Every now and then, I come across a real wedding that's so unique, I can't help but gush about it to basically everyone I know, regardless of whether they're engaged or not! The moment I saw Brazilian groom Anderson arriving to his wedding ceremony in a rowboat, and Irish groom James arriving on a flower-filled cargo bike, I knew that this was going to be one of those weddings! Their big day at The Millhouse in Co. Meath was impeccably stylish with lots of sweet personal touches, including a nod to Anderson's homeland in the form of some delightful-looking Brazilian sweets, all of it captured in glorious detail by Leanne Keaney Photography.
Only Irish readers will get this reference from James' childhood bedroom! We're still waiting for a wedding DJ to fill the floor with a track from Nevermind the Zogabongs!
Anderson and James met on a dating app, shortly after Anderson moved to Ireland in 2013. "We didn’t see that much of each other as James already had his holidays planned for that summer. In September, I went to Paris for my birthday and James went to Scotland on a hiking trip. When I arrived back to Dublin there was a postcard of two Highland cows waiting for me saying, 'Wish you were here!' That was when I knew I wanted him in my life forever."
James expected Anderson to propose on a romantic walk to the Poolbeg Lighthouse, but when he didn't, he took matters into his own hands! "James proposed when we got home later that evening! We went together to get two engagement rings made the following day. We wanted the rings to have a stone called ParaÃba tourmaline, from my home state in Brazil." What a sweet idea!
It's not every day that a bicycle makes you gasp! James' preferred mode of transport is like something out of a children's book!
Meanwhile, Anderson is gearing up for his wedding commute on the River Boyne!
What an entrance! Anderson tells us, "It was very clear to us from our arrival that the day ahead would be magical." I mean, if this doesn't warm your heart, you might need to pay a visit to your cardiologist.
Anderson says that the couple wanted their personalities to shine through on their wedding day. "We wanted something simple but that could transmit a lot of ourselves in every single detail. Our separate entrances were something we really wanted and dreamed of. And as the wedding was in Ireland, we wanted Brazilian music playing during the ceremony."
We are beyond besotted with these colourful blooms by Petite Fleurs!
Choosing the venue was easy once the couple found The Millhouse. "James grew up playing in the banks of the River Boyne, where the Millhouse is located, so it was pretty special for him to have the wedding in his local village. And I wanted a venue that was a landmark that would remind us of the wedding in the future!"
Exclusivity was also important to Anderson and James. "We wanted somewhere that would be cosy and informal, and that we would have to ourselves. We loved the old mill buildings at the Millhouse and the nature with the garden and the river."
The couple were absolutely thrilled with how their wedding day turned out! "Everything happened the way we dreamed," Anderson says. "The perfect number of guests, the sun that came out thanks to the Child of Prague that we left in the hill overlooking the venue (this Irish wedding tradition never fails!), the music, the relaxed atmosphere and the love that we could feel."
Anderson says that one of his favourite parts of the wedding was, "how everyone felt so relaxed throughout the day." These guests look pretty chilled-out, it has to be said!
Anderson and James' disposable camera photo booth was another big hit with their guests!
Who says the bouquet toss is only for female guests!?
If you get the weather for it, outdoor speeches are a must!
We are just about ready to devour a piece of this gorgeous cake! I wouldn't be surprised if Meghan Markle's wedding cake looked just like this beauty!
We love discovering new ways to eat sugar! These gorgeous little Brazilian treats are called brigadeiros, beijinhos and cajuzinhos!
Anderson's advice to engaged couples is to enjoy the planning process as much as possible. "Listen to each other and make sure you have fun while do the planning," he says. "It can be very stressful, but it's the most important day of your life and you need to have only good memories of it."
Keeping with the nautical theme, Anderson and James rented a small boat for their honeymoon and toured the River Shannon for a week. "It was an amazing experience!" Anderson says.
A perfect end to a perfect day! We can't thank Anderson and James enough for letting us into their incredible wedding and of course, we also have to thank Leanne Keaney for sharing her gorgeous images with us!
Recommended Suppliers
- Venue: The Millhouse
- Flowers: Petite Fleurs
- Photographer: Leanne Keaney Photography
The Wedding Details
- Cake: The Flour Artist
- Groom Outfits: Paul Smith
- Shoes: Genius Footwear
- Wedding Favours: Brazillian sweets by Benquisto Brigadeiors
- Transport: Bakfiets cargo bicycle on loan from Dublin Cycling Campaign, Canadian Canoe built by James' friend Conor Cahill and Tiernan Roe of Roeboats
- Stationery: All designed by the grooms
- Wedding Band: Beat Club
- Ceremony/Reception Music: Nathália Röpke
- Rings: Greene’s Jewellers