Irish wedding with "whimsical vintage feel"

When and how did you meet Paudie?

“We met 10 years ago in Doolin though a mutual friend, Philip. He likes to takes credit for getting us together, even though Paudie did the hard work!”

“We hit it off straight away, he made me laugh! We have the same sense of humour and he is extremely generous, loyal and lovable.”

How was the Proposal?

“Paudie proposed in 2010 on the May bank holiday weekend 2 years prior to our wedding date, at home in the house we designed and built together he got down on one knee and it was perfect.”

You’re part of a big family, right?

“Oh yes! Paudie and I live together in the home we built, across the road from Paudie’s parent’s house. So it’s important to have family close by. They have been amazing, treating me like part of the family long before we were engaged or married.”
“I could not have ended up with a better family-in-law, they are the best and I’m delighted they are close by.”

“My parents have been married over 45 years now, they have seven children and eighteen grandchildren and Paudie’s parents have been married 36 years, have 3 children and 2 grandbabies.”

“Together we really are a BIG family!!”

What else can you tell us about your wedding?

“We got married in 2012 on the May bank holiday weekend, 2 years after the proposal and only a few days after my parents 45thwedding anniversary - two incredible people who we aspire to be like in life and marriage, they’re setting an amazing example to follow.”

“I’ve never been very traditional so when it came time to plan our wedding I looked for anything that was different and unusual, particularly vintage as my dress. I loved everything about it and Paudie wanted an old style suit with waistcoat and pocket watch so we decided on a wedding day with a whimsical vintage feel.”

The Church

We selected the cute little St.John’s Church in Cratloe for our ceremony. It was simply fantastic!
>> www.cratloe.org

The Choir

The ceremony was accompanied by the Shannon Gospel Choir - great people and awesome singers.
>> www.shannongospelchoir.com

The Wedding Venue

The Old Ground Hotel in Ennis catered for the good food and reception venue! They did a fantastic job, Especially the guys at the bar - they really had a hard time.
Paudie and I regularly have lunch at the Old Ground to reminisce and pig out!
>> www.flynnhotels.com

The Wedding Dress

I was so thrilled with my wedding dress, I fell in love with it the minute I put it on. I found it in a vintage store in Dublin:
A Johnny Herbert, lace tea lenght 1950’s dress
>> www.dirtyfabulous.com

The Wedding Cake

I also made my own wedding cake, wedding cakes and 3D novelty cakes are a hobby of mine, affectiontaly known as Smarty Cakes!
>> www.facebook.com/smartycakes

Hair and Makeup

It was pure chaos that day. We all were supposed to get our hair done at a hairdresser’s over in Lahinch, but I simply wasn’t happy with what I got. So we did it again at Doughmore with the whole family around.
My bridesmaid Lorraine - her sister Linda Lafferty is an incredible makeup artist, I was delighted with her, as were the 11 other ladies she worked her magic on that morning!

The Music

Paudie & I had 2 main priorities for our wedding day; good food and good music and “The Marvels” were the best!
They are a really energetic and had everyone, young and old on the dance floor. The red suits, red converse and red top hats really topped it off!!

A Wedding Portrait

Barbara gave us an amazing wedding portrait by Mr. Toontrait - lovin’ it!
>> www.facebook.com/Mr-Toontrait/

The Wedding Stationary

I designed my own wedding invitations and stationary and with the help of my sister Maeve of  Maeve Keavey Creations www.maevekeaveycreations.com together we created a new line for her business called ‘Caitríona Couture’ and its really popular!
>> www.maevekeaveycreations.net

Ruffled Ruby

I couldn’t have done all the planning and preparations without my friends, particularly my bridesmaid Barbara.
While we were in the thick of researching & designing, we decided, once the wedding day was over we would put our vintage themed ideas and designs out to world.  
It was then that Ruffled Ruby was born – designing and creating unique vintage inspired brooch bouquets and wedding accessories.
We launched in June 2012 and it has really taken off. We’ve even made it on to national television and various magazines and blogs.
>> facebook.com/ruffledrubyvintage

The Wedding Photographer

Well, how did we find our wedding photographer and why somebody from Germany?
I bumped into a friend, Nicole, in Doolin one Saturday night in O’Connors Pub, I mentioned that I was having trouble finding a unique photographer who was different from the norm!
She gave me your name and website and when I saw your work I knew you were the one for us!! The photobooth video you sent was an excellent incentive!
We could not have been happier with you and the work you did, you made everyone feel really comfortable and our family and friends loved hanging out with you!
I’ve been asked by so many people who my photographer was, they were all amazed with your work!!
>> www.brautrausch.de