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It was a dull day in January when Annelie and Dave took a trip down to Westmeath and to Mount Druid. There was no doubting the beauty of the landscape, but with a barn that was a functioning sheep shed and a chapel that was only erect in their imagination, you would understand if they chose to continue with caution. However the couple saw the haven that owners Adrian and Deirdre saw before them and fell head over heels in love with the venue. Six months later the couple were the first to say their vows in the beautifully intimate chapel. After, their 160 impressed guests meandered through walled gardens to the lakeside decking and listened to the Carolan String Quartet while sipping Pimms. The day was a thoroughly stylish affair, from Annelie’s exquisitely chic Rachel Zoe dress right down to the handmade signs and wildflower centrepieces and the couple say they owe it all to the guys at Mount Druid. “It’s not only a place of awe on a wintery or summery day,” said the couple, “it’s Adrian, Deirdre & Eavan and the entire team at Mount Druid that make it so perfect. It truly was the most amazing weekend of our lives…”
Edited by Karen Birney
Bride & Groom: Annelie Mc Caffrey, a PR manager, & Dave Coffey, a chef.
Length of engagement: Six months
Wedding Date: 7th July 2012
Wedding Ceremony & Reception: Mount Druid – Boutique Wedding Venue www.alternativeweddings.ie
Photographer: Leon Farrell – Photocall Ireland
We met… At Christmas in 2009 and went on our first date in 2010.
Our proposal… He whisked me away to Barcelona for the weekend and popped the question in ‘Big Fish’ restaurant.
My dress… I wore a dress by Rachel Zoe dress from Brown Thomas.
Our ceremony… Our ceremony was held in the custom made chapel on the grounds which held our 160 guests on a warm sunny day. Dave and I wrote the blessing and the ceremony was held by my sister Lisa and her husband Anthony. We also had a friend of ours perform Bon Ivor ‘Skinny Love’ in the chapel.
We chose our venue because… We feel in LOVE with it. We were the first wedding in Mount Druid, but we saw the owner Adrian’s dream. Neither of the barns was completed at the time we went to view the venue, in fact one was a sheep shed and the chapel was a distant dream! But it all came together. We held our blessing in the chapel and afterwards guests walked to the lakehouse for Pimms and music from the Carolan String Quartet. Then it was onwards to the two converted barns for a wild party that didn’t finish until early in the morning. Our families stayed in the houses on the grounds whilst our friends settled into the traditional Mongolian yurts and man-made shepherds huts.
My favourite part of the wedding day… The local ice cream van driving up to dish out 99s for our wedding dessert.
My piece of advice for other brides… If you’re looking for somewhere different make sure to drop into Mount Druid. Also anything is possible it’s your ceremony and wedding day you can amend as you guys see fit! Make it your own.
Our honeymoon… We went to Miami, Mexico (Tulum) and Belize (Caye Caulker).
