Tom and Emer were married at St Matthew’s Church, Ballymahon followed by a reception at  the Wineport Lodge, Co. Westmeath, Ireland. They wanted their wedding to be fun and relaxed with their own spin.

They included a few quirky moments to their day, with an amazing balloon release instead of using confetti, transport to their reception via boat and a raffle instead of favours… genius.

Emer looked the chic bride with her bun hair style and amazing Pronovias dress. While Tom went for a modern look in a blue skinny suit and hot pink tie, what a stylish pair. Oh how i LOVE this wedding.

Thanks so much to the brilliant Navyblur for sharing their photography with us today.

Names….Tom and Emer

Wedding Date….29 June 2012

The Proposal….We had a date day to mark our 10^th anniversary consisting of a golf lesson, followed by some retail therapy and then dinner at a 2*restaurant (The Ledbury).  Tom got down on one knee as Emer was showing off her outfit for the evening. Emer said yes.  Tom was happy.  Then due to transport problems we had to get a battered minicab to our posh location…

The Vision for the day….We wanted to celebrate our two birthplaces – rural Somerset and rural Ireland. We wanted it to be fun, but relaxed, and with our own spin on some of the conventions.

The Planning process…Spreadsheets, spreadsheets and more spreadsheets… A few ‘animated’ discussions. But mainly a stress -process. (Once Tom realised it was easier to let Emer have her way.)

Budget….£20k

The Venue…St Matthew’s Church, Ballymahon (Co. Longford, Ireland), and the Wineport Lodge, Co. Westmeath, Ireland.

Dress + Accessories…..Dress: Pronovias (from Mirror Mirror boutique, Islington, London). Hairpiece: antique from Mirror Mirror. Earrings and bracelet: somethings borrowed (from Mum and friend respectively). Shoes: Phase 8. Bag: a little shop in Sherborne, Dorset.

Finding the dress….Easy – second dress Emer tried on.  Helped by some no-nonsense friend commentary.

Groom’s attire…Skinny suit and hot pink tie: Ben Sherman. Shoes: Half-Oxford Brogues made by Grenson (as the model of shoe was called ‘Tom’ the groom could not resist…)

The Readings + Music….Readings: standard catholic stuff, plus ‘The Promise’ by Eileen Rafter. Music: a harp played by Emer’s cousin and a local singer.

Beautiful bridesmaids…..Four bridesmaids (Sister, 2 x cousins and brother’s girlfriend).  Dresses by Dessy – same dashing blue but styles chosen by themselves.  They were ace.

The Flowers…Prepared by a friend of the family (Mary Murtagh, Ballymahon). White Peonias.

The Cake…Another family friend, Jenny White in Ballymahon.  Wonderful Guiness cupcakes and a main cake with mini-versions of ourselves attached.

Your Photographer….The wonderful Xander and Christine from Navyblur.

The Details + Decor….Decor provided by the Wineport.  Except the table cards which Tom produced with some legendary/not so legendary figures from Emer and Tom’s lives (Ireland, the SW of England, London, Uni), and the cakestands which Tom also put together which were records (Tom is a dj on the side…).  Also special mention for the invitations and orders of service which were produced by a friend of Tom and Emer.

The Honeymoon….Boutique spa hotel high in the hills of Madeira, Portugal.  Blissfull.

Memorable moments…Dancing down the aisle to Jackie Wilson’s (Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher. Helium balloons outside the church (on a very windy day). Arriving at the venue by boat and stepping out onto a red carpet (we’ve never felt quite so close to being celebs…) Cheers and applause every time we entered a room (it’s amazing how easy it is to get used to that!) The speeches by Tom and his best man/brother, plus a poem from the Chief Bridesmaid/Sister of the bride.

Instead of favours a Somerset and Irish Midland’s themed raffle, compared by Emer’s brother and cousin.  Prizes included some peat briquettes, the best of Joe Dolan, Somerset Cider Brandy and a Yeovil Town FC mug. A fantastic couple of djs who filled the dancefloor all night long (till 4am…). A particular highlight was a conga line prompted by Azaelia Banks’ rather lewd ‘212’.

The food and venue generally – setting and food were sensational. Jumping into a freezing Loch Rea the next morning to clear away the hangovers. And finally an ‘after party’ the next day – dressed-down, great covers band, local pub, and a hog roast.   

Advice for other couples…It’s the start of your life together, not the pinnacle. The most important thing for us was friends and family being there and meeting each other. Down worry about the little things.  A lot of people might not even notice things you spent months stressing over! Do it your way.  Sod the traditions, make your own.

Credit where credit is due…

Wineport: www.wineport.ie

Photographers: Navyblur

Cake: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Curious-Cakes-by-Jenny-White/196566960372592

The Rustic Inn (for the following day): https://www.facebook.com/rusticinn.abbeyshrule?fref=ts

What great advice too; “It’s the start of your life together, not the pinnacle”…. it’s so very true. Thanks so much to Tom and Emer for sharing their beautiful wedding with us today XOXO Lou

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