A beaming bride is not an unusual sight around here - every newlywed we come across looks absolutely thrilled with themselves, (and so they should!) - but the woman at the centre of today's real wedding might just have set a new record, because she's laughing in almost every picture! Clearly, there was something very special about Lesley and Ciaran's wedding day at Barnabrow House, although, according to the couple themselves, it wasn't the stunning flowers or effortless bridal party style, it was having the best day ever, surrounded by all of their favourite people! Susie Kelly Photography managed to capture some of the magic...
Lesley and Ciaran met through Lesley's brother Keith, who happens to be Ciaran's best friend! "We were both happy being free and single when we started dating," Lesley remembers, "but on that first night out together there was a real spark, something just clicked. We had the same sense of humour and it was so easy just to talk to each other, like we had known each other for ages. We shared a kiss at the end of the night and that was that, we’ve been inseparable ever since!"
Loose curls + braids + flower crown = dream wedding hair!
For the proposal, Ciaran planned an elaborate ruse that brought the couple to Ballynahinch Castle in Connemara, supposedly on the hunt for a Christmas present for Ciaran's sister-in-law. "I was completely oblivious," Lesley says. "I went into complete shock as he got down on one knee and asked me to be his wife. Of course I said yes, through my tears, and my head was spinning again when he announced after that we should move inside for some champagne as we were staying in Ballynahinch castle for the night, and he had our bags packed in the car!"
These sandals by No. 1 Jenny Packham are so glam, and if you'll allow me to be sickeningly practical for a minute, Leslsey will definitely get away with wearing them after the wedding!
That father-daughter first look moment never fails to get us all choked up here in the office! And this Dad looks particularly proud!
Leslsey's Mam is giving us a masterclass in chic mother-of-the-bride style in this navy blue guipure lace number!
Lesley and Ciaran wanted an outdoor ceremony, and were actually looking at venues abroad when they found Barnabrow House. "Driving up the tree-lined laneway towards the house, with the flowers and plants in full bloom, we immediately got a feeling that this could be the place for us," Lesley says. "What really made up our though was when we stood together in Barnabrow’s beautiful fairy grove. To think that we could get married outside, somewhere so full of life and close to nature was an amazing feeling!"
The couple left the decorating of the ceremony space to Rachel from Ina McCarthy Flowers, so Lesley was completely surprised on the day. "I’ll never forget how it felt when I first entered the fairy grove, arm-in-arm with my Dad, seeing all my friends and family and all the amazing flowers, the stunning wedding arch at the bottom of the aisle and my husband-to-be waiting for me under it," she says. "It’s a memory I will cherish forever."
Now that's what we call a ceremony backdrop! Lesley and Ciaran included lots of personal touches in their humanist service. "Ciaran’s sister-in-law Sarah played a beautiful tin whistle solo during the candle-lighting ceremony that just blended perfectly with the outdoor surroundings and really added to the magical, romantic feeling of the whole ceremony."
Lesley carried a horseshoe up the aisle, along with the bouquet. Is anyone else thinking of trying this old Irish wedding tradition?
From the very beginning, Lesley and Ciaran wanted their wedding to have a "laid-back party vibe. It was important to us that people just enjoyed themselves and had a fun day out. People put a lot of effort in to attend your wedding so we didn’t want the day to feel constrained by time issues or too regimented."
When we said that this pair were ecstatic for the entire day, we meant it!
Lesley and Ciaran wanted their photography to reflect the laid-back vibe of the day, and it's fair to say that Susie Kelly Photography delivered! "She was so polite and professional throughout the whole day but still really kept things flowing effortlessly, even as the rain started bucketing down!" Lesley tells us.
They make a pretty stylish couple, don't you think? Lesley's Rembo Styling gown is a perfect mix between boho and classic!
You know how much we love green bridesmaids, and this sage shade worked so well with the countryside venue!
Lesley and Ciaran's weather gamble paid off, but only just - the heavens opened up right after their ceremony! "It just brought even more of a cosy and intimate vibe to the day," Lesley says, "as everyone sheltered inside Barnabrow’s beautiful little shebeen-style reception area with the fires and lamps lighting, sharing laughs and a few drinks."
Lesley's advice to engaged couples is to stick to the budget. "You don’t need to spend a lot of money to show everyone how in love you are, a small gesture can do more than a room full of flowers and champagne. There’s no point getting in debt for something you might think is essential at the time, when you look back, you’ll realise it wasn’t that important in the end and you’ll be all the better for it."
On the Monday morning after the wedding, Lesley and Ciaran flew to Thailand for a two-week honeymoon. "We spent the first three days in Bangkok exploring and seeing the sights. It’s an amazing but crazy city. After that, we flew down to Koh Samui for the rest of the honeymoon. We stayed in a pool villa at the Bandara Resort and would highly recommend it. There’s so much to do on the island and a boat trip to the Angthong Marine Reserve is a must!"
I mean, have you ever seen a more smitten couple in your whole life? We have to say a massive thanks to Lesley and Ciaran for letting us take a look inside their wedding day, and to Susie Kelly for sharing the photographs.
Recommended Suppliers
- Venue: Barnabrow House
The Wedding Details
- Photographer: Susie Kelly Photography
- Videographer : Luminaire Weddings
- Wedding Dress: Rembo Styling at Say I Do
- Bridesmaids Dresses: The Princess Rooms
- Shoes: Jenny Packham
- Flowers: Ina McCarthy Flowers
- Grooms Suit: Lambretta at Gentlemans Quarters
- Groomsmens Suits: Morleys Formal Hire
- Accessories: Absloute Jewellery
- Cake: Baker Boy Cake
- Wedding Car: Cork Wedding Cars
- Stationary: Wedding Creations
- Make Up: Christine O'Connor
- Hair : The Hairy Fairy
- Band: The Love Bugs
- Reception/Ceremony Music: Bravura Strings
- Celebrant: Seamus De Burca