Irish bride Kerrie Ann met husband Jules in his home-place of Australia, where after a few twists and turns they both now happily live. Now at home in Australia Kerrie Ann and Jules have been to their fair share of beach weddings, so for their own they wanted something a little different and a little more traditional. Embracing Kerrie Ann's Irish background they decided on a classic castle wedding at Cabra Castle, captured by Paula Donnelly Photography. But of course Kerrie Ann wanted to make a statement - it was her wedding day - so just wait until you see her one of a kind wedding dress...
Eight years ago Kerrie Ann found herself holidaying in Australia. Whilst there a summer romance ensued, but once she got home she just couldn't stop thinking about her Australian beau. Kerrie Ann recounts..."We both got on with our separate lives, however, we stayed in contact and couldn't ignore the special bond we formed in such a short space of time. I invited Jules to come visit Ireland the next year and he came on 3 occasions, and I flew back to Australia again for another holiday. After years, quite literally, of emails, Skype and expensive trips back & forth, someone had to take the leap of faith.... in 2010 I took that leap back to Australia to see if this was really meant to work! I returned to Australia as a student of Beauty Therapy, and after 12 months of residing together we agreed to apply for the partner visa to let me stay a 'wee bit longer'! Almost 8 years on since we first met, we can both happily say it was worth the time and the money to get me here! Jules has developed a mild Irish twang, but he needs to practise, and as for my Irish accent - it’s not going anywhere!"
Finally happily together, on a Christmas trip home to Ireland Jules asked Kerrie Ann's dad for his permission to marry Kerrie Ann. Kerrie Ann describes the proposal at St Patrick's Cathedral in Armagh..."It was the day before we flew back to Australia, and he had wanted to ask so that we could celebrate a bit with my family...he was confident I’d say yes then wasn't he! He didn't have 'the ring' at this stage, so had pinched a ring from my jewellery box and used it to mark the moment, and he fell on one knee - which I liked, just in time for the Cathedral bells to chime! We purchased a Princess Diana style dress ring to celebrate the news & then on our return to Australia we had my official engagement ring and both our wedding bands designed by a talented jeweller, Shaun Treasure - he was born with the right name!"
Having attended lots of beach weddings in Australia both Kerrie Ann and Jules really wanted an Irish wedding with a strong sense of tradition, beginning with a classic church ceremony.
On the morning of the wedding Kerrie Ann travelled to the church with her dad, who then walked her up the aisle - keeping her relaxed and giggling the whole way. During the ceremony a close friend performed music, while another sang. Kerrie Ann gleefully told us..."Catherine Grimley Hughes just almost had me in tears. I’ve known Catherine for 15 years, and really could not have imagined having anyone else sing on our day."
After the church Kerrie Ann and Jules hopped in their rented vintage car to Cabra Castle to continue their classic wedding day. Kerrie Anne explains what made Cabra Castle the perfect venue for them..."Choosing Cabra Castle was very easy. Jules wanted a Castle from the very start, and when we had decided we would wed in Ireland that was really his only wish!"
The one non-traditional element of the wedding day was Jules striking bespoke dress, by friend and designer Marina Taylor. Kerrie Ann describes the design process..."Marina doesn't do 'white' weddings, and when I spoke to her in the early planning stages, she said I had to be brave...I knew it was going to be very special, and I knew I would probably be breaking traditions! It was perfect, my favourite colour and fitted in so beautifully with the castle venue we chose."
A big congratulations to you both and thanks so much for sharing your Cabra Castle wedding with us all! A big thank you also goes to Paula Donnelly Photography for sharing her work with us. To see more from Paula Donnelly Photography visit www.pauladonnellyphotography.com
The Wedding Details:
- Ceremony: St Patrick's Chapel, Keady
- Reception: Cabra Castle
- Bespoke Wedding Dress: Marina Taylor
- Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Perfect Day
- Bridal Shoes: Marina Taylor
- Suits: Black Tie
- Accessories: Newbridge
- Flowers: Floral Expressions
- Cake: Cakes by Yvonne
- Cars: Unity Wedding Cars
- Stationary: Vistaprint
- Table names & Booklets: Instant Print
- Make up: Stephanie Burns Hair and Makeup
- Hair: Margaret Mallon Hairstyling
- Ceremony Music: Catherine Grimley Hughes; Jolene O'Malley on flute; Keith O'Malley on bagpipes; Robert McGleenan on fiddle & Dermot McCusker on piano
- Videographer: Eamonn Quinn
- Photographer: Paula Donnelly
- Reception Music: Soul Purpose
