Combining two unlikely themes, the natural medieval ambience and architecture of Belleek Castle and modern geometric patterns, Stefanie and Ben created a beautifully unique wedding day that we are super excited to share with you today. Tying the look together with personal touches and lots of copper Stefanie and Ben ensured that the wedding was cohesive, personalised, love filled and expertly photographed by the wonderful Lousie Scott...
Ben first fell for Stefanie on his way to school on the not so romantic Dublin Dart. Stefanie tells us... “We went to neighbouring schools in Blackrock and used to catch eyes on the Dart to school! Ben finally plucked up the courage to ask me out and years later told me that from the very first time he saw me, he always knew that one day I would be his...”
Stefanie continues... “After a few years of being together, I went to work as a massage therapist on a cruise ship for 9 months. Ben patiently waited for me and when I came home, it was like I'd never left. Things fell into place after that, we bought our first home together when we were 23 and we now have an extremely spoilt french bulldog baby (@iggythefrench on Instagram) and feel very lucky to have so many shared interests. We got engaged at 25 and are now married at 26, we're looking forward to spending the rest of our lives together as best friends and soul mates!”
To propose Ben got pup Iggy involved and surprised Stefanie while out for a walk in Glendalough. Stefanie remembers... “We arrived in Glendalough, parked the car and started walking. It started raining and getting quite mucky. Let's just say I wasn't in the best of moods and to make matters worse, Ben pointed out that the back of my black jeans were covered in muck, splashing up off the wet ground. All I wanted to do was cut the walk short and make our way back to the car. Ben insisted on going to the lake, to the little picturesque pier. Being the stubborn person I am, I point blank refused to walk any further and stopped at the beach at the lake. I think this is when Ben said to himself, it's now or never! He proposed on the beach and it took me so long to realise what he was actually doing. I finally took one look at the gorgeous sparkling engagement ring and said YES!”
The venue for Stefanie and Ben's wedding was the dramatic and intimate Belleek Castle, Co. Mayo. Stefanie explains what made it the perfect venue for them... “We loved the fact it was so intimate and that all 11 bedrooms would be filled with our friends and family with no 'strangers'. Being able to have everyone stay on the Friday, Saturday, and Sunday and call the Castle home for the whole weekend was incredible.”
Putting their own twist on the medieval surroundings of Belleek Stefanie and Ben decorated the venue with lots of copper, lots of contemporary geometric shapes and, of course, lots of nods to Frenchie Iggy.
Stefanie details... “The look we were going for was copper and geometric. We spent months collecting wine bottles, beer bottles and jars. We later spray painted these and they became our centrepieces filled with candles and flowers. We had copper geometric lanterns for each table, along with giant S & B letters and numerous Frenchie statues.”
To document their day Stefanie and Ben chose the wonderful Louise Scott. They gush... “We did an engagement shoot with Louise last year, which we did with Iggy, and we loved the photos so much that we booked Louise for the wedding. We were confident she would do an unbelievable job! We had planned on bringing Iggy to the wedding and letting her feature in the wedding pics too but in the end, she went on her own little holiday – one less thing to worry about! We didn't think it would be possible to get better pics than the shoot with Iggy but after seeing our wedding pics from Louise, we've changed our mind!”
After their dark and dreamy castle wedding, Stefanie and Ben enjoyed a mini-moon in Tuscany and are now looking forward to a proper breakaway. They tell us... “We wanted time to think and plan the honeymoon of our dreams and as we have both travelled quite a bit, we have decided on Thailand, where we visited 4 years ago together and have been dying to go back since! Two weeks there and a week of pure relaxation in the Maldives before going back to reality.”
Huge congratulations to you both and thank you so much for sharing your Belleek Castle wedding with us all. A big thank you also goes to the lovely Louise Scott for sharing her work with us. To see more from Louise Scott visit www.louisescottphoto.com
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- Photographer: Louise Scott
- Venue: Belleek Castle
- Headpiece & Bangles: ByKyna
The Wedding Details
- Wedding Dress: Ciara Bridal
- Shoes: Jimmy Choo
- Bridesmaids Dresses: Starla
- Bridesmaid Shoes: Carvela Kurt Geiger
- Flowers: Balla Florists
- Groom(smen)’s suits: Benetti Menswear
- Ties & Pocket Squares: Mrs Bowtie
- Copper Table Accessories: Penneys and TkMaxx
- Cake: Amazing Cakes
- Cars/Wedding Favours: Range Rover and Scratch cards
- Pageboy Sign: Haddy Made
- Makeup & Hair: Makeup: Jenni Bowden and Mandy Shields, Hair: Danielle Garner
- Wedding Bands & Engagement ring & Pocket Watch: Appleby Jewellers
- Ceremony/Reception Music/Band/Dj: Good Times, Shane & Jenni
- Celebrant: Simone Walsh – The Civil Celebrant
- Videographer: Aron Cahill
