Prepare for black-tie elegance at Castle Leslie Estate, as our real wedding couple Amy and Fintan brought modern elegance infused with monchrome magic to their wedding day. From an abundance of white flowers at the ceremony to the reception room, sparkling overskirts, black velvet bridesmaid dresses and delicate details tied together with black satin bows! Treasure and Heart ensured they didn't miss a beat when capturing this chic wedding day in Co. Monaghan and we have all the beautiful photos below.
Before we dive into the glamorous detail of this modern monochrome wedding day, let's find out how these lovebirds first crossed paths. Childhood sweethearts, they met almost 12 years on a fateful St Patrick’s Day. "We were both on a supporters' bus to a school football match. As we went to different schools we hadn’t known each other beforehand but I soon caught Fintan’s eye from the back of the bus… and the rest is history!" says Amy. Fast forward and it was time for the next chapter of their love story, leading to Fintan proposing with Amy's dream engagement ring, she explains: "It was a complete surprise as it was a rainy Tuesday evening before Christmas, nothing special about it until I arrived home from work to find him down on one knee! He completely caught me unawares as it really was when I had least expected it, it was perfect."
The detail of this winter wedding day is beautifully sophisticated. His and hers Chanel fragrances, elegant black and gold stationery, Jimmy Choo bridal shoes and the most stylish black-tie attire sported by the handsome gentlemen. They chose to accessorise their look with buttonholes and slick pocket watches.
Making our way to the bride's morning preparations, Amy chose an elegant upstyle and smokey eye look. "The theme I wanted for our winter wedding was rich, timeless elegance and glamour. We created this through the moody tones of the black bridesmaids, black and gold stationery and décor along with crisp white flowers and greenery throughout the florals," says Amy. The ceremony entrance featured fabulously full floral pillars.
The ivory flowers and overflowing greenery were seen throughout the ceremony on tall gold stands, behind the altar and of course on the newlyweds' chairs. This ensured the main photo points were covered withgorgeous florals. When asked about their favourite ceremony reading, Amy recalls personal words which were read by her sister. "My favourite reading was a poem I penned for our communion reflection, which my older sister read out. This was a nice personal touch."
When planning the winter wedding of their dreams, the most important element about the celebration was simply sharing it with their loved ones. "The most important part of our wedding was bringing all our closest family and friends together to celebrate us. As the two years prior had been difficult for many, we were so lucky as just over a week prior to our wedding restrictions were lifted, so we got to have a completely ‘normal’ wedding day!" they say.
Personalised name plates no less! But what about the bridesmaids? We can't wait to spill the dreamy details of this stunning style. The ladies wore black dresses in two different styles, custom-made with love by Emma Murnion. We adore the boat neck velvet gown, with the oversized back bow detail and deep V-shaped backline - timeless and oh-so-classy. Her bridesmaid paired the look with a sophisticated upstyle and glamorous smokey eye.
The wedding venue that stole their hearts was Castle Leslie Estate! The magnificent hidden estate in Monaghan, nestled on 1,000 acres of rolling Irish countryside, studded with ancient trees and shimmering lakes speaks for itself. "From the moment I started to think about my wedding I envisioned us getting our photos taken looking at the lake. I loved the whole aesthetic, especially for a winter wedding, it was magical. It was also a bonus that Castle Leslie is only around 30 minutes from us, therefore it meant easy travel for all our guests, including my 89-year-old granny," says Amy.
While the newlyweds' dreams were coming to life on the lake, their guests were enjoying a drinks reception on the idyllic grounds. Special touches were dotted around the estate, such as personalised candles scenting their wedding day, a guest book for good wishes and a vintage post box to hold the wedding cards safely.
Under the twinkling ceiling lights, each table in the reception room showcased show-stopping tall floral centrepieces, creating grandeur, height and plenty of first-glance gasps. We love the handcrafted touch to their personalised menus, which were wrapped in black satin ribbon to match their stationery suite and wedding cake.
Amy and Fintan sustainably repurposed their spectacular ceremony entrance floral pillars and added them to the reception room, creating a divine display for their wedding cake table!
The charming couple had words of wisdom to those who are in the middle of wedding preparations. "Planning is very easy if you have the right vendors! Therefore my biggest advice is to make sure to do your research and pick the best vendors for you and your day. As for the day of your wedding, don’t let the day pass you by! Enjoy all elements of the day, right from the morning of getting ready. Discuss with your photographer in advance the photos which are important to you, so that you can get these done as quickly as possible so you can enjoy your drinks reception with your guests."
Saving the best for last - the sensational style of our real bride Amy. Her sleek silhouette with a daring backless design and button details, was adorned with a glistening overskirt, that added drama to her look by day but could be removed for dancing later on in the evening. Her pearl earrings and veil effortlessly complement her overall look. The mother of the bride looked just as beautiful in her champagne two-piece ensemble, and don't worry, we mentioned where she bought it in the supplier details below because we know you'll want to know!
After this magical Irish winter wedding came to an end, they soon swapped the chill for blistering Middle-East sunshine! "We travelled to Dubai three days after the wedding. For couples planning, I would highly recommend going on honeymoon soon after the wedding if you can, you are still in that wedding bubble and it is just the most lovely feeling, having that downtime straight after as newlyweds. Also, Dubai was a brilliant honeymoon destination, with total luxury with lots to see and do but also plenty of time to chill out too,"
Amy let her hair loose and shared her first dance with Fintan to Home by Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros.
A very special thank you to the newlyweds and Treasure and Heart for sharing this special day with One Fab Day!
Are you thinking of a Northern Irish wedding? We have real weddings for inspiration and magical northern venues for you to explore, from Big Impact Small Venues to Amazing Civil Ceremony Spots!
