If you've ever been to Inis Mor on the Atlantic Coast, you'll know that it's one of the most romantic places on earth, which makes it perfect for a small yet fabulous real wedding! US couple Kieran and Aaron certainly thought so when they saw photographs of the island, and, despite a little bit of rain, their ceremony at former monastery Mainistir Chiarain, and reception at Joe Watty's Bar exceeded all of their expectations! This couple didn't let the size of their wedding stop them from celebrating in style, either - everything from the florals to the bridesmaids dresses to the cake boasted a sophisticated bohemian vibe, with a Celtic twist, of course! Paula O'Hara Photography captured their Aran Islands wedding in glorious detail, and was good enough to share the results with us, so let's dive in!

Kieran tells us that she and Aaron met when they were both studying biochemistry at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. "We went on multiple study dates until Aaron 'officially' asked me to be his girlfriend on the 13th of October, 2011. And the rest is history!"

Just under seven years later, Aaron proposed during a spontaneous road trip. "He brought me to a small pier on Lake Monona, which was the special place where we shared our first kiss," Kieran remembers. "However, there were lots of other people fishing off the pier that day. Knowing that I would prefer a more intimate proposal, he said that he wanted to visit Olin Park, another place we liked to frequent as undergraduates. However, that location was not to Aaron's liking either! Then Aaron thought of a perfect place, Yahara Place Park. It was near Lake Monona at this special park where we created a new memory. Aaron said some very sweet things to me, got on one knee and asked me if I would spend the rest of my life with him."

Kieran describes the look and feel of the wedding as, "celtic boho. Our wedding style incorporated traditional Irish dress, including the Aran Island shawls, along with whimsical touches like the flower crowns. The overall look of our wedding matched the vibe of our day. We had an outdoor ceremony despite the rain, we took photos on the rugged cliffs of Dún Dúchathair, and had a relaxed reception at Joe Watty’s Bar."

The couple's top priority for their wedding was to make memories that they could look back on fondly for a lifetime! "We wanted to remember the magic of the beautiful location, so having high quality photography and videography were essential. With the help of our outstanding wedding planner, we enlisted talented and local professionals to capture the breathtaking scenery."

They were also keen to have a truly unique ceremony. "We wanted an experience that we would not find anywhere else other than in Ireland. When we found our celebrant, Dara Molloy, we knew that we were destined to have our wedding at Mainistir Chiarain. His nature-based wedding ceremony included Celtic rituals and traditions of the ancient monasteric site that made it absolutely one-of-a-kind."

Kieran and Aaron say they were hooked on the idea of a destination wedding from the very beginning. "What better way to start marriage, and the beginning of our adventure as husband and wife, than with an actual adventure? We both have Irish heritage and thought that Ireland would be a gorgeous country to get married in. Furthermore, we were inspired by the many gorgeous photos of the landscape."

We love that Kieran put so much thought into the bridal party styling, even though it was a small wedding. "We had a total of 30 people make it to our ceremony," she says. "And we are truly thankful."

Kieran's number one piece of advice for couples planning a destination wedding is to hire a planner. "Weddings are stressful, so having someone to assist you with coordinating all the intricate details will ensure that you do not miss anything and to help turn your vision into reality. It will also will allow you to relax and truly be in the moment of your big day, as it goes by so fast!"

She also advises hiring the best photographer and videographer you can find (and afford!) "The photos and video will help immortalise the memories of a lifetime," she says.

Kieran and Aaron tell us that they would highly recommend an Aran Islands wedding in Ireland to other couples. "Inis Mor was a gorgeous location for our ceremony," the bride says. "We will certainly be back to celebrate anniversaries together in the place where we started our journey as husband and wife."

After the wedding, the couple went on a two-week road trip around Ireland, which sounds just fabulous! "We had an incredible time and are already eager to return!"

A suitably Irish finish to a thoroughly Irish wedding! We've got to say a huge thank you to Kieran and Aaron for sharing their gorgeous day with us, and to Paula O'Hara for providing the beautiful imagery. There are more photographs in the gallery below, so be sure to click through for a look!