IRELAND Wedding Ideas and Inspiration

A Fairytale Green and White Wedding at Adare Manor in Ireland

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[field title=”Wedding Colors”]Green and white.[/field]
[field title=”Design / Vibe / Vision”]”I don’t think we had a theme. It was important for it to be very white, green, and magical with candles everywhere.”[/field]
[field title=”Proposal Story”]Emily was in the Galapagos Islands with her mother and best friend looking for
tortoises because Emily has a giant land tortoise herself in Miami. After the Galapagos, Emily had a 12 hour layover in Quito, Ecuador so they decided to go to dinner before the flight. When Emily, her mom, and best friend got to the restaurant, they realized no one was in the restaurant. But, there were candles and flowers everywhere and Ryan was at the end of the room on one knee.[/field]
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[field title=”Wedding Gown”]The bride wore a stunning ball gown with a sweetheart neckline and off-the-shoulder straps. “My dress was the first one I tried on from Zuhair Murad and then my after
party dress was Vera Wang,” says Emily. “I had such a nice experience with everything. I was much happier in my after party dress because it was so light and I was able to dance.”[/field]
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[field title=”Food & Drink”]The couple hosted a seated reception dinner with multiple courses. The meal began with a fresh fig salad and finished with a selection of desserts.[/field]
[field title=”Florals & Decor”]The wedding day was absolutely filled with stunning green and white florals. At the ceremony, organic arrangements of greenery, white roses, and small white blooms lined the aisle on the way to a gorgeous chuppah. Trailing blooms, beautiful hydrangea, and plenty of greenery held together the elegant construction.

The florals made their way indoors as well. The castle’s grand staircase was bursting with similar arrangements of greenery and white florals. A gilded mirror seating chart at the entrance of the reception space also had organic blooms at its base.

The reception ballroom was transformed into a floral wonderland thanks to an incredible overhead installation of greenery and white florals over the dance floor. The tables were elegantly set with black linens, tall taper candles, and dramatic white floral arrangements with garlands that led to the floor. Tall trees on round tables also made quite the statement.[/field]
[field title=”Wedding Cake”]The wedding cake was a seven-tier confection adorned with white blooms. The design by MM Cookies was placed on a table filled with white florals. The couple used a sword to cut into the towering cake.[/field]
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[field title=”Special Detail #1″]”I started to cry when I got in the horse and carriage and the horse started to
walk. It was like a true fairytale.”[/field]
[field title=”Special Detail #2″]”Adare Manor was a dream. There is no place that compares. It was the first Google search we found after looking up ‘best buy outs for weddings.’ The first said castle in Ireland and we looked at each other and said DONE. It took a total of one minute. We paid for it without seeing it. We knew it was going to be perfect just off the pictures.”

“But really one of the best parts of our wedding was our wedding planner. Having someone take control and make a lot of decisions for you makes the world a difference. Listen to what an expert has to say because they know what is best. My wedding was perfect but only because of my wedding planner.”[/field]
[field title=”Special Detail #3″]”The invitations said black tie or kilt. When I started seeing all of my best guy friends
in skirts and high socks, I think that was the hardest I have ever laughed.”[/field]
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A Regal Adare Manor Wedding in Ireland

When we think of fairytale wedding destinations, the spellbinding Adare Manor in Ireland’s County Limerick is right at the top of our list! And today’s nuptials captured beautifully by Sophie Kaye Photography is everything you’ll need to convince yourself of the same. Guests celebrated the newlyweds in style on the castle grounds, blanketed by the bright summer sun. With planning help from House of Hannah, meaningful touches of Irish culture were woven into the details of their day – see all the pretty at the full gallery!

From Sophie Kaye Photography… Laura and Jesse, an American couple, embarked on a magical journey to the Emerald Isle for their dream Ireland wedding. Set against the backdrop of majestic Adare Manor and filled with abundant florals, regal elegance, and breathtaking details, their celebration was nothing short of a fairytale. Laura and Jesse chose a local historic church as the setting for their ceremony. Nestled amidst the lush Irish countryside, the church exuded a timeless charm and provided a sense of reverence to their union.

Their florist adorned the entrance in a lush wreath of white florals to welcome guests inside. After the ceremony, the celebration continued at the remarkable Adare Manor, a true gem in Ireland’s castle landscape. This breathtaking estate, nestled in the quaint village of Adare, offered the perfect blend of opulence, history, and natural beauty. As guests arrived, they were greeted by the grandeur of the castle’s facade and gorgeous summer sun. The attention to detail was evident at every turn, with the venue beautifully adorned in a palette of soft pastels and lush greens, reflecting the natural splendor of the Irish countryside.

Inside Adare Manor, the reception space was nothing short of a regal masterpiece. Crystal chandeliers sparkled overhead, casting a warm glow upon the elegantly set tables. Delicate floral centerpieces graced every table, creating a romantic ambiance that took everyone’s breath away. The magnificent architecture of the ballroom enhanced the sense of grandeur and added to the fairytale-like atmosphere. Each guest found their seats via a beautiful escort card display adorned with tiny golden bells – an Irish wedding tradition.

Laura wore a stunning Monique Lhuillier gown that effortlessly captured the essence of regal sophistication. From the exquisite floral arrangements to the personalized touches on every table, no detail was overlooked. The couple’s love for Ireland was woven into the celebration, with touches of Irish culture incorporated throughout the day. A traditional Irish band and dance group provided lively entertainment.

This Irish Castle Wedding Celebration is the Definition of Magical

It’s safe to say that few venues compare to that of a real, honest to goodness, Irish castle. The romance, the architecture, the sheer luxury of it all plays into this Dromoland Castle affair planned by Lauryn Prattes, with florals by Holly Heider Chapple and all captured by Laura Gordon Photography. Get lost in the beauty of Ireland with the full wedding gallery.

Over 200 guests flew to Ireland from Washington, DC to celebrate the wedding of Senator Rick Santorum’s daughter, Elizabeth Santorum and Matthew Marcolini at Dromoland Castle in County Clare.

This dreamy wedding was magical in every way. Each element was incorporated with such thoughtfulness and attention to detail, handpicked by the couple. These two are incredible… Truly beautiful inside and out and it was an honor to celebrate with them and to be a small part of their day.

Photography: Laura Gordon Photography | Cinematography: Story Of Eve | Event Planning: Lauryn Prattes Styling and Events | Floral Design: Holly Heider Chapple Flowers LTD | Gown: Custom design by the bride | Stationery: Appleberry Press | Ceremony Venue: Holy Trinity Abbey Church in Adare | Reception Venue: Dromoland Castle | Shoes: Manolo Blahnik | Bridesmaids' Dresses: BHLDN | Catering: Dromoland Castle | Calligraphy: Paper Crane Calligraphy | Entertainment: Bentley Boys Band | Floral Design Colleague via the network of Chapel Designers: A Room in Bloom | Floral Design Colleague via the network of Chapel Designers: Stables Flower Co | Floral Design Colleague via the network of Chapel Designers: Flowers by Moira | Floral Design Colleague via the network of Chapel Designers: Bella Botanica | Floral Design Colleague via the network of Chapel Designers: Urban Petals | Linens: I Do Linens | Linens: Nuage Designs | Portraits: Cliffs of Moher | Veil: Cathy Ebrada

The Sweetest Wedding at the 18th Century Millhouse in Ireland

I am now fully convinced Ireland is the prettiest spot in all the world for marrying. But all castles (or really cool 18th century mills) aside, it takes picturesque to a whole new level. Niall Scully captured this vintage inspired affair at The Millhouse, ripe with the prettiest florals by Fernwood Flowers, two Brides who are head over heels in love, and that token greenery that Ireland is known for. See it all right here!

Here is their story… Jenna and Aoife met in June 2011 on Inis Meáin, one of the Aran islands off the coast of Galway, Ireland. They had both returned to university earlier that year to study Primary Teaching – Aoife in Dublin and Jenna in Limerick – and had to spend 3 weeks in the Gaeltacht (an Irish only speaking region) as part of their training. Inis Meáin is a tiny island with only 160 inhabitants, one shop, one pub and the most incredibly rugged scenery. They had both chosen the location to get away from all the hustle and bustle; in fact, only 35 student teachers from all the universities in Ireland chose to go there that year.

Little did they know that among that small group in the most unlikely of places, they would find one another. During their very first Irish lesson, they were paired up to chat and from that moment, Aoife was drawn to Jenna. They would walk to and from “school” together every day and it immediately felt as if they were old friends. Although groups would set off around the island for a walk every afternoon, it always ended up being the two of them chatting away, oblivious to everyone around them.

In such a remote place and without phones and other distractions, you really get to know a person for who they are. They made the most of their time on the island: watching the sunsets every evening with their friends from the top of an old fort; ceilís and card games in the pub; adventuring down the sheer limestone cliffs; and late-night sessions with guitars and wine until the sun came up on the beach.

Inis Meáin is a magical place and very special to them both; they try to make time to visit when they can. At the end of the three weeks, although Aoife had to head back to Dublin and Jenna to Limerick and Cork, they stayed in touch and discovered the cheesy adage of ‘absence makes the heart grow fonder’ is absolutely true! What followed was two more years of trains, buses and car journeys back and forth as they fell madly in love. When they graduated, they set off on our next adventure and moved to Kent, England where they still live today.

It was on a December night in 2015 that Jenna proposed in Port Lympe. They had gone to stay in the manor house for the night – Aoife thought she was there to feed the gibbons the next day for my birthday but she came away with a fiancé! Jenna had designed the most romantic proposal: she had a wooden jigsaw made of a map of Inis Meáin, which Aoife had to put together. She completed the jigsaw but realized that there was one piece missing; she was handed a second box, in which was the missing piece and a beautiful ring. There was never any question of where they would get married.

They were so proud of Ireland voting for marriage equality that they knew they wanted to tie the knot at home. They loved every moment of planning the wedding and although they were planning from abroad, our venue and all suppliers were a dream to work with. They had met their photographer Niall Scully a couple of times and had some pre-wedding shots taken, including on one particularly wet and windy day in Dalkey harbour with waves crashing over us!

They had an immediate rapport with him and just knew that the photography on the day would be relaxed and great fun. Their wedding photos totally capture the feeling of the day and they love looking back at them and remembering all the little moments and details. They really wanted to make a weekend of it so they had time to celebrate with all their family and friends, especially those who had travelled to be with them. From their family dinner the night before, and the big day itself, to their after party the following day, every moment was filled with love and lots of laughter. They will never forget the feeling of love in the room as they said “I do.”

Their story started with an adventure to a remote little island and has continued with travels all over the world, which is quite fitting as they favourite quote from their favourite movie is “Adventure is out there!”

Sophisticated Ireland Castle Wedding at Adare Manor

This is just one of those weddings that everyone will love. Because it’s beautiful. Because the smiles are real. Because you can feel a sense of quiet joy, of restrained elegance, of attention to the finest of details through each and every image. Photographed by Brosnan Photographic with a film by Dreamcatcher Productions, fall in love with this pretty Ireland celebration just as all of us here at SMP have.

Yasmin is originally from Ireland and Regi is from the US but they met and fell in love in Galway Ireland. They now live in California but chose to get married in Yasmin’s home country.

The newly restored Adare Manor is a site to behold and fit for a royal wedding an no wonder Yasmin and Regi chose the venue to host their international wedding.

They opted for a romantic candle lit ceremony to match the romantic feel of the reception. With a grand dinner entrance straight into their first dance, it was a beautifully elegant affair.

Thank you so much to Yasmin and Regi for sharing their beautiful day with us on Style Me Pretty! From her beautiful Vera Wang gown to the way he dips her at the close of the evening, this is one of those weddings that no matter how much time passes, will always be defined by sheer beauty. Keep scrolling to see the stunning video of the day unfold.

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You’ll Be Captivated by This Irish Wedding Inspo Sesh

Lance Nicoll Wedding Photography, Lonely Eskimo, and Lovebird Designs somehow managed to find that delicate balance between light + romantic and dark + sexy in this wedding inspiration session, which took place amidst the gorgeous Irish countryside. Each photo has us captivated, and we know it will take your breath away, too.

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From Lance Nicoll Wedding Photography… Our impassioned and dramatic inspiration shoot took us to Carlow, Ireland and to the Lisnavagh House. The pieces of our shoot tied in a slightly darker palette of rose and rust accents, which is found in the watercolor stained invitation suite, the rose diamond ring, the subtle rose ombre/fade of the Leanne Marshall cream wedding gown, and the beautiful indoor tablescape with hand-dyed rose and cream linens. The story of our couple plays off a strong sense of tension and passion utilizing the dramatic beauty of the Lisnavagh House with the romantic landscape of Ireland including the romanticized ruins at the Rock of Dunamase.

Why Ireland Should Be at the Top of Your Destination List

This often overlooked destination couldn’t be more perfect for a romantic celebration. Set your sights on the beauty of Ireland through this inspiration designed by Banks and Leaf, with florals by Dasha Caffrey, gorgeous stationery by Lenka Calligraphy and all captured by Lisa O’Dwyer. The old world charm of Gloster House meets the romance of an intimate destination affair and it’s guaranteed to send The Emerald Isle to the top of your travel list.

As a photographer in love with Ireland (and also lived there for 10 years with my Irish husband), I adore the opportunity to photograph weddings and collaborate on inspiration shoots when I visit our family in County Clare and Cork every year. This past July, I was able to collaborate on a shoot with Gabby of Banks & Leaf at historic Gloster House, a wedding venue in Birr County Offaly. The story of this inspiration shoot is of a beautiful red-haired Irish girl who lives in a very classical romantic country house in the countryside. She falls in love with a city-boy from Dublin. She shows him the beauty of the Irish countryside and the classical beauty of the house where she grew up. Our bride envisions a look that is classic and timeless, a white lace dress and veil by House of Delphine. The lace reminds her of her ancestors and the legacy of her family and Irish lace-making. Her bouquet is lush with tones of red. The red reminds her that winter is coming and that the red berries of the rowan tree and holly will be decorating the Irish landscape. Our floral designer, Dasha Caffrey, foraged Irish plants and flowers from her property in County Cavan. The dinner will be set for the wedding inside her home at Gloster House. She loves the dark richness of the centuries-old family table for the wedding meal. She has a dark cake with handmade sugar flowers by Cup Cakes and Counting. Her stationary is in navy, cream, crimson, and gold by Lenka Calligraphy. Her family heirlooms play a part in the dinner setting…she is home for now.

A Breathtaking Engagement Session on an Overcast Day at Cliffs of Moher

There are no words to capture the breathtaking scene that is this engagement session by Christine Clark Photography. From the raw, rugged beauty of the Cliffs of Moher and the ethereal, overcast day to the gorgeous couple and their relaxed, romantic sense of style, every image in this gallery is just WOW. I’ll let the photos speak for themselves…

From Christine Clark Photography… Claire and Paddy’s engagement session took place on the beautiful west side of Ireland. We started out at an old castle ruin, where a lush tapestry of greens spread itself across worn stone. The quiet and luminous solitude of the place was calming in its abandoned beauty. After exploring the ruins and surrounding area, we headed out to the Cliffs of Moher, rugged and green with windswept waves crashing below. We wandered the cliffs, picking our way along the coastal path beneath us. Claire herself is a wonderful photographer in Ireland, and we had a brilliant time roaming the area. The weather held off just long enough for us to venture down the path, taking photos as we went along. It was a lovely day for photo adventures and exploration through the Irish countryside.

Photography: Christine Clark | Makeup: Asta Make-up Artist | Film Processing: Richard Photo Lab

Windswept Romance Set on the Irish Coast

Every pretty moment of this shoot plays off Irish lore and symbolism, and it’s that attention to detail we can’t get enough of. The amazing Sophie Kaye Photography partnered with Kate Deegan and a whole team of vendors to showcase the beauty of Irish romance, and the result is nothing short of stunning. Head right this way for so much more.

“Tri na haoiseanna, thar am, mo ghrá. Throughout the ages, beyond time, my love.”

From Sophie Kaye Photography… Inspired by a windswept, romantic Irish bride, I created this editorial shoot in stunning County Clare alongside planner Kate Deegan. We pulled in historic Irish details such as a blue wedding gown (a sign of purity in ancient times), a silk handfasting ribbon, and a perfect gold Claddagh promise ring, keeping the styling based on Irish lore and symbolism.

We began our shoot at Gregans Castle Hotel, a beautiful luxury venue tucked away in the prettiest valley and surrounded by green rolling hills. Our second location was Corcomroe Abbey (Mainistir Chorco Modhruadh), built in the 13th century. Noted for its beautiful sculptures and stunning details, we wanted to include the incredible history with the Abbey and our wandering bride, maybe taking a walk before heading to our third location – The Cliffs of Moher – to meet her groom.

Our last space was incredible, with a sea the color of her gown and gold sunlight. While we primarily focused on portraits and letting her and the spaces intermingle, it was wonderful to feel like we were standing on the edge of the earth and imagining her waiting for her husband to be. We wanted each of our spaces to feel painterly, antique, and ancient – involving emotion and beautiful images of a bride about to begin her new life with her love.

Romantic Multicultural Wedding at an Irish Castle

Do fairytales happen in real life? Oh yes they do! They can be as real as can be, castle included. Need proof? Look no further than this wedding film captured by Dreamcatcher Productions. Andreza and Aaron said “I do” at the gorgeous Dromoland Castle in Ireland and every single second was magical. Wishing them a beautiful happily ever after!

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From Dreamcatcher Productions… Andreza and Aaron were married in the stunning Dromoland Castle, Ireland with a very personal and heartfelt humanist ceremony. It was a meeting of nations… Brazil and Ireland. A colourful fusion of cultures with Brazilian dancing and the reputation of the Irish for partying! Andreza and Aaron often spoke of the breathtaking Dromoland Castle grounds and wanted to spend time exploring them for their video and photography shoot adventure. We had so much fun filming this wedding with a madly in young love couple!

Photography: Awake and Dreaming | Cinematography: Dreamcatcher Productions | Wedding Venue: Dromoland Castle

Dutch Masters Garden Inspired Irish Wedding

A saturated stylish wedding celebration that’s all sorts of inspiring — we’ve got the prettiest pics from the massively talented Into The Light at the Ballinacurra House to share. This wedding is as classic as it is colorful, not to mention crazy chic. The best part? We’ve got more waiting for you in The Vault!

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From Into The Light…Maria and Fiachra, both Cork city natives, got engaged on a windswept day in the wilds of Donegal in May of 2015. Fiachra proposed with a beautiful blue topaz and gold engagement ring from Tiffany’s which soon became the inspiration for most of the wedding design.

Maria and Fiachra both attended the School of Medicine at University College Cork. They decided as a nod to their careers and how they met to hold the ceremony at UCC’s charming 18th century church, Honan Chapel. Afterwards, they along with their guests traveled 30 minutes to the seaside town of Kinsale for their reception at Ballinacura House. This exclusive, 17th century Georgian Mansion is beautiful with lush gardens and unique interiors. Unfortunately, the weather was not great on the day but Maria and Fiachra still braved the rain for some photos in the garden. As a nod to their favorite drink, their guests quickly cozied up to their custom Gin and Tonic bar, stocked full of local Ballyvolane gin.

Maria is also drawn to the rich color palettes of Dutch Master’s Golden Age paintings, so with the assistance of stylist and planner, Alise Taggart and floral design duo, Claire Ryan and Patsie Wrafter of The Informal Florist she created a lush floral and gilded garden inspired design for her guests.

The tables were styled with natural linen table cloths, hand dyed silk runners, gold cutlery and gold rimmed glassware, lined with varying heights of cut glass votives, antique brass candle holders with dark blue and ivory tapers, organic and lush arrangements intwined with trailing vines and scattered figs and pomegranates. The ceiling was covered in hanging greenery and the windows in fairy lights with covered vines. Maria and Fiachra chose a hand-painted blue and floral designed cake from Touch of Magic and danced the night away to Irish swing band, The Swing Cats – only after Maria sweetly sang the first song to Fiachra! Sally Balt of La Happy captured the design so well throughout the stationery. She created a custom gold wax seal monogramed with the couple’s initials which was used throughout the stationery from the invitation until the wedding day, even sealing the favors of gourmet chocolates from Cork’s English Market. The seriously talented and fun duo, Seàn and Jared of Into the Light, captured their day so beautifully!

Maria and Fiachra soon immigrated to Canada after their wedding day, but not before enjoying their honeymoon all over Italy!

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Intimate Irish Elopement on the Cliffs of Moher

Everyone may immediately think of Paris when it comes to romance but one look through Julie Paisley’s pics of this Irish elopement on the Cliffs of Moher and you may beg to differ. From the sweeping views to the look of love on these high school sweethearts’ faces, it’s priceless. From the pics to Hoo Film’s clip, we’ve been kissed by the Irish – see it all in our Vault right this way!

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From Julie Paisley Photography… High school sweethearts, Courtney and Shandon decided that a destination elopement fit their personalities. They both have a love for adventure, so having their ceremony at the Cliffs of Moher was the perfect backdrop for their very sweet intimate ceremony. Tying in Courtney’s love of pink and emerald green for Ireland, Lindsey from Petal and Pine created an amazing bouquet that fit Courtney’s personality perfectly. From the beautiful grounds of the Ross Castle, where they honeymooned, to the stunning Cliffs of Moher, these two might not have had a big wedding but it certainly was not lacking in beauty or love.

This Irish Castle Wedding Proves Dreams Can Come True

I grew up in a college bball town (go SU!) so while I’ve always loved March Madness, it wasn’t until SMP got involved did my own manic really begin. We shared our favorite weddings and you, our amazing readers, narrowed them down week by week and today we reveal the winner. But before we get ahead of ourselves, let’s spend the morning in Ireland where wedding fantasies come true. With Peaches & Mint behind the lens and Pearl & Godiva working their design magic, our 4th place is a can’t miss!

See all the magical details below!

Romantic Irish Wedding Reception

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Romantic Irish Wedding Reception

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From Pearl & Godiva… Many couples dream of an intimate wedding, sharing these magical moments with just their nearest and dearest, on a day which reflects their own personal style from start to finish. We were so honoured to make this a reality for Grace and Paul, which took place in the spell-bounding environs of the Crom Castle on Lough Erne in Northern Ireland.

Crom Castle is an enchanting historic castle which sits beside Lough Erne, the perfect backdrop for an exquisite wedding. This waterside kingdom was a huge inspiration for the day, given that guests took a boat ride along Lough Erne to join the couple celebrate their their wedding ceremony in the ancient stone chapel.

Inspired by the words of Henry David Thoreau, we began creating a day completely unique to such a loving couple.

“If you have built castles in the sky
Let not your dreams go to waste;
Just build the foundations under them.”
~ Henry David Thoreau.

Following months of preparation, on a glorious June morning we made our way to Crom Castle to create a timeless and elegant wedding for Grace and Paul. To see our design come to life was dreamlike, from the bespoke stationery, hand-crafted linens, to the luscious florals, tumbling out of every nook, adorning all surfaces. Together with Magva Design & Letterpress we drew inspiration from the wooden boats that sail by the castle. Painterly blooms by Floral Earth crept across hand dyed tablecloths, with florals barely contained in their over-sized urns, teaming beautifully with glinting gold flatware and gold rimmed glassware.

Grace and Paul’s love was captured in the low light of dusk, as mist raised from the lake and cloaked the landscape with cool wispy light.

Traditional Irish Wedding with a Custom Wedding Dress

Saint Patrick’s Day has come and gone, but you can thank the luck of the Irish for bringing you this beautiful Irish wedding today. From the beautiful Bride’s custom-designed wedding dress to the gorgeous Powerscourt House setting, Naomi and Mark’s traditional wedding is the kind of pretty you can only dream about. And thanks to photos from Ann-Kathrin Koch, you can get lost in it all in The Vault!

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From Ann-Kathrin Koch…“These two are next” Glynis said to me with a barely noticeable nod in the direction of Naomi and Mark cuddled up close. She has a knowing smile on her face and adds: “They are good together.” That was three years ago at Daniel and Emily’s wedding. Daniel is Mark’s brother and Glynis is Mark’s mother.

Fast forward to earlier last year and it’s Glynis again who gets in touch, telling me how Naomi and Mark got engaged and how they’ll get married this year and if possible, how they’d all love to have me there as the photographer again. This may seem odd at first but not if you know the Good family – they are truly fabulous people. You often hear that the Irish are the nicest people in the world. Having photographed these two weddings with all Irish people I have to agree! Coming back to Ireland and walking into a house full of people I knew felt a little bit like sinking into a warm, soft pillow. Exhale and relax and take it all in.

What followed was a most wonderful church ceremony at Crinken Church, a drinks reception in the almost-sunny but still quite blustery afternoon with a view over Powerscourt Gardens and a reception at Powerscourt House. There was so much warmth and happiness around us, so much laughter and joy that I can only agree with what Glynis said to me two years ago: Naomi and Mark, they are good together.

From The Bride…What did you envision your wedding being prior to planning?
I originally wanted an outdoor wedding, but with Ireland being the Climate it is I knew I couldn’t rely on a dry let alone tepid day! The main reason for an outdoor wedding was to be in nature, loads of green leaves, trees and garden flowers. I’ve always loved flowers, so I wanted to bring the outdoors inside and try have as many flowers as possible!

What was your color palette and your style vision?
Pretty pale and soft natural colours was my palette. My favourite flowers our peonies and tea roses so soft pinks and peaches with a dusty green was the vision I wanted.

What unique elements or DIY details did you include?
It was definitely a family effort! Thankfully my mother in law and sister in law share a passion for flowers and DIY, and were an amazing help! Glynis up-cycled old wine boxes which turned into window arrangements, Emily and I used hula hoops to make large wall wreaths and even my grandmother in law got involved making all the jam jar flower arrangements!

What was your favorite moment? Your favorite crafted detail?
I loved our table runners..it really brought my vision of an indoor/outdoor feel to life. At the end of the night they could be separated and taken away as individual flower favours for our guests to enjoy!

Tell us about your flowers, your gown, your favors, your cake, your photographer etc.
Our Photographer Ann-Kathrin was amazing, she has such an unique eye for detail! She had already done my Sister in Law Emily’s Wedding, so I knew she was the perfect fit and would capture the day beautifully. We couldn’t have been happier with our photos.

My gown was made by DaPaor Designs, a tailor in Wicklow called Gay who could not have been more helpful and easy to work with. Being an artist I knew exactly what I wanted, so it was tricky to find a ready made dress that ticked all my boxes. I knew I wanted something beaded but not sparkly and Gay understood my vision perfectly, making my dream dress a reality. I couldn’t have love my dress more!

Our cake was made by Caroline Goulding, a teacher I had worked with who had done wedding cakes on the side! I am delighted but not surprised to hear her business has really taken off. She presented the cake exactly as I imagined. I had seen ‘naked cakes’ on Pinterest and loved the rustic look of them. Fresh fruit, cream, sponge..doesn’t get much more summery and yummy then that!

Our favours were a fun novelty item! We got our faces put on M&M’s, put them in small jam jars and used them as a place name setters. I still can’t bring myself to eat mine!

What is one piece of advice that you could give brides-to-be?
Planning a Wedding doesn’t have to be stressful. We did ours in six months, and if your flexible and organized it can be really fun! Pinterest is amazing but can double your budget lol! Get people involved and make fun DIY days out of it! :)

Ireland Sunset Inspired Wedding Inspiration at the Cliffs of Moher

I may be a proud Irish lady but you won’t see me guzzling any Guinness, decked out in head to toe green any time soon. But this Ireland inspired shoot right here is one that I’ll fully and eagerly embrace. Photographed and styled by Kay English, with help from MBM Calligraphy, this shoot is pure beauty, from the calligraphed veil to the views of the Cliffs of Moher. So in the spirit of St. Patrick’s Day festivities, let’s head to our Vault and spend some time with these smiling, stylish Irish eyes.

From Kay English… Anne Marie and Dara from Dublin, drove all the way to the Cliffs of Moher for this amazing sunset photo shoot in Ireland.

This wedding shoot was inspired by the natural beauty of Ireland. The stunning Mark Zunino gown from Kleinfeld sparkled in the sunset on the gorgeous bride from Ireland, Anne Marie. The gorgeous calligraphy veil and decor was designed by MBM Calligraphy and designed by Michael Cosentino Designs.
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Ireland Sunset Inspired Wedding Inspiraton

I may be a proud Irish lady but you won’t see me guzzling any Guinness, decked out in head to toe green any time soon. But this Ireland inspired shoot right here is one that I’ll fully and eagerly embrace. Photographed and styled by Kay English, with help from MBM Calligraphy, this shoot is pure beauty, from the calligraphed veil to the views of the Cliffs of Moher. So in the spirit of St. Patrick’s Day festivities, let’s head to our Vault and spend some time with these smiling, stylish Irish eyes.

From Kay English… Anne Marie and Dara from Dublin, drove all the way to the Cliffs of Moher for this amazing sunset photo shoot in Ireland.

This wedding shoot was inspired by the natural beauty of Ireland. The stunning Mark Zunino gown from Kleinfeld sparkled in the sunset on the gorgeous bride from Ireland, Anne Marie. The gorgeous calligraphy veil and decor was designed by MBM Calligraphy and designed by Michael Cosentino Designs.
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Peruse more Irish inspiration here!

Soft + Sweet Spring Irish Wedding

What happens when you take a lovely Canadian girl and an Irish gentleman and add in the magic of Vegas? One adventurous love story begins and we see it come to a peak with this sweet spring celebration, overflowing with pretty pinks and beautiful blues, from the Jenny Yoo dresses to the florals. Justine Milton captured this real life transatlantic love affair, making our Vault they place to be today.

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From the Bride… Marcus and I met in Las Vegas in October 2010. I was on holiday with my best friend and Marcus was there with a group of friends on a school break. I met one of the girls in the group and she insisted on introducing me to someone, and that someone was Marcus. We stayed in touch when we each returned home to Canada and Ireland. That was the beginning of our adventure of a love story!

The first time Marcus brought me to Ireland, we stopped at an overlook on the side of the road and across the bay, he pointed out his family home. We took a photo of the two of us there and have continued to do so almost every time we are home. I spent Christmas 2013 with my parents in Canada and flew to Ireland on the 28th. The weather was awful with widespread flooding so there wasn’t much opportunity to get out for our photo. He said that my gift was arriving by mail any day, I was expecting a pink football jersey! December 30th was the first sunny day and suddenly I was told my gift had arrived! We jump in the car to go pick it up. Halfway to the post office he says that he forgot his ID to pick up the parcel. I laughed and teased him as we turned around and that is when he gave me his phone which had a video for me to watch. It was a video of him standing in our ‘spot’. I never saw him, just heard his voice and the first view I had of his home in 2010. He went on to say all the things he couldn’t say in person, and melted my heart. We then pulled into our spot, took our photo and he got down on one knee! Had anyone looked out of their houses across the bay they would have seen it all unfold but they were all in the dark. The great man he is, he asked my father’s permission. The smart man he is, he asked my best friend for advice on the ring!

It was very important to Marcus that we get married in Ireland. I knew it would be magical. We were joined by 150 of our family and friends, including 56 Canadians. I wanted a soft romantic theme with soft colors that would complement the green and old castle environment. I think our colors of gold, slate blue, blush and grey were just the right choice.

For the ceremony, we had Piano Express featuring Sean Treacy who accompanied a dear friend of ours. She is one of the most talented singers I know, and it was a privilege to walk down the aisle to beautiful voice. She also surprised us with “Hallelujah” during our ceremony, which is one of mine and Marcus favourite songs. For the reception, we had a live band named Royal Flush play. They actually learned our first song so that they could sing it live for us. What a magical moment! I will never forget Marcus holding me in his arms as they sang “Feel For Me” but Foy Vance.

Once again, we were blessed to have a very dear friend make fresh maple syrup candies as a representation of Canada, which she actually brought with her from Ontario! My mother-in-law, aunt, Maid of Honour and I made Baileys chocolate truffles which were presented together with the maple candies as a blend of Canada and Ireland.

A special treat for the groom was having the colors of his county sewn into the jacket! He stole the show during the first dance!

The groom’s gift was a one of a kind Guinness razor and brush made by Avalanche Artisans in Calgary Alberta.

Cake was made by my amazing mother-in-law Kitty McNally! This was a labour of love and delicious to boot! Marcus and I met in Las Vegas, so we had our cake topper made on Etsy. It was a gold heart that said “Viva Las Vegas”!

It was a magical day. From our first look, to having both my mom and dad walk me down the aisle and a full night of fun and dancing, our wedding day was easily the best day of our lives. It has given us so much to look forward too. A big thank you to Justine Milton from Milton Photography for capturing not only our special day but also our after party at Helen’s Pub. Memories more precious than can never be imagined.

We had a dream six week honeymoon that started in Venice. We spent two weeks driving across Croatia, celebrated my 30th birthday in Dubai with friends and topped things off with an amazing sailing trip in Greece and three romantic nights in Santorini. It was a honeymoon that dreams are made of!

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Classic Kilshane House Destination Wedding in Ireland

Give me a sweet love story, a fabulous destination wedding in Ireland and a gorgeous Bride and Groom, and I’m a happy girl. Add to that killer fashion (that Theia gown and those fuchsia Manolo Blahnik peep-toes!), precious little members of the bridal party and love that radiates off the screen, and you’ve got a very beautiful day. See it all from Poppies & Me in The Vault.

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From The Bride…Our love story begins on the evening of September 14th, 2012, the day when a Kilkenny Cat and a New Yorker by way of Texas met at St. Dymphna’s Bar in New York City, introduced by a mutual friend. The 3,147 miles between Ireland and New York couldn’t keep us apart.

Less than a week later, the stars aligned and a chance meeting at Roberta’s in Bushwick brought us together again. To set the scene: our eyes met across the crowded dining room. Aidan was with his friend Jamie, his eldest brother Mike and sister in-law Shirley. I was with my dad and my friend Shari. A true gentleman, Aidan came over to our table, introduced himself and invited us for drinks. We spent the evening chatting, laughing and enjoying each other’s company. Aidan made sure my dad’s pint of Newcastle Brown Ale never went dry.

I knew he was the one, when at an art opening for my friend, he said the words I’ve been waiting to hear my whole life. “Will you…go to the Morrissey concert with me?”

As the months went on, we traveled the globe and our relationship blossomed. Fast forward to the evening of December 19th, 2014. We arranged to meet at the Museum of Modern Art in New York. After a long week in the office and preparing for a Christmas trip to Ireland, energy levels were low, however Aidan encouraged me to take a stroll around the museum, carrying my bags and helping relieve the stress of a long work-week. We wandered around enjoying the art…little did I know of Aidan’s grand plan. We arrived at Monet’s Water Lilies, Aidan’s favorite painting, where a little over two years before we had one of our first dates. The room was crowded, however, by divine intervention a space appeared on a bench and we sat down. Aidan popped the question and through tears of happiness I said yes.

September 25th, 2015, at Kilshane House in Tipperary Ireland we celebrated with 170 of our nearest and dearest friends and family. We are so fortunate that over 110 traveled to Ireland for the big day from all corners of the globe with Africa, Asia, North America, South America and Australia all represented.

Kilshane House was the setting for the big day: Accommodations, Ceremony and Reception. The ceremony was held in their glass conservatory, a beautiful and ideal spot for brides worried about the chance of rain on their big day.

Kilshane House is an elegant and spacious Regency house built in 1822 at the end of a half-mile long driveway. It is the centrepiece of 320 acres of private parkland which includes a trout river, a remarkable Victorian landscape garden with a man-made lake, huge noble trees, grassy expanses and the unique Tipperary sky. A large and handsome conservatory circa 1860 is ideal for a glass or two of champagne or a champagne reception for 200 under glass. Enjoy an intimate dinner in a private room off the Conservatory…or an elegant dinner in the formal dining room…or fine dining on a grand scale in the Orangerie.

The day was filled with beautiful people and special touches that reflect us as a couple, “The A-Team” and a very dear loved one, my father Arthur, who eternally shines brightly upon us from heaven.

The night before Aidan buried a Child of Prague figurine, an Irish tradition that ensures blue skies and no rain the day of your wedding. It worked!! Blue skies and sun for all of the proceedings, a rarity in Ireland!! Magic can happen!

Aidan and his best man, his brother Shane, started the day in the game room of Kilshane House with a spirited game of Risk (a Lanigan tradition) with his brothers and nephews followed by a few pints of Guinness. The lads (including the youngest page boy Hugh (1 year old) – Shane’s son / Aidan’s Godson) helped the groom complete his wedding look with finishing touches that included a Tiffany’s tie bar (gifted from his soon to be bride), monogramed with our wedding date.

Breakfast was delivered to the bridal suite at 8am sharp and the best day of our lives began. Shortly after, my dear friend and hairstylist arrived to set my hair and the rest was a whirlwind. Downstairs, my sister Dawn, who served as Maid of Honor, and future sisters-in-law, were buzzing about ensuring that the nine months of planning from across the pond was in full effect. All I had to do was sit back, be pampered and know the people I entrusted would carry out my wedding dreams. And they did!!

Something old: My favorite Chanel fragrance gifted by Aidan’s mother

Something new: My Theia dress designed by Irish designer Don O’Neill and sexy fuchsia Manolo Blahniks

Something borrowed: Cartier diamond bracelets on loan from my hairstylist and friend Brent Lawler

Something blue: A piece of my FAVORITE singer Morrissey’s shirt, fearlessly acquired by my sister, Dawn, and friend, Danette, at his concert at Madison Square Garden during my bachelorette party, was attached to my bouquet.

Our ceremony started at 3pm and the bridal procession was led by our magnificent Godchildren and I was given away by my mother and sister. The ceremony was officiated by Aidan’s eldest brother Mike, which completed the full circle as he was the first of Aidan’s family I met three years prior in Brooklyn. We choose a Humanist service, which incorporated both traditional aspects, interwoven with special touches, including poetry readings from close friends, a traditional Irish ring warming and music performed throughout by Zoe Conway and John McIntyre (award winning Irish musicians) closing with a rendition of The Smiths song “Please Please Please Let Me Get What I Want” And yes we did!!

Zoe and John continued to entertain our guests for the cocktail reception held in the main house and front lawn of Kilshane, while the guests enjoyed sparkling wine, hors d’oeuvres, a candy bar (with love themed treats) and a selfie station.

The seated dinner and lively party that followed were held in the Orangerie. The new Mr. and Mrs. made their grand entrance to the theme of the A-Team TV show while making the rounds greeting guests. Traditional speeches were given by the father of the groom, mother of the bride, best man, maid of honor and the couple, ending with a New Castle Brown Ale toast to the father of the bride. Dinner was a culinary treat of local fare, most of the produce grown in the gardens of Kilshane.

Afterwards the party went on to “literally” the break of dawn, starting with music from the Bentley Boys Band and closing with Soul, New Wave and Ska tunes spun by DJ Geraldine Fahey. Fun times had by all!

Black Tie Destination Wedding at Ireland’s Adare Manor

Harry Potter may have influenced the site for this destination wedding but I’d say the Bride took a cue from some other stylish sources for the whole celebration. Elegant and romantic, it looks straight out of a fairytale, with Brosnan Photographic and Story of Eve capturing it from “once upon a time” all the way to “happily ever after.” See it all in our VAULT right this way!

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From Brosnan Photographic… Erica and Matt chose Ireland for their destination wedding. It was the middle ground for family and friends traveling from the US and Hong Kong.

A little bit of Harry Potter enthusiasts, they felt Adare Manor had a slight feel of Hogwarts about it. Most of the styling was kept simple for their Black Tie event but to add a bit of a Harry Potter theme they created a signature cocktail for a bit of fun.

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Fresh + Classic Ireland Wedding

Classic weddings have my heart. This classic wedding, set in charming Ireland and complete with a platinum-hued Bentley getaway ride? Has my whole heart today. With Amanda Crean stealing every moment in picture perfect form, THE VAULT is looking a little shinier with love today. See it all here and don’t miss this darling bridal red carpet moment.

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From the Bride…Kieran and I first met over 10 years ago while both studying at University College Cork. Even after going out with each other for over 8 years, our engagement was still a complete surprise to me! I was in the throes of finishing off my PhD, so was completely caught off-guard when, while exchanging presents on Christmas Eve, Kieran went down on one knee with a stunning emerald cut engagement ring. I was so surprised and happy and excited that it took me about 20 minutes to stop freaking out and say yes!

Over the summer months that followed we visited lots of different venues around Ireland before deciding on the Village at Lyons. The Village at Lyons is a beautifully restored seventeenth century village, located on the towpath of the Grand Canal in Co. Kildare. Every inch of the venue is simply exquisite, and we knew from the moment we stepped inside the front door that this was the only place we could imagine for our wedding venue. As for the wedding vendors we chose, I have a slight obsession with everything got to do with weddings, so after all the hours spent scouring wedding blogs and magazines, I knew exactly which vendors I wanted for our big day. We decided on a date for the wedding that would allow us to have all our top choices of vendors … and boy, were we happy we did!

Kieran and I were married on a beautiful sunny day last June in front of 70 of our closest friends and family. We wanted the day to have a relaxed and elegant feel, so chose a romantic palette of mint, peach, soft pastels and white. Stephanie from The French Touch worked with us to achieve a soft and romantic aesthetic by incorporating large open roses, peonies, campanula, hydrangeas and lush foliage into our floral design. The flowers were simply incredible, and I would say that they were my highlight of the day … apart from getting married to the man of my dreams!

In keeping with the feel of the day, I really wanted a dress that had a quiet simplicity and timeless feel about it. After 7 shops and over 60 dresses I finally found the perfect dress, a Pronovias chiffon gown with an illusion neckline covered in embroidery and pearly beading.

We were very lucky to have Father James McSweeney travel from Cork to LadyChapel Church that day to marry us. Father James had been my chaplain when I attended primary school all those years ago, and we are so thankful to him for officiating our wedding ceremony with such warmth and joy. He made such an impact that there was a queue of people lined up after the wedding to ask him if he would be free to do their own weddings in the future.

After the ceremony, we made our way back to the venue in a beautiful grey 1954 Bentley R-type wedding car, sipping champagne in the back seat and enjoying the feeling of finally being married. After arriving back at the venue, we slipped off to have some private photos taken with our incredible photographer Amanda Crean and had such a fun time. It was great to be able to finally relax and have a laugh after all the nervousness before the ceremony. While we were off posing, our guests were treated to prosecco, homemade lemonade and a selection of canapés in the sunshine bathed courtyard.

Dinner was served that evening in The Mill which is a beautiful double height room overlooking the cascading waters of the canal which flows through the property. The food was absolutely delicious. We had tried everything at our menu tasting the previous month and loved it all, but I don’t know whether it was the occasion, the wine or what, but I have to say that on the day it tasted even more delicious than I remembered. All of our guests were raving about it afterwards and it still comes up in conversation now about how amazing the lamb was.

After dinner, the well-known Cork based jazz and swing band The Roaring Forties kept everyone up on the dance floor for the rest of the night, with guests only taking a quick break to scoff down some tasty fish and chip cones along with the amazing wedding cake, cupcakes and cake pops made by Cat from the Cakecuppery!

The following day all our guests returned to the Village at Lyons for an afternoon BBQ outside the stunning old coach house. There was a huge gas BBQ set up in the garden along with plenty of tables and chairs for people to rest their feet after the night of dancing. We all really enjoyed catching up and sharing stories from the night before with some great food and drink, relaxing in the sunshine. A great end to an amazing wedding and a great start to the next chapter in our lives together. Our wedding day was everything we could have hoped for and more, and we have Amanda to thank for capturing all those precious moments for us on camera. Its great to be able to look back on the stunning photos and remember what an amazing day it was.

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