Couple: Melissa Perry & Andy Roche
Engagement length: 2 Years 3 Months
Wedding date: 2021-10-02
Wedding location: The Dunloe Hotel & Gardens
Photographer: Evelyn Woodard
Melissa was in Dingle, celebrating her 30th birthday, when she met Andy, who was also there for the weekend with friends. According to Melissa, their eyes met across the bar and sealed their fate. Andy, however, says that she was dancing in what he can only describe as pyjamas and they caught his eye.
Andy proposed in the most magical location in the world: right under the Eiffel Tower in Paris! This is what Melissa had to say: “When I looked down, Andy was on his knee holding the ring out. I was not expecting him to propose in such a public place so I was completely taken by surprise. The next few days were like a dream… engaged in Paris, it’s the most romantic place in the world. We can’t wait to go back.”
The theme of their wedding was a mix between nature and elegance. “Chanel in the Forest” was the concept behind the inspiration. They picked classic colours of black and ivory, mixed with elements of greenery and bark from the Irish woodlands and forests. Melissa is an interior designer so she went all out with the theme and mood boards. They gathered hundreds of large oak cones that opened up and looked absolutely spectacular.
Melissa wore a princess style ivory ball gown dress with a cathedral length veil. The dress is from Sharon Gregory, who Melissa says was amazing to deal with from start to finish.
Andy and the groomsmen wore tuxedos from Formally Yours. In classic groomsmen style, they went the day before the wedding to get their shoes! Melissa doesn’t even know where the boys got the shoes from but she’s happy they all looked great!
To tie in with the theme of the wedding, the bridesmaids wore forest green coloured dresses to contrast the black and white that the groomsmen wore. Each bridesmaid chose what style of dress they preferred, so they could be comfortable and confident. They wore gold metallic shoes and had matching bags from New Look!
Their ceremony was held in St Mary’s Cathedral, where their daughter Freya was christened. Here’s what Melissa had to say about the ceremony: “The ceremony was beautiful and everyone kept saying ‘You both didn’t look nervous at all,’ and the truth is we were not. We were so happy and present in the moment and grateful that we were exchanging our vows in this beautiful cathedral with all our nearest and dearest as witnesses.”
They chose The Dunloe Hotel & Gardens for their reception venue. The moment they drove through the gates of the hotel for their initial consultation, the picturesque gardens and views caught their breath! Their wedding day was seamless, all the way from the drinks reception to the dinner, the evening and through to breakfast the next morning. They both agree that they could not have chosen a better venue!
As everybody arrived at the drinks reception, they were entertained by the talented Sean Treacy, on the grand piano. For favours, Melissa and Andy put scratch cards in a gift wallet for each guest. They were great entertainment for the tables, because everybody scrambled to find coins to scratch them out!
When asked about their favourite memory from the day, this is what they said: “We both agreed our favourite memory was watching our little girl Freya walk up the aisle as flower girl. Our hearts were bursting with happiness, love and pride. Our favourite part of the day was just before we were called in for dinner, when all the guests had gone in and were seated. Andy and I had a few minutes in the bar alone together and we were able to just chat and actually say to each other ‘We did it’ after all the hard work.”
Melissa and Andy had some brilliant advice for couples planning their wedding: “The day is so busy and goes by so fast after months and months of planning and organising so try to get those few moments alone away from everyone just the two of you, to reflect and breathe and just to chat and to say “I love you.”
Suppliers
Ceremony venue: St. Marys Cathedral, Killarney | Reception venue: The Dunloe Hotel & Gardens | Photographer: Evelyn Woodard | Musician/band: Sean Treacy | DJ: DJ Donal Clifford | Hair: Donna Masteron | Makeup: Georgina Mackessy | Couple’s outfits: Sharon Gregory / Formally Yours | Wedding party outfits: Folkster / Formally Yours | Cake: Cakes by Rita | Celebrant/solemniser: Fr. Kieran O Brien | Stationery: Tralee Printing Works | Jewellery/rings: Keanes Jewellers, Killarney | Accessories: Newbridge Silverware | Flowers: Blooms Florist Killarney
