A Rustic Wedding With Dark Winter Flowers and Irish Greenery

Articles, Real Weddings

“The wedding idea was a rustic style with dark winter flowers and Irish greenery.”

 

Couple: Hugh and Katie

Length of engagement: 1 Year

Wedding Date: 2019-11-16

Wedding location: Loughcrew Estate

Photographer: Laura and Benny Photographer

 

 

How did you meet and get engaged?
We met in London as we both worked for the same company. We lived together in London then moved to Liverpool in 2018. Hugh proposed at the top of the White Horse in the Yorkshire Dales. It is Katie’s favourite place and she is a Yorkshire girl! It was snowing at the top so was very romantic.

 

 

Describe your wedding:
We wanted to get married in Ireland as it is where Hugh is from. We both love horses so it was important to have horses featured throughout the day. The wedding idea was a rustic style with dark winter flowers and Irish greenery.

 

 

Tell us about your bridal look:
The wedding dress was designed by Charlotte Balbier. Katie actually found it in Oxfam. It had been worn once but wasn’t damaged at all. Katie and her mum went to Oxfam for some inspiration as there is an Oxfam bridal shop in her hometown of York. As it was a winter wedding Katie was looking for a lace dress with a sleeve. Her perfect dress cost £250. With a few alterations it impossible to tell it was second hand. Katie wanted a natural look but with a focus on big dark eyes. She and her bridesmaids all had blonde hair which meant curls really emphasised their blonde colour and contrasted with the dark eyes.

 

 

What did your bridesmaids wear?
The bridesmaids wore a burgundy red colour which added to the winter theme. The dresses were from wed4less in Stockport. The dresses were an affordable price but more importantly, were really flattering and the girls felt comfortable wearing them all day.

 

 

What was your ceremony like?
Katie arrived at the church with her dad in a horse and carriage. The church was a few kilometres away from the reception venue. Katie and Hugh had a catholic service. Their priest was the famous singing priest Father Ray Kelly. The service involved a mixture of hymns and Katie and Hughs favourite songs including a nod to Liverpool as they left the church to the Beatles – in my life.

 

 

Tell us about your wedding venue:
Loughcrew is a special place. Surrounded by nature and rolling hills the venue is rustic and majestic all rolled together. The wedding reception was held in the converted stables in a grand courtyard. Hugh and Katie loved the history of the house and the quirky renovations that make the venue so unique.

 

 

What is your favourite memory from your wedding day?
Every minute of it was amazing! It was pretty special getting a horse and carriage from the church back to the reception, stopping the traffic en route and our guests driving by shouting well wishes!

 

 

Have you got any advice for other couples?
Take a few moments to look around and take everything in. The day goes so quickly so make sure you appreciate every second!

 

 

Suppliers

Wedding venue: Loughcrew Estate | Photographer: Laura and Benny Photography | Church Musician: Annie Galligan | Band and DJ: Electric Lemon | Hair and Makeup: Creations Hair and Beauty | Dress: Charlotte Balbier (bought in Oxfam) | Suits: Diffney, Dublin | Bridesmaids dresses: Wed4Less, Stockport, England | Caterer: David Smyth Catering | Cake: Edel Tuite, Oldcastle | Celebrant: Father Ray Kelly | Stationery: Handmade | Jewellery: Ernest Jones | Flowers: Fernwood Flowers