There’s something very lovely about todays wedding, we think being a guest at this laid-back do would have been pretty great craic! Thanks to David Olsthoorn Photography for sharing this glorious couple with us.
Tipperary girl, Jane first met Clare man, Colm on Spanish Point Beach around 12 years ago, Colm was a lifeguard on the beach and Jane spent much of her childhood summers on the beach thanks to her families mobile home close by.
“We spotted each there on the beach to begin with and as time went on by nights out in Lahinch,” said Jane, “We’ve been together for the past six years after I came home from a year away in Australia.”
“I headed off to Australia when we had been going out for only about three months. While I was away Colm was over in Asia with work for a few weeks so took an extra week and came down to see me, it was great and I guess we realised how much we missed each other and we’ve been together ever since,” explained Jane.
Colm proposed on St Stephens Day 2012. After a failed attempt to go for a hike up Cush (a mountain in the Galtee’s) due to bad weather, Colm proposed at Jane’s parents house in Ballyglass.
“Colm was actually really sick at the time and I was suggesting he go to bed for a while but when I turned around he was down on one knee and asked me to marry him!! It was a shock but turned out great as a few of my cousins and aunt and uncle along with my family were at the house for dinner so we got to tell them all and celebrate there and then. Colm had asked my Dad a few days before so he had been waiting all day for the announcement and had the champagne out and popped within minutes!” said Jane.
With an 18 month long engagement, Jane and Colm took a relaxed approach to planning their wedding and only really began nine months before the big day, although Jane did quickly become addicted to Pinterest!
“Our photographer and venue were the first things we booked. We knew we wanted a relaxed atmosphere for the day so went about finding a venue that would offer something a little bit different. The food was really important to us too and I hoped to find somewhere that sourced local food. Hotel Doolin had it all and was right beside the sea so it was perfect. By the time we went to book the hotel they only had the June Bank Holiday left which was perfect. We also really liked that they only did one wedding a weekend, we had the hotel to ourselves for the whole weekend, it was great! Our photographer Dave was also really important, we decided on what day to have the wedding based on the day he was free! He just floated around while we got on with getting married and got great natural pictures from the day. My sister and bridesmaid, Kate was a great help in the organising. Colm and I can be a little too relaxed when it comes to organising things but she’s the opposite and kept pulling us back on track and making me lists of what needed to be done! Once I had found my dress and the venue, photographer and band were organised everything else fell into place,” explained Jane.
On their wedding day, May 30th, 2014 Jane wore a stunning Charlie Brear wedding gown which perfectly suited the relaxed beach and wildflower theme they had chosen. Her bridesmaids wore dresses from Coast in a vibrant shade of blue and accessorised with turquoise belts and opal earrings. The look was elegant, understated and very fitting to the gorgeous setting of the day.
“The day was fantastic! The sun came out which made everywhere look as amazing as we’d imagined. We had both promised to start our day with a swim in the sea which we did-I had mine in Spanish Point with my sister and Colm jumped off the pier in Gleninagh near Ballyvaughan. We sent a sneaky text to make sure we’d both done it!” said Jane.
Advice for other couples
Try to relax and enjoy the planning. At times I stressed about little things but Colm kept reminding me that it’s just a day and regardless if we had eight or ten at a table, people were there to spend the day with us and to have a good time! Also try to keep in mind that all the people taking part in the day from the hotel staff to the photographer have done it all before, they know how to set everything up and how to deal with any disasters should they happen. Just let the day happen and it will go fantastically! And one last piece of advice, do your table plan well in advance of the day not at 11pm the night before, like I did!
Jane & Colm’s Wedding Suppliers
Ceremony: Rath Church, Corrofin, Co.Clare
Reception: Hotel Doolin, Doolin, Co.Clare
Photographer: David Olsthoorn Photography
Wedding dress: Lilac Rose, Limerick
Brides headband: Laura Anne Millinery
Bridesmaid dresses: Coast online.
Grooms wear: Remus Uomo suit from Bourkes Menswear, Ennis.
Cake: Swell Bakeshop, Cashel, Co. Tipperary
Flowers: West Clare Flowers, Ennistymon, Co. Clare
Bridal cars: Christy Body a friend of family from Miltown Malbay, Co. Clare
Wedding band: Beatclub
Make-up: Elaine Finnan Make-up Artist
Hair: Orlaith in Beehive Hair, Miltown Malbay, Co. Clare
Honeymoon: We have a VW campervan so went off to Kerry for a few days after the wedding to catch up on some sleep! We hope to go for a long holiday to Asia next year.
