Fiadhnait & Thomas are adventurers. I don't mean going to a full moon party in Thailand or finding a job on your J1 (I've done both of those!), I'm talking nine months volunteering as doctors in Malawi, six months backpacking in South America, and journeying overland from Kenya to Cape Town, kind of adventurers. So it's only fitting that for today's real wedding, their celebration was all about their love of travel.
The Irish bride and South African groom welcomed guests from around the world for their wedding in Dovetail Cottage at The Cliff at Lyons, so made it their goal to host a party that was both intimate and fun, with great food and lots of dancing.
With gorgeous style (I love the back of Fiadhnait's dress), a unique ceremony, lots of pretty travel-themed details, and even a 'breastman', this wedding is laden down with ideas. Captured candidly by Derek from Memento Photography, I think you'll agree these two well-travelled doctors sure know how to throw a party...
Fiadhnait & Thomas, who are both doctors, met in Limerick through a mutual friend. Fiadhnait says it was love at first site for her... “I was immediately struck by how handsome, charismatic and funny he was, not to mention the sexy South African accent which was a bonus! We shared so many common interests, but most importantly, a lust for travel and adventure."
Thomas hadn't been looking for anything serious, because he had plans to move back home to South Africa, but fate intervened and six years later, he's still here. Fiadhnait reckons it's "the irresistible charm of the Irish", I have a feeling it's the charm of one Irish lady in particular.
Check out the illusion lace bodice on Fiadhnait's wedding dress. Gorge!
Thomas proposed to Fiadhnait on holiday in San Francisco, after a rocky start to trip which saw their flights cancelled, connections missed and luggage lost.
Using a handmade wooden ring he’d bought in Malawi nine months before, Thomas got down on one knee in their apartment over wine and chicken wings. “I realized after our horrendous travel experience together in San Fran that your partner in life should be someone you can spend all the worst and the best times in life with and still come out laughing at the other end!”
I love a simple, almost impulsive proposal - sometimes, even mid-takeaway, it just feels like the perfect moment.
Thomas' sister doubles up as his best friend, so he wanted to make sure she was involved in the ceremony, "She ended up being my 'breastman'! She did a great job of it as well."
Fiadhnait & Thomas wanted a venue that was intimate, romantic and elegant, and found just that in the first place they visited, The Dovetail Cottage in The Cliff at Lyons... "We were so impressed with its beauty and charm that we booked it on the spot. It's maintained its old estate charm while still having all the luxuries you would expect in the 21st century venue."
Fiadhnait & Thomas chose to have an unplugged ceremony, and said it made all the difference to the vibe of their vows, "We asked the celebrant to tell our guests before the ceremony began that we would like them to be present in the moment and not be stuck behind a screen taking photos. We both felt this made a huge difference to the experience for our guests as everyone commented on it positively afterwards."
The couple opted for a personalised humanist ceremony, and Fiadhnait says the room was filled with tears and laughter, "The love in the room was palpable."
Nods to the couple's love of travel were evident throughout their day, from the gifts they exchanged to the details for their reception, as Fiadhnait explains, "I feel that these experiences have shaped and molded our relationship creating a bond that has gone from strength to strength over time. It was really important for me to try and incorporate the travel theme into our wedding."
The couple included some really unique travel-themed ideas in their ceremony (that you may want to pinch for your own!). For their hand-tying ceremony they used laces from their hiking boots to 'tie the knot', "The hiking boots had accompanied us on numerous adventures around the world ranging from the traumatic to the idyllic."
The couple also swapped out the traditional candle lighting ceremony for a sand ceremony, combining Irish sand with pristine white sand from Thomas' native South Africa, "It is a very precious keepsake in our home and a constant reminder of the vows and promises we shared that day."
One nugget off advice this couple have for others planning their own wedding day, focus on what's important, even when things don't work out as you'd hoped.
Fiadhnait was devastated when her sister couldn't attend the wedding as she was living abroad and heavily pregnant, "Try to be understanding that even though this wedding is one of the most important and special days in your life; other people's lives won’t necessarily always work around it. Focus on the fact that you are marrying your soulmate and stay positive!"
Now Fiadhnait has two special Thomas' in her life, her husband, and her new baby nephew!
Now just wait until you hear about their wedding gifts, this pair are too sweet. Fiadhnait kept the travel theme going by giving Thomas a book with photos from their travels and entries from her journal along the way.
Thomas was just as sentimental, giving Fi a portable speaker and iPod, filled with songs meant something to the two of them, and an accompanying letter to remind her of the special moments connected to each song. “He made sure to give it to me before my make up was done as he knew it would have me in tears! Good Planning on his part…”
Honestly, these two are giving me all the feels.
Fiadhnait & Thomas didn't want to spend their day posing for formal shots, and sought out a photographer who would allow them to have as much quality time with their guests as possible, and also capture all the candid, unseen moments of their wedding.
They fell in love with Memento Photography's natural style, "Derek was an absolute hit with all our guests who loved his charisma and non-imposing nature. It shows in the incredible pictures where he captures all the “little moments” perfectly."
The couple included a 'guest globe' as an alternative to a guest book, and named their tables after countries they'd been to, featuring photos from their travels on each one.
Finding a great wedding band to get their party started was a big priority, "Thomas & I are always the last to leave the dance floor and we wanted to ensure that our wedding day was no exception. The Bentley Boys were absolutely superb and didn't disappoint."
Fiadhnait & Thomas were tight for time off work after their wedding, so opted for a mini moon to Antibes in France before jetting off to Thailand and Malaysia a few months later. Sounds lush!
I just love that this pair beamed throughout their whole day from start to finish, and I think lots of couples will be stealing their boot lace hand-fasting, and that international sand ceremony too. Thanks so much to Fiadhnait and Thomas for sharing your fabulous wedding with us - and of course to Memento Photography for the beautiful photos.
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Ceremony & Reception: Humanist Ceremony in Dovetail Cottage at The Cliff at Lyons
