Today's real wedding looks like a really special one to have been a guest at! And it's evidence that the most laid-back, 'in the moment' weddings actually require the most planning ahead of time. Sinead and Drew wanted a non-traditional wedding day, that would be a reflection of their lives together, and give both themselves and their families a wonderful day laced with great food and cracking music. And as you'll see from their gorgeous photos by Olga Hogan Photography, that's just what they created at Martinstown House. A child-friendly celebration, their ceremony featured music and readings from their nieces and nephews, their drinks included a piñata and an epic grazing board, and for their reception, guests were treated to memorable speeches along with the aforementioned essentials; a mouth-watering menu, and dancing into the night!
Sinéad and Drew met at an event in Dublin called Positive Nights. “They’re weekly talks on any interesting things such as meditation. The one we met at happened to be on Tantra, an instant connection was made when Drew stole my seat,” recalls Sinead. “I was, perhaps, still jet lagged after returning from a three month stint in Hawaii but I quickly decided that my heart no longer belonged to the frozen wastes of Donegal but instead in the warm embrace of a semi handsome Scotsman.”
Sinéad wore a stunning vintage-inspired look on the day. We're not sure which element we love more, that dazzling 1920s headpiece, or the fabulous shoulder detail on her gown.
Drew tells us about his movie-worthy proposal, “On one knee, in the rain, our baby girl in one hand, ring in the other. Quite a 40th birthday surprise for Sinéad.”
Sinéad sums up her and Drew’s wedding day beautifully, “I felt our wedding was like a song, no discordant notes, all harmony and each element combined to create something magical. Our friends described it as fun, joyful and inspiring.”
For these two, their unique ceremony was always going to be a highlight of the day, “Firstly, our friend, Fiona Daly, was our celebrant and it was great to have someone who knew us so well up there with us to give such a beautiful blessing for our hand-fastening ceremony. Another friend led a meditation before the ceremony just to help everyone relax and be present. Various nieces and nephews who read, sang and played trumpet!”
I just adore the idea of having some younger members of your guest list leading the readings and music!
The outdoor ceremony space in Martinstown House takes our breath every time!
The pair say it’s important to start planning as soon as possibly, “Do as much as you can early on but accept that lots will be done nearer the day. OneFabDay is your new best friend! Use it for inspiration in every area and trust heartfelt recommendations. Ask for discounts, lots of people have offers built in to their price points and you can save lots.” Thanks for the shout-out guys!
Sinéad and Drew tell us it was the incredible family who own Martinstown House that made the venue stand out to them, “Edward for hosting, Jessica for organisation and Andrew for the food. We felt their warmth and happiness in every aspect of our wedding and can't express highly enough how welcome and looked after we felt in all our dealings with them. The venue is simply beautiful and the most amazing woodland setting for the ceremony, grand gardens for drinks on the lawn and magnificent marquee.”
And of course, having a sense of balance and fun was always a key element of planning for Sinéad and Drew, “Plan for your day to be enjoyable, if something has the potential to stress you you out on the day don't include it (this includes certain guests!). Above all, remember the reason you are doing this is to celebrate your love for someone and to say thank you to all the people present that they have, in their own way, been a part of the journey to that moment.”
Stick us at the kids table - this looks like a lot of fun!
The couple advise investing in a great photographer, “We’d highly recommend Olga Hogan. The day goes so quickly, there are so many magical moments to be captured so find a photograph whose style you love. Ours was amazing!”
The couple explain that their priority for their wedding day was being able to be present enough to enjoy it, “This meant good planning and meticulous organisation but to not be too attached, so if an element didn't work on the day we were never going to stress about it,” says Sinéad. “Food was really important, Drew didn't want this to be a "salmon or beef?" wedding. The venue absolutely nailed this one, stunningly delicious. The main priority, above all, was to have fun. This meant excellent music in a beautiful and practical setting.”
The newlyweds had a blissful staycation in Ireland for their honeymoon, “The Monart Spa, in Co Wexford, amazingly indulgent and child free!”
This pair have some cracking tips to pass on to other couples, “Think about the celebration from the point of view of your guest, how will they experience the event? Go with the minimum number of guests so you actually get to speak to them, so that the day feels intimate and your guests feel special. It is your day, they are there for you, only invite people who are happy to be there.”
The newlyweds say their day is full of special memories they’ll treasure forever, “General moments of looking up and seeing all the people we love there for us, an awareness of how important those connections are. Electrical storms at night gave a perfect and slightly surreal and otherworldly end to the evening.”
Music was always going to be a key detail for Sinéad and Drew, "The wedding day is a song, discordant notes will throw the whole thing off for everybody. Music for the dancing and party is vital, find a band and DJ that will play the music to ensure the dance floor is filled all evening.”
Thanks so much to Sinéad and Drew for sharing your joy-filled celebration with us and to Olga Hogan Photography for documented all the love. For a closer look at their day, hit the gallery below!
