“My dad surprised us by secretly booking opera singing waiters to perform at the dinner. I had no idea and it was the talking point of the night!”
– Bride Orlaith on her Dad’s surprise entertainment
Length of engagement: 10 months | Wedding date: 28/09/2012
Wedding location: The BrookLodge & Wells Spa, Aughrim, Co. Wicklow
Photographer: Ros from Couple Photography
We met… at a horse show in Punchestown in 2007. We had both come to the show to support a friend competing there.
First impressions… I thought that Richard was married to the woman he came to the show with. However, I later discovered that they were cousins over a few drinks. So first impressions changed from thinking he was flirting inappropriately to being very cute!
Our proposal… happened in Australia. We travelled out to Whitehaven Beach in the Whitsunday Islands by seaplane and Richard popped the famous question! What a gorgeous location and means of transport- I’m hoping he’s started as he means to go on!
Our wedding theme/colours… Colours we chose for our day were pastel pinks, reds, ivory. Stephanie from The French Touch did a great job with the bouquets and church decorations. The equine theme was showcased by our custom cake topper which included our favourite pet- our horse Paddy!
“The only small glitch was that the aisle itself was a little tight for two people walking up it together- something we only found out as the bridal procession started!”
Our ceremony… We celebrated in Church of the Sacred Heart in Aughrim, Co. Wicklow. Our priest Fr. Sean O’Toole settled our nerves and ensured we really enjoyed the ceremony and our day. Beautiful classical music was played throughout the ceremony by the Avoca String Quartet. The only small glitch was that the aisle itself was a little tight for two people walking up it together- something we only found out as the bridal procession started. However, we managed to make it to the altar without taking any pew decorations with us or standing on the dress!
Our photographer… We met Ros from Couple Photography at a wedding fair we went to in the RDS earlier this year. The image of a bride jumping into a lake in her wedding dress caught my eye and I went over to ask her if she had really taken the photo. By the time Ros had finished explaining the whole theory behind ‘trash-the-dress’ practice we knew she was the photographer for us!
“I was immediately won over when we went to look at it by the presence of two gorgeous golden retriever dogs sprawled out in front of the reception desk in the main house! Not to mention the brood of resident chickens that have free reign of the grounds.”
– Bride talking about why they she choose BrookLodge as their wedding venue
Our venue… Our aim was to have a relaxed atmosphere on the day and pick a location where our guests could really enjoy themselves. We chose BrookLodge as our venue. I was immediately won over when we went to look at it by the presence of two gorgeous golden retriever dogs sprawled out in front of the reception desk in the main house! Not to mention the brood of resident chickens that have free reign of the grounds. Niamh and the team at Brook Lodge did an amazing job making the day run smoothly for us.
My dress… was made by Caroline Castigliano in London. I knew it was the one for me the minute I tried it on! It is a bias cut V neck dress with a lace bodice and silk skirt. The only sad moment of the day was hanging it up after all the celebrations knowing I wouldn’t get to wear it again!
My favourite part of the wedding day… So many to choose from! The main one has to be saying my vows and hearing our priest pronouncing us husband and wife in front of our family and friends- that’s what it’s all about at the end of the day! My dad also surprised us by secretly booking opera singing waiters to perform at the dinner. I had no idea and it was the talking point of the night! And last one… our band – Transmitter- were absolutely amazing and made our night. We can’t highly recommend these guys enough. I don’t think any dance floor was designed to have the level of usage it had to bear the night of our wedding!
“The equine theme was showcased by our custom cake topper which included our favourite pet- our horse Paddy!”
“The only sad moment of the day was hanging my dress up after all the celebrations knowing I wouldn’t get to wear it again!”
My piece of advice for other brides… Best piece of advice is to share the ‘to do’ list between the two of you! Enjoy the lead up to the wedding and try and not get too stressed over the invite list.
Vendors
| Venue: BrookLodge, Wicklow Photographer: Ros, Couple Photography Bouquets & flowers: The French Touch Dress: Caroline Castigliano, London | Videographer: Edit House Make-Up: Hayley McGowan Hair: Sandy Maher from The Powder Room Girls Cake Topper: Mini Me Models |
By Karen Birney
