Characterful Wedding Celebration on a €3000 Budget by Emma May Photography

Real Weddings

When Sophie and Mauricio decided to get married they weren’t afraid of a challenge seeing as they only had three weeks to plan their day! The couple who met in Dublin when Sophie got into Mauricio’s rickshaw for a ride home, planned a Day of the Dead themed wedding with a conservative budget of €3000. They held their ceremony in the Westcourt Hotel in Drogheda, followed by dinner in Sophie’s sister’s home, East Coast Cookery School in their hometown of Termonfeckin, and ended the night at Foleys Bar on Merrion Row.

Emma May Photography

Emma May Photography

Emma May Photography

Emma May Photography

Emma May Photography

Emma May Photography

Emma May Photography

Emma May Photography

Emma May Photography

Emma May Photography

Emma May Photography

Emma May Photography

Emma May Photography

Emma May Photography

Emma May Photography

Emma May Photography

Emma May Photography

“I’m not really someone who has always had this dream of a big wedding and white dress, we both wanted to celebrate with our close friends and family (unfortunately Mauricio’s family couldn’t be there), a wedding with character and low key. We felt that hotel weddings can be a little boring- the décor, all the white! We wanted something colourful and fun. We only found out we were getting married 3 weeks before so we had to plan everything very fast. I love Mexican culture so wanted to have a day of the dead theme with all the pretty bunting, sugar skulls and tasty burritos. My sister offered to host the reception in her house and she cooked some seriously tasty burritos! We contacted our photographer Emma May a few days before and luckily she was free! I love her style, nothing too cheesy and she was up for whatever we wanted to shoot- beach & forest!” explained Sophie.

Emma May Photography

Emma May Photography

Emma May Photography

Sophie wore a 1920’s style flapper dress that cost €150 and her two little nieces – who acted as flower girls for the day – wore dresses from TK Maxx.

“We chose Day of the Dead because we love Mexican design and culture because it’s colourful, spiritual, family focused and the food is delicious! We like the idea behind Day of The Dead – during this holiday it is believed that the spirits of loved ones come to visit while their relatives make “ofrendas.” It’s a really healthy attitude towards death and we loved that. The bride and groom feature heavily on this day and it is thought that they must have died during their wedding and remained in love after death, I know it sounds a bit morbid but we thought it was really romantic!” added Sophie.

Emma May Photography

Emma May Photography

Emma May Photography

Emma May Photography

Emma May Photography

Emma May Photography

Emma May Photography

Emma May Photography

“The highlight of our day was the meal with our family and the speeches!” Sophie said.

Emma May Photography

Emma May Photography

Emma May Photography

Sophie’s Advice

We would say not to stress about it too much, because we didn’t and we had a great time! I think people get too carried away with weddings – finding the perfect dress, location etc. can be boring! Be yourself and don’t just do what you think you have to do. Sometimes family or friends might make you feel like you need this and that but at the end of the day it is about celebrating your love with friends and family. You don’t need to spend a lot of money to have a memorable day.

Emma May Photography

Emma May Photography

Wedding Suppliers

Ceremony: The Westcourt Hotel, Drogheda.

Reception: The East Coast Cookery School , Termonfeckin.

Evening party: Foleys Bar, Merrion Row, Dublin.

Wedding dress: Gatsby Lady.

Photographer: Emma May Photography.

Hair: West End Salon, Drogheda.

Flowers: The Flower Yard, Mornington.

Cake: Cake Cake Baby, Dublin.

Minimoon: Dawson Spa followed by Farnham Estate, Cavan.