Awh we just love hearing a great meeting story, and this mornings couple, Carol and Padraig’s is a goodie! After meeting in the doorway of Whelan’s nightclub during a night out, one of their first dates was to Electric Picnic, there they rode the carousel and fell in love! We’re delighted to share their fun day with you, thanks to Chris Dolinny Photography for the incredible photographs.
Five years after their chance meeting Carol and Padraig returned to Electric Picnic, this time riding the carousel and getting engaged! The quickly began planning their day, knowing they wanted a relaxed alternative approach to their nuptials.
“We didn’t want a hotel reception and instead looked around at venues that offered something different. When we saw Coolbawn Quay we fell in love with the marquee and the lakeside setting. Padraig had wanted a wedding in Spain so it was a like a Spanish wedding in Tipperary!” explained Carol.
Their wedding was soon set for September 12th, 2014 and the real planning and DIY work began.
“I did a lot of DIY; painted signs, table settings, iced the cake and made decorations. It was fun doing all the little things!” added Carol.
Her custom wedding gown was made by Delphine from House of Delphine in the Spa, Tralee.
“I had seen some of Delphine’s dresses on other brides and loved the clean and simple lines. They are modern and not fussy. I went to three or four other boutiques but nothing compared to Delphine’s gowns. She made the dress, headpiece and veil. I knew I wanted a floral garland and she understood completely what I was going for. My dress is a combination of three of the dresses in her showroom. Her and her mother Christine could not have been nicer, they really make you feel special and it was a fantastic experience,” said Carol.
“We had the best day of our lives. The sun shone the whole week before and for the whole weekend of the wedding. We had a pre-dinner the night before then Padraig stayed the night in Galway while my family and I all stayed in Coolbawn Quay. We had a champagne breakfast and then hair and makeup came to the spa in Coolbawn. The church was beautifully decorated and we had Ennis gospel choir sing Elbows ‘One Day Like This’ as I walked down the aisle. We had an ice cream van and lawn games like giant Connect Four organised after coming back to Coolbawn Quay. Guests were served canapés and Prosecco on the decking by the lake. We had beautiful speeches and a massive festival theme desert table. The table names were called after songs we liked and the song lyrics were written on the back. We had a carousel wedding cake that my mum baked and I iced. We had a homemade photo booth that people really enjoyed and everyone danced the night away to the John Connolly band. Everything really was perfect,” added Carol.
Advice for other couples
“Relax, it will all come together. DIY bits are lovely but can end up costing a lot more, so let people help you! Padraig’s mother helped with the dessert table and decorating the church and my mother did the mass booklets, pew ends and baked the cake. I did the photo booth and timeline of photos and framed photos of our parents and grandparents wedding well in advance. So do what you can early!”
Wedding Suppliers
Ceremony: Puckaun Church.
Reception: Coolbawn Quay, Lough Derg, Co Tipperary.
Photographer: Chris Dolinny Photography.
Wedding dress: House of Delphine, Tralee.
Grooms wear: Ryle Menswear, Tralee.
Cake: Homemade.
Flowers: Mother of the bride and family neighbours.
Videographer: Little Bird.
