When two partners in life try to pop the question to each other on the same day, you know that their love is really written in the stars. Today we're delighted to share the wedding of Dermot and Cathal, a couple known for their wonderful relationship and their superb hospitality, so it's no surprise that their wedding day was really something special. Striking the balance between a beautiful style, huge emotion and great merriment, Dermot and Cathal (with a little help from trusty planners and stylists) planned their lovely celebration in the striking surroundings of Loughcrew House & Gardens.IG Studio were on hand on the day to catch every detail, and we are oh so glad they did...
Dermot and Cathal first met in a coffee shop in Dundrum. They got chatting and met again the next day, and the next and the next until they finally organised a proper first date at Fallon & Byrne. As if that wasn't romantic enough, on their date there was a freak electricity cut at the restaurant. Cue the staff at Fallon & Byrne quickly lightly hundreds of candles and a perfectly romantic end to Dermot and Cathal's first date.
Adorably, both Cathal and Dermot decided to propose at exactly the same time, resulting in a little confusion but ultimately two very happy grooms. Dermot explains,"We were out for a Christmas Eve lunch with a dear friend Jonathan O’Grady. We started reminiscing and out of nowhere Cathal popped the question. I think Cathal was a little worried by my initial reaction which was one of disappointment, but what he didn't know is that I had two Claddagh engagement rings under the bed at home and that I was in fact going to ask him to marry me on Christmas morning. I suppose that’s always the risk with same-sex relationships. Needless to say, I was delighted to say yes and we scampered home to get the rings. I suppose what all of that really says, is that both of us were ready."
A case of great minds and great love I think.
As they're famous for their hospitality, the stakes were high when it came to planning the wedding, the celebration to eclipse all others, and Cathal and Dermot really wanted to throw a wedding celebration at which people feel entirely at home and really enjoy themselves. It was also important to Cathal and Dermot that everyone took the day seriously, and that a large focus was paid to the ceremony and their lifelong promises to each other.
The beautiful ceremony was held outdoors, surrounded by the unique atmospheric ruins at Loughcrew House and lots of adoring friends and family.
A pair truly beloved, I think it's fair to say.
The humanist ceremony was a vibrant affair with rose confetti, a traditional handfasting, music and even an appearance from the guys' adored pooches.
Overall the effect was intimate and individual, and both Dermot and Cathal were thrilled with how it went and how it was received. Dermot explains,"The ceremony was personal, emotional and inclusive of all that attended. Sr. Patricia, a nun and family friend of Cathal’s wrote a very moving note to us afterwards about how beautiful the ceremony was – high praise indeed." So lovely.
While the guests mingled among the ruins and made their way back across the parkland to the amazing celebration space (wait til you see it!), the happy couple took themselves off with Greg and Iwona from IG Studio for some fun and intimate portraits.
Meanwhile the guests had discovered the fun in store for them at the reception. Yes, that is a bell-tent you see before you, these two weren't having any ordinary old party.
The rest of the day was left in the hands of wedding planners and stylists, relieving Cathal and Dermot of any wedding stress. "Isobel Fletcher and Melanie Dunny (Dandelion and Twine) were recommended to us to help plan the whole weekend. They did everything – sourced and dealt with all of the suppliers, managed the whole set up and styled and decorated the venue. Nothing was too much trouble for them. They were on hand all weekend to make sure everything ran smoothly and they really took the stress out of organising our wedding for us. They literally got to know Cathal and me inside out. They raided our home, our garage, our photo albums to make sure that the venue was a true extension of our lives. We felt at home all day. It was amazing. I think the rocking horse, deserves special mention – thank God it will take stories of the day to the grave with it !!"
And they certainly did a beautiful job in the LPM Bohemia tent, the guys chose as the backdrop for their celebration in the grounds of Loughcrew (same as our Editor Naoise!)
Without any wedding planning to worry about, Dermot and Cathal were left to enjoy their day to the fullest, which they did in spades. Huge congrats guys, wishing you a lifetime of happiness as wonderful as your wedding day. And huge thanks to you both for sharing your gorgeous wedding day with us all.
A big thank you also goes to Iwona and Greg at IG Studio for sharing their photography with us again, to see more of IG Studio's work head on over to www.igstudio.ie
