A Winter Wedding with a Christmas Theme

Real Weddings

“We didn’t go into overdrive on the Christmas theme but it definitely featured in a winter capacity.”

Names: Louise Reynolds & Mark Doyle

Length of engagement:  1 ½ years

Wedding Date: 28/12/2018

Wedding location: The Millhouse

Photographer: Couple Photography

We met – In work! We were both teachers looking for a new job and had interviewed for a job in the same school on the same day! We didn’t meet until after we had both started, and after a bit of flirting at the Christmas Party and pretending not to know how to complete some paperwork, he eventually asked me out many moons later. We like to think it was a touch of fate that brought us together when we both applied for the same job, I wasn’t from or lived in the area, so it would have been unlikely that we ever would have met otherwise!

 

Our proposal…

Happened in one of our favourite spots in Ireland.  We regularly visit Sligo and from time to time we hike up Knocknarea.  There is a beautiful view and the top overlooking Strandhill and Rosses Point.  It seemed like the most fitting place to propose.  A token ring had been purchased months before and I was already to propose months earlier when we visited Sligo in March however Louise came down with a cold. With June visit planned later, it was happening rain, hail or shine.  Luckily it was a lovely day for a hike and I popped the question overlooking a beautiful view of the beach.  In retrospect I am not very sure of what I said but I do remember Louise saying yes and the rest is history.

Our wedding theme/colours…

We are both big fans of all things Christmas (who isn’t?!), and had siblings who lived abroad, so it seemed like a good time for everybody to come together. We didn’t go into overdrive on the Christmas theme but it definitely featured in a winter capacity. At the end of the day we wanted to create a relaxed and welcoming feeling for everyone who came that day.

Things we DIY’d/made ourselves…

The beauty of The Millhouse, is that you have free reign to design and decorate your wedding as you want it to be, the sky was the limit! Obviously these ideas can run up a bill so we had great fun with the DIY side of things! We made all the table centres, designed the menus, the favours, my father made all the table numbers, and wood turned a beautiful fountain pen made of African Blackwood for signing the register,  the cake toppers and some festive bunting too. I was lucky to have crafty people to help me, because it would have been an impossible task without them!

My dress –

I would never be too wild with my day to day clothes, and thought this would be one of the rare chances to do something completely different for me! Myself and my mam went to a couple of bridal shops to see if there was a style that suited but nothing really stood out. I had heard about Folkster, and as I looked at other dresses not finding anything, I thought, I must go there or it will drive me mad! The style was so different there, I wanted them all! Eventually, we came across a fabulous silk skirt, and after trying on different tops picked a sequined crop top, and beaded belt to make my perfect ensemble! Its true what they say, you’ll know as soon as you put it on that it’s the right one! They couldn’t have been kinder to us there, I honestly cant recommend them highly enough!

My hair and make up…

Sharon Lynch did the make up for the bridal party, she had done the make up for a good friend for whom I was a bridesmaid, so when I knew it looked great that day, and lasted the whole night,I didn’t go looking for anyone else when I knew she was free! Maureen from Yazoo in Swords where my mother frequently goes was kind enough to come to our house on the morning of the wedding. Both of the girls brought an equal balance of calm and fun during the chaos of getting ready!!

His suit

We have a soft spot for Sligo, and Mark likes to visit EJs Menswear when we are there. So he had it in the back of his mind that that was where he would get it! Mark wore a navy Herbie Frogg wool suit and grey wool tie.

What our bridal party wore

The two Dees wore aubergine Mori Lee dresses from My Fair Lady Monaghan, and Ciaran and Mark, and the two dads wore hired suits from The Mans Shop in Newbridge.

Our ceremony –

We were really lucky when we met Father Martin, he was as calm and welcoming as you could get for such an important day. Because of this we were able to choose readings and music that was special to us,he kept everyone entertained, and he kept us very relaxed throughout. We were blessed with our musicians, Louise Courtney Music, the trio had stunning voices, singing songs such as She moved through the fair and Grace with talent beyond belief.

 

We chose our photographer because…

Ros’s work speaks for itself, looking through her albums you are guaranteed quality work. That alone is not enough in a photographer, Ros was one of the smiliest, most laid back, and entertaining people involved in the day, and because we felt so at ease in her company from the evening we met, it was an obvious choice to make, after all, you spend a lot of your day with them so you need to want to be around them!!

 

We chose our venue because –

 If you have ever been to The Millhouse you will understand what it’s all about. As soon as we got there I knew it was the right place, with the grand house, the quirky Mill, and beautiful River Boyne just yards away it felt cosy, friendly, and intimate. The staff there was so obliging, and there was never a question unanswered or an idea too crazy, they were willing to make an almost impossible seem possible! It was such a small detail, but I remember how every member of staff, from the kitchen to the bar knew our names and when you met any of them they would ask how our day was going and if they could do anything for us, it was so simple but it genuinely made us feel like we were the first people to ever get married there!

Our menu –

Well the menu tasting is an experience in itself! We rolled out of the Millhouse after the amazing night of tasting they put on. We got to try every starter, main and dessert, so it was a really hard decision! In the end we had Black Pudding Salad with Baby Leaves and Caramelised Apple for starter, a choice of Rump of tender Wicklow Mountain Lamb, Rosemary & Sage stuffing, Mint Jus Or Baked Salmon Fillet with Basil Mash, Pink Prawn & Sancerre Cream for mains and Glazed Lemon Tart with an Elderflower & Raspberry Sorbet & Raspberries & Mint Coulis for dessert. The starter was so good I have tried to track down a recipe for the starter but haven’t found one close yet!

Our honeymoon –

Like many couples we delayed our honeymoon until later in the year. We travelled for a month to India, Nepal and Sri Lanka, and took a detour on the way home to go to my brother’s wedding. These were once in a lifetime countries to visit with the friendliest and most beautiful people you could ever hope to meet! Where else would you squeeze in Bollywood movies, the Taj Mahal, the Ganges river with paragliding, cooking lessons, a flight around Everest and safaris! Memories and experiences that would be hard to find anywhere else!

 

My favourite part of the wedding day… Its hard to pick one because there were so many! Apart from the ‘I do’s’ seeing so many friends and family having a great time was the best thing we could have asked for!

 

My piece of advice for other couples…

Take your time! Make a checklist and do things one step at a time, Rome wasn’t built in a day! Don’t forget to ask for help, and take help when its offered – Its one of the most exciting days you’ll ever have, so enjoy every minute of it with as many people as you can!

Suppliers

Wedding venue: The Millhouse | Photographer: Couple Photography | Musician: Church – Louise Courtney Music | Band/ DJ: Anything Goes | Hair: Maureen from Yazoo in Swords | Makeup: Sharon Lynch | Dress: Folkster Kilkenny | Suit: Groom – EJs menswear Sligo | Bridesmaids dresses: Mori Lee – My Fair Lady Monaghan | Groomsmen and fathers outfits: The Mans shop in Newbridge | Invitations: Etsy | Cake: Donneybrook Fair | Celebrant: Fr Martin Noone