Planning a wedding celebration allows you to express your own individual style and plan a day that really represents you and your partner. Today's couple, Emma and Alistair definitely achieved that, bringing together exotic hints of Alistair's South African roots, style inspired by the 1920s for a one of a kind ceremony and celebration in the uniquely boho setting of Mount Druid in Westmeath. They wanted to create a day that they would both enjoy as well as their friends and family, and the combination of eclectic styles and laidback vibe came together for an occasion that only this duo could pull off. But that we think will inspire everyone to just do their own thing, because that is exactly what a wedding should be. Your thing. Syona Photography captured the essence of the day and we're thrilled to share it with you. Enjoy!
Emma and Alistair met the traditional way...On a night out in Dublin over 5 years ago! After a romantic proposal they were planning their own kind of wedding day...
Alistair went for a modern take on the traditional wedding suit. Pairing a dark navy suit, a brilliant high street find from Marks & Spencers, with a grey wool waistcoat and matching bow tie. The two tones work really well together, allowing Alistair to change his look later on in the evening by just wearing the waistcoat.
While the style stakes were high, it was bride Emma who stole the show (and rightly so!) in a beautiful wedding gown from Memories Bridal Boutique. The incredible silk dress had a beautiful back detail using sheer panels to tie the dress together. It was the perfect dress to encapsulate the laid back boho vibe that Emma wanted, while still bringing a little 1920s elegance.
The icing on the cake was a Juliette cap veil with lace and flower details and a beautiful pearl necklace that enhanced the 1920s silhouette of the dress.
The pair chose Mount Druid for its charm and uniqueness. One of the best parts of Mount Druid for Emma and Alistair is the quaint tin church that can hold unconventional ceremonies...
No nerves here, just a really, really excited groom!
The celebrant for the day was a lovely man by the name of Pat Dillane, a Shaman. He performed a ceremony with elements of ancient practices, including jumping over the shamen’s staff, to symbolise not only our first act together as a couple, but also to show how we will meet the challenges and joys of life together.
The pair have a gang of musical friends who played the piano, guitar, violin, tin-whistle and also sang during the ceremony. 
One big YIPPEE for Emma and Alistair who made it over the shamen’s staff to make it official!
You may have spotted the incredible and exotic looking floral displays in the church, in Alistair's boutonnière and Emma's colourful bouquet. The story behind the show stopper flower choices were Alistair's South African roots! The pair wanted to incorporate his homeland into a part of the wedding and what better way than an amazing array of king protea, succulents and ferns?
The florists behind the beautiful arrangements were Blooming Amazing who are based in Ranelagh in Dublin. They went to great lengths to find the most beautiful South African flowers for the couple and choose the impressive king protea as the main flower for the bouquet and table centerpieces.
Our priority on the day was to keep everything small and intimate. We wanted to enjoy the day and if the guests enjoyed it too then that was a bonus!
Paulina and Rafal of Syona Photography captured some truly beautiful images of the loved up couple on the grounds of Mount Druid.
So what was it about Mount Druid that the pair loved so much...We had a very clear picture of what we didn’t want in regards to a venue. We knew we didn’t want a church, registry office or hotel but we were unsure of what alternatives there were out there. Mount Druid was the only venue we viewed, as soon as we got there we knew the search was over, we just fell in love with the place and it's friendly, relaxed staff. The grounds are spectacular and we loved the idea of having the entire place to ourselves for the weekend.
Once the venue was decided the pair began planning a laid back, boho style wedding. They wanted it to be small and intimate with only their very close friends and family there... Neither of us felt that we had to keep any traditional aspects so that left us free to just do what we wanted.
Mount Druid itself is a venue full of character with trinkets, vintage finds and mix matched furniture. The pair added their own stamp with floral arrangements, old photographs, mason jars and burlap table clothes.
Friends and family helped out with some DIY, with Emma's Dad making the cake stand and the pair making their own stationery. As a treat Alistair planned a surprise fire performance after the meal which was a total shock for his new bride, but a great one at that!
So what advice did this laid back duo have for other couples? Do it your way! Try not to think about what you “should” do and instead really think about what is special to the two of you.
Huge congrats to the lovely Emma and Alistair on their personal wedding day. A big Thank You goes to Syona Photography for sharing their work with us at One Fab Day! To see more of their work pop over to www.syona.eu.
The Wedding Details
- Ceremony: Mount Druid
- Wedding Dress: Memories Bridal Boutique
- Bridesmaids dress: Sophia Toli
- Flowers: Blooming Amazing
- Groomsmen suits: Marks & Spencers
- Veil: Sew Creative
- Cake: The Loft
- Make Up & Hair: Ina Boland at Euphoria Beauty Salon
- Wedding performers: Fireperformers.ie
- DJ: Colin Norton
