Summer Sun on the Shores of Lough Erne: Emma & Andrew

A laid-back wedding day filled with pretty pastels and gorgeous green foliage!

Everyone and their granny will tell you not to plan an outdoor wedding ceremony in Ireland, but the risk paid off for the couple in today's real wedding. Emma and Andrew, were blessed with glorious sunshine for their big day in Rossharbour, Fermanagh, captured here by Sharon Kee Photography. This gorgeous pair were clever not to overstuff their day with too many elements - their wedding is a masterclass in creating a memorable day while also keeping things simple. And just wait until you see their gorgeous colour palette - pale pink and white blooms at the ceremony, and delicate green foliage for the reception.

This Irish bride and Australian groom have travelled all over the globe together, but their story begins at the London Olympics in 2012, where they went on a blind date arranged by a mutual friend. Andrew tells us, "It was volleyball. Australia vs Great Britain. Australia won the game but Emma won my heart!"

Three years later, Andrew popped the question in one of the most fabulous proposal locations we've ever come across -  the Salt Flats in Bolivia (Google it if you don't believe us!) "We decided to take a six-month sabbatical and go travelling around South America together," he remembers. "I had the ring bought months before the trip, but held out until the last month of our travels to pop the question. I got down on one knee on the Salt Flats at sunrise." OK, we're officially impressed!

That is one epic floral arch!

How pretty is Emma's flower headpiece and veil combo?

Andrew describes their wedding day as a "family affair for all ages. The venue was outdoors beside a lake on a summer's day so we wanted it to be casual and relaxed with fun over formality. The ceremony was over in 10 minutes to let everyone get on and enjoy the day!" Oh, we do love a short and snappy wedding ceremony!

One of the couple's favourite outside additions was a mobile drinks bar from Fermanagh company The Giddy Box. "All our guests loved it and it got them in the mood for the rest of the day! This was stocked up with local craft beers as well as lovely gin and prosecco cocktails."

Andrew and Emma decided that making things easy for their guests, many of whom were travelling from Australia and the UK, was a top priority. "We wanted to be able to have the ceremony and reception in the same place to make it as hassle-free as possible for guests," Andrew says. "We also wanted there to be accommodation on site and the potential for a second-day event. There are a lot of kids in the family and friend group so it had to be a child-friendly venue as well."

The couple say they were completely sold on Rossharbour the moment they clapped eyes on the venue's gorgeous views of Lough Erne. "We went to see the venue on a sunny day and both loved it immediately. Family members warned me that everything in Fermanagh looks beautiful on a sunny day and not to pin my hopes too much on a sunny day. But we were lucky to have the sun shining down on us on our wedding day and be able to have the outdoor ceremony that we dreamed off!"

Andrew and Emma are big fans of a late-afternoon ceremony, kicking things off at 3pm on their wedding day. "It allowed plenty of time in the morning to be able to relax and enjoy getting ready with our bridesmaids and groomsmen," Andrew says.

We are just wild about this chic and simple reception décor, which the couple created themselves! "We kept it simple and didn’t go too over the top. Just a few festoon lights and lanterns and lots of greenery."

Asked to share advice with other couples, Emma and Andrew said, "Enjoy every minute of the planning, and remember to include things in the wedding that you both like. Also, get plenty of sleep in the run up to the wedding and make sure you’ve provided enough food and drink for everyone!"

We were expecting a pretty fab honeymoon from these two globetrotters, and we were not disappointed! "We did a mini-moon to Switzerland a couple of days after the wedding," Andrew says. "Our main-moon is in March next year, a six-week trip to NZ, Oz and Vietnam!" Now that sounds seriously dreamy!

Thanks so much to Sharon Kee Photography for sharing her photographs with us, and to Emma and Andrew for telling us how they planned this stunning wedding day!

The Wedding Details 

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