This real wedding beautifully captured the joy of a summer's wedding day in Tankardstown House in Co. Meath. With a divine assortment of garden blooms throughout, you can almost smell the summertime scent! Claire and Shane, our stylish couple, along with Benito their greyhound, will steal your hearts, thanks to the gorgeous images from Claire Brown. From the beaming smiles to the idyllic surroundings, you're in for a heartwarming treat!
We know we are in for a stylish celebration when we see a bridal shoe appearance from Mr Jimmy Choo!
Childhood sweethearts, Shane and Claire first met way back when in final year of secondary school. They were introduced through the Meitheal Training programme (a leadership programme in schools where sixth-year students help incoming first years to settle in). As the relationship grew stronger each year, it was a beautiful moment in Bali that started their wedding journey. Claire explains: "Shane proposed in Bali on a small, red, suspension bridge, and of course, I said yes! It was a complete surprise. However, moments later a huge frog jumped across our path and I screamed in terror - Shane thought I had changed my mind," she laughs.
On a beautiful July morning, the couple gifted each other sentimental gifts before the day kicked off. Shane’s gift was particularly thoughtful, as Claire always joked about wanting a Fortnum and Mason hamper. Shane found one and filled it with special gifts, under the theme of something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue. Inside was an old family heirloom silver coin from Shane’s family weddings dating back to the 1940s, a newly-commissioned bespoke watercolour painting of the wedding venue made into a jigsaw that the couple could make every year on their anniversary, a borrowed Butlers Chocolate loyalty card for a free hot chocolate that Claire gave Shane, and finally a hoodie with a motif of their dog Benito!
Claire chose a contemporary wedding gown from bridal designer Halfpenny London with ruffled off-the-shoulder sleeves complemented by a beautiful sheer overlay skirt. She paired her ethereal look with gold and pearl earrings. Simply breathtaking!
Shane opted for a dashing deep navy suit for his groomswear attire. The perfect colour and style for a sun-drenched garden wedding party! As for Shane's gift from Claire, she commissioned a print in the style of a travel brochure, featuring all of their adventures to date. A beautiful keepsake to cherish!
Oh, we will never get tired a first-look wedding moment! A first look is usually reserved for a private moment before the ceremony for a couple that prefers to forgo the big reveal at the altar. And with Claire and Shane's sweet images above, we can totally see why!
Everyone, let us introduce you to Benito! The VIP (Very Important Pooch) who will be gracing your screens from here until the end of this gorgeous wedding feature.
Delta String Quartet played exquisite music for the guests to enjoy before and throughout the outdoor ceremony. How beautiful is the copper wedding ceremony backdrop, kissed with the most beautiful selection of garden florals!
The wedding took place outdoors, with the sun beaming down on Shane and Benito as they waited at the top of the altar for the beautiful bride-to-be. As Taylor Swift's song Wildest Dreams playied, the guests took to their feet and welcomed Claire as she made her way down the aisle with her father by her side. A special moment they recall from the ceremony was when Shane’s granddad read Scaffolding by Seamus Heaney. Shane also included ceremony readings based on their favourite song lyrics - personal and so unique.
The couple tied the knot - literally - with a handfasting ceremony! A symbolic Celtic unity ritual in which a couple stand face to face as their hands are tied together.
We spot a lot of pretty shades of pastel blues, from the ceremony ribbons to the flowers and a beautiful bridesmaid. Her dress also showcases sheer fabrics complementing Claire's bridal style. The un-done bouquets are adorned with shades of lavender, blush, ivory and pale blue blossoms, a cheerful selection for a summer's day wedding!
The idyllic wedding venue, Tankardstown House in Slane, Co. Meath, stole their hearts with its period house and light-filled Orangery. They explain: "We also loved the walled garden and the stunning flowers outdoors. Holly O'Brien, the head wedding coordinator and the team were amazing to deal with! We felt like it could be relaxed, but in a classic, formal setting. One feature we particularly loved was that there were a couple of sitting rooms off the Orangery that guests could relax in if they wanted to. Being dog-friendly helped too! We also loved the idea of a venue that we could return to in the future for special occasions."
The wedding aesthetic was created around the style of the venue and the photography. Their inspiration was mainly found online, using both One Fab Day and Instagram. "Shane works in design so he created digital mood boards which helped keep track of our ideas," says Claire. Can we take another moment to swoon over Benito and his black tie attire and doggy buttonhole?
What a beautifully bright wedding tablescape! Soft pastels, gold accents and more delightful florals subtly adorn each table. And of course, Benito makes one last final appearance on the table names - we can tell Benito is one very loved fur baby! When it comes to advice, Claire and Shane say "Don’t worry about sticking with tradition. It is important that the day feels like you so let go of any traditions that do not resonate with you. For example, Shane came with me to pick out my wedding dress, as he has an amazing eye!" We love this!
Elements that were super important to the newlyweds were creating small moments during the day to remember and include people who were no longer with us. Shane also created cards with photos and names of friends and family for the tables during the reception dinner, which read “These candles are lighting for…” A beautiful idea to pay homage to loved ones who have passed.
The garden wedding theme continues all the way through to the wedding cake which was iced to perfection and dressed with more picture-perfect blooms. As the evening came to a close, the guests danced the night away to an electric and lively set by the one and only BlackTye Wedding Band!
A very special thank you to Shane, Claire and Studio Brown for showcasing this charming wedding day with One Fab Day!
If you enjoyed this country house wedding, why not take a wander and visit some more of Ireland's country house venues right here!
