Planning a Destination Wedding at Ashford Castle: Slaney & Adam

A destination wedding in Ireland offers the opportunity to bring family and friends together for an immersive, multi-day celebration in one remarkable setting. For Slaney and Adam, that setting was Ashford Castle, the historic 800-year-old estate overlooking Lough Corrib in County Mayo. Their wedding weekend was thoughtfully designed around guest experience, combining elegant celebrations, personalised entertainment and considered hospitality across multiple events.

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A decade of shared experiences across Ireland, New York, London and Dubai shaped the vision for the celebration. Rather than planning a single wedding day, the intention was to create a complete environment that could evolve over the course of the weekend and reflect the couple’s lives, relationships and experiences.

Bridal Preparations at Ashford Castle

Slaney’s bridal preparations took place in the President Reagan Suite at Ashford Castle, overlooking Lough Corrib. The setting was calm and spacious, allowing the morning to unfold at an easy pace.

Slaney wore a bespoke Phillipa Lepley gown in ivory silk crepe, paired with a pleated Watteau train and two-tier veil. Her three sisters, acting as bridesmaids, wore matching strapless SIMKHAI gowns in silver and white.

Adam spent the morning in the Billiards Room, joined by his groomsmen in custom Thom Sweeney tailoring.

Outdoor Ceremony at the Long Walk, Ashford Castle

The ceremony was always planned for The Steps along the Long Walk at Ashford Castle.

Early that morning, heavy rain meant preparations moved to Plan B, with the ceremony set inside the Orangery. As the morning progressed, the weather began to shift. With a window opening, the decision was made to return to the Long Walk.

The team moved quickly, resetting the ceremony outdoors while guests were hosted within the castle. When guests were asked for a little more patience, there was a sense of anticipation, followed by a cheer as it became clear the ceremony would go ahead outside after all.

The ceremony took place at the Long Walk, exactly as Slaney and Adam had imagined.

Outdoor Cocktail Hour on the Grounds of Ashford Castle

Following the ceremony, guests gathered for an outdoor drinks reception on the grounds of Ashford Castle on a beautiful summer afternoon.

Magnum bottles of champagne were served as guests spilled out onto the lawns, with The Squires roaming band moving through the crowd. The music carried across the estate, drawing people together and creating an easy, social atmosphere from the outset.

Slaney and Adam arrived into the reception to Can’t Take My Eyes Off You, stepping straight into the centre of it all. There was an immediate lift in energy as guests turned to welcome them, the kind of moment that sets the tone for everything that follows.

It felt relaxed, full of life and already in motion, exactly how the day was intended

Dinner in the George V Dining Room

Dinner took place in the George V Dining Room at Ashford Castle.

The design worked in response to the room’s existing character, layering tone and texture to build warmth without overwhelming the space. Tables were dressed in matte lamour sand linen over ivory underlays, creating a soft, grounded base across the room.

Each place setting paired gold-rimmed chargers with Mediterranean pink plates, while velvet merlot napkins introduced a deeper richness. Candlelight from gold candlesticks, votives and table lamps brought movement and softness as the evening progressed.

Floral arrangements were varied in scale, from a long, abundant top table to more relaxed compositions across guest tables, with subtle fruit detailing adding texture throughout.

Late-Night Celebration in the Orangery Marquee

The celebration continued into the Orangery marquee. The design drew from Slaney and Adam’s year-long travels, particularly their time in India. The influence was expressed through layering, rich colour, mixed materials, vintage furniture and softer lighting.

The dancefloor and stage anchored the room, with the evening building from the moment guests arrived. BEAT, the wedding party band, led the early part of the night, drawing guests in and setting the pace.

DJ Charles carried the momentum forward, leading into a live performance that brought the room back together. A surprise set from Sophie Ellis-Bextor became a defining moment.

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