Wedding Photography at Old Court, Strangford Lough
Our tips from behind the scenes…
We've photographed quite a few weddings at Old Court Chapel, and the drive down past Strangford Lough to the Narrows never gets old.
Old Court is a 16th-century private estate on the shores of Strangford Lough in County Down - a 17th-century chapel nestled into mature gardens, a yurt style marquee for dining and dancing, wildflower gardens sweeping to the water's edge, and a boathouse suite where the couple wakes up the morning after. It photographs well in every season and every weather.
Photo spots
The thing we appreciate most about shooting at Old Court is how easy it is to find a spot to make a good photograph. Everything is close together, and everything works.
The walk from the boathouse along the shoreline path is one of our favourite spots. It's close to where people get ready, and works in full sun and in moody grey skies and rain. In the background, you can often catch a glimpse of the villages of Strangford and Portaferry across the water. The trees beside the outdoor ceremony space are another go-to - you're already there, no need to move anyone. The old chapel, inside and out, gives you something different: old stonework, history, atmosphere.
The estate is compact enough that you genuinely don't need to leave it. No driving to a second location, no losing half an hour moving people around. This suits the way we work. We rarely spend more than ten minutes on couple portraits these days - often closer to five - and Old Court lends itself to keeping things brief while looking like you've spent an hour at it. This means you never miss your own party.
Weather and light
The wooded areas and the chapel handle rain well - shelter without sacrificing atmosphere. The loughshore works in almost any light because it's so open, and like the rest of the estate, it's stunning at golden hour.
If it's windy, there are places to get away from it. You could think of the estate like a series of garden rooms to explore, with hedged corridors connecting one to the other. So there is always somewhere sheltered to go. There's a secret garden feel to it.
Our advice is to come with sunglasses and an umbrella, and let go of the idea that you can control the Irish weather. All of this makes for good documentary photography. Who needs predictability and perfection! Old Court gives you plenty of options whatever happens.
The vibe
Weddings at Old Court are relaxed - and that word actually means something here. Things tend to flow. Guests wander the gardens, the lawn games come out, kids do what kids do, someone always ends up on the tree swing. The marquee is always well laid out. The venue is exclusive use, private, and feels removed from the world. There's no sense of being processed.
Getting ready
If you can get ready in the boathouse, it's worth doing. Everything is on site, you're steps from the ceremony, and it's a good space to photograph. We've had brides get ready there, grooms, and a few couples who've decided to get ready together - which works well. It's also a great spot for a first look. If the boathouse doesn't suit, there are good options nearby, and Strangford village is worth an evening if you're staying the night before.
Practical things
How many guests does Old Court hold? Up to 120, with exclusive use of the venue and grounds for the day.
Is there accommodation on site? Yes - the boathouse suite is for the couple, and Strangford village is a few minutes away with good options for guests staying over.
What if it rains? Old Court handles weather well - the chapel, the wooded areas, and the marquee all hold their own whatever the forecast.
Is the venue easy for older guests or anyone who can't walk far? The estate is compact, so distances between the ceremony, gardens, and marquee are short and manageable.
How far is Old Court from Belfast? Around 40 minutes, with Strangford and Portaferry both worth a wander if guests are staying nearby.
A personal note
Old Court means something to us beyond the photography. Claire's great-great-grandfather worked on this estate building boats in the late 19th century. The boathouse where he worked is now the bridal suite. Sian and Peter have been kind enough to welcome Claire's grandad and our kids along, share stories about the history of the place, and connect those two threads across more than a century. So it's an extra special place for us.
Our gallery of Old Court weddings
Some weddings we've photographed at Old Court on our blog:
Ciara & Maurice
Rachael & Greg