My favourite weddings are those ones that just brim with love from start to finish - you can see it in every picture. Today's gorgeous day is definitely one of those. After a romantic proposal in Rome, Michelle and Aonghus began planning a wedding that incorporated loads of traditions and much-loved family members. After seeing Ashley Park House featured on One Fab Day (in a gorgeous shoot, have a look) they were smitten and with a little DIY and lots of laughs along the way, they celebrated with a fun vintage reception. Our pal Amy of Rubistyle captured the snaps and as always, they're super, you are definitely going to enjoy one super wedding full of fun...
We met when we were both in college, we both lived in Galway but went to different colleges. Aonghus was working part-time in a local nightclub when myself and a friend stumbled in, we were very giddy and probably had a little too much to drink. Aonghus passed me a couple of times during the night and our eyes kept meeting, at the end of the night we exchanged numbers. After a few days of texting back and Aonghus brought me for my first Guinness. A couple of weeks later on June 4th Aonghus made it official and asked me to be his girlfriend, and off course I said yes!
Michelle's beautiful lace wedding dress is a Cymbeline (One Fab Day fave!) She wore her hair in a plaited chignon and added a headpiece from Halo & Co, which was borrowed from a friend and acted as her something borrowed, how sweet!
And back to the story, after 10 years, a proposal was on the cards and so Aonghus whisked the lovely Michelle off to Rome...I planned a trip to Rome in the hopes of finding the perfect location to propose. I had brought a token ring to propose with, and planned a stop off in London on the way home to pick up the real thing.On the fourth day in Rome I finally found the perfect location,while the sunset at the Colosseum. We found a seat and after four days of trying to keep the ring hidden I finally built up the courage to ask Michelle to marry me. She said yes and after a celebratory dinner we let our families know the good news!
We held our engagement party celebrations on April 6th and before the party we were chatting about what we would tell everyone what our plans were re wedding dates, I said Aug 2014 and Aonghus questioned why not Aug 2013? I thought we couldn't possibly organise everything by then could we? It was just a little over 17 weeks away, but once we decided it would be the same year we got down to business. We couldn't have done it without all the help we received from amazing family and friends.
We shared our wedding day with a very special anniversary, my grandmothers. When we were first looking at dates I just somehow knew it would be Aug 16th, every other date was unavailable and I felt like she was helping us every step of the way. We even had her priest Fr. Martin celebrate the mass for us which included a few special words for my grandmother known as Gaga by all of her friends and family.
Michelle's bridesmaids are gorgeous in pink, they got their dresses from a bridesmaid favourite Dessy. One Fab couples, Ruth and Ronan and Caroline and Brian's bridesmaid donned pink dresses too! If you like the look check out our Blush Bridesmaid feature on how to wear and where to buy (most importantly!)
The photographer was our number one priority, this is something we both felt very strongly about and wanted our photos to be something we could cherish forever. We spotted Amy of Rubistyle's work when we were venue hunting and fell in love with her style of photography straight away, we could not believe our luck when Amy got back to us to say she was available.
The seriously cool VW vintage campervan called “Percy” was borrowed from the couples good friends Dee and Evan. They surprised the pair with a few treats inside, a handmade Mr&Mrs cushion, champagne and strawberries on ice with a blackboard bubble sign which read “Yay, we're hitched!” We love it!
The sun shone bright for us all day which allowed us lots of time to do our portraits with Amy.
Michelle stumbled on her dream venue while browsing through One Fab Day! Well that's what we're here for...When we talked about a venue we both knew we wanted somewhere a little different and both wanted a very relaxed, and somewhat unstructured day. I spotted Ashley Park House on a photo shoot that was featured on One Fab Day ( Check out The Great Gatsby Wedding Inspiration Shoot and By The Lakeshore at Ashley Park Shoot - They're both gorge!) We instantly fell in love with the house, the grounds and we knew it would make for a great backdrop for our photos. I remember when we arrived to view the venue we were served afternoon tea in Royal Albert China. Margaret explained she used this china for all weddings at Ashley Park House. We loved this!
Ashley Park House has all the quirky elements of a country house with room to add your own touches which was perfect for Michelle and Aonghus who roped in family and friends to help. Michelle's brother Keith made a photobooth which was set up outside for guests to enjoy before the dinner while Michelle made the table plan from a memo board covered in lace, she found the idea on Pinterest and loved it!
Crafty bride Michelle also handmade the wedding invitations with the help of friends and groom Aonghus chipped in with his sister Kellyann and hand stamped the name place settings on luggage tags which were attached to each wine glass by a mini clothes peg!
And the cake? Handmade by Michelle's sister Andrea and sister-in-law Ruth!
What advice would you give to brides and grooms planning their day?Enjoy the planning, enjoy the lead up. Don't get too caught up with every little detail, it will all come together in the end. Get family and friends involved, they love to help and will do a great job!
Huge congratulations to Michelle and Aonghus! A big thank you goes to Amy of Rubistyle for sharing her work with One Fab Day! To see more of Amy's work pop over to www.rubistyle.com
The Wedding Details
- Ceremony: Terryglass Church
- Reception: Ashley Park House
- Photographer: Rubistyle
- Wedding Dress: Cymbeline from Helena Quinlan Bridal
- Bridesmaids dresses: Dessy from preloved.co.uk
- Shoes: Rachel Simpson
- Flowers: Elizabeth Rose Florist
- Groomsmen’s suits: Corless menswear & ASOS shoes
- Headpiece: Halo & Co - my something borrowedfrom a friend.
- Make Up & Hair: Cailiosa in Bobby Brown, Brown Thomas, Galway & Millie's Hairdressers
- Wedding band: Tommy Keane
- DJ: John Staunton
