As we all know Summer is a game of roulette in Ireland weather-wise, like Forrest Gump's famous phrase "you never know what you're going to get..." and so even with the best intentions in the world, a summer wedding reception can often turn into a summer camp indoors. This is what happened to Kate and […]

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As we all know Summer is a game of roulette in Ireland weather-wise, like Forrest Gump's famous phrase "you never know what you're going to get..." and so even with the best intentions in the world, a summer wedding reception can often turn into a summer camp indoors. This is what happened to Kate and Ciaran earlier this year when the weather failed to cooperate with their plans for elegant garden party wedding in the lovely Rathsallagh House in Wicklow. But far from letting it rain on their parade, they had a magical day full of love and laughter all captured by Darek Novak, whom we are delighted to introduce to One Fab Day...

But going right back to the beginning, lonnnng before the wedding day, comes the big hook-up... you could never accuse Kate and Ciaran of jumping the gun: "We had known each other for nearly ten years before we decided to go out with each other! We were at a mutual friends 30th birthday three and a half years ago and we got chatting. It was as simple as that. Ciaran asked me to go for dinner with him after that night and that was the start of our relationship..."

Once love struck though, they were on a fast-track to the aisle..."I am from Rosses Point in Co. Sligo, and we love to go there as much as possible. We went up there on the August bank holiday last year. We had got a new puppy and I was dying to bring him down to the beach for a swim. After lugging Ciaran off the golf course we headed down to the beach with the dog. I was so preoccupied with getting the dog in to the water that I did not see Ciaran getting down on one knee! I got the fright of my life when I turned around and he started his proposal... I was the biggest surprise I have ever had. It was the perfect proposal and we were just so excited. Ciaran had decided to propose when all my family were home, that was a great idea as everyone was there to celebrate and nobody was missing out. We rang my family at home straight away and then raced back to the house and cracked open the champagne. Ciaran had not picked the ring (my sister told him that I would prefer to pick it), so he had a diamond pendant to mark the occasion. The engagement was so special for the both of us. I think it was as exciting as the wedding itself!"

Darek-Novak{Kate-and-Ciaran}-Garden-Room

So the planning started, and got off to a flying start as choosing their wedding venue was a piece of cake... "The venue was the easiest choice throughout the whole wedding process for us. Ciaran had been to a wedding in Rathsallagh House a few years ago and he loved it. Once we got engaged we went down there and I fell in love with the place too. I could picture the whole day happening there once I saw it. We wanted a relaxed day and didn't want it to be stuffy. Rathsallagh has an excellent reputation for its incredible cuisine, so this was very appealing for us. They have a permanent marque and it can hold a large number of guests. We are the first in both families to get married so we knew the numbers would be big! We didn't look at any other venue after seeing Rathsallagh House."

Darek-Novak{Kate-and-Ciaran}-Dress-Details

So on to the fun stuff, the decor and clothes and all the pretty, pretty..."I wanted a garden party theme. Rathsallagh House is stunning country house and I wanted the theme to be in sync with the venue. After researching many different websites I came up with the different colours and ideas I wanted to incorporate to our day. The bridesmaids dresses were a light coral/pink colour and I contrasted this colour along with pastel pinks, oranges and lilac. Any stationery we used had these colours scattered throughout them along with the flowers." Perfect for a beautiful Summer's day wedding...

Darek-Novak{Kate-and-Ciaran}-Groom-and-his-Men

But unfortunately the weather just wasn't going to cooperate... Kate and Ciaran made it to the church alright, but once inside the rain got so bad that at one stage they couldn't even hear the priest properly!

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Darek-Novak{Kate-and-Ciaran}-Exchange-of-Rings

Darek-Novak{Kate-and-Ciaran}-Just-Married

But they braved it through and made their vows together on front of friends and family and at the end of the day who gives two hoots about the weather?

Darek-Novak{Kate-and-Ciaran}-Vintage-Tractor

With the weather so bad, Darek the photographer had to get creative with the portraits, but in this respect Rathsallagh offers a lot of interesting options, as it's an old coach house so the gardens and yard hold a variety of quaint and cute locations.

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Darek-Novak{Kate-and-Ciaran}-Couple-and-Flower-1

The desperate weather actually ended up being a blessing in disguise in terms of the party, with the couple and guests rushing straight to Rathsallagh instead of hanging around outside the church..."We stood in the doorway of Rathsallagh House and it was such a fun part of the day. We got to greet and hug everybody as they arrived and then they were given a glass of champagne or Pims! It meant nobody got wet hanging around the church car park! It gave us more time to chat to everyone and it meant we got to have a few minutes with every guest.

Darek-Novak{Kate-and-Ciaran}-Couple-Shot-in-Door

We loved the speeches too. They took place during the drinks reception in the main house. Although they are quite hazy (as is most of the day!) we all just laughed our heads off. It was so special seeing all the faces of all our loved ones in the one room gathered around us as different members of our families speak."

Darek-Novak{Kate-and-Ciaran}-Reception-Sign

Karen wanted to add her own touch to the reception decor, bringing that garden party feel into the marquee..."We bought a large bird cage and tied the table plans on to it. This was positioned as the guests entered the reception room. The bird cage tied in to the stationery (from Pretty as a Picture) we used which had pink birdcages printed on them. My sister's friend Laura Dowling is a graphic designer, so she did all the designs for the menus, mass booklets, place names, table plans and the table numbers. The florist Monica, did an awesome job with the flowers and she decorated the birdcage with the flowers used in the bouquets and in the centre pieces on the tables."

Darek-Novak{Kate-and-Ciaran}-Happy-Bride

What advice would you give to brides and grooms planning their day? "I think the most important thing is to delegate! It seems obvious but it is very easy to want to do everything yourself. It is impossible! If anyone offers to do anything just say "yes"! Another word of advice is to try and do things that represent who you both are. You only have one chance to do it your way, so go with it!"