Love At First Sight!

Real Weddings

Claire & Robert Bellingham Castle Wedding by Roger Kenny

Imagine meeting the man of your dreams the day before he leaves for Australia! That’s exactly how our lovely couple, Claire and Rob met – at his leaving party! Thankfully this Irish lad didn’t make Oz his home, he came home to the love of a good woman! We love this story of happiness, shared with us by Roger Kenny from The Portrait Room.

Claire & Robert Bellingham Castle Wedding by Roger Kenny Claire & Robert Bellingham Castle Wedding by Roger Kenny Claire & Robert Bellingham Castle Wedding by Roger Kenny

“After meeting Rob at his leaving party we exchanged a cheeky kiss and the following morning he was gone to Australia! The following day I was upset that I had finally met someone I really liked, but who was headed to the other side of the world with no guarantee of returning! I heard whispers from my brother and Stephen (his travelling partner), that maybe Rob was feeling the same way… I was surprised and delighted a week later when I received an email from Rob to update me on his travels, this developed into weekly emails back and forth. A few months later I made the big (most of our family and friends said mad) decision to travel over to Australia to see Rob! I returned home and Rob followed six weeks later, cutting his trip short by three months. We moved in together pretty much straight away, and then made the (again people said mad) decision to buy and renovate an old Georgian house in the city centre,” explained Claire.

Claire & Robert Bellingham Castle Wedding by Roger Kenny Claire & Robert Bellingham Castle Wedding by Roger Kenny Claire & Robert Bellingham Castle Wedding by Roger Kenny Claire & Robert Bellingham Castle Wedding by Roger Kenny

Three years after their first meeting, whilst they were still renovating their house Rob popped the question.

“As our back garden was a building site we would take our dog to Stephens Green for walks. It was during one of these walks that Rob got down on one knee in the middle of Stephen’s Green, and produced an engagement ring. I was completely shocked, and said yes straight away!” said Claire.

Claire & Robert Bellingham Castle Wedding by Roger Kenny Claire & Robert Bellingham Castle Wedding by Roger Kenny Claire & Robert Bellingham Castle Wedding by Roger Kenny

Wanting a relatively short engagement, the couple decided to put their renovation on hold and booked  Bellingham Castle for July 2014, giving them nine months to plan their perfect day.

Claire & Robert Bellingham Castle Wedding by Roger Kenny Claire & Robert Bellingham Castle Wedding by Roger Kenny Claire & Robert Bellingham Castle Wedding by Roger Kenny Claire & Robert Bellingham Castle Wedding by Roger Kenny Claire & Robert Bellingham Castle Wedding by Roger Kenny Claire & Robert Bellingham Castle Wedding by Roger Kenny Claire & Robert Bellingham Castle Wedding by Roger Kenny Claire & Robert Bellingham Castle Wedding by Roger Kenny Claire & Robert Bellingham Castle Wedding by Roger Kenny Claire & Robert Bellingham Castle Wedding by Roger Kenny

Claire was keen to use her own parents wedding day as inspiration for her nuptials to Rob. Like her mum she chose to have three bridesmaids in varying pastel shades, green, blue and pink. On her wedding day, whilst becoming Mrs O’Hara, Claire carried O’Hara roses up the aisle.

“We wanted to have a relaxed and familial wedding day, so decided to involve as many of our family and friends in the day as possible. We are very lucky to have some very talented and generous people in our lives, so hair, makeup, alter boys, cake, wedding car, candy cart, wishing tree and videographer duties and services were provided by family and friends” explained Claire.

Claire & Robert Bellingham Castle Wedding by Roger Kenny Claire & Robert Bellingham Castle Wedding by Roger Kenny Claire & Robert Bellingham Castle Wedding by Roger Kenny Claire & Robert Bellingham Castle Wedding by Roger Kenny Claire & Robert Bellingham Castle Wedding by Roger Kenny Claire & Robert Bellingham Castle Wedding by Roger Kenny

Their choice of music was especially important to Claire and Rob. The couple surprised their guests by having Blanchardstown Brass Band play on the day.

“My great great great Grandfather was one of the founding members of the band, over the years my father, uncles and cousins have played with the band, and still do, my sister Orla was one of the first female members. I was delighted and surprised when they asked me to conduct the band for a song; they were a massive hit with the guests and made our day so special,” added Claire.

Claire & Robert Bellingham Castle Wedding by Roger Kenny Claire & Robert Bellingham Castle Wedding by Roger Kenny Claire & Robert Bellingham Castle Wedding by Roger Kenny Claire & Robert Bellingham Castle Wedding by Roger Kenny Claire & Robert Bellingham Castle Wedding by Roger Kenny Claire & Robert Bellingham Castle Wedding by Roger Kenny Claire & Robert Bellingham Castle Wedding by Roger Kenny Claire & Robert Bellingham Castle Wedding by Roger Kenny Claire & Robert Bellingham Castle Wedding by Roger Kenny Claire & Robert Bellingham Castle Wedding by Roger Kenny Claire & Robert Bellingham Castle Wedding by Roger Kenny Claire & Robert Bellingham Castle Wedding by Roger Kenny Claire & Robert Bellingham Castle Wedding by Roger Kenny Claire & Robert Bellingham Castle Wedding by Roger Kenny Claire & Robert Bellingham Castle Wedding by Roger Kenny

Advice for other couples

“Don’t sweat the small stuff, and compromise! Remember you want the day to represent you both equally. The most important thing is that you are surrounded by the people you love on your big day.

We also added a lot of personal touches, which guests remembered. One example of this was the idea Rob came up with, to name each table after a place that meant something to us and the people at that table, for e.g our aunts and uncles sat at tables named after our grandparents houses. It’s a simple idea but something that both the guests and we loved!”

Claire & Robert Bellingham Castle Wedding by Roger Kenny Claire & Robert Bellingham Castle Wedding by Roger Kenny Claire & Robert Bellingham Castle Wedding by Roger Kenny Claire & Robert Bellingham Castle Wedding by Roger Kenny Claire & Robert Bellingham Castle Wedding by Roger Kenny Claire & Robert Bellingham Castle Wedding by Roger Kenny Claire & Robert Bellingham Castle Wedding by Roger Kenny Claire & Robert Bellingham Castle Wedding by Roger Kenny Claire & Robert Bellingham Castle Wedding by Roger Kenny Claire & Robert Bellingham Castle Wedding by Roger Kenny

Wedding Suppliers

Ceremony: Church of the Holy Family Aughrim Street.

Venue: Bellingham Castle.

Wedding dress: SmartBrides.

Bridesmaids dress: Dessy.

Accessories for female bridal party: Jenny Packham.

Grooms wear: CT2.

Photographer: Roger Kenny.

Hair: Sarah O’Brien, [email protected].

Makeup: Caroline from Beauty at 96.

Flowers: New Life Florist, 0863771040.

Church singers: Musa singers.

Entertainment:Blanchardstown Brass Band & Ultrasound Wedding band & DJ.