A centuries-old stone building amongst the rolling green hills of Ireland set the scene for Sasha and Michael’s weekend-long wedding at Kilkea Castle.

Sasha and Michael’s journey started way back in school. “Our friends would always ask if we liked each other, which we denied—but deep down, I think we both knew the answer,” Sasha recalls. The pair were science partners with undeniable banter, but life had other plans—they lost touch during college, only to reconnect years later. Fate (and a little twist of a double-date situation) had them face-to-face again, when the inertia of love finally took over.

With family split between the UK and the U.S., Sasha and Michael wanted a location that felt like the perfect middle ground. Ireland ticked all the boxes: a short hop for Sasha’s UK family and no second connecting flight for Michael’s American relatives. But beyond logistics, it was romantic, stunning, and guaranteed to make the journey feel special.

After touring 10 venues across Ireland, the moment they arrived at Kilkea Castle in Kildare, Ireland, they were smitten. Constructed in 1180, Kilkea Castle was once a safe house for the Earls of Kildare and is, in fact, Ireland’s oldest inhabited castle!

For Sasha and Michael, the castle was a respite as well, not from immediate threats, of course, but from the horrors of complicated wedding travel logistics. Just a one-hour car ride from Dublin through the beautiful Irish countryside, the 140-room castle meant the couple and their guests could all stay on-site together. 

“Every night, our guests gathered at the castle bar—probably the only time in our lives our people will all be together,” Sasha says. 

Heartfelt Personal Touches

Sasha and Michael ensured every guest knew just how grateful the couple was for making the effort to attend and help them celebrate. So, handwritten notes awaited each person at their dinner place settings. “What mattered most to me was that my guests’ hearts felt full after leaving our wedding,” Sasha shares. 

Other creative touches included:

• Custom crossword puzzles (“Sip & Solve”) during the drinks reception.
• Personalized drink stirrers reading “The Flints.”
• QR cards at each table to encourage guests to snap and share photos.
• Favors like engraved bottle stoppers and castle-themed can openers.
• Welcome bags filled with Irish snacks and a custom wedding newspaper.
• Engraved mirrors gifted to “the mums” and personalized cufflinks from Michael to his dad and brother, honoring their late cat.

The ceremony itself blended Irish traditions with heartfelt personal moments. A unity candle was lit by their parents, Michael’s widowed aunt read a poem and released butterflies in honor of loved ones there in spirit, and Sasha’s grandmother gave a moving reading of Corinthians 13. Sasha and Michael also wrote their own vows—plenty of tears and laughter ensued.

Although planning this grand affair took a colossal amount of work, Sasha’s background as a wedding photographer came in handy. They did a scouting trip together, followed by a return visit with Sasha’s mum for tastings and hair & makeup trials. 

Reflecting on the experience, Sasha shares, “The Irish truly know how to host a wedding—it was relaxed, joyful, and so well-paced. It never felt rushed or overwhelming.” Her advice for other couples? Let go of perfection and embrace the joy of the day. At the end of it all, the small details fade—but the experience of staying in a 9th-century castle? Unforgettable.

Vendors: Photographer: Manda Martignetti Photography; Second Photographer: Stephanie Cabrera; Venue: Kilkea Castle; Florist: The Irish Flower Farmer; Cake: The Cake Cuppery; Hair: Irma Butkus; Makeup: Anne Marie Doherty; Men’s Attire: David Hughes Formal Wear; Bridesmaids Clothing Designer: Birdy Grey; Butterflies: Butterflies for Occasions; Strings: Dublin String Quartet; Content Creator: Orla Keating; Audio Guestbook: To Have and To Hear; Band: Arthur Wedding Band; Dress Store: Lovely Bride Providence; Dress Designer: Eva Lendel; Alterations: Kimberly Ritchie