This summer wedding was a party from start to finish. Paul and Maitiú tied the knot at the utterly charming Virginia Park Lodge in Co. Cavan and their celebrations were full of fun-filled personal touches. Their wedding wardrobes included a number of 2024's hottest groomswear trends as they looked so suave in sumptuous velvet for their ceremony before changing into dazzling white dinner jackets. The marriage of white flowers and lush foliage created a breathtakingly beautiful botanic backdrop to their garden ceremony where they even had a champagne tower ceremony ritual and their reception which had a jaw-dropping floral-infused tablescape. From their boozy wedding favours to singing waiters who had guests dancing on their chairs to the couple's electrifying first dance (which involved tumbles), it was one big unforgettable party. Prepare yourself for a truly incredible big day with stunning photos courtesy of Dasha Caffrey Photography.

Let's begin by getting to know Paul and Maitiú more. They're both from Dublin and they grew up around the same area. They were introduced through mutual friends and they tell us: "We went out to the local nightclub the first night we met. That was over 13 years ago now and the time has flown in!" Paul and Maitiú got engaged at Adare Manor.

"When we were in the thick of wedding planning there was a top wedding venues post on Instagram that listed Adare Manor and Virginia Park Lodge as their top venues; not bad to get engaged and married in each!" Reflecting on the special day, Paul explains, "Adare was fab, we cycled around the grounds and golf course and Maitiú proposed on a bridge over the river. By the time we got back to the hotel family and friends had sent more champagne and cocktails than we knew what to do with."

The couple wanted to throw a party of a lifetime for their guests, the entertainment and music had to be note-perfect and they wanted their aesthetic to have a "leafy, relaxed and rustic feel" with lush greens, refreshing whites and ornate golds which felt harmonious with the elegant and charming country wedding venue.

Paul and Maitiú were blown away by the beauty of Virginia Park Lodge. "It was the only wedding venue we viewed. We knew we wanted a country house, exclusive venue and had been to some friends weddings in Ballymagarvey Village, Clonabreany House etc and we loved that style. When we visited the venue the staff were so attentive and the way they described the day made it so magical."

"It all just sounded so cool to us. Of course it being owned by Richard Corrigan we knew the food would be amazing - especially after we went to London to do the food tasting in one of his restaurants." 225 guests joined the couple as they tied the knot in a dreamy outdoor ceremony. They looked so dashing in matching tuxes from Louis Copeland & Sons with handsome dark green velvet jackets.

Arrangements of wonderful white blooms were dotted along the aisle and the couple exchanged vows in front of an incredible floral arch. "During the ceremony we both popped bottles of champagne and poured them into a champagne tower - a bit of a twist on the sand ceremony or handfastings!"

"Our ceremony was overseen by our amazing celebrant Conor and we had our own version of Peace Be with You, so guests could get to know each other." Music was a big player in making their day so special and their family and friends played a key role in delivering many unforgettable moments. "Our friend Natahsa sang us into our ceremony singing Lady Gaga’s Always Remember Us This Way with Maitiu’s brother on guitar."

Paul’s dad sang Red is the Rose by The High Kings in the middle of the ceremony and both of their sisters Lynette and Claire gave ceremony reading. They walked up the aisle after tying the knot to the Lick the Tins version of Can't Help Falling in Love with You which was sang and performed by their cousins, uncles and friends. And to top it off they wore "Just Married" signs with tins attached and all. What a moment!

A drinks reception kicked off the party with champagne and signature cocktails flowing. "When the guests were called to dinner we had a string quartet performing Bridgerton-esque music." Fairytale flowers took centre stage Paul and Maitiú's reception.

From the floral arch that surrounded their sophisticated table plan signage to the evocative arrangement that ran down the main wedding table, the space was a mesmerising sight to behold. The couple gave mini bottles of Jagermeister as wedding favours. For dessert, they had female signing waiters and "many a guest was politely asked to get down off the chairs!"

The couple say when it comes to wedding planning, researching and booking the best suppliers will really pay off. "We invested in our florals and the service by our florist was amazing, the setting up, moving flowers from the ceremony to the dining room, moving floral arches to different areas through the day to capture lots of photos."

They say of their photographer, "She was basically a free wedding planner. I would advise people to choose photographers that know their venue, Dasha knew Virginia Park Lodge inside out and was so quick and efficient getting the best shots in the most suitable locations - but even before the wedding she was recommending signature cocktails, and advice to the florists on the lapel flowers."

"It just made the day so much easier. We did wear her out doing a photo dash when we went into the dinner, getting a funny photo with every table!" Paul and Maitiú treated their guests to a delectable host of sweet treats after dinner. Their stylish three tier white wedding cake was accompanied by mini cakes, marshmallows and macarons.

A fabulous cheese wedding cake finished off the mouthwatering spread all of which was presented in between towering pillars of verdant foliage and snowy white blooms. "Suzanne is an actual genius, she also went above and beyond setting up the cheese wheel cake, bringing foliage and fruits to decorate the cheese, and arranging all the props, candles and trinkets to make sure the cake display was top class."

The couple raised the roof on the entertainment front. They went to Dancing With The Stars pro dancer Karen Byrne for dance lessons as "they didn't want to just get up and sway to a slow set." They enchanted their guests with their first dance which they performed to a fabulous remix put together by their dance instructor.

It included music from Ed Sheeran, Shout by Lulu, Meghan Trainor's Dear Future Husband and the Conga by Gloria Estefan and Miami Sound Machine! "It may have included a few rolling tumbles across the floor also," they teased. The atmosphere on the dancefloor was thrilling with party band Spring Break serving up all the crowd-pleasing 80s and 90s classics and conga lines. "What more could you want!"

An electric fiddle player proved to be the "perfect cherry on top" of their festivities. The party didn't end there either. "Before the bar closed and we all retired to a corner of the venue with guitars and guests singing their hearts out until the birds were waking!"

The couple soaked up the sun in Mexico at Secrets Maroma Beach in Cancun for two weeks and they loved every minute of it. "We spent two weeks in an adults only, all-inclusive, pure luxury resort. It was so good to have the time to unwind after the whirlwind of the wedding and lie on a sunbed scrolling through all the photos and videos that were sent to us!" It sounds like a heavenly honeymoon spot.

A massive thank you to Paul, Maitiú and Dasha Caffrey for sharing this fun-filled and utterly fabulous Virginia Park Lodge wedding with One Fab Day!

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