HR manager Jenny and primary school teacher Niall tied the knot in the gorgeous Ballymagarvey Village on a beautiful sunny day. Photography by Eric Molimard.
Jenny met Niall when she bumped into a work friend while out celebrating her own friend’s birthday in Belfast. “We randomly bumped into a friend from my work and her boyfriend. Her boyfriend’s house mates were also out including Niall who caught my eye straight away. A week later he asked me out on a date and I suppose the rest is history.”
Niall popped the question two and a half years later while the couple were on holiday in Italy. “We spent a couple of hours on the roof top bar of our hotel watching the sun set over Mount Vesuvius and the beautiful Amalfi coast. With no inkling, Niall went down on one knee and before I knew it he had asked me to marry him. We spent the rest of the evening phoning our families and friends whilst drinking copious amounts of bubbles.” When they arrived home, Jenny chose her engagement ring from Delphi Antiques in the Powerscourt Town Centre.
Although they were engaged for 18 months, Jenny said the planning only kicked in about a year before the wedding. “I found the whole process a little overwhelming to start with but I slowly found my feet and started to realise the things that were really important to us.”
Jenny’s wedding dress was from Paris-based designer, Rime Arodaky. “I knew I wanted something different and when I visited The White Gallery I knew instantly I would find my dress there. Rime designed a veil which coordinated with the beautiful floral applique from my dress and completed the look perfectly.”
“The bridesmaid dresses were from Ghost. It was the only dress in the running for me so I was very thankful the girls loved them as much as I did.”
The couple fell in love with Ballymagarvey Village within five minutes of walking around it during their open night. “We loved the homey feel that Ballymagarvey gives but the little luxuries and attention to detail around every corner make it a five star venue. Muireann, our wedding co-ordinator was a dream to work with and on the day of our wedding Caroline made us feel like we were family. The food was divine and our guests still talk about the impeccable service they received.”
For Jenny and Niall the personal details were in their favourite foods and drinks. “I love gin so we used empty Bombay sapphire bottles as candle stick holders and scattered them around the bar and seating area. One of my bridesmaids works in a bar and helped me gather up enough bottles. We never would have drunk that much gin in time.”
“We also decided to have an ice-cream bike at our drinks reception. During our holiday in Italy we developed an obsession with gelato so we treated our guests to champagne sorbet and delicious ice-creams to nibble on”
“Besides gin and ice-cream, I love Ballymaloe relish. Ballymaloe provided us with the nicest little mini jars as favours for our guests and called them Ballymalove. We tied our guest’s names around the jars and used these as place settings.”
Jenny advises future brides-to-be to let people help if they offer. “They genuinely want to and you will be glad of it in the end. There is only so much you can take on yourself before feeling completely over whelmed.” She also believes less is always more and advises couples getting married to enjoy every moment.
Vendors: Venue: Ballymagarvey Village | Photographer: Eric Molimard | Wedding dress and bridesmaids dresses: The White Gallery | Groomsmen suits: Bogart Menswear | Flowers: All Seasons Florist | Church music: Dublin String Quartet | Reception music: Kooky Ukes | Band: The Best Men | DJ: Music Angel | Transport: Courtyard Classics & Dublin Chauffeurs | Invitations: Kitty Moss from Till Dawn Dear | Hair: Leann from Vow2Wow | Makeup: Ellie Murphy | Favours: Ballymaloe | Cakes: Camerino Bakery | Videographer: Forever Social | Wedding rings: Mairi Burrow