Wedding Photographer at Orlagh House | A Festive December Wedding Before New Year’s Eve

As wedding photographer at Orlagh House, we get to see how this venue changes with the seasons, and December is always a favourite. This wedding took place just before New Year’s Eve, and from the morning arrival, we could feel it would be a special day. The weather was on our side, the house was dressed in festive décor, and the whole place had that warm, Christmas-close feeling that makes winter weddings in Dublin so memorable.

Late December also comes with one practical detail: short daylight hours. That does not make photos harder. It just means the best galleries usually come from a calm plan that protects a small portrait window without rushing the day.

If you’re planning a winter wedding in Dublin, Orlagh House is one of those venues that works beautifully even when the weather changes fast. If you’ve been saving winter wedding Dublin ideas, this venue is a strong match for a cosy, festive celebration. The interiors stay warm and elegant, which means your Orlagh House wedding photography can still look bright and timeless. Couples often find us by searching for an Orlagh House wedding photographer, and it usually comes down to the same thing: a calm, story-led approach and a venue that makes everything feel effortless.

Because we shoot as a duo, we can cover the full story in a relaxed way, which is exactly what many couples want from an Orlagh House wedding photographer team.

If you’re planning your budget as well as your timeline, our guide can help: wedding photographer cost in Ireland (2026).

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A Christmas atmosphere the moment you walk in

We have returned to Orlagh House many times, and it always feels welcoming. In December, it becomes even more inviting. The festive styling adds warmth to every corner, and it changes how the day feels straight away. Guests walk in and relax. Couples feel less pressure. The venue gives you atmosphere without extra effort, which is one reason so many couples choose an Orlagh House wedding photographer for a winter date.

We started the day with detail photos in the lounge. Between the piano and the fireplace stood a tall Christmas tree covered in warm glowing lights. It made the room feel cosy and intimate, and it gave us the perfect backdrop for those first images: stationery, rings, and the small touches that bring the day back later. For Orlagh House wedding photography, this kind of festive corner is gold, especially in December.

While we photographed the details, Ali and Alessandro had breakfast with their families. It was relaxed and unhurried, which is exactly what you want at the start of a wedding day.

Getting ready with laughter and good energy

At 11:00, we went up to Ali’s room to capture hair, makeup, and the final moments of getting dressed. Even though there was that normal pre-ceremony excitement, Ali was genuinely joyful. In the photos, you see real smiles and laughter again and again. Nothing forced. Nothing stiff. Just good energy in a room full of people who cared.

At the same time, Alessandro got ready in another room with family and friends. There were a lot of people in there at once, and it was loud in the best way. Plenty of jokes, plenty of excitement, and lots of small moments that matter later. Those in-between moments often become favourites, because they show what the morning actually felt like.

Because we shoot as a duo, we can cover both sides without stress. One of us can focus on details and quiet moments, while the other stays with the people and the action. As a Dublin wedding photographer team, we also help keep timelines realistic in winter, so prep, portraits, and the reception flow naturally. Any Dublin wedding photographer will tell you the same thing: a simple plan beats an over-packed schedule in late December.

A personal ceremony in the Long Room at 14:00

The ceremony began at 14:00 in the Long Room on the ground floor. What made it especially memorable was that it was led by a family member. That personal connection changes the whole tone. The words feel real. The stories feel close. The room reacts in a natural way because people recognise the details.

It was funny and moving at the same time, and those ceremonies always photograph beautifully. Guests laugh without holding back. Tears show up without warning. Faces change in a second. We stayed documentary-focused and let it unfold as it happened.

This is the core of what we do as wedding photographer at Orlagh House. We are not trying to create moments. We are there to notice them, anticipate them, and capture them as they truly are. If you’re choosing an Orlagh House wedding photographer, this is worth looking for in full galleries, not just highlights.

Group photo outside, then portraits with a festive feel

After the ceremony, we stepped outside for the big group photo in front of the house. It is a classic for a reason. It becomes a time capsule of everyone who was there, together, on the day.

Guests then returned inside for the drinks reception, while we stayed outside a little longer with Ali and Alessandro for couple portraits. We kept it simple: clean backdrops, natural movement, and gentle direction. Winter portraits work best when they feel easy and warm, even if the air is cold.

After that, we moved indoors for a second set of images that leaned into the Christmas atmosphere. The décor and warm lighting gave us a festive look without needing a long session outside. This is why Orlagh House wedding photography works so well in December. If you want a classic Orlagh House wedding photography look, we’ll usually mix a few indoor frames near the tree lights with a short outdoor walk, then bring you back in to warm up. For an even more festive look, we often take a few frames near the tree lights and fireplaces too, which adds variety without slowing the day down.

What we focus on during Orlagh House wedding photography

• Natural moments during prep, ceremony, and reception
• Fast, relaxed portraits that don’t pull you away from guests
• Indoor light and clean backgrounds for winter weddings
• Full story coverage as a two-photographer team

If you are looking for a wedding photographer at Orlagh House for a winter wedding in Dublin, this is a big advantage. You get a rich gallery, and you do not lose time with your guests.

Drinks reception moments that bring the story to life

The drinks reception is where the day starts to breathe. As an Orlagh House wedding photographer duo, we love this part of the day because it’s where the real interactions happen. People stop checking the time. They greet each other properly. The couple can relax a little. From a storytelling point of view, it is one of the best parts of the day.

We photographed friends catching up, grandparents being greeted, and big hugs that came out of nowhere. We also grabbed a few quick group photos near the Christmas tree lights, because the glow was too good to skip. These photos are the texture of the day. They are often the images people come back to years later.

If you want to see more real wedding stories in a natural style, you can browse our wedding photography portfolio.

Dinner at 17:00 and a room that looked like Christmas

At 17:00, guests took their seats for dinner in the same room where the ceremony had taken place earlier. The round tables were beautifully styled and instantly felt festive. Before everyone sat down, we took a few photos with family, bridesmaids, and groomsmen in front of the Christmas tree. The warm lights gave the images a seasonal feel that looked natural and timeless.

Then Ali and Alessandro made their entrance to a big round of applause and a great song choice, and dinner began. The service was excellent. Tatjana, who managed the day, kept everything moving calmly from start to finish, while still making it feel relaxed. Guests also praised the chef, and they were right. The meal was genuinely outstanding. A quick Dublin wedding photographer tip here is to keep 5 minutes before dinner for a couple of relaxed table and room-wide photos, then let everyone sit and enjoy.

If you’re planning a winter wedding Dublin date, this is a good point in the timeline to slow things down. Once guests are seated, the day feels settled, and you can enjoy the evening without squeezing in extra photo tasks. That slower pace is a big part of why a December wedding in Ireland can feel so cosy and personal.

CTA: Want a simple winter timeline that protects portraits and keeps the day calm? Request a guide

First dance, DJ, and a party that kept its energy all night

After dinner, the DJ took over, the couple had their first dance, and the evening party started properly. The energy stayed high all night. Winter weddings often create great dance floors because everyone is already gathered close, the room feels warm, and the vibe builds fast.

We photograph the party as it happens, focusing on movement, connection, and real moments. The best dance floor photos are not stiff. They feel alive. When couples search for a Dublin wedding photographer for a winter celebration, this is often what they mean: photos that feel like the day, not like a staged shoot.

Why we love Orlagh House in December

Orlagh House is always special to us. It has elegant but comfortable interiors, nature close by, and a professional team that helps weddings run smoothly. In December, the festive décor and warm lights make it feel even more magical, especially for couples planning a December wedding in Ireland near Dublin.

If you are planning a winter date and want a venue that looks beautiful without needing perfect weather, Orlagh House is a strong choice. And if you are looking for a wedding photographer at Orlagh House, we would love to capture your story in a calm, natural, documentary way.

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FAQ | Orlagh House winter weddings and photography