Planning the Wedding
We went on our first date November 24th 2012, we got engaged on October 5th 2013 andwe got married on February 14th 2014. We organised everything ourselves. The most important thing to Gary was getting married in the right venue. He said he wanted to exchange our vows in an intimate setting with close family and friends beside us.
I know Gary felt he had waited long enough to find the right person and he wanted to have a really special day where he could give his family and friends some special memories, great food and a glass or two of champagne.
The Venue
The Village at Lyons is the most amazing setting to get married at. It is an intimate boutique venue and they made the day very special. We chose our menu at a tasting in January and the chefs were only too happy to tweak the menu at Gary’s request. All our guests were raving about the venue and the food on the day and that was really important to Gary so I was delighted about that.
The Bridal Party
I had three bridesmaids, and we had to buy the dresses off the rack as we only had a few weeks. In the end we bought fabulous full length dresses in Coast. I got my dress in a great bridal shop in Dublin. I went to some of the designer houses but to be honest the staff didn’t impress me and I felt I got a better service from a bridal shop which has been around for decades. The ladies were lovely and they couldn’t have done enough for me and there was a seamstress who adapted the dress so that no one would have noticed.
Myself, my family and the bridesmaids had a lovely leisurely morning in the Village. I had slept very well and woke up with a smile on my face knowing that I was marrying my best friend at 3pm.
My sister had a book of photos for me on the morning with pictures of everyone in my life that matters and we giggled and shared memories over bubbly and treats – it was all incredibly relaxed – in fact the hairdresser commented she never had so much fun before a wedding.
We exchanged our wedding vows to 'How Long Will I Love You' by Ellie Goulding. It was a very special moment as I also had my eight year old son Conor by my side. He adores Gary and was so excited that we were getting married. After we were declared husband and wife, Conor ran to hug Gary first which was a very special moment for me.
Reception Venue:
The Village at Lyons
www.villageatlyons.com
Bridal Gown:
'Ivy' by Maggie Sottero
From Alexander's Bridal,
Parnell Street, Dublin 1
Bridesmaid Dresses:
Coast
www.coast-stores.com
Flowers:
Ab Fab flowers in Celbridge
Wedding Cake:
Valorie Doherty from Donegal town did my cake. I wanted a simple elegant cake as what she gave was both exquisite and incredibly tasty.
Entertainment:
A cousins sister in law Remy Naidoo sang during the wedding ceremony and she was fabulous. She was in the final 10 for the Voice at the time on TV so it was lovely that she could do our wedding. She had the sweetest voice.
Photography:
The photographer,Elaine Watters, is one of my oldest and dearest friends and she offered to do the photographs as a wedding gift for us. She has captured some of the most important moments of my life up until now and I have no doubt she will be at the end of the lens for many more…
www.elainewattersphotography.ie