A Palladian manor, in the heart of Ireland, Cashel Palace was the stunning venue for Contracts manager Zoë Murphy and data scientist Andrew Kelly's wedding on the 20th of April 2024. Capture by Under the Veil and featured in the Winter issue of SOCIAL & PERSONAL Weddings, from Zoë's gorgeous dress to the delicate white florals, every detail of their special day was meticulously planned to perfection!
The two met in 2012 at a mutual friend's 21st birthday party, though they barely said two words that day. However, as luck would have it, Zoë & Andrew reencountered each other, this time at a St. Patrick's Day party at another mutual friend's house in 2019. "We started a conversation at the party, which continued as we went to a bar in Dublin. Unfortunately for Andrew, I rejected his advances that evening! However, I slid into his DMs the next day, and the conversation continued."
"Andrew proposed on July 16, 2022. It was a beautiful sunny morning, and I headed off to Pilates early before lunch. When I arrived home, Andrew asked if I wanted to go for a quick walk, and although I wanted to relax and get myself ready, he was quite persistent. He took me for a walk to a place we had never been before, Fernhill Park and Gardens, which I subsequently learned was just somewhere quiet he found a few days previously to avoid having any spectators. As we started the walk, I didn't quite understand what we were doing until suddenly, Andrew dropped to one knee and pulled out a ring. I was so shocked at that moment; to this day, I am not sure I ever actually said yes."
"Working with my dermatologist was one of the best decisions I could have made, as my skincare products and treatments were tailored and simplified to suit my sensitive skin type. For my makeup on the day, my makeup artist, Dawn, kept my look so soft and natural, focusing on glowy and dewy skin. I wore my hair down, and Danielle, my hairstylist, created a beautiful look with loose, brushed-out curls."
A lover of olfactory memory, Zoë wanted to choose a perfume that would remind her of the wedding day for years to come. After a long search, she settled on J’Adore by Dior. "I vividly remember Jess, our incredible photographer, spraying my whole veil as I left the bridal suite to head to the ceremony. I now keep a bottle of this fragrance on my dressing table as a nostalgic reminder of such a happy day."
A true unicorn of a bridal experience, Zoë fell in love with and bought the very first dress she tried on! "My dress was exquisite, unique, and delicate. This was my first time seeing a dress quite like this: a flowing, unlined organza skirt with an oversized flower motif and an unlined structured corset. I kept my bridal accessories minimal to avoid taking away from the dress. I styled it with classic drop pearl earrings and ivory satin Jimmy Choo heels. My veil was custom-made using simple tulle fabric to fit the long train of my dress."
Andrew had previously purchased several tuxedos and suits in Louis Copeland & Sons, so he made an appointment there, knowing it would have an excellent selection. Not particularly fussy or fashion-conscious, he walked into the store and (Much like his bride) decided the first tuxedo he tried on was right. He tried on a couple more just to be sure, but managed to stick with his first choice of the day. "I was offered a coffee when we first walked in, but we were in and out before my latte arrived!"
Zoë had four bridesmaids: her sister Phoebe, Andrew’s sister Suzie, and her best friends, Caroline and Maeve. "I had initially wanted the bridesmaids’ colours to be either warm yellow or cream, but I found these colours quite challenging to source." Luckily, The Suite in Rathmines was stocking Jenny Yoos's new Enchanted Floral collection, and as soon as Zoë saw her sister-in-law Suzie in the soft blue dress, her mind was made up. "They selected their dress style to complement the girls’ individuality, and all looked sensational on the day."
"We chose to have a traditional church ceremony in my local church in Clonmel, Tipperary. It was a beautiful ceremony, and it meant a lot that I could get married in my hometown. My dad passed away when I was very young in 2002, so remembering him on our wedding day was particularly important to me. Although my dad was greatly missed, we remembered him with love throughout the day and by lighting a remembrance candle. My younger brother, Harry, walked me down the aisle as the Delta Strings Quartet played one of my favourite pieces. This was a particularly emotional and special moment at the ceremony."
The couple did a lot of due diligence when it came to finding their venue, visiting castles, hotels and houses all across Ireland. And although quite a few piqued their interest, none compared to how much they loved Cashel Palace Hotel. "What we loved most was the staff. Our Wedding Coordinator, Linda, and her team were truly exceptional. We cannot imagine there being a more attentive, helpful, and kind staff; they truly made our wedding day so magical and everything we could have asked for." Her wedding day wasn't the first time Zoë wore a long “white dress” in the Cashel Palace. "It was also where I made my communion before the current restoration of the hotel, and was also one of the last occasions we celebrated with our dad. I can remember walking up the steps of the Cashel Palace Hotel with him in 2000."
"We couldn’t have asked for better weather. We were lucky to host our drinks reception outside the sunny Palace gardens and terrace. Our guests could enjoy the magnificent views of the Rock of Cashel with a glass or two of champagne as our musician Norma Harrington played a selection of music alternating between the harp and keyboard." The pair chose The Pearly Whites for their wedding band and evening entertainment! Having watched them perform live before, one of the biggest talking points among the guests was how brilliant the band were, and there wasn't a moment after the dinner when the dancefloor wasn't full! "It made for a special night and a terrific celebration."
Regarding the best decision, Zoë had to say, "From the details of the venue to the entertainment, everything worked out perfectly, and we had our dream wedding. Even the decision to have our wedding in April worked out as we had one of the sunniest weekends of the year. I do have to mention our incredible photographer, videographer, Jess, Dan, and Joy. The day itself goes by so quickly, but to have such fleeting moments in time captured so beautifully, we can forever cherish these memories."
- Gráinne