You might remember their wedding from the Autumn Edition of B Magazine. Here, in the WOL office, we fell head over heels for this couple, the David Fielden dress, the location, the photography by Daniel Griffiths and everything else in between that we just had to share it with you all online!
Here is their love story…
We met…
We met while I worked in a crèche. One Christmas we had a fancy dress party for the children and we organised a local photographer to take their pictures. In walked a very cute and hilariously funny photographer called Sean (Sean Curtin Photography). Coincidence or not, I bumped into him later on that night at my staff party, we swapped numbers and the rest, as they say, is history.
First impressions…
The first thing I always remember noticing was Sean’s trainers! Being a ‘jeans and tee’ girl I loved the way he dressed (almost as cool as me!) However, what I love now and loved then more than anything is Sean’s sense of humour. When we went on our first date, I had pains in my sides from laughing. That is the wonderful thing about Sean, he is the ‘funny guy’ and will put a smile on anyone’s face, but also has the kindest heart!
Our proposal…
Sean proposed to me on Christmas four and a half years later (the anniversary of the first day we met). He had booked a late reservation at a restaurant. At the time, I thought it strange that we were the only table left, and even stranger that the staff kept smiling at us. All was explained when the desserts came out, instead of ice cream I had the most beautiful diamond ring. All the staff cheered and raised a glass of bubbly to us. I was totally blown away, even more so when the chef came out and gave us keys to the penthouse suite for the weekend. Just when I thought that it couldn’t get any better, Sean had organised for friends and family to gather for a birthday party for me in the penthouse the next evening. As my birthday falls on Christmas day, I rarely get to celebrate it with everyone. It was just so sweet!
… That morning after the madness that is hair and makeup, Sean and I escaped to the beach for half an hour. We said our own personal vows to each other and just took a moment to relax and enjoy it before the rest of the day sped away from us.
My dress…
I bought my dress online, second hand. I found my beloved David Fielden on boards.ie and made a few changes to it to make it my own. I’ve even worn it since! My bridesmaids wore white dresses made by Sean’s mother Margie.
Our ceremony…
Our Ceremony was held in An Diseart Chapel, Dingle. It truly was a breath taking venue. The sun shone down on us through Harry Clarke’s amazing stained glass windows. Myself and Sean love our music and we wanted that reflected in our ceremony. We found two gifted sisters, Aoife and Deirde Gandville, who did such an incredible job on the harp and piano. They played The Beatles “Black Bird”, an instrumental of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “All I ask of you”, and “Perhaps Love” by John Denver. We also had our good friend Dom Richard Purcell O.S.C marry us.
Our wedding theme/colours…
We didn’t have a theme or colours, all we knew was that it was to be different and relaxed for everyone. I didn’t want a white wedding dress and Sean didn’t want the top and tails. So Sean found a suit that he liked for himself. Kevin and their mum Margie made the ties. I had a Honey coloured dress and my bridesmaids wore white. Our wedding was going to be personal and meaningful to us.
We spent hours looking online for quirky ideas for weddings. Quirky ideas tend to cost money so that’s when it turned into a serious DIY wedding. With many man hours put in by friends and family invitations were made, pompoms were folded, sweet bags were stamped, labels for bottles designed, items were found at car-boot sales and hours of trawling the internet for the best bargains were had. Sean and John even constructed a photobooth!
Our venue…
We wanted to enjoy the engagement time so didn’t rush to look at wedding venues but after three years we decided to give the family a day out. We fell in love with Ballintaggart House in Dingle, Co Kerry. The owner John Cluskey met us with the warmest of greetings and after popping on the coffee he showed us around the enchanting 300-year-old Manor. John, and his family and staff have this incredible ability to make you feel at home, we found ourselves not wanting to leave, maybe it was the roaring fire or the view of beautiful Dingle Bay, whatever it was we just didn’t want to go home. John suggested the Diseart Chapel in Dingle for the ceremony. When we went to visit it, it just took our breath away. John and his team played such a great part in our wedding, we left feeling like friends.
My favourite part of the wedding day…
We found the most beautiful places in the world to get married – Kerry is a magical world and the warmest of homes, Ballintaggart House. We were surrounded by friends and family who each had a part in our day, from being there to support us, to give us advice, helping with the DIY, staying up till the wee hours to decorate the marquee, reading at the ceremony and the friend who makes you realize this isn’t a dream when she gasps as you walk into the chapel.
As I walked up the aisle, hand in hand with my uncle looking at Sean, it was the most breathtaking moment of my life and a memory that will stay with me always.
My piece of advice for other brides…
Your wedding doesn’t have to be what Aunt Betty down the road wants or expects. Don’t listen to ANYBODY except yourselves. Sit down and discus exactly what the day means to the both of you. I almost drove poor Sean demented with wedding blogs and DIY forums! All brides should start looking them up, they were my nightly reading and I still love them. Most important, your day will go by so quickly. After the ceremony and the pictures, everyone will want to talk to you and a lot of time can go by without seeing your other half, so make sure to meet up somewhere. It’s your day, so try to enjoy it together!
Vendors
Reception: Ballintaggart House, Dingle, Co Kerry.
Photographer: Daniel Griffiths
Flowers: A New Leaf -Floral Design and Decor
Band: Final Touch
Head piece: Karen Flannery
Hair: Trisha O’Sullivan, Munster Mobile Hair
Make up: Divas Hair and Beauty
My Dress: David Fielden – check out his 2012 Collection on WOL!
Bridesmaid Dresses: My wonderful mother-in-law!
