-800x680.jpg)
“There was only one thing we did struggle with during the wedding planning – making our mass booklets. Between the 100’s of paper cuts and trying not to have blood filled mass booklets followed by attaching tiny little ribbons we eventually got there. Amidst the tears of frustration they finally turned out different and very personal.”
– Bride Edel divulges her brush with wedding DIY!
Length of engagement: One year | Wedding date: 4th August 2012
Wedding venue: Glasson Lakehouse, Westmeath
Photographer: Michelle Prunty Photography
We met… We were introduced by the Best Man (Alan Murphy) as teenagers at a Leaving Certificate cram course in Dublin. We hit if off straight away but lost touch after a few months, only to meet again on an end of year college night out four years later. Unknown to us we were in the same class and degree, but some how missed each other over an entire course semester.
“Knowing that I was afraid of heights and roller coasters it was here he decided to pop the question.
Well you would not imagine the amount of screaming.”
– Edel, on getting engaged on a roller coaster in Thorpe Park
Our proposal… Rory and I had been dating for nearly seven years when he decided to propose. He had arranged a trip to Thorpe Theme Park in Surrey, England. Knowing that I was afraid of heights and roller coasters it was here he decided to pop the question, his reasoning behind this was so I would not see his nerves as I was too worried about the roller coaster. This worked perfectly; as we sat into the caged car of the roller coaster he opened his hand, presenting a beautiful ring and asked me to marry him. I instantly said yes burst into tears and the ride took off. Well you would not imagine the amount of screaming. First, with excitement and secondly pure fear, the fear of the heights but most importantly the ring on my finger was a little too big and I was afraid of it falling off.
·
Our colour scheme… As our venue was rich in colour we opted for quite a neutral but elegant colour scheme of gold and champagne. The scheme was used throughout the invitations right down to the flower girl, who was Rory’s beautiful godchild.
“For me, the one thing that will stay with me forever is the look that my dad
had on in his face when he first saw me in the dress.”
Problem along the way… The whole day was actually like a dream filled with sunshine, laughter and grace. However, there is one thing that we did struggle with and this was the mass booklets it took an amazingly patient bridesmaid Britta Johnig and I 14 hours to copy and paste, research the readings and the right homily for the mass booklet. Not only this, we also had to make the booklets, between the 100’s of paper cuts and trying not to have blood filled mass booklets followed by attaching tiny little ribbons we eventually got there. Amidst the tears of frustration they finally turned out different and very personal. Thank you Britta!
Our ceremony… The wedding ceremony was held in the church of St. Colmcille’s Church, Ballinahown, Athlone, Co. Westmeath. We decided on St. Colmcill’s Church as a beautiful church setting was very important to us. We were incredibly lucky that on the day the sun beamed through the doors and lit up the aisle.
My dress… I had always wanted a princess dress for my wedding and found the dress of my dreams in Kathy de Stafford Bridal Wear on Exchequer Street, Dublin 2. I had left it a little late (that’s me in a nut shell) but they were just fantastic and had the dress fitted and altered in perfect time for the wedding.
Our colour scheme… As our venue was rich in colour we opted for quite a neutral but elegant colour scheme of gold and champagne. The scheme was used throughout the invitations right down to the flower girl, who was Rory’s beautiful godchild. ·
Our photographer… There are so many photographers out there it can be hard to know where to start. I feel so lucky to have had Michelle Prunty as our photographer. From our very first meeting with her we clicked straight away and felt that she knew exactly what we were looking for on our special day. We only wanted a few posed photos and the rest to be candid shots of our guests enjoying the day. We believe that Michelle captured exactly how we felt throughout the day and we are truly grateful to her for producing so many wonderful photos.
“After the ceremony we stopped off at the local post box with our marriage papers where we got
a great snap shot by our photographer Michelle, after this we headed to the reception with all
our guests following us and honking the horn continuously at 30 km/hr. This convoy was lead by
Mary Duffy and all the bridesmaids something I always wanted and never expected to happen.”
Our favourite moments of the day… Wow, there were too many memorable moments to mention, from seeing Rory as I first walked down the aisle, having Rory’s grandmother there to share our day, the speeches, the first dance, the Trad session that started after the DJ.
Our flowers and cake… I would like to give a special thank you to my friend Niamh for designing the most beautiful flowers I could ever have wished for on our wedding day. I almost cried when I saw my bouquet and the bridesmaids bouquets as they were everything I wanted and so much more. Gina, at SimplyElegant Cakes did a wonderful job, the cake was absolutely delicious with flavours to suit all tastes.
Our venue… When we first visited Glasson Lakehouse, Glasson, Co.Westmeath we were instantly taken back by its beauty and intimate surrounds. The views from the entrance driveway overlooking the golf course and the lake were simply amazing and we instantly knew that this was the place where our guests could relax and enjoy ourselves and where the evening celebrations could flow.
“The entire team at Glasson Country Hotel & Golf Club (in particular Fidelma and Garrett who were such a great help to us)
was absolutely incredible and I would recommend the venue any day “
“I feel so lucky to have had Michelle as our photographer. We only wanted a few posed photos and the rest to be
candid shots of our guests enjoying the day. She knew exactly what we were looking for…”
– Edel, on photographer Michelle Prunty
My advice to other brides… Coming up to the last few months before the wedding we often wished that we had gone to Las Vegas with all the organising to finalise the wedding, but looking back now we would not change our day for anything in the world. Both of us agree that the day flies by incredibly fast and it’s often a good idea to take a step back and take it all in together. We did this as we were advised by our friends who got married a couple of months before us and the following morning we were appreciative for the advice.
Vendors
| Photographer: Michelle Prunty Photography Venue: Glasson Lakehouse, Westmeath Wedding dress: Kathy de Stafford Music: Dave from Vertigo | Bridesmaids’ dresses: lightinthebox.com Men’s suits: Black Tie, Terenure, Dublin Hair: Edel’s friends, International stylist Mary Duffy Make-up: Make-up by Keara, Keara Kelly |
By Karen Birney
