IRISH
Your Complete Guide to Getting Married in Ireland
ExpErt tips For WEdding photography
6
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Beat Wedding
StreSS €5.80 £4.00
WInteR 2019
DIARY BEautiFul
WEdding drEssEs plan an irish stag party
PrevieW of 2020 Wedding dreSSeS
honEymoons and WEddings aBroad
www.IrishWeddingDiary.ie
WEDDING DRESS COLLECTIONS
Essense of Australia Essensedesigns.com
48 I IWD Feature I Wedding Dresses
WEDDING DRESS COLLECTIONS
Stella York StellaYork.com
Wedding Dresses I IWD Feature I 49
WEDDING DRESS COLLECTIONS
Allure Bridals www.allurebridals.com
50 I IWD Feature I Wedding Dresses
WEDDING DRESS COLLECTIONS
Allure Bridals www.allurebridals.com
Wedding Dresses I IWD Feature I 51
Lakeside Bridal Photoshoot in Coolbawn Quay Photography by Dermot Byrne
Dress by The Bridal Lounge Austin Friar St., Mullingar, Co. Westmeath 044 9335298 www.thebridallounge.ie
60 I IWD Bridal I Coolbawn Quay
Location: Coolbawn Quay In the most picturesque of settings Coolbawn Quay is a private destination venue for truly romantic couples to share and celebrate their love. Surrounded by nature with spectacular backdrops created by the seasonal changes in colour and tone, it is a uniquely special place. Imagine.....waterside vows with drinks on the deck, followed by dinner and dancing in the most magical Georgian style Pavilion with twilight views over the lake..... Simply perfect.
Photography by: Dermot BYrne Bray, Co. Wicklow Web: www.dermotbyrnephoto.ie Phone: +353 (0)1 282 9560
Makeup by: Melissa Clarke Makeup Ballymoon, Bagnelstown, Carlow. +353 87 926 3044 http://melissaclarkemakeup.com
Hair by: Helena at Hair by Millie Main St, Townfields, Cloughjordan, Co. Tipperary Phone: (0505) 42014
Coolbawn Quayl I IWD Bridal I 61
Dress by The Bridal Lounge 62 I IWD Bridal I Coolbawn Quay
Austin Friar St., Mullingar, Co. Westmeath 044 9335298 www.thebridallounge.ie
Dress by The Bridal Lounge Austin Friar St., Mullingar, Co. Westmeath 044 9335298 www.thebridallounge.ie
Coolbawn Quay I IWD Bridal I 63
How to Choose your Wedding Photographer We ask some experts for advice on choosing a wedding photographer for your big day.
W
edding photography is an art, which, if done correctly, will record your wedding day for posterity and leave you with beautiful images that you will enjoy well into your old age. As you grow old and grey and begin to lose your faculties, your pictures will remain bright and fresh, keeping your memories forever young. It will capture you and your partner in the prime of your life on one of the happiest days of your lives and therefore should not be left in the hands of an amateur. Your wedding day can never be reproduced, and the right wedding photographer will leave you with happy memories for life while the wrong one will leave you with nothing but regrets. Your wedding album will become a family
but how do you go about choosing the right
heirloom which will be treasured for generations
photographer for your special day.
wedding
photography
styles
and
each
photographer has their unique style. Traditional classic photography is gorgeous, with tried-andtested romantic shots that are slightly formal but not overly staged. Most photographers have this style in their armoury as it’s the standard starting point for weddings and most albums will contain some of these classic shots. These images stand the test of time and will not feel dated in 20 or 30 years. You can also go more artistic; you and the photographer can get creative and design some unique shots that are highly staged,
and your wedding day can never be reproduced
or just you and your partner messing about.
The right wedding photographer will leave you
Photography Style
with happy memories for life while the wrong
First, you’ll have to think about what type of
one will leave you with nothing but regrets
photos you like. There are many different
There’s also a documentary style where the photographer tries to capture the ordinary
With experience comes a cool head if something which shouldn’t happen, happens Dermot Byrne - Wedding Photographer
80 I IWD Feature I Photography
You need to get on with and like your photographer. You need to make sure that the photographer is on YOUR wavelength and you are on theirs. Corin Bishop - Wedding Photographer
moments of the day and make them beautiful.
Regardless of the style, show these to your
If you find a photographer that you think
Your photographer might also cheat a little and
prospective photographer, and they will know
can match your style, ask them for access to
stage a couple of ‘candid moments’ that reflect
what you want from your big day and if it is
their full gallery of their wedding photos. Most
what’s happening. You can also go for dramatic
something they can deliver.
photographers will have their best shots on their homepage and in their gallery, but by looking at
shots, which again are highly stylised with strong lighting to create one dramatic image.
The Photographer
a few full weddings, you’ll get a better idea of
Contemporary photography will try to reflect
When you’ve got an idea of what type of
the full range of images they shoot.
the today’s fashion, and while these might
photography you like, you’ll need to find the
seem a little dated in a few years, with time
photographer to match. Don’t limit yourself
When you’ve narrowed it down to a few, you
they will reflect the period and place in which
to photographers in your particular area as
really need to meet the photographer. I’ve
you got married.
most photographers will travel to a wedding
spoken with photographers who have been
within reason; if you’re in west Cork, a Belfast
booked for a wedding by couples who like
Having said all that, don’t get hung up about
photographer probably isn’t for you. In the
their images and are happy with the price
a particular style. Do your research by looking
meantime, if you’re attending a wedding,
but who haven’t met them. Naturally these
at as many wedding photographs as you can
keep an eye on the photographer to see
photographers are delighted that their work
find. Thankfully, most photographers have
how they interact with the bride and groom
speaks for itself, but they’re a little nervous as
extensive galleries on their websites, so it’s not
and the guests. If you don’t really notice the
they know that a successful day depends on how
difficult to do much research to find the style
photographer, it’s probably a good sign. Ask
the photographer and the couple interact. It’s
of photography you like. Look for images that
friends who were married recently about
vitally important that you feel comfortable with
give you an emotional reaction like an ‘oooh’ or
their experiences, good and bad, with their
the photographer you choose as you’re going
an ‘aaah’, or better still a ‘WOW!’ or an ‘OMG!’
photographer.
to spend a lot of time with them throughout
Classic Wedding Photography
Dermot Byrne
Dermot Byrne
Gerry Dolan
Dermot Byrne
Gerry Dolan
David McNeill
Photography I IWD Feature I 81
Easy Sleep
Flower Shade
G ifts Made W it h Love ^
Floral lamp bty David Trubridge €330 holzdesignpur.de
The Missoni Adar bed features a deep base and a slim, partitioned headboard. €8,100 www.gomodern.co.uk
Holders Brolly
A pair of toothbrush hangers
Organic
that will spread a tranquil feel
throughout your bathroom and add a hint of magic to the air. €10 www.animicausa.com
Dining Classy
Neptune Arundel Dining Table
Comfort Tables
at The Wedding Shop €2,208
Style and
Invite an organic element to your home with this fabulous woven Eartha Bag. The large bag is formed of Metasequoia wood and is large enough for you to store whatever your heart desires. €35 www.sweetpeaandwillow.com
Sulivan nesting tables are an eye catcher. These exclusive high end pieces show a
refined neoclassical form with sober and elegant lines. www.bocadolobo.com
Green Go
Bring some green into your home by tending to your indoor foliage with this Gold Watering Can with a Nordic luxe theme by Scandi design company Bloomingville €65 www.beaumonde.co.uk
88 I IWD Feature I Wedding Gifts
Nest
The Teo Oak Armchair Upholstered chair brings Scandinavian-style comfort and elegance to meal times. €500 www.nordicmood.co.uk/
Lough Rynn Castle Estate & Gardens MIDWEEK WEDDINGS
FROM
€75 €68 per person
INCLUSIVE OF:
ARRIVAL DRINKS RECEPTION FIVE COURSE MEAL HALF BOTTLE OF WINE PER PERSON EVENING BUFFET
LOUGH RYNN CASTLE
MOHILL, CO.LEITRIM T: 071 96 327 00 E: ENQUIRIES@LOUGHRYNN.IE
Castle Bridal Photoshoot in Dunboyne Castle Hotel Photography by Thomas Sunderland Photography
Dress by White Designer Studio Flowerhill, Navan, Co. Meath, Tel: 085-278 8038 Website: www.whitedesignerstudio.ie
112 I IWD Bridal I Dunboyne Castle
Location: Dunboyne Castle Hotel & Spa Dunboyne, Co. Meath Tel. +353 1 801 3500 Web. dunboynecastlehotel.com
With a sweeping tree lined approach, the Dunboyne Castle Hotel &Spa stands majestically over its 21 acre demesne of mature formal gardens, making any arrival an unforgettable one. The magnificent landscaped gardens & historic architecture at Dunboyne Castle Hotel & Spa are a wonderful addition to your day. The picturesque grounds with stunning seasonal gardens, trees &shrubs, & featuring design elements such as a gazebo, will prove tob e the ideal location for your timeless wedding photographs. With such an idyllic setting, Dunboyne Castle Hotel & Spa offers a magnificent backdrop against which to set an exclusive reception.
Photography by:
Thomas Sunderland Castle Street, Carlow. www.thomassunderland.ie +353 59 914 2278
Makeup by: Charlene Campbell Trimgate Street, Navan Co. Meath, charlene@charlenecmakeup.ie 0868738787 http://www.charlenecmakeup.ie
Hair by: Sinead Gaffney @ The Hair Mob Phone: +353 (0)86 384 5555 Email: sinead@hairmob.ie
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114 I IWD Bridal I Dunboyne Castle
Dress by White Designer Studio Flowerhill, Navan, Co. Meath, Tel: 085-278 8038 Website: www.whitedesignerstudio.ie
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WEDDINGTRAVEL HONEYMOONS & WEDDINGS ABROAD Compiled by Alex Joyce
Lovers Embrace
The all-inclusive spa resort, Fusion Resort Phu Quoc, has just launched the ‘Lovers Embrace’, an intimate beach wedding package on a tropical island. Couples who wish to say ‘I do’ on the resort’s white sand beach will be able to walk the aisle through a bamboo archway and say their vows under a wedding arch dressed in white silk and fresh flowers. All that’s needed for the service is provided including a wedding guestbook, boutonnieres, bouquets and a welcome drink for guests before the vows. A wedding gala dinner is also included with set menus of the bride and groom’s choice, 2 hours of live music, and 2 hours of free-flowing beverages including beer and wine. The couple (and their guests) can relax pre- and post-ceremony at Fusion’s Maia Spa and Wellness Facility, with at least 2 therapies per day included in the room rate. Massages, wraps and facials, along with wellness activities like yoga, are on offer here. Each villa also has its own private plunge pool for you to unwind. Package rates start at $3,850 for 10 people and from $7,950 for 50 people, exclusive of the nightly room rate. fusionresorts.com/fusionresortphuquoc
Prague
Vows in Venice AMAN VENICE, Italy Housed in a 16th-century palazzo on the Grand Canal, Aman Venice boasts lavish interiors and two private gardens, rare
Prague Honeymoon
features in this iconic floating city. In a city of grand romantic gestures, Aman Venice caters to small and large occasions from weddings to private celebrations. Guests are housed in 24 impeccably appointed rooms and suites. Exquisite cuisine is a signature of the hotel, with Michelinstarred Chef Davide Oldani available to provide personalised menus for private dinners or grand banquets. From the gracious
If you’re looking for a honeymoon in a European capital city but think London,
Piano Nobile and its unrivalled views of the Grand Canal, to
Paris and Rome might be a little expensive, take a look at Prague. This is
elegant dining rooms and salons with historic architectural details,
one of the most beautiful cities in Europe with charming cobbled streets, old
Aman Venice provides period elegance for the most sophisticated
castles, beautiful churches and old town squares that are a delight to behold.
and memorable of event
Add to that café culture to rival Paris, a vibrant pub and club scene to match
www.aman.com
Amsterdam, plus theatres and opera to rival Rome and you’ll find everything a young couple could ask for in a city honeymoon destination. Founded in the 9th Century Prague has a long and fascinating history which unfolds on the streets and in the monuments but it’s also a modern European capital city and has quickly thrown off the dull flavour of Soviet occupation. You’ll find among the old ruins a modern and vibrant city with a well educated, young and exciting population who know how to have a good time. While a night on the town with a trip to the opera in many other European cities would need a small mortgage, in Prague you’ll be pleasantly surprised with your bank balance after a honeymoon here.
138 I IWD Travel I Honeymoons
s t or s e R c i s s a Cl Mauritius 5* eymoons Hon
9 nights All Inclusive from
€2299pp Heritage Awali Golf & Spa The magic of the place lies within the perfect balance of affordable luxury, simplicity and friendliness for a stress-free holiday! Ideal for Honeymooners, Heritage Awali stands out for its exceptional range of activities and facilities tailored for the enjoyment of your holiday. Relish in a range of unique delights for you to live out unforgettable experiences on the island of Mauritius. Voted Best All Inclusive 5* hotel in Mauritius, including Champagne and premium imported alcoholic brands • Access to 18 hole championship golf courses, Heritage Golf Club • Spacious and comfortable rooms offering luxuriant tropical garden or sea views • 1 complimentary spa treatment at the Seven Colours Spa per stay for both adults and kids • On site nature reserve • A plethora of nautical and land based activities • Access to 5 restaurants including the famous C Beach Club • 3 swimming pools including an adults only pool • Access to the only Footgolf course on the island • Disabled friendly resort • Privileged access to some of the facilities of Heritage Bel Ombre • Heated pool from May to September Premium All Inclusive is €90pppd. Prices based on 2 sharing for 9 nights on All Inclusive basis, for travel June 2020, including flights, taxes and transfers.
TA167
Contact Classic Resorts for your personal quotation T: 01 8745000 • E: info@classicresorts.ie • W: www.classicresorts.ie. 24-25 Lwr Liffey Street, Dublin 1. 100% Irish owned and Bonded!
The Wedding of
Kerri & Sean
Who were married in Malta with Sarah Young Wedding Planners on 3rd August 2019
146 I IWD Feature I Weddings Abroad
Sean and I met at a benefit night through a mutual friend of ours in June 2006. I convinced him his raffle ticket number had been called out, and he made his way on stage to claim his prize! Unfortunately, it was the peach strip, not the pink strip, that was called out! We didn’t cross paths again until early August
aware of how I felt, and he felt the same. We
at a birthday party of our mutual friends. Sean
went on holiday to New York in October 2017,
was very popular at the time and seemed to
and I fully expected him to pop the question!
have his pick of the ladies. I told Sean I wasn’t
Every tourist location we visited I was like, ‘OK
interested. In October of the same year, Sean
this is it!’, but it never happened!
sent a text and asked me out on a date. I agreed and the rest, as they say, is history!
It wasn’t until the following April in our
That was thirteen years ago this October.
Powerscourt hotel room that I walked in to find
We both agreed it would be best to leave the wedding until 2020. Later that week we both came home and were discussing things, and Sean said he’d much prefer if it was 2019 as 2020 is too long to wait. I was in favour of eloping, but Sean loves a party, so it was agreed we would have a destination wedding.
Malta has long been one of my favourite countries, and Sean suggested why not get married there?
Sean down on one knee. It was the biggest We have lived together for nine years, and our
surprise ever. We had to go for dinner, and
We began to research wedding planners in
family and friends would joke about buying a
all we wanted to do was tell our family and
Malta, and this is when we came across the
hat for our big day. We always spoke about
friends! I remember we told the waiter, and his
amazing Sarah Young and her team. We
getting married, but we never felt the pressure
response was, ‘Oh thank goodness, I thought
explained to Sarah that we only wanted a small
to do it. However, after hitting thirty and having
this was a really bad date as you are both on
wedding. Sarah sent on portfolios of different
bought our house three years previously, I felt
your phones!’
wedding venues in Malta that she and her
it was time to take the next step. I made Sean
team recommend to couples. This is when
Weddings Abroad I IWD Feature I 147
we first saw a beautiful country yard manor.
rolled into one. I loved my wedding dress and
It was everything we wanted. It was a mix of
think I always will. It was one of the first dresses
old and new Malta. The old house holds on to
I tried on in La Bella Sposa, Swords. Sean
its charming character and leads into a new
bought his suit and those of the groomsmen
marquee. The gardens out the back were the
in Penthouse Liffey Valley. Everything went so
perfect setting for people to relax with a drink
smoothly for us both.
after the ceremony. Just a short walk away is the small but beautiful church of San Pawl Tat-
Sean and I both have busy careers, but Sarah
Targa. This is where we would be married.
and Michelle ensured that all our emails and requests were dealt with, and nothing was too
Both Sean and I wanted to keep things very simple.
much hassle. I cannot speak highly enough of them. There was a stage when the emails were constant, but when we flew to Malta on the 30th July, four days before our wedding, they had everything organised. So, all the emailing was necessary. I did not feel one bit stressed. Sarah made sure we were both collected and brought to the Head of the Church and the marriage registry in Valletta to sign our papers. We went to the venue and were given a run through of how the day would unfold. Finally, we met the priest, Fr Tony Aguis, who was so lovely. The only thing left to do was to wait for
Finally, Saturday 3rd August 2019 arrived. I know couples say it was the best day of their lives, but now I truly know what they mean. We had such an unbelievable time. The hair and make-up artists were the best and helped me to relax. We arranged transport for our guests to and from the village. After our wedding ceremony, we all walked the short walk to the villa (the whole one minute!). Our guests were able to relax in the gardens, while a three-piece band serenaded them, and they were treated to a variety of canapes. Dinner followed the speeches, and our guests said the food was out of this world.
All the time, the Sarah Young events team were checking all was going to plan.
our guests to arrive. The band played through dinner until 10:30pm, We based ourselves and our guests in St Julians, as this is a lively resort with plenty to My best friend was due to have her baby four days after our wedding, so, unfortunately, she could not travel. Sean had two groomsmen; his best man was his best friend, and my brother was the groomsman. My future sister-in-law had two jobs, maid of honour and bridesmaid,
148 I IWD Feature I Weddings Abroad
do for people of all ages. The village of Naxxar, where we would be married, was only 20 minutes away. The number of guests attending
followed by the DJ, and everyone danced the night away until the early hours! Our guests have said it was one of the best weddings they were ever at from start to finish, and I think Sean and I would have to agree with them!
our wedding ended up at 73. Some said the opportunity to go to Malta for our wedding was too good to pass.
We have made sure to have something to look forward to and will be spending this Christmas in Cancun for our honeymoon!
★★
HHHHH Five Star WeddingS in Malta With
EvErything” ran so smoothly and that is down to you and your wondErful tEam KarEn cassidy & william collins
sarah is a fantastic wEdding plannEr. shE is so profEssional and EfficiEnt shE ExcEls at what shE doEs dEnisE and william o’nEill
your sErvicE is sEcond to nonE, profEssional, friEndly, prEcisE, and thoughtful JEnnifEr watson & david ravEn