A True Romantic – Bellinter House Real Wedding by Circus Photography

Real Weddings

“Somewhere between eating goat’s brain and camel hump and riding horses through the countryside, we became inseparable.”

The couple: Paige Harryman & Kjell Bornkamp
Length of engagement: 11 months | Wedding Date: 28th September, 2014
Wedding location: Bellinter House, Trim, Co. Meath

Photographer: Suzanne – Circus Photography

billy button button holes boutonnières

bride having make up down

bride and mother morning of wedding

We met… In Mongolia! As an international couple living in Ireland (Kjell is Dutch, and I am American) we get asked how we met quite often. Kjell and I were both volunteering in Mongolia through Projects Abroad during the summer of 2010. Somewhere between living in gers, eating goat’s brain and camel hump, drinking fermented mare’s milk and riding horses through the countryside, we became inseparable.

bridesmaid thank you gift jewellery necklace

silk champagne bridesmaid dresses

bride in tara keely wedding dress

Our proposal… Kjell cleverly proposed in Phoenix Park on a chilly, sunny Saturday morning in November. I arrived at the park thinking I was meeting someone else, but in reality Kjell had set up a scavenger hunt for me! Each clue along the way was found under a huge balloon, and a stranger came up to me and gave me a dozen roses. At the last balloon, Kjell had prepared a picnic, and he got down on one knee and proposed with a ring in one hand, and a puppy in the other! He’s a true romantic.

bride on bellinter house wooden staircase

classic tara keely bride

My dress… was a Tara Keely gown that I bought in the states over Christmas. There were so many styles that I loved, but ended up choosing the one I felt most comfortable in which I think was the best choice. I would love to wear it again.

personalised wedding mass booklet photo

handsome groom and groomsmen

colourful socks groomsmen

handsome groom at church door

His suit… he hired from Pat O’Byrne suits in Trim, and paired it with a white tie. He also wore crazy socks along with all of his groomsmen! They all looked so handsome.

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purple yellow white wedding bouquet

bridesmaids wedding bouquets on church bench

bride and groom kiss on cheek

bride and groom leaving church

Our ceremony… took place at the gorgeous St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Trim. Our vicar, Rob Jones, from our church Holy Trinity in Rathmines officiated the service. We wanted it to be traditional but keep things relaxed, and he did a perfect job!

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groom and bridesmaids laughing

bridesmaids in champagne long dresses

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We chose our photographer because… Kjell and I both liked her documentary style and Suzanne – Circus Photography – put us both at ease so that we didn’t feel uncomfortable with all the pictures. I was relieved not to worry about how the pictures would turn out, I knew they’d be lovely and I wasn’t disappointed.

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glasses of champagne on serving tray

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We chose our venue because… we felt right at home on our first visit to Bellinter House. We loved the way it was decorated, the stunning grounds, the delicious food and the size of it – we wanted it to feel like our home for the day and it did. I wish we could relive the day!

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fun bridesmaids photos bouquets

We chose our wedding coordinator because… Lorraine Cunningham came with Bellinter House! She did an amazing job, and helped us every step of the way. Big thanks goes to her.

poloroid photo table plan wedding

irish wedding bride groom drinking guinness

map wedding table plan travel theme

Our wedding theme/colours… We started with a champagne and blush theme, but added in some other colours as well. We didn’t really have a theme since Bellinter House is so uniquely decorated. We just bought things that we liked and went from there.

bride groom cutting mint wedding cake

Our menu… was yummy! Starter was the Crispy Duck Confit, the soup was Parsnip and Stilton (because I have a rabbit named Parsnip!), the main was a choice of Beef or Halibut, and our dessert was our devil’s food chocolate wedding cake with buttercream frosting.

bride and female guests in wellies

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My favourite part of the wedding day… was finally getting to hold Kjell’s hands during the ceremony. I’d been so nervous and worried but as soon as I was with him I calmed down and could truly relax and enjoy the whole day.

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My piece of advice for other brides… plan ahead, be organised, and enjoy every moment because it goes too fast.