Surrounded by the idyllic countryside and spectacular mountain views, our real wedding couple Dee and reknowned Irish artist Al, also known as Maser, exchanged their vows in the wonderful setting of Ballybeg House in Wicklow. Brimming with character and killer bridal style, the couple's charming special day also featured personalised pints of Guinness, and the most adorable guest of honour - their 16-month-old son, Alfie. Captured in all its glory by Gillian Higgins Photography, check out Dee and Al's sunshine-filled wedding day below!
The memo of Dee and Al's stylish wedding day was clear: "Relaxed, fun, festival vibes!" Personal touches were woven throughout the Dublin based couple's celebration, from Dee getting her makeup done by one of her best friends, musical performances by family members and the bridal car which belonged to a close family friend, made even more special with a custom license plate.
The couple, who originally met when Dee became Al's personal trainer, immediately fell head over heels for the charming Ballybeg House, which was the first venue they went to see. "It had everything we wanted. It was lowkey, but also stunningly beautiful. Paddy the owner, who greeted us on the day, was so welcoming that we knew it had to be there!"
Donning a wonderfully elegant and timeless Inunez Design tweed gown complete with statement opera gloves and a gracefully draped chiffon shawl, bride Dee shared a sweet first-look with her bridesmaids.
Holding incredibly pretty, dainty daisy bouquets, Dee's bridesmaids wore matching seafoam green Whistles dresses complete with mix-and-match white ASOS heels and warm-toned makeup looks.
In the warm and inviting surrounds of the Ayres ceremony room at Ballybeg House, Dee and Al exchanged their vows with adorable son Alfie by their side. "We involved family and friends as much as possible to make it special and unique to us. Our son was a big part of the day. He was up on the alter with us during our ceremony." With bunches of baby's breath, eucalyptus and glowing candles dotted around the venue, Dee and Al's ceremony readings were inspired by their favourite songs and their music selection included renditions of tracks by Damien Dempsey, Dermot Kennedy, Mary Black and Christy Moore all sang and preformed on the piano by Dee's cousin.
Incorporating meditation into their tranquil ceremony, the couple's friend and meditation teacher took on the role of celebrant: "It was beautifully intimate. He incorporated a meditation into the ceremony and made it really special. It was one of the highlights of the day."
Tying in with the earthy tones of their special day, dapper groom Al donned a stylish fitted Louis Copeland suit in a neutral beige shade paired with a yellow dried-flower boutonniere, adding that extra pop of colour.
Alongside personalised pints of Guinness, Dee & Al's outdoor cocktail reception in the scenic grounds of Ballybeg House included a live musical performance by Tadhg Nolan, a singer who the couple booked after spotting him busking out on Grafton Street.
Immersed in the natural beauty of the Wicklow Hills: "we didn't put too much emphasis on the décor as Ballybeg itself is such a beautiful venue that it doesn't need much to transform it on the day. The wildlife, views, gardens and sunshine made it feel like we were in Italy!" Adding to their relaxed weekend celebration, the venue's in-house wedding planner made sure the couple's celebration ran smoothly: "Tee, the wedding planner, did such a great job of running the day. It took the pressure off us completely so we could really relax and take in the day as it happened. Maggi Roche, the chef at Ballybeg, also exceeded our expectations. The food all weekend was incredible."
Accompanied by 150 guests, the couple's fun-filled reception went on to include a fabulous three-tiered cake adorned in fresh floral decorations, plenty of memorable speeches and a first dance to James Morrison's You Give Me Something.
Not letting the fun stop there, Dee and Al spent the entire weekend at Ballybeg House accompanied by fifty of their guests. Their closest friends and family members were treated to a sunshine-filled Day Two celebration complete with an outdoor paint party where guests painted portraits of each other: "this was entertaining to say the least!" With more great entertainment on the way, a personal trainer led a retro style sports day, where guests got stuck into classic races including egg and spoon, three-legged-race and tug-of-war. "This was followed by a BBQ and a singsong in the Sheebeen where Damien Dempsey kindly came down to surprise Al and played a few tunes with his bandmate Sean. They blew everyone away. It was really special!"
After the busy weekend of celebrating, the couple jetted off for their well-deserved honeymoon: "We had a last minute family escape to Portugal where we chased our 16 month old son around for a week!"
A very special thank you to Dee, Al and Gillian Higgins Photography for sharing this magical Ballybeg House wedding with One Fab Day. There are also plenty more gorgeous photos from their stunning special day to check out in the gallery below!
Find more inspiration for your own summer wedding here or dive into One Fab Day's Wedding Venue Guide and take your pick from the range of breathtaking locations for your big day.