Most of the time we can only imagine how amazing it would be, to be a guest at one of our real weddings. But our Deputy Editor, Celina actually had the pleasure of attending this one, and I have to say, I’m well jeal, because it looks pretty epic! Claire & James celebrated their nuptials on in the beach in Rosbeg, Donegal, right in front of the holiday home built by the bride’s grandparents. A wedding with the kind of logistics and weather risks that would put most couples off, producer-by-day (amateur wedding planner by night!) Claire, nailed it with the help of some awesome women, and some skilled pros. This Modern Love captured all the stunning style, chic decor, immense craic - and breath-taking scenery! 

Claire & James met in London, the week Claire arrived in the city, “James was already living and working in London, when two friends dragged us to the same birthday party,” the bride explains, “James was in a foul mood because England had drawn with Algeria in the World Cup. I convinced him that a few shots of tequila would cheer him up.” I have a feeling Claire was right!

It took Claire & James some time to hit their dating stride, “Within one week of our first date I was offered the chance to work on a shoot in California, which would take me away for the rest of the summer,” Claire tells us, “A few months passed, and when I got back, we rekindled and tried for a third date. Things had just started to get going properly when I was offered more work shooting the US.”

The couple kept up their trans-Atlantic relationship for three years, “That’s what life looked like for the next three years - long distance, with me exaggerating to him any details on when I would be home again (if ever),” says Claire. “Finally we upped sticks and moved to New York City together, a dream we had both always had. After 18 months there, we got engaged.”

Claire had planned a weekend out of the city for Thanksgiving, staying at a lush hotel she’d been eyeing up, but James had other ideas, “I was always sure I'd know when the proposal was coming, I like to think he can't keep any secrets from me. The night before Thanksgiving, James booked a trip for the two of us to Aspen in the spring. I smugly assumed I now knew when and where the proposal was coming.”

The next day, the couple headed off on their trip to The Berkshires, “Thanksgiving is a gorgeous time in America, and when you, as expats, don't have the madness of travelling home to family gatherings you can really steal some time away over the four day weekend. Anyway, the next morning, we drove into the gates of Blantyre, dumped our bags and I suggested a crisp November walk,” Claire explains.

But it turned out, without realising it, Claire had planned her own perfect proposal, “Within five minutes of veering off the hotel driveway he was down on one knee in the mud. I still don't remember what he said, or what I said but apparently it was a yes. After some rapid face-timing and lots of screams, the lovely weekend continued with gallons of Champagne, kgs of turkey and then a walk up to Fifth Avenue as soon as we arrived back into the city to chose the ring.” Now that sounds like our kind of proposal weekend.

A little someone who let their nerves get their better of them! It happens to all of us, am I right?

Claire & James describe planning their wedding as ‘The biggest gamble”, “We were planning from across the Atlantic and had guests flying in from all over the world (I'm half Korean, and many of our friends are US/Middle East/Asia based),” Claire tells us, “The obvious answer was to chose a big hotel, let them handle all the stress/admin and just make sure it was easy to reach from Dublin airport - my family home is in Dublin.”

But that’s not what they did! “Finally, we went with the most remote corner of the country, on a site which couldn't be reached by coach, where the weather is laughably unpredictable and where every tiny detail had to be thought of and handled by ourselves.” This pair are obviously not ones to do things by half!

Claire's beautiful bouquet of blue hydrangea and while peonies and roses ties in with the fresh preppy feel of the day.

The couple were able to use a generous neighbour’s field for their marquee, “We were limited with the type of marquee we could have, as it needed to be able to withstand gale force Atlantic weather if necessary! We opted to keep the tent and decor as paired back as possible so that the beauty of the location could shine.”

Claire tells us about how the decor happened to tie in with another favourite seaside spot, “The styling ended up as simple but chic, with some preppy details. There was a rustic wooden boardwalk along the beach, subtle nautical details - ropes and wood lanterns - and plenty of hydrangeas (probably a nod to one of our favourite spots, The Hamptons).”

*Totally stealing that quote for our next party invite!*

The location ended up being one of the most important elements to the bride and groom, “The place we held the reception, Rosbeg, means so much to all of us. It's a spot where our grandparents chose to build a holiday home as newlyweds, and we have all (both friends and family) been returning our entire lives. In the end it was worth all the blood, sweat and tears, but it couldn't have happened without the kindness and generosity of the locals, our families, bridesmaids and ushers who really knuckled in and pulled it out of the bag.”

Claire says planning a remote Irish wedding from the US was a huge undertaking, “I like to think I'm an experienced producer, but this was by far the hardest show I've ever had to pull off. We wanted something which was authentic to us, rather than a cookie cutter option which would mean much less stress but also less of a stamp of our own creativity and personalities.”

Did you even go to Donegal if you didn't wear a Paddy cap?

Claire highlights the ladies in her life for their contribution to her and James’ big day, “I'll never be able to put into words how much the women of the wedding brought to not just the wedding day, but the entire wedding build up. From it arose a veritable tribe of bridesmaids, cousins, aunts, sisters (and mum) who carried me through every bump, stress, panic and joy. They injected the event with so much love and energy - my lasting memory (apart from the old husband of course!) will always be how much love I felt and continue to feel for everything they did to give me the weekend of a lifetime. Not to mention the hen dos and bridal showers they threw me. They really are an incredible force.”

Claire's dress is so effortlessly elegant, don't you think? And just wait until you see the back...

Claire tells us about what makes Rosbeg so special, “Over the years if you are dear to the family we will have dragged you up to Rosbeg at some point. It's a spot which we all daydream about every single day. Rosbeg has seen generations of us clambering in the rock pools, turning blue in the freezing Atlantic and battering the wild gales on the headlands.” She sure paints a picture!

Claire has lots of tips for other couples planning a wedding, “Follow your gut. Logistics are important to think about, but in this day and age, there's very little that can't be achieved if you have the right team behind you. Get as many of the small details (thank you notes to bridesmaids, gifts to neighbours) prepared as early as possible. It's never too early to get things booked, planned or purchased. The less you have left on your list for the last few weeks the better.”

She’s got some great advice for wedding dress shopping too, “Bring someone you trust to the final dress fitting - and if there is anything you are not 100% sure about, have your tailors change it. I nearly walked away from my final fitting with a dress that didn't quite fit, but luckily I had my incredible bridesmaids with me, who convinced me to be forceful with what I wanted.”

Claire says it’s also important to ditch the rule book sometimes, “Apart from the traditions that really matter to you or your family, go a bit rogue. I ended up with essentially ten bridesmaids, (six regular, three "New York" maids and my sister in law Rachel) - which is probably quite an uncouth number, but I'm so glad that I was able to include them and honour them, and wouldn't change it for the world.”

The couple focused on showing their guests a good time, “The main priorities were amazing music, flowing booze and a focus on the natural beauty of the location. We were dragging over 200 guests to the end of the earth, we had to put on a good party once they arrived! Yellow Door, the caterers made sure everyone was well fed and watered with the most incredible service and food.”

Claire says in the end, the epic journeys guests too to get there only added to the vibe, “Naturally, the location was just jaw-droppingly special. The sentimental value, plus the fact that it was so far flung meant that as the guests began to arrive into Ardara after their long journeys, they were preloaded with a huge amount of commitment and spirit. It was magnificent to see the juxtaposition of all our dearest people, from all the different walks of our lives in that one precious location.”

One last tip? Bring in the professionals! “Get a great planner on board. The day would not have been possible without Laura Cash, from Swans and Gibbons, and we will never be able to thank her enough for what she did behind the scenes to pull off the day.”

And after all the madness of their Irish wedding, these two got some well-deserved sunshine on their honeymoon, “We went to Anguilla, St Barth's and Le Bristol in Paris. It was perfect.”

What a wedding - and what gorgeous pictures, thanks so much to This Modern Love for sending them our way - and of course to Claire & James for sharing their story - and their great tips - with us!