An Understated Minimalist Wedding With Grey Touches

Real Weddings

“Our wedding theme/colours… grey / neutrals – we decided to keep it simple, natural and understated – we don’t like too much of a fuss and don’t like to stand out too much!”

 

Names: Danica Barrett & Jack Garforth

Length of engagement: 2.5 years

Wedding Date: 25 August 2018

Wedding location: Ballyseede Castle, Tralee

Photographer: Tara Donoghue

 

We met… back in 2004, both at the age of 16 through mutual friends. Danica was in her last year of secondary school and Jack had just started working in London as a Barristers Clerk.

Our proposal… Jack took Danica to Kerry for a surprise weekend for their 12th anniversary and proposed outside the church in Lixnaw where Danica was christened and where her parents and grandparents were married.  Danica didn’t want to go to the church and was digging her heels in. It was also quite busy when we turned up but Father Brick still welcomed us and invited us in.  Jack had wanted to propose inside the church but as it turns out, a funeral mass about to start so Jack proposed in the courtyard.

Our wedding theme/colours… grey / neutrals – we decided to keep it simple, natural and understated – we don’t like too much of a fuss and don’t like to stand out too much!

Things we DIY’d/made ourselves… Danica made the save the dates, Order of Service and the boxes for the favours and filled them with Ferrero Rocher.

My dress… was a mermaid style dress with a low cut back and very fine beading and lace all over by Justin Alexander.

My hair and make up… was done by two wonderful ladies! They both made me feel so relaxed and I trusted them explicitly. They made me feel like a million dollars on the day.

His suit… was a bespoke piece made by Jack Bunney’s, Upminster, Essex.  The jacket was black velvet with satin lapels.

What our bridal party wore… I had the bridesmaid dresses made by Polka Bridal in Essex, England.

Our ceremony… was in St Michael’s Church, in Lixnaw. My mother grew up in Lixnaw and my father, Kilflynn. I was actually christened in St. Michael’s Church and my parents got married there on the 25 August 1984. So on the day of our wedding, they were married 34 years. Father Brick was wonderful. He made everyone feel welcome, especially those who travelled from the UK.

We chose our photographer because… Tara and Dave came highly recommended by a family member and also by Ballyseede – it was a no brainer!

We chose our venue because… it is just stunning! We had dinner there a few years ago, before we got engaged. And from that moment I always knew that is where I wanted to get married. We didn’t look at any other venues. When you know, you know!!

Our menu… was divine! Our guests are still talking about the food today. It really was delicious – I even ate some of Jack’s!

 

Starter: Trio of Ballyseede Meats, Goats Cheese & Cherry Tomato Bruschetta

Soup: Cream of roast red pepper & tomato

Sorbet: Champagne with freshly squeezed grapefruit juice

Main: Pan roasted fillet of prime celtic beef steak, Duo fresh atlantic salmon and monkfish wrapped in layers of greek filo and lemon cream

Dessert:  Ballyseede Castle summer dessert selection

Our honeymoon… we decided to go to the Riviera Maya in Mexico for 2 weeks the end of September.  It was incredible from swimming with turtles, watching the sun rise & set and plenty of tequila!

My favourite part of the wedding day… We can’t pick a favourite part. The whole day was fantastic. It was very relaxed and everyone enjoyed themselves.

My piece of advice for other couples… really take your time. Take a moment to sit back and look around and embrace it. It really does go by extremely fast. We are so glad we had John and his wife there to capture the day on video for us. We cannot wait to be able to watch it all back. Also, if something does go wrong on the day or is not how you had planned, don’t worry; you are going to be the only person that notices.

Suppliers

Wedding venue: Ballyseede Castle | Photographer:  Tara Donoghue | Videographer: John Foley – Cosmo Productions | Musician: Munster String Quartet | Band & DJ: The Pearls & DJ Tommy Murphy  – Cannot recommend these guys enough.  They really do know how to get the crowd going.  | Hair: Colette Goggin, Ballyheigue. | Makeup: Aine McMahon, Vogue Hair & Beauty, Tralee. | Dress: Shop – La Bella Sposa, Upminster, Essex  / Designer – Justin Alexander | Suit: Made by Jack Bunney’s | Bridesmaids dresses: Made by Polka Bridal, Essex | Groomsmen outfits: Dinner suits, Jack Bunney’s, Upminster, Essex | Caterer: Ballyseede Castle | Cake: William Buckley – Mother of Bride’s Uncle | Celebrant: Father Brick, St. Michael’s Church, Lixnaw