Christina and Jason’s Relaxed Country Wedding

Today on the blog we have a very elegant wedding by photographer, Magda Christie. Christina and Jason were married in the stunning Stone House at Balyna Estate, Moyvalley, Co. Kildare.

Christina and Jason had their first date on Valentines Day, which included a lunch in Dublin and ended with a carefully timed surf during good tide at Salthill for Jason! The couples story didn’t flow as easily as this, as just three months after they began dating, Jason had to move tot he Shetland Islands for work.

For the following 14 months the couple had a long distance relationship with visits every four to six weeks, which included two flights just to get to Dublin! They made the most of the distance by meeting up in fun places for weekends including Edinburgh, London and Copenhagen. After 14 months Christina got a job on Shetland and moved to be with her man!

Love, love, love the natural approach given to the blooms.

The proposal came in February 2012 whist the couple were driving down through Scotland to get the boat to Belfast.  When they stopped to admire the Ben More mountains, Jason draped his arms around Christina’s waist and held a ring in front of her eyes!

I absolutely froze! He went on to say really lovely things and got down on one knee but I didn’t respond for ages, until eventually I could speak and put him out of his misery!

Christina and Jason had a rather short engagement with their wedding being held in August of the same year. Three words they used to envisage their dream day was: family, friends and special. They looked for a venue where their guests could arrive the evening before the wedding and have everything in walking distance, so that it was a relaxing and enjoyable as possible.

Moyvalley Hotel was perfect for us for that reason because we had the Stone House for the ceremony and then a short walk to the Balyna House for the reception and afters. Also the guests were staying in the hotel so once they checked in they were fine until the next day.

We created our own ceremony as we were both not very keen on a religious ceremony and we wanted to include as much of us and our family, as we could. A very close family friend May guided the ceremony and blessed our marriage. Parents and family were involved at different parts such as readings and singing which was very special. We had written our own vows, which was lovely to share with our guests. This is definitely something I would recommend to anyone getting married as everyone was a part of the ceremony while it was still very special to us.

Advice To Other Couples

Have an idea of what it is you want before you speak to too many people. Sit and talk with your partner and be honest about what you have liked and didn’t like about other weddings you have been to. This really helped me and Jason to come to a decision. Then we had a rough idea when we spoke with everyone and took all suggestions on board. Because we had a rough idea, we were able to use some and leave others as we felt it would mix in with the day we had planned.

And one big tip – be flexible! Accept that it is a special day but that doesn’t mean everything goes to plan. Take it as it comes and let the changes roll by, it will be much more enjoyable. And finally – relax, stop and take it all in, it’s a great day and it will be such a shame if you miss it because you’re so worried about the band starting at 9pm and not 9.15pm.

Fun cake in pretty shades with a great tribute to Jason’s love of surfing!

Feedback On Our Photographer

Magda Christie was wonderful! She was recommended through a friend. From the outset she met with myself and Jason at the venue, gave time to talk through all the options she could offer and together we came up with a package that suited the type of day we had planned.

On the day itself she was welcoming and friendly with us and our guests and there were many photos taken that I hadn’t even noticed her doing, so she really did blend in. The best for me and Jason was when the photos were put up on her site and the beautiful story of the day that went with them. It was a great memory to the day and it meant that our family and friends got a real glimpse of the photos even though we were by now back in Shetland and not able to be with them. She’s a real artist and I couldn’t recommend her enough.

Christina & Jason’s Wedding Details