The moment we spotted Jessie and Donal's luxe Ballymagarvey wedding we knew we just had to share it. An impressively stylish wedding from beginning to end today's real wedding features two stunning designer wedding dresses, three equally beautiful pairs of designer shoes and a whole lot of love and smiles too. Dasha Caffrey captured each fashionable moment, get ready to swoon...
First things first, I'll stop gushing and let Jessie tell you all how she and Donal met..."Donal and I shared the same local pub while we lived in Dublin. After a particularly long study day for me I was convinced to go for “just one” with some college friends. I reluctantly agreed and arrived at the Gingerman Pub, Fenian Street dressed in old baggy tracksuit bottoms, no make up and a backpack convinced I was hitting the gym straight afterwards. After a few funny looks and a glass of wine I was introduced to Donal who was looking particularly dapper in his work suit and tie. Donal convinced me to stay for another drink and later even a dance in Copper Face Jacks The maker of great love stories!"
After their first date both Jessie and Donal noticed the spark, however Jessie had plans to go travelling in Thailand. She went but that didn't stop the connection. Jessie remembers..."Upon my return to Dublin we moved in together almost immediately and haven't looked back. Our life together has since brought us to Canada, Bermuda and now London."
While living in Bermuda Donal proposed..."Donal proposed Christmas 2014 on the island of Bermuda where we lived at the time. After receiving my father's blessing Donal set about designing a bespoke engagement ring. I couldn't imagine a more beautiful setting to get engaged and we celebrated that evening with take out pizza and beers while watching the sunset!"
Now based in London, Jessie and Donal planned their entire wedding abroad and so only chose wedding suppliers they totally trusted - including the gorgeous Ballymagarvey where they hosted both their ceremony and reception.
Jessie gushes..."Although Ballymagarvey is stunning it really is the staff that makes it. They go above and beyond to make your planning process and wedding day go seamlessly. The venue is very popular among couples however we always felt prioritized and no request was too big or small. As we planned the wedding from abroad the venue was so flexible in answering late night phone calls and made multiple suggestions to help with our planning. On a side note... Our guests are STILL talking about the amazing food!"
The humanist ceremony was kept intimate and personal with lots of features to include all Jessie and Donal's family and friends. Jessie recalls..."We chose to have a handfasting ceremony which is an ancient Celtic marriage ritual which involves tying a piece of ribbon around a couples joined hands, as a symbolic way of representing the union as a married couple. We ended our ceremony with a ring warming ritual which saw our wedding rings be passed from guest to guest allowing a personal blessing, wish or prayer to be said over them. Ultimately this allowed each guest to bring their own personal beliefs (religious or non) and well wishes into the ceremony."
Now lets talk about that phenomenal wedding dress! A super stylish bride Jessie chose to wear the fabulous fringed Cleo dress by one of our favourite bridal designers, Rue De Seine. Jessie paired her boho (yet totally glam) wedding dress with a selection of different designer shoes including: Louboutins, Manolo Blahniks and Valentinos. Swoon...
Later in the night Jessie then changed into a second wedding dress - this time a chic pre-loved Alexander McQueen gown from Dublin boutique Covet.
Not entirely focusing on the style of the day Jessie and Donal also put in a huge effort to ensure their guests had the best time. Jessie describes the day..."The reception was just as personal to us from the mojito cocktails to the chocolate wedding cake and onto the 90's dance music band we kept true to ourselves and focused on what made us happy. Even our wedding date had meaning as it was our 5 year anniversary of the day we first met. Friends and family flew from the UK, Europe, Canada, Thailand, Australia and Bermuda to attend our celebration – another touch that made our day so special to us."
A huge congratulations to you both and thanks so much for sharing your Ballymagarvey wedding day with us all! A big thank you also goes to Dasha Caffrey Photography for sharing her work with us. To see more from Dasha Caffrey Photography visit www.dashacaffrey.com
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Venue: Ballymagarvey Village
The Wedding Details
- Wedding Dresses: Rue De Seine from Lovely Bride, New York & Alexander Mc Queen from Covet
- Bridesmaid Dresses: Needle & Thread
- Shoes: Christian Louboutin, Manolo Blahnik & Valentino
- Flowers: Jackie's Florist
- Groomsmen’s suits: Reiss
- Garter & Headpiece: Kleinfelds
- Cake: Heavenly Cakes
- Uplighting, LOVE lighting & Photobooth: Fab Weddings
- Stationery: A Drim Design
- Make Up & Hair: Mrs Make up & Niamh Dodrill
- Wedding Bands: Swiss Timings
- Ceremony Music: Alan Brereton
- Reception Music: Smash Hits
- Photographer: Dasha Caffrey
- Videographer: Padraig Herlihy
- Fireworks: Rocket Pyro
- Humanist Celebrant: Eithne Dempsey
- Wine Advisor: 1909 Wine Bar