An Intimate Woodland Celebration - Meaghan and Dustin's Wedding by Pawel Bebenca

With only seven guests in attendance, Meaghan and Dustin managed to pull off an intimate woodsy wedding that resulted in some of the most stunning images. Straight out of a fairy tale, Meaghan donned her sparkly BHLDN dress and joined her groom for a special day in a very special part of our country.

We hear the word intimate when we're talking about weddings fairly often, and today's wedding in Gougane Barra Hotel might just be the epitome of the word intimate. With only seven guests in attendance, Meaghan and Dustin managed to pull off an intimate woodsy wedding that resulted in some of the most stunning images. Straight out of a fairy tale, Meaghan donned her sparkly BHLDN dress and joined her groom for a special day in a very special part of our country. Pawel Bebenca captured the celebration and we're excited to share it with you today!

Pawel Bebenca-Gougane Barra Hotel-8
wedding portrait in the forest
rosary beads

Meaghan and Dustin were both in college in Chicago when their paths crossed. Meaghan was working at a coffee shop and Dustin stopped in for a caffeine fix. He thought she was cute and gave her his number and Meaghan was intrigued... A bold move, I must admit. The funny thing is, my grandparents met the same way, my grandfather, newly returned from WWII, walked into a café and spotted my grandmother and simply knew she was the one. What a beautiful tradition to carry on through the generations!

pink bouquet
Aiguille Wedding Gown from BHLDN

Dustin knew he had his girl, so he cooked up a plan...We dated for five years, and I knew he was planning something. He tried to trick me (and succeeded) by planning an elaborate hoax of meeting a friend at the Ambassador Hotel in Kansas City, Missouri. In reality, he had booked a suite for the night, arranged with flowers and chocolate, and perhaps most importantly, a little note I had written as a girl about the qualities I wished for in my future husband. I gave it to him as a sweet silly gift one Valentine’s Day. Before he proposed, he requested I read it to him, and I happily yet tearfully obliged.

bride getting ready
Aiguille Wedding Gown from BHLDN
Dolca Vita Shoes

For their nuptials, Meaghan and Dustin knew they wanted to have a destination wedding... Ireland seemed like a natural fit for us. We traveled around the Ring of Kerry and found it to be one of the most beautiful experiences. We found Gougane Barra and the oratory just by chance on the internet. What luck!

wedding ceremony
wedding ceremony
wedding ceremony

How sweet are they?

Pawel Bebenca-Gougane Barra Hotel-8

Planning the wedding from the States, Meaghan said she used One Fab Day as a resource! And she had only good things to say about her vendors...Absolutely every person I booked showed up on time and met every expectation I had. They were not just people I bought a good or service from, they were genuinely happy for us and wanted to help make our day special.

bag pipe wedding music
wedding portrait by the lake
wedding portrait by the lake

Meaghan accessorised her beautiful gown with lots of heirloom jewellery. Her mother presented her with her Austrian great grandmother's cuff just before she put on her dress. She also wore her grandmother's diamond earrings and opal ring, and her mink stole! Meanwhile, Dustin accessorised with his grandfather's tie and Meaghan's grandfather's handkerchief. We think it's so wonderful that the two were joined by generations past in accessories as they walked down the aisle!

Irish destination wedding
wedding portrait in the forest
wedding portrait

After deciding on the place, Meaghan and Dustin wanted to tie in their love of old things and stories. Meaghan's dress, from BHDLN, had a sparkly, twenties look that inspired the rest of their decor decisions. They went for soft and romantic colours in pale blush and shades of blue. And those colours worked perfectly in their vintage-feeling photographs - aren't they just incredible? Pawel really took advantage of the surroundings and the shadows to create the moody, romantic vibe in the photos.

Aiguille Wedding Gown from BHLDN

I adore Meghan's hairstyle, soft and feminine and it ties in perfectly with her vintage look.

Aiguille Wedding Gown from BHLDN
wedding portrait
wedding portrait in the forest
wedding portrait in the forest
wedding portrait in the forest
wedding portrait in the forest
wedding portrait in the forest

At the reception at the Gougane Barra Hotel, Meaghan and Dustin and their seven guests were serenaded by traditional Irish music, as well as Meaghan's favourite songs from the Beatles! And for a little sweet treat at the end of the night? A Guinness and Bailey's cake and a selection of macarons from Cloudberry Bakery. Yum yum!

Wedding reception in an Irish pub
Wedding reception in an Irish pub
wedding reception

After successfully planning a really intimate destination wedding, Meaghan has this advice to share with bride... Even though it can be stressful, try to remember as you’re planning that everyone attending your wedding wants to celebrate your happiness and life decisions. It is a luxury that is to be appreciated. Also, the day of the wedding, everyone involved (family members, friends, bridesmaids, etc.) will step up and help you with anything, so just relax and enjoy yourself. Sweet and simple, we couldn't have said it better ourselves!

desert table
cutting the cake

As the sun came down, Meaghan, Dustin and their party headed for the bar to enjoy the evening.

Wedding reception in an Irish pub
Wedding reception in an Irish pub
Wedding reception in an Irish pub
bride and groom first kiss

Congratulations, Meaghan and Dustin! Thanks so much for letting us share in your wonderful woodland wedding! And a big thank you to Pawel Bebenca for sharing his work with us at One Fab Day! To see more of Pawel's work pop over to www.pawelbebenca.com

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