“We wanted to make the most of the garden in BrookLodge Hotel as it fitted in with our rustic country style wedding. We added hay bales, bunting, a games area and a vintage ice cream cart. We were very lucky to have a beautiful sunny day!”
Length of engagement: 1 year | Wedding date:12th May 2012
Wedding location: BrookLodge Hotel & Macreddin Village, Wicklow
Photographer: Penry Photography
We met… We met at a friend’s 21st birthday party down the country. I was dancing like a lunatic in 6 inch heels until I fell and twisted my ankle. Dave took care of me for the rest of the evening. The rest is history…
The proposal… Dave took me on a surprise trip to for what I thought was my birthday. I was shocked as we pulled up outside Ashford Castle. Little did I know that he had planned to propose while we were walking in the countryside the next morning. We arrived at a beautiful look-out point in the forest, the sky was blue and the sun was glistening over the lake, I was wearing my raincoat and wellies and not one bit prepared! It was very special and amazing.
My wedding dress and accessories… My dress was by the Italian designer Peter Langner. It was our first wedding dress shopping outing and one of the first dresses I tried on. My Mum, sister and I immediately loved it. I was so excited and could not believe I would have to wait a full year to wear it! My sister Eilís made my head piece. She has studied millinery for a number of years and I was so excited when she produced the head piece as a surprise the night before the wedding. It completed my dress. She also made head pieces for my Mum and her sisters.
Our ceremony music… Vladimir Jablokov and Sean Costello provided the music in the church. Sean Costello literally lifted the roof when he sang Nessum Dorma. It was one of our favourite moments from the day. Vladimir Jablokov and his quartet were a major highlight for the entire day. They are very talented and entertaining and played in the church during the service, outside the church after the wedding and in Brooklodge for the afternoon at the drinks reception. They brought us into the room in Brooklodge to the Can-Can – It was so much fun, everyone loved them.
Our favourite memories… There were a few… driving from the church in Ashford to Aughrim – looking behind us on the straight mile and seeing the long line of cars travelling behind us; entering into the room behind Vladimir Jablokov and his quartet to the Can Can – everyone was clapping and cheering, it was fantastic; the photobooth – looking at everyone taking photos with the polaroid camera and having the photos in a memory book now made the idea extra special.
Our flowers… As we wanted to create a specific wildflower and colourful look we spent a lot of time researching florists. We chose the French Touch and I am so happy that we did. Stephanie is a lovely person and very professional. I cried with joy when the flowers arrived the morning of the wedding. They were more beautiful than I could ever have imagined.
How we made our day special… Dad was fundamental in helping us to create our rustic themed wedding. Our cake stand, table name holders and stands for the cheese table were all handmade by Dad from douglas fir wood. We loved being able to incorporate Dad’s gift of working in joinery into our wedding.
Dad also made the photobooth. This was a fun and exciting part of the day. We bought a Polaroid camera so that photos and messages from our guests could be added to a memory book. It was lovely to have this to look through the day after the wedding.
We wanted to make the most of the garden in Brooklodge as it fitted in with our rustic country style wedding. We added hay bales, bunting, a games area and a vintage ice cream cart. We were very lucky to have a beautiful sunny day.
“The garden in Brooklodge fitted in with our rustic country style wedding. We added hay bales, bunting, a games area and a vintage ice cream cart.”
“Dad also made the photobooth. We bought a Polaroid camera so that photos and messages from our guests could be added to a memory book.”
Our evening entertainment… Beatclub provided the evening music. Straight away from the first song the dancefloor was full until the end of the night. They are not your typical wedding band and everyone loved them which was very important to Dave and I.
We chose our venue because… BrookLodge Hotel was the first place we viewed and we instantly fell in love. The hotel has a beautiful authenticity. It is surrounded by nature and the food is organic – both of these elements were very important to us.
Our first dance song… Happy Together – The Turtles. We practised dancing to it twice in the sitting room the week before the wedding but no lessons or choreographing.
Our honeymoon… Guatemala and Belize in Central America. We had an amazing time, the journey was long but it was worth it. The locals were so friendly and we had a great mix of sightseeing, adventure and relaxation in the Caribbean.
My advice for other couples… Just to do it your way. Don’t be afraid to ask for anything out of the ordinary. If you have an idea or something different that you would like then make sure it happens. BrookLodge Hotel were very accommodating to all our requests. I would not change anything about the day.
Other vendors…
Our wedding car… The car was a 1962 Bentley S2 Limousine from Connolly Chauffeurs. It was very comfortable and the driver was a pure gentleman. We really enjoyed the car journey to Brooklodge.
Our cake… Nothing compares to Mum’s homemade fruit cake. She makes it every Christmas and we all love it so Mum made the fruit part of our wedding cake. The Cake Creator in Gorey made the sponge and biscuit cake and iced it.
Our stationery… Siobhán Maunsell who is a good friend and a very talented designer created our invitations, menus and mass booklets.
My hair and make-up… Michelle O’Hare was our hairstylist and Clare Hogan was our make-up artist. Both Michelle and Clare were excellent in the lead up to the wedding and on the day itself. They were very relaxed in the house on the morning of the wedding and helped to calm any last minute nerves. Both ladies are very creative and we all looked beautiful for the day.
