Today, we're delighted to feature real wedding couple Cathy and Donn, who chose to also have their gorgeous baby boy, Fionn's naming ceremony on their wedding day! Their dual celebration took place at the wonderful Ballyvolane House in Cork, where they were surrounded by their favourite people from around the globe. While this special day took place pre-Covid, we expect these kinds of 2-in-1 celebrations to gain popularity, post-Covid! We're seeing lots of couples playing catch up by combining weddings with christenings, naming ceremonies, big birthdays, anniversaries and we are here for it! Just take a look at Cathy and Donn's (and Fionn's!) magical day, captured by John Gillooley, to see how wonderful double celebrations can be!
Cathy and Donn first met through mutual friends in a Dublin pub five years before getting to know one another. Fate brought the pair together again in Madrid in 2012 when watching Ireland vs Wales in the 6 Nations. After spending six months together, Donn took off to Vancouver and Cathy followed soon after. The rest, as they say, is history!
The proposal happened while the pair where on a romantic weekend away in the beautiful lake town of Naramata in Wine Country British Columbia, Canada, organised by Donn. Cathy fills us in, "it was a fun filled weekend of wine tasting (and drinking), food and discovering the beautiful lake country. On the Sunday, after a jam-packed, boozy day out and about at the wineries, and while walking back at sunset, Donn dropped to one knee and proposed out of the blue with a gorgeous promise ring."
Cathy's beautiful, boho lace gown by the label Chic Nostalgia was sourced from a Boutique in Vancouver. She completed her bridal look with a pearl-edged veil, gold floral headpiece and white Cole Hann sandals.
After relaxed morning at Ballyvolane House, it was time for the wedding ceremony at the venue's tin chapel, where there was a warm and joyous atmosphere as these two, surrounded by their friends and family, said their I Dos.
The couple tell us their standout moment from the day was their ceremony. Cathy tells us, "we worked with Treacy on every detail of the ceremony, ensuring it reflected us, our journey and our love, over many Skype calls and emails. Despite being across the globe with an eight-hour time difference, she captured us so well. We have been complimented by so many on how moving and personal the ceremony was." She adds, "all the music at the ceremony was performed by family and close friends, which made it extra special. We made suggestions but ultimately took their guidance and it paid off! We never saw or heard a rehearsal before the day!"
For this couple, and their venue, Ballyvolane House, it was love at first sight. "Ballyvolane House is just stunning," Cathy says, "from the grounds as you drive in, to the gorgeous house and gardens, to the intimate ceremony options, and reception room with its own bar! We also loved the options for relaxing, indoors and outdoors, the food and the staff. Justin and Jenny, the owners, are such professionals and their staff are unbelievable. It's hard to pick just one thing but we knew within minutes of arriving and cancelled all other viewings we had planned!"
She adds, "arriving from Vancouver, Canada, a week prior with a 10 month old, we wanted a place that we could allow us to really slow down, take it all in and enjoy our few days. It's a beautiful, authentic venue that we could all relax in with our family and friends. Our priority was to not take on anything unnecessary, use the beauty of an Irish venue and expertise of the fantastic staff to make it our own and concentrate on what is important to us - being together."
Cathy describes the look and feel of their wedding day as, "elegant in an effortless way. It was fun and relaxed. We made a weekend out of it, as the extended wedding party moved into Ballyvolane House two days before the wedding. The day felt fun and very special as it all came together seamlessly. It was full of giggles and was personal and unconventional in ways which reflect us as a couple. The day included our closest and dearest from around the globe and we held a naming ceremony in the afternoon for our son, which was also very special. We had Ballyvolane House Berthas G&Ts with our canapés on the lawn all afternoon before the meal and took our time to not rush anything."
What a gorgeous family!
Cathy has the following advice for engaged couples, "1. Pick your priorities early on as a couple (with minimum input from others). 2. Have a canned sentence ready for advice you do not want to take! 3. Take the time to build a real relationship with the venue and suppliers - this is key to avoid disappointment and minimise stress. 4. Make a few days out of it if you can, each day and moment can be special. And finally, 5. Take the time for your couple’s photos - make it fun, bring a drink and your shades (if you're like us!) and have a laugh. Our photographer and videographer were also just amazing at being there and directing us without making it awkward. Our time with them during the couple's shots was so much fun, I think we laughed the whole time and it must have been hard to get a serious pic of us!"
The couple have yet to go on honeymoon, but did enjoy a minimoon in Ireland. "We spent a few baby-free nights at The Cliff House Hotel immediately afterwards, which was heaven. We're still planning the 'big' honeymoon!"
It's time to thank today's couple, Cathy and Donn (and little Fionn!) for sharing their special day with us, and John Gillooley for capturing it all. There are even more photographs to swoon over in the gallery below.
