Morning Missies! Can you imagine booking your venue without ever visiting it? That’s exactly what todays bride, Ruth did. Since she lives in Sydney and got married this past May in Ireland, she had no other option but to depend on reviews and go with her heart. Her special day, marrying Michael was beautiful and was perfectly captured by Corin Bishop Photography.
“Michael and I met at the bus stop! It was love at first sight waiting for the bus on Westmoreland Street on a rainy Tuesday night,” explained Ruth.
After finding themselves in Sydney, Australia the couple knew they loved the way of life and decided to turn their holiday into a permanent move. “Mick, the big romantic proposed on Valentines Day 2013. We had decided to stay home that evening and not go out. Mick was on edge the whole night and couldn’t sit still, I asked what was wrong with him and he produced a beautiful engagement ring and announced he was nervous that I would say no, as if! I later found out that I inadvertently crushed all his plans for the night!!” said Ruth.
When it came to wedding planning, Ruth admits she didn’t have a clue where to begin. “Although I knew we would get married one day I hadn’t been stockpiling ideas and didn’t have a vision. It was especially difficult planning as we were in Australia, we didn’t see the venue or hear the band before we booked – I didn’t even have a hair and make up trial!! We made the invitations, mass booklet, menu cards and decorative items ourselves. We were incredibly lucky that our families were on hand to help out – my brothers, brother in law and niece played music at the church, Mick’s sister made the cake, my older brother drove the bridesmaids to the church, a family friend helped out by my other brother acted as videographer and my brother also made the seating chart,” said Ruth.
In keeping with the old world charm and surroundings of Middleton Park House, Ruth and Michael chose decor and styling with vintage touches, whilst Ruth’s stunning full sparkle gown added extra glamour to the occasion. Dressing her maids in timeless navy gowns worked beautifully with Michael’s choice of mid-grey three piece suits which were finished with navy bow ties and pocket squares.
“The day was perfect, it was like a dream and we were both totally overwhelmed with joy and love, but of course there was a couple of strange mishaps! For some reason the dress that fit perfectly in Australia the week before, didn’t fit so perfectly the night before the wedding! It was too short and the neckline so low that you could see my underwear! Help was at hand-Laura my bridesmaid asked her boyfriend Eric to stop into Kildare outlet and get me flat shoes and Charlotte my Chief bridesmaid, made an emergency boob tape dash the morning of the wedding! Mick got lost on the way to the church…but all’s well that ends well! explained Ruth.
“We had so many highlights, for me, seeing Mick at the alter waiting for me was very special. He looked so nervous and handsome. At that moment I felt like we were the only people in the world. We were blown away to receive a video message from the one and only Alf Stewart. Our bridesmaid Laura went to a lot of effort to get the message for us and it made us feel very special and brought a lot of laughs to the wedding. Hard act for the speeches to follow!” added Ruth.
Ruth’s Advice
Enjoy yourself! It’s easy to get bogged down in the details but the most important thing is to have fun and remember you are marrying the love of your life!! Trust your suppliers too – remember they are working on weddings every day and know what they are doing!
Wedding Suppliers
Ceremony: St Michaels, Castletown Geoghegan.
Reception: Middleton Park House, Castletown Geoghegan.
Wedding dress: Karen Willis Holmes, purchased in Sydney.
Bridesmaids dresses: Alfred Sung, Weddington Way.
Groomswear: Moss Bros, Liffey Valley.
Cake topper: Belle Cake Toppers.
Flowers: Sheffin Florists, Mullingar.
Bridal cars: Smyths Cars, Roscommon.
Photographer: Corin Bishop Photography, Athlone.
