Today's real bride might just be my new style icon - just wait until you see her jumpsuit (or is it a two piece?). Cool Irish bride Jill, married her dashing groom, Rafi at Blairscove House in West Cork. And as you'll see from their fabulous photos by Louise Scott Photography, this real wedding is a lesson in relaxed vibes, covetable style and doing things your own way. With a GBBO baker for the wedding cake, and an auntie as the celebrant, enviable wardrobe aside, Jill & Rafi are already a couple after my own heart...
Jill & Rafi met through a mutual friend, but their story has a pretty romantic start, as Jill tells us, “We met in Brighton Hospital through our friend Conor who was Rafi’s best man. The first night we properly met, at Conor’s house party, ended with us playing charades as the sun came up over Brighton beach.”
It was back in Brighton where the couple got engaged, “Having both moved to London and got together, we went to to Brighton for a night out. I asked him, and he said yes!”
Jill's leading ladies wore beautiful contrasting dresses, and carried pretty posies to match the bride.
We do love a bride who pops the question around here!
The couple wanted to give their guests a laid-back party in Cork, “We just wanted everything to be relaxed, informal, funny and fun. Which it was! Because we asked so many people to travel, we wanted our guests to experience West Cork in all its glory – food, craic, friendliness and drinks.”
The couple had some special people make their day even more personal, “My best pal Tamal made our cake, the guests sang One Day More from Les Miserables, all the staff at Blairscove were lovely and Rafi’s Aunt married us in a humanist ceremony in the garden.” Guys, I'm pretty sure Jill is talking about Tamal from Bake Off! Well jealous!
This pair look like they didn't stop smiling throughout their ceremony.
Outdoor speeches during the drinks reception are such a nice way to keep them informal - it definitely takes the pressure off the speakers too.
Jill and Rafi say that the moment they arrived at Blairscove, they knew it was the venue for them, “We met Anne and Woody who are the most gorgeous, kind and generous people we’d ever met. We ended up in their living room holding their tiny twin girls along with their massive dogs knowing we’d landed in the right place. We planned our wedding from the UK, but Anne (and my Mum) made it feel like we were down the road. Nothing was too much trouble for them, and we left feeling like family. To top it all off, Woody’s desserts are sublime.”
Now didn't I tell you you'd be obsessed with Jill's Catherine Deane jumpsuit? Rafi looks rather stylish on his wedding day too.
Even a little rain didn't dampen the spirits of this fun celebration...
The main priority for this bride and groom was wining and dining their guests, “We wanted everyone to have great food, flowing drinks and a relaxed setting in beautiful West Cork.”
The couple tied in pretty stationery with floral table arrangements for their reception decor.
The all-important wedding cake baked by Jill's pal Tamal, doesn't it look delish!
Jill & Rafi’s advice to other couples is to do your own thing when you’re plotting out your day, “Don’t’ feel any pressure to follow a pattern. Just go your own way and you’ll know when you land in right place.”
The couple kept their honeymoon close to home, with a stay on the Aran Islands at Inis Meain Hotel and Suites.
Oh this looks like it ended with one massive party! Thank you to Jill & Rafi for letting us in on their Blairscove wedding, and to Louise Scott Photography for capturing it so beautifully
