If you think outdoor ceremonies can’t happen in Ireland, you need to see today's real wedding!

Michelle & Kathy said their vows with a romantic outdoor wedding at Tankardstown House. The couple, who met through the deaf community and shared several friends of friends (it wasn't quite love at first site!), planned their Irish wedding from their home in England, and the sun came out to shine on their day. Captured so beautifully by Johnny Corcoran, with gorgeous tea-length wedding dresses, pretty travel-themed reception details, and one of the sweetest ceremonies ever (including some lovely surprises), we're more than smitten with this wanderlusting couple and their special day...

As Michelle & Kathy, who crossed paths several times before fate (and friends!) intervened, can attest, sometimes the greatest love stories take a little while to blossom, “Funnily enough, we can't even remember when we actually first met- so not quite love at first sight! Although, the more we met, the longer we chatted. Fate decided we should both finally be single at the same time and be thrown together at the same table by sneaky friends at their wedding. Their plan must’ve worked! Our paths crossed again not much later at the European Deaf LGBT camp in Barcelona and well, the rest is history!”

Kathy planned to propose to Michelle while they were travelling around the US, and despite visiting some incredible places, it never felt like the right time, “It all came down to our last day in New York – I decided to just go for it and my plan very nearly fell apart... First, I booked a top-notch restaurant, until we realised nothing we had would quite meet their black-tie dress code and secondly, Michelle was tired and grumpy after a long day’s sightseeing.”

As often happens, a little Dutch courage was required, “Luckily, I had a back-up…with plenty of encouragement (the lure of cocktails!) and despite some iffy reviews from Michelle’s go-to tour guide TripAdvisor, I managed to persuade Michelle to go up to the Top of the Strand, a rooftop cocktail bar. We weren’t disappointed. It had amazing views of New York and the Empire State Building (which just so happened to be lit up red that night…) – and so once we were sipping our cocktails, it was the perfect moment to finally pop the question.”

What a gorgeous spot to get ready in!

Love this cute shot by Johnny Corcoran; literally showing us the meaning of love!

Michelle sums up her and Kathy's wedding day as relaxed, easy, and fun, “I thought I’d be anxious and nervous throughout the day, but from start to finish, apart from the nervous moment before walking down the aisle, it was a brilliant, exciting, meaningful and emotional day, including moments like my wife doing a surprise song ('All I Want is You') and my family surprising me again by sign-singing 'I'm a Believer' as we walked back up the aisle.”

Wow, what an amazing gesture from Kathy, and from Michelle's fam!

The couple who live in England, found their venue on a busy trip home for wedding planning, "We had to cram a weekend of venue viewing appointments with our parents’ help (getting them to meet each other for the first time and act as our taxi drivers!). We fell in love with Tankardstown, with its 18th century house, walled gardens and stunning glass roofed orangery, perfect for a reception. It was bright, warm and the staff were helpful and lovely - we felt it was just right for us. ”

And while an outdoor ceremony in Ireland was always going to be a risk, Kathy & Michelle's gamble paid off, “While it was touch-and-go with heavy rain the days before the wedding (and after!), we got married in the beautiful grounds outside with the sun coming out at just the right moment!”

Kathy says that the whole day was special from start to finish, but the ceremony was a real highlight, "The rain stopping for us. All our families and friends together in one place. The nerves before going down the aisle and evaporating once we were together at the top. Having friends and family do the songs and readings, with a personal touch. Michelle’s family singing and signing ‘I’m a Believer’, and everyone else joining in!” Oh it all sounds so amazing!

Passing on the top piece of wedding day advice they were given, Kathy & Michelle said taking a moment out was really meaningful to them, “The biggest and most important piece of advice our friends and family gave us was to find at least 15 minutes alone to sit back, take it all in and just absorb the day. And it was well worth doing this (with those Guinnesses!).”

Pretty mixed blue hues from the wedding party.

When it came to honeymoon planning, the brides, who are keen travellers, found it hard to find a place they both hadn't been to (a good complaint to have!)... "In the end, we went to Dubai for a few days and on to Mauritius for a relaxing all-inclusive holiday on the beach (our first that didn’t involve backpacks, maps, travel guides or TripAdvisor to move around!).”

We're sure Kathy and Michelle's guests were just as happy as they were with the stunning choice of venue - so many beautiful backdrops for their portrait session.

We love the ladies' similar tastes in vintage style lace dresses. "Great minds..."!

I love how bright and airy the orangery is!

Kathy & Michelle's party continued until late into the night, “Celebrations went on till the wee hours summing up the day really well with our UK and Irish families and friends. The wedding was not cheap and took months to plan but it was worth every cent as it was an excellent memorable day from start to finish.”

A nod to the place where Kathy finally proposed!

Michelle said their are so many details they loved about their reception, among them, their unique wedding cake, and inclusive wedding band, “The scrumptious Rice Krispie wedding cake made by Kathy’s auntie and the little brides on top knitted by Kathy’s mum. The travel-themed reception. Having a band that played nearly all of our song requests along with lyric videos so we could sing along too. Having our 15 minutes of quiet time in the back bar with a couple of pints of Guinness!”

We wish Kathy and Michelle a lifetime of happiness and hope you continue to travel (if only to keep TripAdvisor in business!). Thanks so much to the newly weds for sharing their Tankardstown House wedding, and to Johnny Corcoran for sending is these incredible shots!

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The Wedding Details

• Wedding Dress: Kathy - Joanne Ferguson Bridal Shop
• Bridesmaids dresses: Michelle’s bridesmaids - The Dressing Room, ASOS, Swagger and Swoon / Kathy’s bridesmaids - Monsoon
• Shoes: Michelle – Joe Browns, Kathy - Monsoon
• Flowers: Smithfield Flower Market
• Wedding Dress: Michelle- Vintage Bride

• Accessories: Not On the High Street
• Wedding Favours: Mrs. Brown’s Bakes
• Stationery: Canva
• Make Up & Hair: Michelle - Cathy McNulty, Kathy - Zuni
• Wedding Bands: Soundcheque Band