“When I opened the envelope, I saw tickets which Ollie had designed with significant dates and in the middle of the ticket was ‘Will You Marry Me?’ When I looked up Ollie was down one one knee with a beautiful token ring.”
The couple: Mairead Thompson & Oliver Pender
Length of engagement: 18 Months | Wedding date: 28th April 2016
Wedding venue: Kilronan Castle, Roscommon
Photographer: Memories Photography by Magda | Videographer: Limelight Wedding Films
We met… on a night out in Dublin back in 2008. We had seen each other in passing on a few occasions. On this particular night I was talking to a friend of my brother’s whom I had bumped into. Ollie happened to know him also and stopped to speak to him too. After getting to know each other, the end of the night came and my friend whom I was out with was wrecked and wanted to go home so put my number in Ollie’s phone, and as they say the rest is history!
Our proposal… We had just bought our house and as a treat, Ollie told me he had bought tickets for a show that was on in the 3 Arena. We decided we would make a day of it and booked dinner and headed into town early. We decided we would go into the Westbury for a coffee. As we were about to leave, Ollie asked me to double check the tickets in an envelope. When I opened the envelope, I saw tickets which Ollie had designed with significant dates and in the middle of the ticket was ‘Will You Marry Me?’ When I looked up Ollie was down one one knee with a beautiful token ring. I was so shocked!! Ollie escorted me up to a beautiful suite where he told me we had an appointment in Appleby Jewellers (where my mum and sister had got their engagement rings too).
After picking the most beautiful engagement ring, we went over to a church across the road to have our ring blessed (something my parents had done too). Ollie had also arranged a few nights in the Monart for us to celebrate, just the two of us, before heading home to celebrate with family and friends. For me it was the most amazing proposal and engagement I could have ever imagined. The thought that Ollie put into it was just unbelievable and something I will never forget.
My hair and makeup… Our hair was done by my very talented friend Erin Connell (Hair By Erin). My makeup was done by my talented friend Ann Marie Tiebel ( Makeup.unravelled) who travelled from Dublin to be there on the morning. Catherine from the Lilac Rooms, Roscommon, did the bridesmaids makeup. We were all delighted with hair and makeup on the day and couldn’t have asked for more from the girls.
Our bridal party… Our bridesmaids wore Coast pale pink dresses and Ted Baker rose gold shoes. The girls loved the dresses and were so comfortable in them. I had hoped to go for different colours but both the girls loved the pale pinks so we just went with it and they were lovely together. Alterations were done by the lovely Margaret in Padanee. Our page boy’s suit was from Marks and Spencers and he stole the show!
My dress… I had tried on a lot of dresses and I had actually picked a different dress. I was having second thoughts. I cancelled that dress after long discussions with my sister. I had heard about Padanee Bridal in Carrick on Shannon and made an appointment. My experience in Padanee was completely different. Trish and the girls are just fantastic, so professional and know exactly what they are doing. They became more friends during appointments. We were all so sad when the whole experience was over. I chose a stunning Hayley Paige gown. It was certainly more me and I just adored it and felt like a princess in it. I accompanied it with an ivory cathedral length veil.
Our ceremony… Was a Catholic ceremony in St. Mary’s Church, Keadue which was right beside our venue so it was convenient for people travelling long distances. It was a beautiful small intimate church.
His suit… Ollie’s suit was a Remus Uomo three piece navy suit as was the groomsmen. He got them from Detail in Carlow. Philip and the guys in Detail were so helpful with matching the ties and pocket squares as it proved difficult to match the colour to the bridesmaids dresses. Ollie accompanied his suit with a Hugo Boss shirt and Ted Baker shoes. He was delighted with his suit and looked very handsome on the day!
We chose our wedding venue because… Kilronan Castle just ticked all the boxes for us. We wanted somewhere where all our guests could stay over for a few days. The castle is such a beautiful venue in a gorgeous setting. The staff were just so helpful and made Ollie and I feel very special on every occasion when visiting the castle before the wedding and on the day of the wedding. I guess the selling point for me was that special walkway down to the ballroom which is just lit by tea lights. It’s just so so beautiful!
Our menu… We were very very happy with the food in Kilronan. We had a choice of chicken and wild mushroom in puff pastry with chardonnay sauce or organic salmon terrine baby leaves, caper berries and salsa verde or organic plum tomato and buffalo mozzarella caprese with balsamic dressing, followed by a choice of roasted butternut squash with hazelnut oil or tomato and basil soup. Main course was a choice of roasted striploin of beef with a selection of vegetables, roasted potatoes and red wine jus or seared cod fillet sprinkled with herb crust on crusted baby potatoes with scampi. Dessert was key lime pie with orange segments, citrus ice cream and mint anglaise. The second night we had a buffet style of comfort food again in Kilronan to ease the hangovers.
We chose our photographer… We met Magda (Memories Photography by Magda) at a wedding showcase and liked her style as Ollie and I didn’t want to be posing for photos. We aimed to have the more natural shots. Magda was a lady and very easy to work with, making us feel very comfortable. She fit right in on the morning of the wedding in the middle of all the madness. Magda and Gerry from Limelight Wedding Films also work together so it was a bonus having them both with us on the day. Everyone thought Gerry who was our video guy was a cameraman.
My favourite part of the day… Wow, I don’t know if I can choose. I loved the morning of the wedding getting ready with my bridesmaids and my mum. No fuss or stress! Walking up the aisle with my brother and the ceremony were very special as it felt as though it was just Ollie and I. But, I think seeing all our guests having a great time and having all our friends and family in the one room sharing our special day with us, we will never forget it.
Our honeymoon… We went on honeymoon to Bali, taking in three different locations. The honeymoon resort, the island life and the jungle life. We stopped off in Kuala Lumpur for three nights on the way back. The entire trip was amazing and I would totally recommend it to anyone. We booked it through Mandy Walsh Travel Counsellors. Mandy was fantastic and did absolutely everything for us!
My piece of advice for other couples… Relax and try not to stress about the small things. Trust your suppliers as they are the professionals and you’re not, just let them do their job. If something doesn’t work out or look as it should, nobody else is going to notice. It goes so quickly so don’t waste it by stressing and worrying.
