With their hearts set on a country manor style wedding Ciara and Brendan began visiting various wedding venues in Ireland, but it wasn't until they set foot in Ballymagarvey Village they knew they didn't want to marry anywhere else. Perfectly suited to their romantic rustic theme Ciara and Brendan's Ballymagravey Village wedding photographed by Tomasz Kornas is both glamorous, and relaxed and the perfect inspiration for any of you planning a luxe rustic wedding.
Friends first, Brendan and Ciara met eight years ago - and after a few months as pals Brendan asked Ciara out. Ciara recounts..."We went for a few beers in a local pub in March and we have been together since. Bren said the first time he saw me I was wearing a pair of fairy wings and was dancing like I didn't have a care in the world. I'm still unsure if that is a good thing!"
On New Years Day in 2014 Brendan proposed to Ciara whilst out for a walk with their two dogs. Romance and giggles ensued as Ciara told us..."The proposal although very romantic, was also hilarious as I went into shock and couldn't speak and Bren only realised after he had gone down on one knee that he'd chosen the muddiest part of the ground and he was filthy. The dogs had also run off, so we both ended up in fits of laughter, after I said yes of course. We found the dogs, eventually and took a picture which I still have - my ring is on the wrong finger, we both have wooly hats on and Bren is filthy, adds to a really good memory! Bren had asked my dad's permission on Christmas eve when we were doing some last minute Christmas shopping. As my Dad tells it ....Bren asked him for his permission for my hand in marriage when they were in the middle of the lingerie section of the shop. My Dad also mentioned this in his speech on the day."
When looking for their wedding venue Ciara and Brendan checked out lots of country houses - but it wasn't until they visited Ballymagarvey Village that they knew they'd found the one. Ciara remembers..."When we viewed Ballymagarvey Village we both knew it was the perfect choice. It was exactly what we wanted." Following the wedding Ciara was just as equally thrilled as she told us..."We would like to say a special thanks to Mary Troy and all the staff at Ballymagarvey village. We were able to have such a good laugh with all of the staff. They made us feel so relaxed and at ease on the day."
To add a very natural feel to the day Brendan and Ciara used lots of natural wooden elements including carved wooden invitations, a wooden cake stand, a wooden jigsaw guestbook and tree themed table names - perfectly suited to the glam rustic nature of Ballymagarvey.
Both keen animal lovers Brendan and Ciara chose to donate to The Irish Blue Cross as part of their wedding favours - who helped them out when Brendan's dog Taz was sick. Ciara told us..."The Blue Cross were really good with Taz as he got ill so they were our chosen charity. They created little cards for us, and since we couldn't bring our own two dogs to the wedding, the Blue Cross had no problem putting their pictures on the cards." Such a thoughtful little idea!
Following some wedding cocktails, and speeches (including an impromptu sing along) Brendan, Ciara and guests danced all night long to wedding band The Panoramics - who Ciara and Brendan couldn't recommend enough: "They were amazing, they had everyone up dancing all night. They were delighted to take any requests that I had and had no problem with learning our first dance song."
Such a magical set-up...
For their honeymoon Brendan and Ciara escaped to "absolute paradise" at the Secrets Resort in the Dominican Republic.
Huge congratulations to you both and thanks so much for sharing your Ballymagarvey Village wedding with us all! A big thank you also goes to Tomasz Kornas for sharing his work with us. To see more from Tomasz Kornas visit www.tomaszkornas.com
