It took Catherine totally by surprise when Alan weakened her knees by getting down on one of his to propose to her in Central Park, New York City.
After being engaged for 15 months, they married on June 30, 2011.
Catherine and Alan planned their romantic and elegant day, keeping a neutral colour palette of sage greens and pale pinks consistent throughout their décor. Above all, they wanted their wedding to look and feel timeless and chose classic, clean and elegant styles with a few modern touches to keep things from being too traditional.
Trish from Insight Photography was there to capture Catherine and Alan’s big day.
We met… On a night out in Lillies through a mutual friend Babs (who will never let us forget!). We hit it off straight away and spent the whole night talking. We stayed in contact after that and we were ‘friends’ for over a year before we got together.
First impressions… It was all a bit of a Mojito haze but I caught Alan’s eye and he came over to talk to me. For the next few hours he obviously impressed me because I told him I would marry him that night!
Our proposal… In true Alan style, he blew me away. I always told Al I wanted a “surprise” party for my 30th. He told me he was bringing me on a little surprise trip the week before instead. I presumed we were going to my favourite hotel, The Lyrath, Co. Kilkenny. However, he woke me at 4 a.m., took me to the airport and made me queue for a flight to Bristol to throw me off the scent. Then he stuck earphones in my ears with Alicia Keys “Empire State of Mind” playing and she was belting out the chorus, “New York”!
Alan had carefully planned a week in New York based on the things I love which he gradually revealed by handing me an envelope every half an hour on the plane. The next day, between climbing to the crown of Lady Liberty and dinner at the River Cafe, we found ourselves on Bow Bridge in Central Park where Alan continued to weaken my knees and got down on one of his! Cue lots of tears of joy, screams and laughter and bubbles in the Boathouse. I floated around Manhattan for the next week and we flew home the day before my birthday. But the surprises weren’t over yet. The night of my birthday, under the guise of Alan’s brother’s 21st, I arrived to find my surprise 30th birthday party. It was an amazing night, celebrating with all our friends and family. My husband is a legend!
Our ceremony… We really loved this part of the day. Walking down the aisle with my Dad was a real special moment and seeing Alan at the top of the altar I could not stop smiling and laughing. Fr Sean kept us so relaxed and I love the photos of us catching glances with each other and laughing. The music topped it all off with singing by the Thukolo Gospel Choir. Every moment was special!
My dress… I always had a picture of what the dress would be like in my head but I ended up with the complete opposite! I tried quite a few wedding dress shops but went back to the first place I had been, B Couture in Arklow. Bernie and her staff are so amazing at what they do and nothing is too much hassle. I miss calling down for fittings and the chats! My dress was a Pronovias dress but with a few personal additions.
Our wedding theme/ colours… I don’t think we had a theme as such. I strived for ‘simple and elegant’ with neutral colours. Our amazing table plan, handmade with love by my dear friend, bridesmaid and make-up artist, Nikki Gillick, was New York themed to reflect our engagement and our favourite place in the world.
My piece of advice for other brides… Try not to stress the little stuff. So many people commented on the smiles on our faces and how happy we looked on the day. It’s very easy to get carried away with weddings but every now and then remind yourselves what it’s all about – you and your man, nothing and nobody else.
Also, the day goes by quicker than you can ever imagine and you can never get it back. Regularly throughout the day, sit and take in everything that is going on around you and make some amazing memories for yourself. Cherish the “just the two of you” moments – they are few and far between!
Vendors
Photographer: Insight Photography |See if Insight Photography have your date free!
Venue: Lyrath Estate, Kilkenny
Wedding Coordinator: Dervla O’Connor
Bride’s Dress: Pronovias B Couture, Arklow
Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Dessy B Couture, Arklow
Flower girl’s Dress: Next (with added sash)
Invitations: Bandido Originals, Kilcoole
Hair: Margaret O’Connor
Make-up: Nikki Gillick/ Lisa Shannon, MAC
Flowers: Michael Costello
Cake: Cakes Etc
Hair Accessories: Jen Doyle Designs
Videographer: Ali’s Weddings
Band: Deja Boo
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