A Romantic Mount Juliet Wedding by Eric Molimard Photography

Real Weddings

 The speeches were really relaxed and fun! We all sat around on couches to hear them before dinner.”

The couple: Robert Murphy & Miriam McDonnell
Length of engagement: 1 Year | Wedding date: 21st Novemeber 2015
Wedding location: Mount Juliet Estate, Thomastown, Co.Kilkenny

Photographer: Eric Molimard Photography

021-IMG_0047-2

024-IMG_0046

030-IMG_0064

We met… First as friends in secondary school in Newbridge in 2002. We both ended up in UCD and got to know each other going out in Dublin during the week and at home at the weekend with our friends. Eventfully in 2004 we had our first kiss on my 19th birthday during a group holiday to Salou!

046-IMG_0114

050-IMG_0128

053-IMG_0134

Our proposal… For our 10th Anniversary we went to Muckross Park Hotel in Killarney for the weekend. Early on Saturday morning, Rob brought me on a surprise private horse riding trip through Killarney National Park. After a little while horse riding, our guide suggested we take a break. Rob and I sat under a big tree chatting until he suddenly got down on one knee and said “well I didn’t bring you out here for nothing!” Next thing I know our guide has a bottle of champagne and some glasses! It was fantastic!

059-IMG_0069-2

065-IMG_0141

073-IMG_0162

My dress… My dress was by Paloma Blanca from Truly Bridal Boutique in Naas, Co. Kildare. It was a satin fitted strapless bodice with a layered organza ballroom skirt and diamante flower detailed waistband. I absolutely loved it!

075-IMG_0088-2

082-IMG_0176

Our wedding theme/colours… we had a sage green and pink colour scheme. The bridesmaids dresses were sage green, the flowers were dusty pink, mum’s outfit ended up matching in dusty pink! Our invitations, table plan and sign in board were cream, sage green and light pink.

012-IMG_0034

097-IMG_0128-2

101-IMG_0137-2

102-IMG_0140-2

106-IMG_0172-2

My hair and makeup… my hair was done by Sarah Cummins of Eternal Flair, Newbridge. My makeup was done by Dawn Ryan of Glamour by Dawn, Kilkenny.

107-IMG_0181-2

113-IMG_0200

123-IMG_0193-2

126-IMG_0197-2

130-IMG_0201-2

132-IMG_0205-2

140-IMG_0223

150-IMG_0242

151-IMG_0243

153-IMG_0246

What our bridal party wore… the bridesmaids wore sage green vintage style dresses from Debenhams and the groomsmen wore suits from Mardec Clothing in Naas, Co. Kildare.

154-IMG_0247

159-IMG_0265

160-IMG_0212-2

Our ceremony… took place at the Church of the Assumption, Thomastown, Co. Kilkenny.

163-IMG_0280

167-IMG_0287

170-IMG_0296

177-IMG_0227-2

200-IMG_0352

213-IMG_0267-2

223-IMG_0298-2-Edit

230-IMG_0403

235-IMG_0409

We chose our photographer because… We loved the style of Eric Molimard‘s photographs. They are beautiful scenes with the bride and groom as part of the scene rather than “in your face” photographs which isn’t our particular style. He shoots beautiful sky shots and some fantastic work in wintry trees (perfect for November!). He also had a great personality when we met him, and put us very much at ease.

267-IMG_0471

269-IMG_0473-Edit

276-IMG_0491

277-IMG_0496 (2)

282-IMG_0388-2

We chose our venue because… We loved the intimate setting of the Lady Helen restaurant at Mount Juliet Estate as well as the unbelievable food for dinner! We had a relatively small wedding by Irish standards so it was perfect. Our fantastic band (The Hitmen Trio) set up in the Majors room, which is like a big living room, so the whole evening felt really intimate – like a fancy house-party!

288-IMG_0408-2

301-IMG_0533

321-IMG_0587

My favourite part of the wedding day… the speeches, they were really relaxed and fun! We all sat around on couches to hear them before dinner.

322-IMG_0589

326-IMG_0597

335-IMG_0638

Our menu…

Starter: Scallops with Carrot, Chicory, Orange & Dashi
Sorbet: Celeriac & Pear Sorbet
Mains: Turbot with Artichoke, Lemon and Fish Cream OR Lamb Rump with Polenta, Carrot & Garlic
Dessert: Raspberry, Yoghurt, Green Tea & Violet
Evening food: Fish & Chip Cones, Bacon Butties & Sandwiches

336-IMG_0639

337-IMG_0640

338-IMG_0641

Our honeymoon… South Africa! We flew to Cape Town for a few days, then drove the Garden Route including wine tasting in Stellenbosch for two nights, Shark Diving in Hermanus, eating food in Plettenberg Bay and a night in Port Elizabeth. We then flew to Johannesburg and then drove to Kruger National Park. We self-drove the park for two days (which was absolutely amazing) and then stayed in a private game reserve (Thornybush) for two nights.

342-IMG_0466-2-Edit

344-IMG_0644

348-IMG_0473-2

350-IMG_0651

351-IMG_0474-2

353-IMG_0478-2

361-IMG_0497-2

364-IMG_0506-2

369-IMG_0521-2

My piece of advice for other brides… Give yourself plenty of time the morning of the wedding to sit back and enjoy yourself! You can have a giggle with your bridesmaids, have a glass of bubbly and some food and enjoy having your hair and make-up done the best it will ever be!