Having a little one, or two, in tow is more and more common for modern couples, and one thing that has occurred to me about all the real weddings we've featured with families, is how relaxed they are. I would have imagined it as more work and stress with a little one to mind, but Lynne and Barry like other parents, just seem to float through their day. The focus for them was on the feel of the day rather than the "stuff"; having a fun time with family and friends, and as a result it looked like everyone had a ball. If you are looking to plan a wedding day that is more a family and friends get together than formal celebration you will love this laid back day, captured beautifully by Danielle O'Hora.
Lynne and Barry went to secondary school together, and even spent their last two years in art class together, now I know what you're thinking - childhood sweethearts. Well no actually, clever clogs, at the time it was purely platonic. The two went off on their travels and adventures in the big bad world, and it was seven years later that they ran into each other in a bar (kinda inevitable in Ireland really). They spent the night catching up and the sparks started to fly. Together ever since, Lynne and Barry now have a two year old daughter Anya, who is cute as a button.
Whilst on a weekend away in Spain with Anya, Barry (with a little bit of stage direction from Lynne) dropped down on one knee to pop the question she explained how it happened.. "After a wonderful meal we took a romantic stroll down to the sea front, where you can see clearly all the way to Morocco. It was gorgeous. We were about to leave when Barry plucked up the courage and asked me to marry him. I made him get down on one knee, and when he did I said YES!"
For Lynne's bridal look she kept things simple and classic. Her dress was from B Couture and customised by herself and her mum, with daises in her hair adding some personality.
With cute matching flowers for Anya...
When it came to picking a wedding venue it was very important to both Lynne and Barry that it was in their home county of Wicklow and that the venue would be exclusively theirs. They uncovered a hidden gem, from the moment they saw Glendalough House they knew it was the one. "What made it right for us was that it was set in the stunning Wicklow landscape which, as Wicklow people, was important to us, and they rented just the venue to us. This meant that we could do everything else ourselves, which was exactly what we wanted. The staff there are fantastic and easy going, which makes them a pleasure to deal with. We knew straight away it was right for us."
The ceremony space at Glendalough is really beautiful and it was here that Lynne and Barry gathered their friends and family for a super personal humanist ceremony, presided over by Susie Kennedy who conducted Naoise's ceremony (Susie is super!! - Ed)
"The ceremony was the most special part for us. It was just perfect and beautiful. It was a humanist ceremony and it was all about us as a couple, and about love. We were surprised by how much it touched us, but it was exactly what the day was about and we loved it."
Bravo to the confetti throwers...
After their I do's it was time for some couple and family portraits with little Anya.
How sweet is Anya's little yellow dress? Coordinated with Barry's bow tie and a cute alternative to the more traditional flower girl dresses.
A very dapper groom Barry got his blue suit from Kenneth Cole, accessorised with bright bow tie, pocket square and a dainty little boutonnière.
Lynne's bridesmaids chose matching blue dresses from Next and Topshop amped up with statement necklaces and loose updos, perfectly in keeping with the relaxed fun vibe of the day.
Having a little one around on the day, Lynne and Barry made sure there were other little guests and simple toys to play with. If you're having kids at your wedding be sure to check out our 11 Ways to Keep Kids Entertained at Weddings post.
Indoors the tables were decorated with candles and wild flowers put together by family. To get everyone else involved Lynne and Barry invited guests (who were up for the challenge) to make and bring a dessert for their dessert table. They ended up with a table with loads of different cakes and sweet things. People went to amazing effort and everybody loved having an amazing choice - the best of both worlds for sure.
If you'd like a laid back wedding like Lynne and Barry they have some solid advice "Try to relax, step back from the planning now and again and ask yourself ‘do we really need this?’ The money can get out of hand, especially at the end, so only get what you need. Get creative, think outside the box. Guests love something different, so don’t feel that you need to ‘tick the boxes’, this is about you as a couple and you should have that at the front of your mind at all times. Once you are happy, then your guests will be too, so be true to yourself."
For their honeymoon Lynne, Barry and Anya went South to the ring of Kerry and were blessed with a rare Irish heatwave - proving that sometimes the simpler really is the better. Hope you guys had an amazing time and thank you so much for sharing your day with us!
A big thank you also goes to Danielle O'Hora for sharing her work with us, to see more of Danielle's work head over to her Facebook page www.facebook.com/danielleohoraphotography
The Wedding Details:
- Venue: Glendalough House
- Wedding Dress & shoes: B Couture & Dune
- Bridesmaids dresses: Next & Topshop
- Grooms suit: Kenneth Cole
- Make Up & Hair: Diane Byrne & Edel Jones at Cheveu Studio
- Ceremony Music: Doug Sheridan
- Caterer: BBQ Joes
