A Pink Vintage Wedding at Westport Woods Hotel in Ireland.
Names: Michelle Malone & Liam Filan
Length of engagement: 12 Months
Wedding Date: 1st June 2018
Wedding location: Westport Woods Hotel
Photographer: David Duignan Photography
We met… Through work.
Our proposal… On holidays in Italy, he got down on one knee on top of Juliet’s balcony in Verona.
Our wedding theme/colours… Soft pink, Country/ vintage.
My dress… A Jesus Peiro design from Belladonna Bridal in Galway, it had pockets.
My hair and makeup… Aishling from Glo Beauty Clinic Castlebar did my Makeup. Maire from Peter Mark Castlebar did my hair.
His suit… Eddie Murphy’s.
What our bridal party wore… Soft pink halter neck dresses from Simone’s in Sligo.
Our ceremony… All Saints Church, Killasser, Swinford, Mayo.
We chose our photographer because… We really like his work, having seen his portfolio and then completing our engagement photo shoot with Dave we knew we had made the right choice. He was a pleasure to work with and how he captured our day was simply perfect.
We chose our wedding coordinator because… Honestly you just have to meet him once and you would understand. Seamus is simply outstanding at what he does. He was fun, professional, caring, thoughtful and really detail orientated. There was no job too big or too small and he really supported me throughout the organising and planning of our wedding. Whether it was looking for hair and makeup for guests or the next day after our wedding to helping ensure the kids attending the wedding were being looked after. I really felt like I was special and that he genuinely cared about my wedding and that meant a lot to me.
We chose our venue, Westport Woods, because… Again, you just have to see it once, it is absolutely stunning. We had a Summer wedding and to have the grounds outside almost as part of the inside of your wedding reception is amazing. There was so much light with fantastic views to the forest with outdoor seating and lighting around the trees, the gazebos outside with beautiful outdoor fires, candles and giant bean bags it was just fab to look at.
We had a fairy light backdrop with a private bar and from the minute we set foot into this hotel we were met with a friendly service from the owner right through to the bar staff and to us that was a sign of really well ran hotel. We were also able to take pictures in a beautifully light area of the woods as the sun went down and to know that we were able to let the kids run around in the privacy of the grounds knowing they were safe was also a huge bonus. Liam and I are very thankful to have had Joanne, Caroline, Seamus and all the staff of the Westport Woods Hotel take such good care of us and not just on our wedding day but throughout the build up to it also.
Our menu… Well what can I say, the food and the service was top notch. Everyone commented on how yummy the food was. Even the vegetarians we had eating with us, which was brilliant. From the soup right through to the desert with plenty for everyone. We were really impressed. The top table splashed out and a few of the boys had the finest steak on offer and again the service was fantastic.
Our honeymoon… The holiday of a lifetime, we went to Kenya and did a Safari in the Masi Mara and then went to Mauritius. I would highly recommend a Safari to anyone thinking about it. Our driver Duncan on Safari was an absolute blast and had a wealth of knowledge on all the animals. It was fantastic.
My favourite part of the wedding day… Oh that would be way too hard to pick. There are so many little moments on your wedding day that all add up to making it as special as it is. From the minute you wake up on your wedding day it is an exciting experience. Of course seeing your Husband-to-be for the first time is a super special moment. But also dancing your way into your reception and hearing your Dad talk in the speeches or your first kiss as a married couple. And that dance you share with the whole room watching. Your entire day is special and having a venue that facilitates and excels in its service to offer you and your family the best day is really such a wonderful experience.
My piece of advice for other couples… Don’t sweat the small stuff. Enjoy the lead up to your wedding just as much as the wedding day itself. Not everything will go perfectly but your day will still be perfect. Try and grab a few minutes for yourselves alone together to have a kiss and cuddle and to say hi to your new husband/wife and enjoy every minute.
Suppliers
Venue: Westport Woods Hotel | Photographer: David Duignan | Dress: Belladonna Bridal | Makeup: Glo Beauty | Hair: Peter Mark | Groom’s suit: Eddie Murphy’s | Bridesmaids dresses: Simone’s | Veil: Simone’s | Invites: Orla at All In Design & Print | Bride and Bridesmaid jewellery: Egan’s Jewellers | Flowers: Judi from Balla Florists | Church and venue decoration: Vivienne from Rosewater Weddings
