“When looking at colors and themes it was something I couldn’t choose. I wanted something simple and elegant and found that the simplicity of the white flowers and greenery worked effortlessly.”
Names: Leona Martley and Ross Wolfe
Length of engagement: 13 months
Wedding Date: 4/5/19
Wedding location: Kilkea Castle
Videographer: Two Paws Video, Brian Guilfoyle
Photos included are stills from the video
We met… in Thailand! Over a decade ago now. Leona was travelling with two friends (future bridesmaids) one of whom was a friend of Ross’s. Our groups met up to go to the full moon party together and there were lots of buckets drank! We finally officially bean dating 6 years ago.
Our proposal… Ross had been planning it for a number of months and after some subtle (sledgehammer hints) decided that Good Friday would be the day. We were going to Portlaoise to visit my family for the night and he suggested a walk in the Slieve Bloom Mountains. So on a drizzly, cool, March morning Ross dropped to one knee. He had been hiding his Mum’s ring in a sock in his pocket since we left Dublin. I burst into tears straight away and after I had regained my composure managed to slip on a very muddy path completely destroying myself!
Our wedding theme/colours… we didn’t really have a theme but I loved the simplicity of greenery and white flowers. They featured on our wedding invites and then on the day on menus and our
bouquets and buttonholes. When looking at colors and themes it was something I couldn’t choose. I
wanted something simple and elegant and found that the simplicity of the white flowers and greenery worked effortlessly.
My dress… Stephanie Allin dress from Myrtle Ivory. I was lucky enough to meet Stephanie in the store when I tried it on and I was able to alter certain aspects of her design. She then made a sketch of what my dress would look like. My sister had the sketch framed and I have it now to remember a special experience.
My hair and make up… My hair was crafted by the talented Paula Flanagan from Bankz Hairdressers, Portlaoise. I loved it then and still love it! My makeup was perfected by Debbie from MakeUp Masters. She was incredible to work with and just had such an air of calm on the day that it was infectious.
His suit…Ross found his suit in Dorian Black. We decided that the different waistcoat suited him much better and they were fantastic to deal with for all the fittings.
What our bridal party wore… The groomsmen wore suits also from Dorian Black with ties from Marks and Spencers with pink flamingos on them.
The bridesmaids’ outfits were from Folkster, it was a skirt and top and a belt. We had their shopping done in under 45mins. The skirt I had spotted during endless scrolling and research that each bride completes. It was a simple champagne colour that fitted into my overall wish of simplicity and elegance. The lace Ivory top complemented the skirt with ease and we were delighted with the final product.
Our ceremony… took place in the Heath Church just outside Portlaoise. It is a small country church that we filled with our family and friends. Our priest Monsignor John Byrne made the whole process so easy and relaxed. Our guests commented on the relaxed atmosphere in the church. My mum sings in a choir in Portlaoise and it meant a lot for me to have them there on the day. Nuala Kelly leads the choir and made planning the music very easy with great suggestions. The music was incredible and they were accompanied by our friend Joan on the piano. The flowers were designed and executed by another choir member also. From the first meeting with Yvonne she understood what I was looking for. What she designed on the day surpassed all of my Pinterest pins and magazine cut outs.
We chose our videographer because… At first we were unsure whether we wanted a videographer or not. We had a notion of a large camera stuck in our faces all day and it is not our style! When we
watched Brian’s work it looked like he was just a fly on the wall watching the day happen. On the
wedding day we totally forgot that he was even there! A good observation I think. Our snapshot video of the day is simply incredible and we are so delighted with it.
We chose our venue because… when we drove up the drive we simply knew it had to be there! It was stunning. The attention to detail that was paid as the castle was renovated was astounding.
Our menu… was devised with suggestions from the Chef. Our menu tasting night was one of utter
delight. Simple changes and alterations were simply not an issue, made note of and executed.
Our honeymoon… following the wedding we headed off to Sorrento for a few days. What a stunning location. We were so exhausted though we simply did not appreciate it.
My favourite part of the wedding day… Ross made a mash-up of songs for our first dance. It was
amazing seeing our guests response to it. The dance floor was hopping from then and The Cazettes kept it alive until the very early morning. I do remember my brother offering Caroline the main singer and DJ his wallet at the end of the night to keep going! We had the best time.
My piece of advice for other couples… I think you should definitely head away for a few days following the wedding. You need it to unwind and recover. However, I would not spend a lot of money. I was so exhausted I ended up getting sick and was unable to enjoy the full extent of our beautiful surroundings. Try and keep your planning simple and do not get carried away with the little things as they simply are features and not important.
What is it that makes your wedding unique?
As I mentioned Ross used a ring belonging to his Mum to propose to me. This has since become an amazing, touching and emotional element of our wedding story. Ross’s Mum passed away very quickly and suddenly 4 months after the proposal. Even though she wasn’t with us on the day we felt her involvement. I was gifted the ring on my hen night by Ross’s sister and wore it on the wedding day.
Suppliers
Wedding venue: Kilkea Castle | Photographer: Paul McGinty | Videographer: Brian Guilfoyle, Two Paws Video | Band and DJ: The Cazettes | Hair: Paula Flanagan, Bankz Hairdressers | Makeup: Debbie McAuliffe Make Up Masters | Florist: All Occasions Florist Portlaoise | Dress: Myrtle Ivory Stephanie Allin | Hair Piece and Earrings: Tania Maras | Suits: Dorian Black | Bridesmaids dresses: Folkster | Stationery: Little Ivory Wedding | Cake: Ballyfin Cake Company | Celebrant: Monsignor John Byrne | Church Music: Nuala Kelly and Contemporary Choir
