Structural engineers Lisa-Jane and Joe Mears tied the knot at Dromoland Castle. Photography by Mark and Fiona Fennell.
The couple met eight years ago, while working at the same company. "Joe surprised me by booking a luxury weekend away in Kilronan Castle, Co. Roscommon for Valentine’s Day two years ago. After spending a relaxing day at the spa, we went for dinner in the castle, and after dinner we went for a walk down by the lake where Joe got down on one knee and popped the question. He bought my beautiful engagement ring in Appleby Jewellers in Dublin."
When it came to choosing their venue, Dromoland Castle was the obvious choice. Lisa-Jane had performed in Dromoland Castle on a number of occasions and knew it was where she wanted to have her wedding. "There was a wedding fair there the week we got engaged and Joe fell in love with it too as soon as he saw it so we booked it straight away."
Lisa-Jane's dress was a Kenneth Winston bridal gown from Canada, which she bought in Tamem Michael in Dublin. "The bridesmaids' dresses were bought in TK Maxx with adjustments and alterations made by my very talented mum, Ann Caden, who also designed and made the beautiful flower girls dresses."
"Words can’t describe how amazing Dromoland Castle is. We had a magical wedding day there thanks to Margaret Daly in particular, the chief wedding coordinator and manager in Dromoland. The staff are second to none and couldn’t do enough for our guests to make them feel welcome. The food was exquisite and the resident florist Anne Romer was wonderful. The Brian Boru hall where we had the wedding reception is absolutely stunning and was enhanced by the coloured flood lights we chose ourselves and Kate Deegan, who provided the twinkle dance floor and table spot lighting. We were treated like royalty from the moment we arrived down to the castle."
The wedding invitations were designed by Lisa-Jane's uncle, Dermot Heaslip. "They included our own photo and he even designed our own personalised logo which we used on the invites, the mass booklets and on the wedding cake too. The invites set the tone of the wedding and gave our guests a little insight to the day. My other very talented uncle was remembered on the day, when we used his famous ‘cow’ paintings and titles for our table names and seating plan."
Lisa-Jane even performed on her big day. "I was delighted to perform alongside my sisters Emma and Ann-Marie and other friends from Celtic Rhythm professional Irish Dancers to entertain our guests by dancing on the dinner tables after the meal! The performance was coordinated by my brother-in-law and director of Celtic Rhythm, Mark Byrne, who organised the reinforced tables for us to dance on. My two flower girl nieces who we teach at the Caden Academy of Irish Dance also performed for us before the meal."
If Lisa-Jane could give future brides any advice, it would be about enjoying the day. "You will treasure it forever. Be sure to find a great photographer as the photos are all you have when the day is over to share these memories forever. We had The Fennells and they were exactly what we where looking for."
Vendors: Photographer: The Fennells | Venue: Dromoland Castle | Church: Quin Church & Abbey | Dress: Tamem Micheal | Bridesmaids: TK Maxx | Groomsmen suits: Debenhams | Car: Connolly Chauffeurs | Invites: Dermot Heaslip | Band: All Talk | Cake: Creative Cakes | Videographer: My Wedding in HD