Just short of a year before their wedding day at the Icehouse Hotel in Ballina, Co. Mayo, Louise and Damien moved to India! But, as you will soon see, a few thousand miles didn’t stop this exciting couple from planning one heck of a DIY pastel themed wedding. Photographer Rafal Borek captured the day with pure style, resulting in a stunning set of memories for Louise and Damien.
Louise and Damien had worked together for over a year before they got together during a work night out, over six years ago.
“At the end of January in 2013 Damien told my friend he was planning to take me away for a surprise weekend, so I figured the proposal might happen then. When he suggested going for a drive to Wexford one Saturday and staying in a B&B I was less than enthusiastic! On the way, he suggested we go to Hook Head Lighthouse, a place we had visited before and both really liked. When we got there a guy offered to take us up the lighthouse for a tour which I thought was a bit odd. It was only when we got to the top balcony and Damien got down on one knee that it clicked! It was so windy we were nearly blown off and I was so shocked I don’t think I even said yes! He had arranged the whole thing and the guy had champagne and chocolates waiting for us inside. Instead of the B&B he had booked Waterford Castle so we had a lovely romantic dinner and night there. I was delighted that he managed to surprise me,” explained Louise.
Knowing exactly what she liked Louise was pretty adamant about the type of venue and ceremony she wanted – a bright neutral venue that would allow for their own personal touches, along with good food and wine for their guests. After a few months searching for the ideal venue, they found the Icehouse Hotel in July 2013, and knew instantly the light-filled function room and views of the river were just what they were looking for. Two months later the couple and their daughter relocated to India for Damien’s work so wedding planning became a little trickier!
“I did everything online but buying things without seeing them can be really hit or miss. I did a lot of things myself such as making the invitations and bunting and luckily I had time on my hands to do that. I also spent loads of time scouring wedding websites to get ideas for things I could do. I arrived back to Ireland three weeks before the wedding so it was pretty hectic trying to organise all the final details. I made the table plan, decorated jam jars and made the advice cards all the day before the wedding so it was all hands on deck helping out!” explained Louise.
The couple’s wedding had a real romantic feel to it with a pretty pastel colour palette of sea foam green, pale pink and cream with little hints of baby’s breath adding delicate touches. Louise wore a beautiful boat neck slim fitting gown that she purchased in Ireland before she left for India.
“My initial plan was to find a dress I liked and then get it made in India but after a few months of living there I was glad I didn’t take on the hassle of doing that. While we were still in Ireland I visited various bridal shops and I found my dress in Butterfly Bride in Blackrock, Co Dublin. They were having a sale so I got a bargain and walked out of the shop with the dress which suited me perfectly. I got it altered in The Alteration Shop in Sligo just before the wedding and they were fantastic as it needed a fair bit of work. They made a sash for it from lace ribbon and pearl beading I got in the beautiful shop A.Rubenesque in Powerscourt, Dublin. The most important thing for me was to be able to wear my mum’s lace poncho that she wore on her wedding day as she died ten years ago and I chose my dress to match that really. That was my ‘something old’ and it was also like having a piece of her there.” explained Louise.
“Thankfully there weren’t any disasters apart from the unrelenting downpour for the whole day! We managed to get a small window to take photos outside on the beautiful pier and that was all that mattered really.”
Highlight of the day
Louise: “It’s hard to pick one highlight. I loved the ceremony as it was so meaningful to us and I loved having our family and friends play a part in it, especially our daughter Eliana. We made advice cards and put them on the tables and some of the answers we got were really funny. I just had a really happy feeling for the whole day as the good wishes of our family and friends were really palpable.”
Damien: “My highlight was during the ceremony when our two-year old daughter Eliana put her arms around both of us and sang ‘I Love You, You Love Me’ from Barney. It was one of those perfect moments that we could never have planned.”
Advice for other couples
“If you have more time on your hands than cash there are loads of little bits you can do yourself so don’t be afraid of DIY. A lot of guests commented on the little personal touches we added. Don’t be afraid to delegate and ask people to take on little jobs, especially if you have a friend who’s good at a particular task. My main piece of advice, as so many people told me, is to just enjoy the day as it goes so fast. You also shouldn’t be afraid to have the day you want. Damien’s aunt who’s a nun absolutely loved our Celtic ceremony by officiated by Dara Molloy so people can surprise you.”
Louise & Damien’s Wedding Details
Ceremony: Celtic ceremony in the Icehouse Hotel, Ballina.
Celebrant: Celtic Druid Dara Molloy.
Reception: Icehouse Hotel, Ballina.
Photographer: Rafal Borek Photography, Sligo.
Dress: Butterfly Bride, Blackrock.
Bridesmaids dresses: ASOS with handmade sashes.
Groom’s suit: River Island.
Groomsmens’ suits: Aston Suit Hire, Dublin.
Cake: Park Lane Cakes, Kinlough.
Flowers: Bouquets by Leitrim Flowers, table flowers by Blooms and Things, Ballina, and some wild flowers from brides garden in Sligo.
Entertainment: Drinks reception: Luke Devanney.
Band: Backwater Jack (Louises’ dad’s band!).
DJ: Jason Shaughnessy.
Hair by: The Colour Bar
Make-up by: Ann Young
