In our Saturday Selection this week, we bring you four fabulous small weddings that were big on fun and style, but which also flew the flag for having a more intimate big day, even with weddings that took place at large venues. From dreamy castle weddings in Northern Ireland and Co. Laois, to a fun photoshoot on the streets of Dublin, and all the way across the world to a top golf course in Australia, we think you'll love these photos!
Dublin Will Be Written On My Heart: Katie & Enda
Katie and Enda tied the knot at the Shelbourne Hotel in Dublin and took full advantage of the best city centre spots for their photographs captured by Conor Brennan Photography. The hotel is steeped in history and yet does such a great job marrying contemporary style with traditional interiors and the Grand Staircase, the 1824 Bar and those dim, lamp-lit Shelbourne hotel corridors made for some very creative portraits!
Katie's bridal preparations took place with Penny the pooch and her pals, before stepping into her contemporary dress by Made With Love Bridal, complete with beautiful Edwardian diamond earrings and engagement ring. For the ceremony Katie's father sang as her bride squad walked down the aisle in the Adam & Deirdre suite, followed by Katie joining him, so he could give her away. Then couple took a stroll through St. Stephen's Green, down Dawson Street's Luas line and on to meet their pals at one of the Dublin's finest watering holes - Kehoes. Now that is how you do "Drinks Reception Part 2"!
A Sunny Autumn Wedding Day: Chloe & Rob
Chloe and Rob's ceremony and reception took place at the beautiful Castle Durrow, Co. Laois in October 2021 after postponing from their original date in the summer of 2020. Having viewed several venues around the country, they instantly fell for the elegant charms of this palatial venue. Following a Humanist ceremony filled with laughter and traditional Irish music, their guests enjoyed drinks in the gardens on an unseasonably warm and sunny Autumn day, that delivered the most wonderful natural light, captured beautifully by Aspect Photography.
Chloe knew she wanted a modern wedding gown and in the thirteenth wedding shop she eventually found the one; a beaded number by Karen Willis Holmes paired with a cape veil. Rob tried his best not to stand on it as they surprised their guests with an attempt at a salsa routine for their first dance!
A Wild Ride of a Day in Victoria: Natasha & Lawrence
Natasha and Lawrence's casual Australian summer wedding at Dunes Golf Links, Victoria, was full of fun from morning to night and all of this was captured by the lens of Lost in Art. Lawrence and his groomsmen started the day with some cricket before getting suited up. Meanwhile, Natasha was enjoying a relaxing morning with her bridesmaids, a bottle of bubbly and a swing!
Like many couples, they had to reschedule twice during the pandemic and some of Natasha's family couldn't make it from the UK. But they didn't let this stop them from having a beautiful ceremony right on the golf course. As soon as the ceremony was over, it was back to fun with Natasha and her bridesmaids taking off in a golf cart leaving the guys chasing behind. The couple have been together since New Year's Eve 2009, when Natasha caught Lawrence's eye, and made the first move. Fast forward 10 years and it was Lawrence's time to make a move asking Natasha's dad for her hand in marriage, to which he only replied, "good luck"!
Castle On The Hill: Emily & Mark
Emily and Mark hosted an intimate winter wedding with 45 of their nearest and dearest at Killeavy Castle Estate in Co. Armagh. Due to having smaller numbers they were able to switch between different locations for different parts of the day, and many thanks to Victoria Whiting Photography for sharing the beautiful images. The ceremony was held in the Pavillion marquee and this room was then opened up for dinner and dancing. The reception drinks and nibbles were in the castle which was absolutely beautiful with the fire lit on a cold day. And their dessert table by J Bird Bakery went down a treat.
Emily wore two dresses as she was concerned that her main wedding dress, which she got at Pronuptia Bridal in Belfast, would be very restrictive because of its heavy embellishment, but she stayed in it most of the day before changing into a more simple, lightweight, dress for the late night dancing. They ended the night in the cellar bar and were the first wedding to have a DJ play there!
Enjoyed these four fabulous small weddings in our Saturday Selection and want more real wedding inspiration!? You'll find loads more gorgeous celebrations in our archive!
