“We got married on a beautiful sunny Saturday in April. My gorgeous sunflower bouquet and stunning blue shoes fit in perfectly with the weather.”
Couple: Carla and Patrick
Venue: Newgrange Hotel
Photographer: DMC Photography
Carla says, “Plenty of elements on the day were DIY projects; our table number centerpieces, our invitations, our memorial table. I also done bathroom baskets for the ladies and gents, a flip flop basket which was a total hit. We made Tayto sandwich packs for the evening time. I used brown bags bought on Shein, 2 slices of bread, 2 individual butters and a pack of Tayto with a napkin. Everyone loved it, there wasn’t one pack left.”
Carla wore a beautiful white dress that had a slight puff to it. She had a v neck and a v at the back with a slight cover on the shoulder. Inspired by Carrie Bradshaw, she wore blue shoes (her something blue), as well as a white clover necklace, earrings and bracelet and a diamond hair piece.
Paddy wore a navy suit with a checkered jacket, brown shoes and a printed tie that had a beautiful variety of colours. He had little bicycle cuff links, brown stars watch and a brown belt.
The maid of honour wore a navy blue dress with gold shoes and a gold diamanté belt, navy and gold diamanté hair piece and gold jewelry. Best man and groomsmen wore navy suits like Paddy’s with a slightly different jacket and tie. Ring bearer wore a navy suit with brown shoes and he had a little ring security box.
“Our ceremony was beautiful and so meaningful. I walked down the aisle to Ellie Goulding ‘How long will I love you’, we lit our remembrance candle to ‘Somewhere over the rainbow’, our unity candle we lit to ‘Grace’, sand ceremony was ‘A spaceman came travelling’, signed our forms to ‘Can’t help falling in love’ and we walked down the aisle to ‘Rewrite the stars’ from The Greatest Showman. All of our songs were sung by our amazing ceremony singer Niamh Hogan. Paddy’s two sisters, Tanya and Annmarie read a reading each. We wrote our own vows and had a sand ceremony with our 3 boys included.”
“We chose the Newgrange Hotel in Navan because we simply fell in love with the ceremony and reception room, as we only wanted a small wedding of 50 people the room was perfect. It was modern and elegant and fit our theme perfectly. When we saw the bridal suite I was sold, it was simply magical, it had recently been refurbished and it was gorgeous. Stephanie the manager and Nicola the wedding coordinator couldn’t have been any more helpful from day one they were just amazing. All the staff were so nice. The packages they offer are amazing it includes everything so it really takes all the stress out of trying to find your own photographer, band, DJ, florist and cake. It really was a major help.”
The wedding was beautifully captured by David McLean of DMC Photography.
“Our photographer was David McLean. David was such a lovely man, answered every question we had. David brought us down to receive Abbey after the ceremony for pictures and it was simply breathtaking. His attention to detail was unbelievable. On the day he had made framed photos to give to my Dad and Paddy’s Mam. Such a nice gesture and they have them forever, great keepsake of our special day. We received our wedding album and the quality and attention to every little detail is crazy we are faded into the background of the pages I’ve never seen anything like it. It was just brilliant.”
“We didn’t have a videographer and we highly regret it. The day goes by so quick and you do miss some moments through out the day. I would highly recommend for anyone getting married to get a videographer.”
For their DIY wedding, Carla made the table number centrepieces with features, flowers and gold numbers. The florist provided cherry blossom trees for some of the tables and large water-filled vases with floating candles on a mirror.
Their wedding entertainment began with Niamh Hogan as their ceremony singer. They also had an evening band called Vegas Trad before their DJ started.
Guests loved the photo booth and it provided a wonderful keepsake for Carla and Paddy!
Carla shares her favourite memory from the day:
“Sitting at the top table beside my husband looking at our guests chatting and laughing amongst themselves. Our most special memory would be that we used our parents’ rings. Sadly my Mam and Paddy’s dad are no longer with us so we used their rings, very sentimental and included them nicely in our day.”
Newlyweds give brilliant wedding advice, here’s what Carla had to say:
“Don’t stress! I know it’s hard but honestly it’s not worth getting stressed over, you won’t even notice on the day what you were stressing over as there will be so many good things happening around you. It’s you and your fiance’s wedding day, no one else’s so do things how you want and don’t let anyone interfere in your planning. Don’t let anyone have a say in your day.”
Recommended Suppliers
Photographer: DMC Photography
Cake: Bernadette Kennelly
Other Suppliers
Venue: Newgrange Hotel | Hair: Tanya Curran | Makeup: Danielle Curran | Dress: Alexanders Bridal | Suits: Swan Outlet | Bridesmaids dress: Boohoo | Celebrant/solemniser: Tara Carroll | Ceremony singer: Niamh Hogan | Band and DJ: Vegas Trad | Stationery: Shein & Temu | Accessories and sunglasses: Shein | Memorial table sign: Temu
