Music played a starring role for our real wedding couple Catherine and Padraic on their style-soaked special day. Set in the luxurious and romantic surroundings of Tankardstown House in Co. Meath, their wedding was a masterclass in modern minimalism. Awash with pretty pastel shades and packed with moving musical moments, we've no doubt their wedding photos captured by Studio Brown will leave you smiling from ear to ear. Just wait until you find out how the groom helped his bride make the most magical entrance as she walked down the aisle and you will likely want to steal their ceremony ritual idea!
Let's get the ball rolling by getting to know Catherine and Padraic a bit better. Catherine is from Ratoath in Co. Meath and Padraic hails from Ballina in Co. Mayo. The couple celebrated another very exciting chapter recently as they bought their house together outside Sligo town.
They met in college when they were both studying music at Maynooth University. It would be a sweet 360 moment that music would play such an integral role in their wedding day which took place on 3rd August 2023.
Padraic picked a jaw-dropper of a location to get down on one knee to ask Catherine to marry him. "There was only one place Padraic was going to propose to Catherine, and that was his beloved County Mayo. He proposed to her at the stunning Downpatrick Head, Ballycastle."
For Catherine and Padraic, it was so important that every facet of their wedding day married together. "We wanted to make sure all elements of the wedding tied in with each other, and that there was consistency in our choices. From the venue, to the styling, and our chosen vendors."
152 of their nearest and dearest ventured to the idyllic Meath estate for their special day. When it comes to wedding planning, Catherine and Padraic say to trust your instincts. "Try not to rush decisions but to go with your gut where possible. There were a couple of big decisions that we did a U-turn on, and were thrilled in the end that we did, although it would have been easier to stick with what we had chosen originally."
Catherine was a picture of demure elegance on her wedding day wearing a sleek, strapless fit-and-flare Suzanne Neville gown with a sweetheart neckline and a ruched bodice. She flew the flag for Irish design through her accessories with her Margaret Coyne veil and her bag that was made by Aoife Mullane while she sourced her pearl drop earrings in One Dame Lane. She slipped into a pair of Harlo heels with sheer tulle panels and topped off her bridal look with a pearl-strewn headband from ASOS. On the beauty front, Catherine opted for a gently glamorous makeup look with her hair worn in classy waves. Her bridesmaids were blush beauties in pink satin dresses from ASOS while her mother's olive green dress and headpiece were made by Asta Fashions.
The groom looked ultra-suave in a suit by Ted Baker which was paired with a white shirt and a navy velvet bowtie and patent black brogues by EJ Menswear Sligo. Can we take a brief reprieve to appreciate the super sweet first look photos?
The couple wanted their day to be simple and modern and they turned to Instagram to seek out vendors who are experts with timeless taste. The floral arrangements crafted by The Fussy Peacock exuded romantic whimsy in delicate shades of white, peach and pink.
Sweetly, Catherine and Padraic's friends who are all talented musicians served up the musical delights for the ceremony and reception: Sharon Howley (cello), Donal Linihan (accordion), Jos Kelly (piano) and Julia Spanu who play with MOXIE, Ciara O’Donnell, Mark O’Donnell, BrÃd O'Donnell and Harry Lawlor who have performed with Billow Wood.
Padraic is well-versed when it comes to ceremony music as he is a harpist who regularly performs at weddings. He came up with a sensational way to ensure his wife's trip down the aisle was unforgettable for her. "He wrote a waltz for me, and our close friends learned and performed it as I walked up the aisle!" Talk about romantic.
It was an emotional moment for Catherine when their friend Julia sang Brid Óg Nà Mháille. We have a special place in our hearts for ceremony rituals and the couple chose the especially sweet love letter exchange. No doubt there will be wide smiles, and some tears, when they open the time capsule on their tenth wedding anniversary. We have a handy guide on what to write in your love letters to help you get inspired if you want to do the ritual at your wedding.
Catherine and Padraic really wanted to personalise their wedding and their top priority was that their loved ones played as big a part as possible. "We really wanted to include our friends and family as much as we could, we are so lucky that we have so many talented friends and family members." Reflecting on their dreamy day, the couple could not help but recall the ambiance. "We think our photographer Claire summed it up perfectly when she described the energy as electric and the craic as contagious."
There was no question that Tankardstown House was "the one" for them. With 80 acres of magnificent woods, courtyards, walled gardens and parkland, the 18th Century Manor House serves as a truly enchanting wedding venue and the graceful Orangery was the cherry on top for the couple. "We thought every room was beautiful, and every room felt bright. We could imagine our ceremony inside or outside, with no real preference. Catherine loves old country houses with orangeries, and Tankardstown Orangery is particularly stunning."
We love to hear how couples put their stamp on their special day and the newlyweds celebrated exchanging vows in their own way with a toe-tapping musical session. "We also wanted to play music on the day with our friends and family, and our photographer Claire’s timeline really helped us to fit this in." They also came up with a moving musical momento as they asked their guests to sign old vinyl records which have taken pride of place on the walls of their new home.
Tankardstown's Orangery is adorned with chandeliers, antique furniture and gilt-edged mirrors so it never fails to make an ultra-luxurious backdrop to a wedding reception. Blush pink table runners drew out the romantic hues in the flowers exquisitely.
The one-tier wedding cake trend is one we'll never tire of and Catherine and Padraic's was so understated and chic. Their tall cream cake was topped off with dainty floral icing. Simple yet swoon-worthy!
They celebrated their first dance as husband and wife with Fleetwood Mac's beloved hit Landslide. When it came to their honeymoon they surprised themselves with their choice! "We booked a honeymoon to Mauritius with Rachael Higgins from the Travel Counsellors. We were particularly busy last year, with the wedding, work projects and buying a house. Rachael was really helpful drawing up an itinerary based on our preferences. We wouldn’t have picked or thought of Mauritius, but it was perfect for us. Lots of sea swimming, great food and lovely people."
We would like to say a huge thank you to our real wedding couple Catherine and Padraic for sharing their beautiful Tankardstown House wedding day with One Fab Day and to Claire of Studio Brown for the fabulous images. You can see even more in the gallery below (and you might spot Padraic’s adorable goddaughter niece Ella who is always the star of any show!)
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