A Green and White Winter Wedding

Articles, Real Weddings

“As it was a winter wedding we opted for green and white in the church. I think the Connemara room is incredibly classic so didn’t opt for too many decorations here.”

Your Names: Deirdre Costello & Alstaire Tuohy

Length of engagement: 1 yr and 3mths

Wedding Date: 2019-11-30

Wedding location: The Hardiman

Photographer: Gerard Conneely Photography

Videographer: Lifetime Pictures

 

 

How did you meet and get engaged?

We met in November 2013 after 6 weeks of back and forth text messages and phone calls. We both specifically remember it individually for 2 different reasons. I remember it as being one of the most nervous and exciting times of my life and Al remembers it as the night Arsenal lost 1-0 to Man United with Robin Van Persie scoring the winning goal. Men and their priorities! haha! To be fair that night was the catalyst of something wonderful and unforgettable. We sat at a particular table in The Skeff and talked for hours on end. It felt like we knew each other a lifetime.

 

 

Describe your wedding:

As it was a winter wedding we opted for green and white in the church. I think the Connemara room is incredibly classic so didn’t opt for too many decorations here.

Decor – Wedding Dream Theme – although I never met Christine, she was incredible and really brought my ideas to life! We had the team from Enchanted Wedding Company to do the decor in the church and my bouquets I was so happy with them! Even down to meeting us the week of the wedding so we had everything in order for the big day. I can’t thank Marie enough.

 

 

Tell us about your bridal look:

I wanted a classic look for my hair and make up and Caroline and Colette matched exactly what I asked for.

 

 

What did your bridesmaids wear?

My bridesmaid and junior bridesmaid wore custom made dresses.

 

 

What was your ceremony like?

The priest that married us had also the year before performed our daughter’s communion and our youngest daughter’s baptism. He knows our family very well and therefore it was very interesting to hear all the funny stories. We also chose to write our own vows and this ended up being emotional for me as Al also wrote our older daughter vows too.

 

 

Tell us about your wedding venue:

I am from Galway and I think the Hardiman Hotel is an iconic venue. It is also halfway for both of our families. From the moment we met with the wedding planner and saw the room my heart was set on it. The team in the Hardiman made our day stress free. If you need a venue in Galway 100% recommend

 

 

Tell us about your videographer:

We chose Lifetime Pictures. We cannot recommend these guys enough. They absolutely blew us away with their professionalism and how at ease they made us all feel.

 

 

What is your favourite memory from your wedding day?

The smiles and laughter.
Everyone was just so happy. From us, to our families, to our guests, EVERYONE!
We just let go of what could happen and enjoyed what happened.

 

 

Have you got any advice for other couples?

Slow down and enjoy the planning. Take joy in your shared interests and try to compromise until they become a  combination of what you both love. For Example – The videographer was important to Alstaire because of his love of movies, and the entertainment was important to me because I love to let loose and go wild.

Have a buffer!!! In this case, it was Mum. When decisions became tough and annoying we had Mum as our referee to help balance out the choices until we could see it from both sides. She was always our go-to person when it came to decisions. We used to joke it wasn’t our big day but Mum’s big day.

On the day you can’t control what happens. You’ve planned and co-ordinated everything, it’s up to those pieces to click together. If something goes wrong like the weather for example, you can’t control that. Just embrace it and take it for what it is.

Take a few minutes every so often throughout the day to reflect and soak in what you have achieved. You and your significant other have spent all this time planning and preparing and now here you are. Be proud.

 

 

Suppliers

Wedding venue: The Hardiman | Photographer: Gerard Coneely Photography | Videographer: Lifetime Pictures | Planner/coordinator: Valerie Gately | Musician: Sinead Nic Ghabhann | DJ: From the band “The Suite” | Hair: Colette Costello | Makeup: Caroline Coyne | Dress: Belladonna Bridal | Suits: The Wedding Center – Galway | Bridesmaids dresses: Custom Made in China | Cake: The Twelve Bakery Barna | Celebrant: Fr Tadgh Quinn | Stationery: Paul Canna Designs | Jewellery: H Samuel | Flowers and Decor: Enchanted Wedding Company and Wedding Dream Theme