I know what you're thinking - this wedding portrait looks like something from a movie - a still from a golden Hollywood romance, with the handsome leading man, and the elegant leading lady, in the final scene when they tie the knot after fun and frolics. Very Cary Grant and Audrey Hepburn... But this is […]

By

I know what you're thinking - this wedding portrait looks like something from a movie - a still from a golden Hollywood romance, with the handsome leading man, and the elegant leading lady, in the final scene when they tie the knot after fun and frolics. Very Cary Grant and Audrey Hepburn...

But this is the real life wedding of Sam and Orlagh, which took place on a glorious day last August in Tankardstown House just outside Slane, after a whirlwind romance. The happy couple had Larry McMahon on hand to photograph the proceedings so the results are refined and elegant - exactly the vibe they wished for at their black tie affair...

So Orlagh, let us in on the love story...

"I married the boss! Sam was on annual leave when his business partner hired me and to this day we still joke as to whether I’d have gotten the job had he conducted the interview!

We ending up working in a small office alone and we became good friends particularly over the many ‘office’ nights out (It was a very small office; there were generally only two of us on the nights out!) It took a few months for us to officially get together but once we’d started going out together properly we were engaged within 4 months."

But how did that ring appear on the finger so quickly? "Well, Sam's housemate had moved out, and I kindly volunteered to move in, just to help with the rent of course! I’d given notice on the house I was living in and while I was waiting to move Sam asked me to dinner and told me to get dressed up as we were going somewhere special. We went to the Shelbourne Hotel for a pre dinner cocktail followed by dinner in Bentleys on Stephens Green. Next thing I knew we were alone in the private bar in Bentleys and he produced a little box and when I opened it there was a key inside. I thought it was just for moving in but he said that if I was going to agree to move in then it was to be on a permanent basis and asked if I’d marry him?!" Aw, what a romantic! Well he's dead right, when you know, you know, what's the sense in waiting. Life is not a dress rehearsal as one of my friend's said recently...

After the romance of the courtship and engagement, how did you find the perfect venue for the finale ? "We both just wanted something elegant with just close friends and family. So we were driving near Slane one day and I’d seen Tankardstown house on the internet and I suggested we call in and have a look. It was a Sunday afternoon and Father’s Day and the weather was fantastic and while the main house was closed they had an all-you-can-eat barbecue set up outside and it was extremely well organised, of a very high standard and really enjoyable. We both feel in love with the place and started planning straightaway."

If there's one word to describe this wedding it's classic. All the details, from the white roses to black tie, the elegant country house venue to the beaming sunshine. It's all got that elegant touch.

This little beauty came in handy later on, as part of the late night food Sam and Orlagh served ice cream cones from it. Dotey.

What a pair of handsome devils...

"The part I most dreaded the photographs. While although we had dreaded the posing and forced smiling photographs we managed to get a wonderful photographer, Larry McMahon, who primarily took natural photos discreetly from a distance, which allowed us to get a bit of time alone together on the day, which was really lovely and something which many people forget to do."

Remember last week we started our campaign for Irish couples to adopt the Wedding Cocktail trend for a bit of fun for the drinks reception? Well Orlagh and Sam were ahead of the posse and while they wandered off with Larry McMahon for their photographs their guests enjoyed Pimm's. Delish! For those of you unfamiliar with Pimm's, it's a super Summer drink, served traditionally with a mix of fruits and topped up with lemonade - so refreshing, and one of the easiest cocktail options you could choose. Next sunny day we have, promise me you'll try it...

And in fairness, Sam and Orlagh couldn't have asked for a more beautiful day for their wedding - picture perfect...

For the reception Orlagh and Sam put a lot of care and attention into the food - true foodies will delight in some of their ideas. Instead of a traditional cake we had a ‘Cheese Cake’ made from layers of different types of cheese. The hotel decorated it for us with fresh fruit and crackers and we served it with a bottle of Vintage port on each table for guests to help themselves. It turned out to be a great hit and people still talk about it.

So any last words of wisdom to share from your experience as a bride? "Be as organised as you can in the run up to the event, getting as much done as far in advance as you can. Do a list with timelines, mark it off and be confident that you’ve done as much as possibly can to make the day run smoothly and then forget about it and enjoy! If things go wrong, they go wrong, but at least you’ll know you did all you could beforehand to prevent them happening, and then have someone else deal with problems on the day! Good luck!"

So that just leaves it up to us to say a big Thank You to Orlagh and Sam for sharing their elegant day with us - long life and happiness to you both!

And to photographer Larry McMahon for sharing his work with us, if you love the elegant vibe of Orlagh & Sam's day, you will love to see more over on www.larrymcmahonphotography.com