Living in Canada, Kate and Nick had a few extra wedding planning challenges. They didn't see their venue until a week before the wedding and Kate even bought her dress online via Craigslist - but in the end, their De Burgh Manor wedding by Rafal Borek was one of the most beautiful we've had the pleasure of sharing. Kate describes perfectly..."We had casual dining and seating, speeches before the dinner, the dance floor was full all night, the bar was buzzing all night and the nightclub was so much fun. Just a day filled with laughter and enjoyment was all we wanted!" Let's take a peek...
Irish bride Kate moved from Ireland to Vancouver in Aug 2011, where she met English boy Nick. Kate remembers..."We met on Pancake Tuesday 2012 in a gay bar on Davie St."
Many pancakes and parties later Nick proposed. Kate shares the details..."It was very romantic - we were on a beach in Mexico watching the sunset when Nick produced a bottle of bubbles and a ring box from his bag and popped the question!"
How stunning is Kate's dress which she bought online via Craigslist Vancouver?! Perfect proof that you don't have to spend a fortune to look and feel great.
Kate said yes and they began to plan an Irish wedding from the other end of the world. A challenge for sure, but one that they pulled off perfectly.
Kate and Nick tell us..."Organising a wedding from 7500km and 8-hour time difference away was pretty hard. We didn't even see the venue until the week before!"
The venue in question was the beautiful De Burgh Manor which we're thrilled to feature for the first time. Kate explains what made it so perfect for them..."My dad grew up in Athy and my aunt and uncle still live there, so I have many happy memories of going down to Athy as a child, which was also a helping hand in the decision-making. We came across De Burgh Manor and it seemed perfect. It is a grand manor in Co. Kildare, surrounded by horse studs and beautiful fields. It has 16 bedrooms so it was suitable for all the bridal party and family and ample space downstairs - living rooms, dining room, bar, kitchen, and a basement with a cellar bar! It was perfect so we booked immediately."
As Kate and Nick live abroad their Irish wedding was mainly about seeing family and friends they rarely see. Kate gushes..."It's so hard to pinpoint one highlight - the ceremony was so lovely and so personal; the speeches were emotional and also funny; the dancing in the 'cellar nightclub' was so much fun. As we live away from Ireland, just spending time with our family and friends was a highlight. Nick's 90-year-old Grandad also got his passport renewed so that he could come over, which was so special."
The party was kept going into the wee hours with lots of dancing and celebrations. Kate and Nick bought all their booze in France and decided to operate an open bar with a charitable twist. Kate tells us... "Nick drove to France to get all the wine and spirits so we had a 'by donation' cash bar and raised nearly E1000 for our charities." Such a lovely idea!
After the wedding, Kate and Nick honeymooned around Ireland and the UK. Kate recommends..."We spent a week in Ireland (Galway, Sligo and Clare - we had never seen the Cliffs of Moher...) and a week in the UK (Wales, Bristol, Bath, Suffolk and London). We are planning a trip to Vietnam this Autumn too." Huge congratulations to you both and thanks so much for sharing your wedding day with us all! A big thank you also goes to Rafal Borek for sharing his work with us. To see more from Rafal Borek visit www.ralvphotoworld.com
Recommended Suppliers
Photographer: Rafal Borek
The Details
- Ceremony:Kilberry Church
- Reception: De Burgh Manor
- Wedding Dress: Craigslist
- Dress Alterations: Inna Alterations
- Bridesmaids dresses: ASOS
- Flowers: Flowers by Moira
- Stationery: Paperless Post
- Make Up: Forever Fabulous
- Hair: Bangs
- Wedding Bands: The Great Escape
- Ceremony/Reception Music: The Irish House Party