Meet Stella and Sean, a gorgeous couple who planned a wedding full of personal touches! They got engaged in Japan, on their way to watch Ireland play in the Rugby World Cup in 2019. We love that their wedding included gorgeous colours (Eucalyptus and Sage Green) and their tables were named after Marvel heroes.
Couple: Stella & Sean
Engagement length: 3 years
Wedding date: 2022-05-27
Wedding location: Martinstown House
Photographer: Bokeh Photography, Wander & Thyme
Stella and Sean are huge rugby fans! In fact, they went over to Japan to follow Ireland while they played in the Rugby World Cup in 2019. Sean planned to propose and even spoke with Stella’s mum before they left! This is the story from Stella’s perspective:
“We went to the Ireland vs Japan game and as we were walking up to the stadium, Sean stopped me on a bridge looking out over the Shizouka and gave me a video to look at on his phone. It contained pictures of me, him and our puppy, Bundi, while playing my favourite song in the background. After the video finished, it had a slide that asked me to turn around. When I did, Sean was down on one knee and we were surrounded by rugby fans from all over the world chanting ‘say yes!'”
Their wedding them was Eucalyptus and Sage Green with a Marvel hero twist. All their tables were named after superheroes like Ironman, Superman, Thor, The Hulk, Antman, Wasp etc.
Sean wore a Moss Bros, tweed 3 piece suit in forest green, dark brown shoes and a floral pink tie.
Stella’s dress was the Elora Gown from Madi Lane. It was so comfy and fitted with the perfect length train. Not too long and easily managed. Stella wore a pair of sandals from Wish, which matched the lace on the dress.
The groomsmen wore grey suits and a matching floral pink tie. Each of the men in the bridal party wore pink and white buttonholes.
The bridesmaids wore sage green dresses of their choosing. They were all the same colour but each dress was a different style. Each of the girls chose what hairstyle they wanted to have and what makeup they preferred along with whatever shoes they wanted to wear.
The bouquets were faux flowers. A mixture of eucalyptus, wild flowers, pink roses and white peonies which matched the lad’s buttonholes.
They described their wedding ceremony as “amazing”. They tied the knot in the Woodlands Area on site at Martinstown House. They loved how wild it was (in a good way) and the wooden and rustic seats to match the area.
“I arrived to our ceremony area driving a firetruck while our guests listened to ‘Fire- Kasabian’ in the ceremony area. You enter the area at the back of the woodlands through a lovely gate and step straight onto a carpet. Our ceremony itself was conducted by Karen Dempsey. It was a humanist ceremony so it was super relaxed with a few fun laughs and jokes happening throughout it. As our wedding rings arrived in a death-star shaped box we ended up taking a star wars turn here and there during the ceremony. We had wedding candles and a hand fastening ritual with 2 readings from our family. 10/10 would recommend.”
Their wedding venue, Martinstown House, is more than they could have ever hoped for! This is what they loved about it:
“The main house is so unique and full of history. The ceremony area is well hidden so no one else will see it until they walk down through the woodland walk. The secret garden where you do your first look (optional). That is also attached to the marquee area where you have your dinner served and the reception happens if you wish. We had our reception drinks and speeches out on the lawn in front of the house before the dinner and everyone loved it! It was amazing weather and the photographers could flutter around snapping photos. The fire truck was also out on the lawn for people to get photos with.”
Their wedding was beautifully captured by Dez of Bokeh Photography and Film. They found him on Instagram and immediately knew his style is what they wanted for their Big Day.
“I spoke about him so much that his advertising started popping up on my friends instagram pages! We emailed him in the hopes that he was available for our wedding day, which luckily he was. Leading up to the wedding he organised a pre-wedding shoot with us to get to know us and see how we were in front of a camera. On the day of the wedding, himself and Fionnoula, the co-shooter arrived to Martinstown. Dez came straight into the room we were all getting ready in to say hi and have a look around the house. Himself and Fionnoula were so chilled which is exactly what we wanted from our suppliers. We took some “planned” photos throughout the day but the rest were all pretty much candid. Dez doesn’t want you to miss time with your quests so he makes quick work of the shots and has you back within a half an hour which we loved!”
To entertain their guests, they chose the band, Redwood, who they say was awesome from start to finish! They picked Redwood, because they watched a promo video on their website and instantly loved their sound. They got to pick 40 songs for the setlist and they also learned the first dance song. Sean and Stella say that communication was brilliant from start to finish with the band and everyone loved them on the night!
Stella had lots of amazing memories from the Big Day!
“Our first look. Seeing Sean by myself in our outfits before the ceremony was too much fun. I did a first look with my bridesmaids who had never seen me in my dress and the photos are also priceless. Hair and Makeup was so much craic to be there with your closes girlfriends and my mum and MIL. Arriving at the ceremony and at the end of the ceremony, seeing your family and friends so happy to be there for each of you is amazing. We learned a really fun first dance so doing that after the dinner was so much fun!”
Newlyweds have brilliant advice for couples planning their wedding. This is what Stella and Sean recommend:
“On your invites, put the time down as an hour earlier if you have the venue at that time. That way you will get everyone there on time. I had the time down for 2 even though the ceremony was at 3 and people were showing up for 5 to 2. Don’t stress about little things like decorations and favours. People don’t really even notice them and half of them are forgotten in your venue after everyone has had a night drinking. Keep note of all of your wedding gifts so you can personally text everyone afterwards rather than the generic thank you message.”
Suppliers
Ceremony and Reception venue: Martinstown House | Photographer: Bokeh Photography, Wander & Thyme | Planner/coordinator: Edward Booth / Jennifer | Band and DJ: Redwood | Hair: Joanne B Bridal | Makeup: Nicola Weldon | Couple’s outfits: Moss Bros Online, O’Briens Bridal Couture, Wicklow | Wedding party outfits: Eden Manor, JJ’s House | Cake: Cakes Galore By Polly | Celebrant/solemniser: Karen Dempsey | Jewellery/rings: Martins Jewellers Wexford | Flowers: Flower Creations By Nicola
