” It was my dream to get married in the garden of my family home.”
The couple: Louise Wilkinson & Liam O Grady
Length of engagement: 2 years | Wedding date: 24th August 2013
Wedding location: Glen of Aherlow, Co. Tipperary
Photographer: Hilda McMahon, McMahon Studios
We met… At a pub called Nancy’s Bar in Limerick City.
Our proposal… happened on Inchydoney beach, West Cork.
My dress… My dress was a Maggie Sottero gown which I purchased in Cinderella’s, in Blackpool, Cork.
What our bridal party wore… Our groomsmen wore dark grey suits with pink cravats and the bridesmaids wore long pink dresses with silver sandals and matching handbags.
Our ceremony… We were married in a Church of Ireland church with both a Dean and Priest from Catholic Church as our celebrants. As we had a mixed marriage ceremony it was very evenly balanced and both churches very involved in the marriage ceremony.
We chose our photographer because… We chose Hilda (McMahon Studios) because of her excellent reputation. We had also seen her shoot a few weddings we were guests at and we very much liked her style and gentle presence. Both of us didn’t want to be aware that a camera was around us all the time, which we weren’t. Also we had seen some albums which Hilda had done, we very much liked her creativity, quirky attention to detail and the commitment to the final product was very apparent in her work.
We chose our wedding coordinator because… We chose Carl O Mahoney of Aherlow House Hotel as our coordinator as he was very organised and easy to deal with.
We chose our venue because… It was my dream to get married in the garden of my family home.
Our menu…
Starter (Trio)
Melon wrapped in Parma Ham
Mackerel Mousse on Cucumber & Crackers
Pork Terrine
– Champagne Sorbet –
Main
Buffet Style Pig on a Spit
Hake
Dessert
Trio of Desserts
Wedding Cake
Tea & Coffee
My favourite part of the wedding day… The marriage ceremony and the dancing…
My piece of advice for other brides… Don’t get too caught up on certain things, a certain amount of attention and work is necessary but leave some things to come together themselves. Let your friends and family help and delegate jobs – people love getting involved and it’s great fun. Most importantly thank everyone for all the advice which will be landed on you and remember they are just trying to help. All the advice and interference from family and friends can be frustrating so just keep in mind that it’s your day as a couple and you make the final decision on everything. Get used to smiling and thanking people for their advice and smile inside at the pure madness of some of the suggestions which will be made to you! You can enjoy a little giggle with your partner instead of a row in the privacy of your home and disregard a lot of the suggestions and advice which doesn’t fit with the day you are trying to create.