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.
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!
Photography: Poppiesandme | Floral Design: Flowers By Lucy | Wedding Dress: Theia | Cake: Sweet Sensations | Bride's Shoes: Manolo Blahnik | Jewelry: Cartier | Makeup: MAC Cosmetics | Hair: Brent Lawler | DJ: Geraldine Fahey | Favors: Social Print Studio | Groom's Attire: Hart Schaffner Marx | Ceremony Music: Zoe Conway & John McIntyre | Venue: Kilshane House | Bathroom Guest Book: Urban Outfitters | Bride Sweatshirt: Ebbets | Bride's Belt + Veil: Theia | Bride's Ring + Band: Boris Bramarov Designs | Bride's Sneakers: J.Crew | Confetti: Paper Cuts Confetti | Cuff Links: Rudolf Heltzel | Floor Mat: Mr. & Mrs. Welcome Mat. | Flower Girl's Crowns: Crowns By Christy | Groom's Ring: JMK Goldsmiths | Groom's Shirt: Thomas Pink | Groom's Shoes: Allen Edmonds | Groom's T-Shirt: SoulCycle | Guest Book Map: Amazon | Hair Comb: Thomas Laine | Menus, Table Cards, Table Plan: Laura DeYoung | Mirror Decals: You're Beautiful/ You're Handsome | Reception Music: Bentley Boys Band | Ring Boxes: Halcyon Days Enamel | Signage: Let The Adventure Begin | Silhouettes: Disneyland | Tie: Louis Vuitton | Tie Bar: Tiffany & Co. | Wooden Signs: Etsy
