A fun Facebook poke turned into happily ever after for today's real wedding couple, Teresa and Mike. From the classic ceremony at St. Finbarr's Church to their fab tea party in the Bantry House and Gardens, their old school, vintage wedding, captured by the talented Emma Jervis Photography, is a must see...
Teresa shares their unique love story..."My sister Eileen was great friends with Mike and was telling me for years that we would be perfect for each other. We eventually bumped into each other Stephen’s night 2011 after a few drinks and chatted all night long. I went back to London a few days later devastated as Mike had not got in touch..."
Taking matters into her own hands, Teresa, nervous but bold, poked Mike on Facebook. And just like that their romance began...
The long distance duo became inseparable once Teresa finished her degree in London and moved back home, finally giving them the opportunity to see where their relationship would go.
Teresa recalls Mike's proposal..."Mike took me to see the Northern Lights for my birthday. Once we got back to the hotel we were staying in we went for dinner and when finished Mike said he would meet me up in our room as he was going for a quick cigarette. I started to get a bit worried after 30 minutes as there was no sign of him and just as I was going to go look for him he burst in the door saying it was present time. He gave me a present all wrapped up and a card. I opened the card and the front read ‘To my Fiancée on your Birthday’ and a big ring fell out. It was all so surreal!"
Wanting to keep everything easy and relaxed, the couple settled on their gorgeous and classic old school, vintage wedding vibe. Complete with an adorable afternoon tea party, compiled of fine bone china collected by Teresa's mother at numerous market fairs and some added by friends, as well as Teresa's darling 1950's style wedding dress.
Teresa tells us of their wedding choices..."We went to one wedding fair and found our band there. They were the first thing we booked, long before we booked a venue or the church which made things a little awkward but we fell in love with their music. We were also apprehensive regarding having a photographer as neither of us like the camera, but Emma Jervis was amazing. We barely knew she was there and the pictures she took are really precious."
No stress was the motto when picking the venue. Teresa reveals..."We did not see the point in travelling long distances on our special day when we could avail of the beautiful local amenities around Bantry and spend more time with our guests. Bantry House and Gardens and The Maritime Hotel are affiliated therefore once we suggested having our tea party and convinced each party it was a great idea and got them on board it was full steam ahead."
For her something old Teresa wore her grandmother's watch, which both her mother and sister wore on their wedding days. For her something new, the Jimmy Choos Mike gave her as a wedding present that she absolutely adores. And for her something blue, the creative bride had the lowest rim of her petticoat done in baby blue
Their big day was made extra special by contributions from their loving families. Teresa gushes..."My brother Denis gave me away, which was a little emotional and we had many friends and family involved in the ceremony, making it even more special to us. Mike's son, Shay, was our handsome pageboy while my nieces, Lily and Meabh, were our flowergirls...
...My sister and her husband bought an old Volkswagen camper-van and offered it to us as our wedding wheels. It was great fun and a big hit on the day." Along with her family and bridesmaids, she arranged all the flowers for the wedding day and Mike, with help from his brothers, made the bar for Bantry House.
The newlyweds flew to the warm weather and magical surroundings of Santorini, Greece and the Amalfi Coast in Italy for two and a half weeks after their wedding for relaxation and romance.
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Congratulations to the happy couple and thank you so much for sharing your special day with all of us. A big thanks to Emma Jervis Photography for sharing her lovely photos. For more from Emma Jervis Photography visit www.emmajervis.com
The Wedding Details
- Ceremony: St. Finbarr's Church
- Reception: Bantry House and Gardens and The Maritime Hotel
- Wedding Dress: Bella Bleu
- Bridesmaids dresses: LaDress, Brown Thomas
- Shoes: Jimmy Choo
- Flowers: Central Floral Supplies
- Groom’s suits: Saville Menswear
- Groomsmen Suit: Gentleman's Quarter
- Veil: Elizabeth Christina Designs
- Cake: Lily’s Cakes, Skibbereen
- Make Up & Hair: Avelyn from Bobbi Brown Tara from Image Salon, Bantry
- Wedding Bands: Michel Jewellers
- Ceremony/Band: Bean and Irene
- Band: Four Men and a Bass
- Photographer: Emma Jervis Photography
