It's Hump Day, and to help you get over the meh-ness of mid-week we have a few surprises in store today. We'll ease you in gently first though with the beautifully photographed wedding of Anne-Marie and Nick in Carlow. The pair are sci-fi and festival nerds who added romantic shabby chic touches to bring a […]

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It's Hump Day, and to help you get over the meh-ness of mid-week we have a few surprises in store today. We'll ease you in gently first though with the beautifully photographed wedding of Anne-Marie and Nick in Carlow. The pair are sci-fi and festival nerds who added romantic shabby chic touches to bring a bit of themselves to their celebration at the Step House Hotel. The people behind the lens, catching the light and love - none other than We Are the Mastersons.

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Anne Marie and Nick have been together forever, well no, obvs not, but 12 years from first date to proposal is pretty long-term, so do they even remember that far back , through the mists of time to when they met? ..."Our story started the way lots of other people's do, on a night out being encouraged and cajoled by a mutual friend (Thanks Alma!). At least that's how I remember it, apparently I had met Anne-Marie in the cold light of day on Waterford's quayside a week previously in the company of afore-mentioned mutual pal but as I was preoccupied with catching my bus back to my home in Wexford, I don't remember the cute, then-student nurse who had stopped to chat with Alma. Anne-Marie, however was quite taken with my floppy, terrible two-tone home dye-job (Cobain-chic five years too late) and had asked Alma when I was due back in Blaa County for a visit. Cut to a week later, and we got together to the strains of Spandau Ballet's True (even more outdated in 1998 than my piebald hair.) Give or take the odd detour, Anne-Marie and I have been together ever since."

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Anne Marie wasn't one of those girls dropping hints and throwing shapes about Nick getting down on one knee, this chick was far too cool for that, in fact she gave the poor lad quite a hard time when it came to the big question, as only a Irish girl could... "It happened in August 2010 in Malta, while on holiday with another couple. Malta had been our first holiday away together back in 2001 so knowing we were heading back there I had come prepared with a nice silver placeholder ring that had caught Anne-Marie's eye in Silver Mine in Wexford. During the Malta trip, due to being surrounded by other tourists and two of our bestest pals, the right moment was hard-fought for. On the very last day of the holiday we went to Mdina, the gorgeous mediaeval walled 'Silent City' . While walking down a cobbled quiet street I lunged - jittering and panicked - to one knee and blurted out my intentions to marry the hell out of Anne-Marie. My beloved, who is known for her high-decibel overreactions at merely finding a good parking space was stunned into a stony silence and give or take a few oaths and cusses, told me to 'Get the flip up. Get the flip UP...

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...At least fifteen minutes (tortuous minutes) later over a cup of tea at a local cafe I wondered whether this had been a good idea at all, Anne-Marie finally spoke the word, 'yes'. Anne- Marie: In my defense we had been together for 12 years when we got engaged and I had spent the previous few years before this gently 'encouraging' him to get married so when the proposal finally came I was literally stunned. I do still feel sorry for him that I made him wait (not quite) 15 minutes before I could react appropriately!" Love these two!

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It wasn't quite another 12 years before they tripped down the aisle, more like 12 months. As you can see it was a very formal and stuffy day (Not!) They were both chilled out and ready for some fun! Check out Nick's custom badges instead of a boutonniere, Anne- Marie picked up the Love, Honour, Obey badges in the Portrait Gallery in London. While Anne- Marie who is a big indie-kid and festival-fan arrived in style (along with some laughs) in a cream VW Campervan.

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The international signal for "I'm getting married!!"

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The couple come from Wexford, so how come Carlow for the nuptials? Anne-Marie: "I had always dreamed of a countryside location for my wedding and the Stephouse Hotel in Borris just happened to be one of the first places I stumbled upon in my researches. After our first viewing we knew it was the right place for us. The staff can't do enough for you so we knew our guests would be well looked after."

Nick: "The whole design and look of the place could have fallen out of Anne-Marie's head, so once we had realised that we had found the place, looking for the church had to fall in with that. St Forchern hilltop location in Rathanna, with a picture-postcard Irish village street running alongside it, just won our hearts. Also, it had a great big bell that we were allowed ring so that sealed the deal!"

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Anne-Marie had a very clear idea of the look she was going for when it came to putting the fashion and decor together for the day. "I love the shabby chic, vintage look that it so popular with brides because I think it lends itself well to creating a less formal and more fun day. From the start I was looking for a dress that reminded me of the one my mother wore on her wedding day and I guess I used that as a springboard for creating a mock-vintage look. Thankfully the decor of the Stephouse supported that look to a tee!" (Btw The Stephouse is one of our 100 Best Wedding Venues 2013)

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A real sign of how in tune and perfectly matched this pair are (Game, Set and Matched in fact - geddit?!) were the tricks they had up their respective sleeves for each other... "Unbeknownst to each other, we each gave the other the gift of Chuck T Converse trainers on the day; mine were intended to go with my suit to wear for the ceremony, and Anne-Marie's were a pair of baby-blue ('Something New Something Blue etc...') runners customised with the words 'Team Roche', and were presented to her in the evening in time to start dancing in!" Aw! They are also both big sci-fi/fantasy nerds, so they had some Mr and Mrs Robot cake-toppers to guard the wedding cake, and all the reception tables were named after Neil Gaiman 'Sandman' books, which they collected together during their courtship (I had to look it up too!)

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So after all the prep and the hard work was done, what was your favourite moment of the day? Nick: The chocolate dessert. Walking back down the aisle together, all married-up to the sound of Queen's 'You're My Best Friend' playing behind us and jumping and hugging for joy as we left the church. That or being asked up by the band to sing 'Heyday' with one another in front of everyone. Music helps make good memories". Anne-Marie: "As it set the tone for how happy and relaxed the day was I think I have to say the entire ceremony serves as my favourite 'moment'. The nerves, the hug at the top of the aisle when I finally got to see Nick that day, his face when he turned around to see me, the effort and thought Fr. Pat put into our ceremony - at one point he asked Nick and I to stay facing forward while asking all our guests to move across their seats and fill the aisle and explained that as we set out in marriage we had all these people behind us, it was a real wow moment to turn around and see all these smiling faces there supporting us. That and the chocolate dessert!"

Now I really want to try that chocolate dessert! Please Alan (from the Stephouse) if you're reading this send some to us!

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Any words of wisdom you want to share with brides and grooms? "Discuss between the two of you how you envision your big day and once thats been decided on- stick to it. We tried to do things our way as opposed to the way its 'supposed' to be done. If you prefer Converse and more casual suits to morning suits then do it. Don't be swayed by anyone into thinking you need to stick to convention and invest in a good photographer after the big day you are left with your rings, your photos and of course each other! The Mastersons captured our day perfectly and were a dream to work with from start to finish. It genuinely was the happiest day of my life and I think that joy is captured in every shot. On the day relax and enjoy it you only get one shot at it!

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Congratulations to the happy couple Anne-Marie and Nick, who are a match made in heaven! A big thank you to We are the Mastersons for sharing their work with One Fab Day! To see more of Brian and Trish's work check them out at www.wearethemastersons.com

The Wedding Details