“We have found in each other the best parts of life…”
Aislinn and Martin’s autumnal wedding was a day of beauty and we’re all head over heels in love with the true Irish goodness oozing from it. From the elegant styling of Aislinn’s bridal look (including her handmade wedding gown and headpiece), to the lush, rambling florals used throughout the day, and their almost rustic-industrial styled reception at The Blind Piper Pub in Kerry, their day captured perfectly by Tomasz Kornas will go down in the Mrs2Be archives as a firm favourite.
Grab yourself a cuppa on this cold wintry evening, and enjoy…
“Martin and I met at the Royal College of Art. Martin was a close friend of Jane Bowler, who I sat next to for two years studying mixed media (who is now one of my best friends) and he came to visit her one day. Though we didn’t get together for quite a long while, it was worth every second of the wait, it was definitely right place and right time. We are ridiculously alike, and spending time away from each other is like missing the most important bit of living, we have found in each other the best parts of life,” said Aislinn.
Martin originally planned to propose on holiday in Budapest but once he had chosen the ring – an exquisite antique ruby and diamond beauty which is 149 years old! – he popped the question on an average day in August. As Aislinn recalled, “It was perfect, no fancy clothes, just us, after a long days work, and it was the low key proposal that was exactly right for both of us. We were going out about a year and a half at the time, though knowing each other for about seven years at the time, it seemed perfectly timed.”
The couple were keen to plan a very Irish wedding as it was the perfect chance to show everyone the wild and rugged landscape of Kerry where Aislinn is from. The chose a low key ceremony in her local parish Caherdaniel / Derrynane, Co. Kerry followed by a reception in The Blind Piper Pub in Caherdaniel.
“After the ceremony we took everyone to the beach where we had hot toddies, and those who were brave enough got to stick their toes in the water, we lucked out with the weather so much for this part of the day,” explained Aislinn.
Keeping their day as local and heartfelt as possible many of the local community played their part in the day.
“Our bridesmaid’s granny, Mrs. Grufferty, made all the jam for the breakfast packs, which were packed full of all the best local foods. As most people stayed in the cottages in Parknasilla, we thought this would help after their long journey and due to the location. The local butcher in Sneem provided all the rashers and sausages, along with brown bread made in Cahersiveen and free range eggs from Waterville. We had chocolates from Lorge in Kenmare for all guests staying in Parknasilla hotel itself.
Lavinia, our florist, from Caherdaniel, used as much foliage as possible from local gardens to create the wild rustic and rambling effect that we liked, there were even blackberries in the bridal bouquet.
The food for the wedding by Nigel, the chef in the Blind Piper, was just incredible and Sandra was so accommodating, no matter what the request!” explained Aislinn.
Aislinn’s mom, Ena, made her dress and the bridesmaid’s dress with fabric from Shepherd’s Bush, in London.
“She is a one in a million, it was so special knowing she had made it all by hand and took such care in making them perfect,” added Aislinn.
Aislinn made the veil and the headpiece for the ceremony, being a trained milliner – it took 5.5 metres of tulle, 75,000 individually hand sewn beads and six months of constant sewing in a tiny cloth bag, which the whole piece was shoved into, so Martin wouldn’t cop on to what she was sewing!
“We had one of the most beautiful days of the year by pure chance and it made the scenery pop, especially for people who had never been to Ireland before.
It felt like such an indulgence having everyone we loved under the same roof, in the same country, and will most likely never happen again. We are so, so grateful to everyone who could come as the day was everything we dreamed of and more because of them all being there,” said Aislinn.
Wedding Suppliers
Reception: The Blind Piper Pub, Caherdaniel.
Wedding dress: Handmade by Ena Sweeney.
Hair: The Upstylist, Cork.
Makeup: Aishling McDonald, Cork.
Groomswear: Marc Wallace.
Flowers: Lavinia Cunningham, Caherdaniel.
Cake: Aislinn Sweeney-Carter, and iced by Kay O’Connor, Caherdaniel.
Band: Aoife Desmond, Wally Desmond, Vinny Hyland, Caherdaniel.
Photographer: Tomasz Kornas Photography.
