Situated on 220 acres, adjacent to the ruins of an 800-year-old castle, Castlemartyr Resort is a destination richly steeped in Irish history and tradition. This breathtaking 5-Star retreat was the venue for Julie Dalton and Desmond Wade's wedding on the 6th of September, 2024. Photographed by Ryan Devereux, from the bridesmen to the gorgeous flowers, this early Autumn wedding is a treasure trove of inspiration!
The pair grew up just ten minutes apart, on opposite sides of Douglas in Cork, and over the years, they found themselves at the same parties, in the same rooms, surrounded by mutual friends, but never actually meeting! "We both studied Visual Communications in college, though I attended university in Limerick while Des stayed in Cork. It wasn’t until I finished my degree and returned home for a graphic design job at the startup where Des had been working that we finally met in 2015."
After attending a friend's wedding in Canada in 2022, the pair made a pit stop in New York on their way home. "We had lived there for a few years before, and Des had planned a “surprise early birthday dinner” with little more than the instruction to dress up and be ready at a certain time. As our Uber took us through Dumbo, a place we’d always enjoyed strolling along the boardwalk, we arrived at our favourite gardens outside the River Café. It was incredibly special to savour such a meaningful moment while dining in one of the most beautiful restaurants in the city we had moved across the world to together."
Due to her sensitive skin, Julie kept her skincare routine rather paired back, opting for a series of Hydrafacials and a goal to stay very hydrated. "I’m lucky to have one of Ireland’s top makeup artists, Ruth Bergin, as one of my closest friends. She took the time to understand my features and preferences and made me feel wonderful—her wedding glam skills are unmatched. She also recommended my hair stylist, Nadine Walshe, who brought my vision to life. I wanted a sleek, slicked-back bun with an ampersand twist at the back—a nod to our design background!" A testament to her attention to detail, Julie spent several months searching for the perfect red nail colour, eventually landing on DND Spiced Berry, a rich cabernet, for her manicure. "We also shared our wedding day scent—Santal 33 by Le Labo—because we both loved it so much!"
Julie went through the usual process of finding her dream dress, visiting a handful of bridal shops, trying on a variety of styles, and slowly narrowing down what she wanted. "It quickly became clear what suited me and what I felt most comfortable in. The moment I tried on the Salacea dress from Chosen by Kyha, I knew it was “the one.” The structured corset and minimalist fit-and-flare satin skirt made me feel elegant yet very much like myself." To add a touch of glamour, she paired the dress with a two-tier, floor-length veil.
"Des knew he wanted something special for his suit, and we found that Louis Copeland offered the perfect combination of quality and service. He chose a dark forest green, lightly flecked suit tailored to perfection. It reflected our theme and the beautiful surroundings of Castlemartyr, setting the tone for the day."
As Des had chosen his three brothers and best friend as groomsmen, Julie decided to break tradition and had her two brothers, Adam and David, by her side. "They were a massive support during the planning process, from hosting the funniest hen party in the heart of West Cork to keeping me calm through all the wedding chaos. Their humour and constant support kept me laughing throughout." For their wedding day ensembles, the groomsmen and bridesmen wore suits from Louis Copeland. "We chose a soft taupe colour for the wedding party. Our florist, Jill Wild, made a boutonniere for each groomsman that reflected one of the centrepieces from our reception, which perfectly complemented our overall theme."
"We held our ceremony outdoors, by the fountain in Castlemartyr, with a stunning backdrop of vast greenery stretching as far as the eye could see. Thanks to our celebrant, Michael Grace, the ceremony was as beautiful as the setting. We were able to personalize every detail, which made it feel even more special. One of the highlights was having some of our closest friends, Séan and Peader, perform our favourite song, Galileo, by Declan O'Rourke. It was an unforgettable moment, and so many guests commented on how authentic the ceremony felt. The entire day had such a personal, intimate atmosphere."
Being from Cork, the pair knew they wanted to stay close to home. "We had been to Castlemartyr before and it had always stuck with us. The blend of old-world charm and modern elegance appealed to us. The Knights Bar, in particular, stood out as an exceptional spot for our drinks reception and speeches. It was such a unique and memorable location."
"A friend recommended the band InVogue, which had only formed then. They were a 10-piece brass band with three singers, and they brought such energy to the day. They even learned our first dance song, After All by The Frank and Walters, which started the party with a bang. The energy they brought carried on throughout the entire evening."
Regarding their best decision, Julie said, "Our best decision was setting aside a dedicated time every Wednesday for wedding-related admin or decision-making. This ensured we didn’t feel overwhelmed and that the planning process remained manageable and fun."
- Gráinne