If you're dreaming of an intimate wedding then the elopement of Joann and Dustin will definitely inspire you...

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So today we launched our second edition of the One Fab Day 100 Best Wedding Venues Guide (have you seen it yet??) and this evening's wedding is the perfect epitome of what we think weddings for 2014 are all about - they're just not what you might expect. They're a twist on the traditional, a more creative celebration, a different style of party in a unique and original place. Joann and Dustin came all the way from the Windy City, Chicago to wed with an intimate party in the beautiful country house setting of Ballyvolane (yes, one of our 100!).

Their wedding is all that a wedding should be - personal, romantic, intimate, fun and filled with love. Enjoy White Tea Photography's fabulous photos of a wonderful wedding day, and we hope this inspires some of you couples from abroad to come to our lovely little island to say your 'I dos'...

Dustin and Joann met when they were working at the same company. But when the economy crashed, Dustin was laid off. The thought that she might not see him again almost brought Joann to tears, so she decided to kick into high gear. "Being twenty-two at the time I decided to text him, “U should ask me on a date already.” Minutes, which felt like hours past. What was taking him so long? This is a no brainer. We get along so well. He replied, “It probably isn’t the best time since I may be moving.” My ego was a little deflated but we met for lunch and I settled back into being friends. I gave him the scoop of a blind date I was going on in the near future. Just a few days later he asked me out. Well played, both of you!

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After nine years of dating, the couple decided it was time to tie the knot. But they weren't keen on a long engagement. Instead, they planned it in just four months! So it was Dustin's time to scramble to make sure he squeezed in a proposal before the big day. One day while I was getting ready for work, he walked up to me wearing a suit and kneeled down on one knee. I was very surprised. I was also surprised that he found the exact ring that I mentioned liking 4 years before. What a sweet story - low key but lovely!

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The two, who live in Chicago, decided on a destination wedding in Ireland. They wanted to have a little piece of the history and tradition of Ballyvolane and of Ireland for their wedding.

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Joann and Dustin chose the intimate hedged garden for the ceremony, and we love the little blue lanterns for a little colour!

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Joann and Dustin were also smitten with Ballyvolane because of their incredible food. I am a vegetarian and I find comfort in knowing where my food comes from. "Ballyvolane was very accommodating and grows much of their own produce. Everything was delicious. My only worry was fitting in my wedding dress the next morning, because everything was so well prepared."

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The couple decided to have only ten people, themselves included, at the wedding and Joann really enjoyed the intimate size celebration. Having a smaller sized wedding made it more special to me. I can remember more details and got to spend time with my closest family members.

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A costume change! We love that Joann kept the two dresses quite similar in style between the ceremony and the reception.

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The wedding party might have thought they'd get in a nice game of croquet after dinner, but Ballyvolane's resident doggy had other ideas... Never get between a pup and his croquet balls.

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Congratulations, Joann and Dustin! And special thanks to White Tea Photography for capturing this lovely intimate wedding!

After their Irish wedding, this adventurous couple jetted off to Athens and Santorini for their honeymoon - quite the international travellers!

Huge Congratulations to Dustin and Joann, thank you so much for sharing your lovely wedding with us. And a huge thank you too to Aga of White Tea for sharing her images...

The Wedding Details