“We planned our wedding from Melbourne, booking nearly everything based on videos and reviews or word of mouth.”
Names: Kate and Jordan
Length of engagement: 18 Months
Wedding Date: 8th June 2019
Wedding location: Mulranny Park Hotel
Photographer: David Maury
We met… Online, our first date we met for a quick drink ended up having dinner and another drink, we chatted all night.
Our proposal… Was on an island in Thailand, we got the ring made in Melbourne when we got back, based on my grandmothers ring, with diamonds from his mums engagement ring- its vintage inspired which kind of became our theme.
Our wedding theme/colours… Was relaxed mix-match with a little vintage, Irish and Australian mix, I wanted our wedding to represent us.
Things we DIY’d/made ourselves… We made the invites, the place names, the chalkboard, the sign post at the reception and the decals for hangers and my wellies! A friend designed the kangaroo playing the harp emblem for us so it was used a few times.
Our cake was a team effort – We made the sheep for the top (we are the Sheppards) My mum made the traditional fruit cake middle layer, I made the top gluten & dairy free red velvet cake and my sisters boyfriends family made us the bottom layer chocolate biscuit cake and the sugar craft flowers for the top. We actually picked the flowers for the cake first then picked our flowers to match! For the cake I wanted cake for everyone we had a few coeliacs at the wedding who were so excited to be able to eat wedding cake- we had signs saying “let them all eat cake”.
My dress… was an older design of Karen Willis-Holmes ‘ivy’ that I bought online, I took a gamble and ordered it, I knew I liked a lot of that designers work and really liked the vintage look of the dress but it wasn’t available any more- it fit and was exactly what I wanted. I got it altered slightly by Anna o alterations- it was amazing the difference it made, I thought it fell before but having it fitted slightly just changed everything, it also gave my mum and maid of honour a chance to see the dress on.
My hair and make up… was done by two amazing local Achill ladies- Katrina from Eskape salon and Lorna from Lorna’s mobile hair salon. We went vintage inspired so red lips but more modern make up and the same theme for my hair. I did a trial about 3 weeks before the wedding, I recommend getting your trial hair and make up done on the same day – it gives you an idea of how it works. The two girls were so lovely to have around on the morning of the wedding, such an easy relaxing morning getting ready.
I had a head piece made for my wedding by Laura Deakin of coral covey jewellery, I wanted something that wasn’t mass made, that told a story and something I could wear again, I picked oak leaves as the design as they have magical properties related to life and wisdom and I got 7 of them as 7 is a magical number.
His suit… InStitchu- custom made in Melbourne, Jordan wears suits everyday for work so wanted something a little different.
What our bridal party wore… The girls got dresses in folkster, we used the VIP bridesmaid experience which was amazing, we had the entire room to ourselves and someone bringing us dresses in the right size. I went mix and match as I wanted everyone to be comfortable so I picked my favourite top, we picked coordinating outfits and they all tried them until they found what suited them best. It was so much fun having the space to try on clothes without having to queue for changing rooms or search for sizes.
For the suits we ordered from M&S online- one groomsmen lives in Ireland and one in Australia meant they could try them on and get them fitted without worrying about last minute suit fitting. The best woman got a dress from ASOS that coordinated style wise with the girls but matched the navy of the boys suits. We got ivory shirts for all the boys as my dress was ivory- I had to give that little secret away.
Our ceremony… We got married in Mulranny church as it was a church I spent a lot of time in as a child, we tailored the ceremony so it was inclusive and meaningful, I really enjoyed the prayer over our hands- that these are the hands that will care for each other as we age.
We chose our photographer because… I have known David for a long time, and had seen his photos and loved his style so he was the first thing we booked when we set our wedding date!
We chose our wedding coordinator because… Asta coordinates all weddings in the venue, she was everything we could have wanted as a coordinator, communication was incredible, she worked with us to personalise our wedding and was there all day to make sure everything went smoothly, nothing was too much.
We chose our venue because… I wanted to get married in Mayo where my Dad is from and where I spent a lot of time growing up, I emailed the hotel and they couldn’t have been more helpful. Amazing communication made it easy planning from Australia- I hadn’t even seen the wedding room until after we booked! I would choose it again, amazing views service, food and atmosphere.
Our menu… we had cheese buffet on arrival with Irish craft beer (sheep stealer by black donkey brewing) and sparkling wine, we had canapes including vegemite and cheese scrolls, our starters was smoked salmon or black & white pudding, mains sea bass or beef fillet and dessert was crème Brulee or chocolate brownie. We spent time picking wines that matched the food as both us and our guest enjoy good wine. We both enjoy good food and wine and that is definitely what we got- it was great to show case the best of Irish foods!
Our honeymoon… We flew back from Australia for our wedding so didn’t have much extra time after, we got a little pre-moon to Italy and then had 2 nights in Castle Leslie in Co. Monaghan for some relaxing and unwinding after.
My favourite part of the wedding day… after we got married we went to the beach for some photos it was nice just having some us time. I also enjoyed the first dance, we had learnt to dance in Melbourne before the wedding. Our band kept the dance floor so full- they literally didn’t stop between songs it was incredible- they even did some Irish dancing in the middle!
My piece of advice for other couples… Speak to your venue about personalising things, Mulranny park were incredible in working with us to personalise things- we had Australian canapes (vegemite and cheese rolls), cheese boards with a selection of Irish cheeses, craft beers, we changed our wines so they paired with our food. We chose a table arrangement that meant we were in the middle of our guests which made it feel so intimate. They also include flowers to match your style and colour scheme.
Stay calm- it’s amazing how other people’s stress levels rise when you say it’s for your wedding but we were so relaxed and calm it was actually funny watching people stress- if the bride is calm everyone else should be too!
What is it that makes your wedding unique? We planned our wedding from Melbourne, booking nearly everything based on videos and reviews or word of mouth, we tried to keep local people where possible. This actually made it easier, less overthinking we just booked.
Suppliers
Wedding venue: Mulranny Park Hotel | Photographer: David Maury | Planner/coordinator: Asta Wedding Moments | Videographer: ER films | Musician: We had pipers outside the church | Band and DJ: Concord | Hair: Lorna’s Mobile Hairdressing | Makeup: Katrina from Eskape beauty Salon, Achill | Dress: Karen Willis Holmes design | Suit: Melbourne- made by InStichu | Bridesmaids dresses: Mix & match from Folkster | Groomsmen outfits: Marks & Spencer, Best Woman- ASOS | Celebrant: Fr. Robert Whiteside | Car hire: John Corrigan | Headpiece: Coral Covey Jewellery | Brides shoes: Rachel Simpson | Flowers (bridal and church): Olivia from Achill island flowers
