’m abit of a wildcard, but I truly love this approach. It’s not all about taking photos, its more so the planning of your unique day and showing you that I wont miss a photograph that you require.
My go-to words are Relaxed, Romantic and Fun Loving.
WE HATE HAVING OUR PHOTO TAKEN, WE DON'T WANT LOADS OF POSED SHOTS, IS THAT OK?
Sure thing!
I know at first-hand what that feeling is like. It can be daunting standing in-front of a camera but I promise you, I can help with your anxiety on this with little actions I’ve picked up over the years – I used to model and have a camera randomly pointed at me too – yikes. Most of the photos I take during your wedding will be natural, unposed and relaxed. Occasionally I will steal you for 10 – 20 mins to capture some intimate moments of you both, but trust me, you will look back and love them.
Can we request specific shots?
I completely understand that every couple has specific photographs they want from their day. That’s why I include a section in my questionnaire where you can tell me exactly what’s most important to you. Whether it’s a particular moment or a set of shots, I’ll make sure to prioritize them based on your preferences, so nothing is missed and everything that matters most to you is captured beautifully.
HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE FOR OUR PHOTOS TO BE READY?
During your wedding day, I’ll share a little sneak peek of the moments we’ve captured so far. After that, you can expect to receive your full gallery within 4 to 6 weeks.
How do you approach wedding day timelines?
In the first intial meeting I ask you what your wedding day looks like. Once I know all the deeds, I will be able to form a rough timeline of your day. If you decide that I’m the guy for you, then 6 weeks before your wedding day I will send you a questionaire for you to fill out, this is where you spill absolutely everything about your wedding (and you will know alot more about it then). 4 weeks before the day – We meet up for another coffee (Yay) and go over a more structured timeline so you know everything about your wedding day as it flows.
Do you require a deposit, and when is the balance due?
In order to secure your wedding date, I require a non-refundable deposit of £300. However, if you prefer, I also offer a flexible payment plan: a cost-of-living deposit of £150 per month for 2 months. After the date is secured: You can choose to pay whatever amount you’re comfortable with, whenever you’d like, and any payments you make will be deducted from your overall balance.
DO YOU HAVE INSURANCE?
I sure do! I have only but the best protection for myself and for you on your wedding day! If you or your venue would like a copy to view this, I can give you a copy as proof. Safety first.
REDCASTLE HOTEL WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER | ICED LATTE LOVER | CRAIC STARTER
HEY, I’M JAMES, THE GUY BEHIND THE CAMERA.
__