The prettiest vintage love story, adorned with beautiful blooms and musical elements…
Niamh and Cian’s moving humanist ceremony gave us all the feels. And the bride’s understated look, complete with striking red lips, brought every breath-taking photo to life.
After initially planning a New Year’s Eve wedding, the pair had a surprise baby instead! Meaning they had to move their date to a sunny summer’s day in July with the sparkling sea glistening in the backdrop. Plus, they were also able to share the celebrations with their adorable little daughter Eve, who held the very important role of ‘Flower Baby’.
Typically Irish, it was love at first sight after fleeting glances from across the bar. Boy sees girl in the crowded Barry’s pub in Douglas, Cork and then plots to talk to her. Luckily his friend was going out with her friend! So securing her number wasn’t too difficult. From there, a strategic texting campaign followed, which lead to happy dates and a wedding nine years later.
A surprise proposal was planned by returning to scene of the crime – Barry’s in Douglas. Under the guise of going out for his birthday, Cian had secretly organized to have all of Niamh’s loved ones waiting patiently outside. One by one, her family and friends appeared with a rose and a kiss on the cheek as their song by Bright Eyes played softly in the background. When she was sufficiently emotionally shaken, Cian appeared with the final rose and an engagement ring – and when he asked her to marry him, she said ‘Yes Please’.
The groom re-called eloquently the pair’s intimate humanist ceremony which involved a symbolic hand-fasting element.
“For me, the lasting memory is how nice the ceremony was. I danced down the aisle with baby Eve to Stevie Wonder’s Isn’t She Lovely. And then I was blinded by a vision of beauty walking down the aisle towards me to Bach’s Ariosa played on an oboe. She looked so beautiful and serene. The music was perfect and it’s a memory I’ll revisit for the rest of my life.”
“We couldn’t be happier with the experience of having Sean Clarke as our wedding photographer. On the day he was cheerful and relaxed, and this helped create a lovely and joyful environment during shooting. We adore the photos; the details and moments that he captured are so beautiful and enhance how we now view the day. His photos also have a magical vibrance which capture how special the day was for us. I would wholeheartedly recommend Sean as a photographer for any occasion as I know he would do a stellar job. He is very professional, creative and passionate about his work.”
Inspired by their love of music and Cian’s role as pianist for indie band The Frank and Walters, they put their own unique stamp on their theme. Illustrations of the bride and groom in green graphics featured on all the wedding stationery. The intimate feel of their special day was complemented by the rustic decor of Barnabrow House; including dark wooden rectangle tables, and wine coloured walls which provided a beautifully warm and laid back setting.
“Cian’s mum Patricia was a huge help organising the ceremony and reception music and even got us a piano-shaped wedding cake!”
“We honestly can’t think of a single thing we would do differently for the ceremony, reception – or the partying! Everything came together wonderfully.”
Wedding Supplier Credits:
- Photographer – Sean Clarke Photography
- Venue – Barnabrow House
- Humanist Celebrant – Geraldine O’Neill
- Flowers – Bloomsday Flowers
- Wedding Dress – Biba from House of Fraser
- Shoes – Debut Collection from Debenhams
- Bridesmaid Dresses – Pamela Scott, Dublin
- Stationery – Designed by the bride and printed at Reads
- Hair – Darcys
- Make Up – Niamh Murphy of Cork Make Up Artist
- Cake – Sculpted by family friend Celine Hurley
- Groomswear – Henry Jermyn, Claire St, Dublin
- Ceremony Music – Gary Beecher on piano, Ciara Glasheen on oboe and flute, Rory Murphy and Paul Linehan from The Frank and Walters on Guitar and vocals, Antóin Corbett and Niamh O’ Sullivan on vocals.
- Band – The Hot Blooded Animals and a five song show from The Frank and The Walters with whom the groom plays keyboard
- DJ – Denis Collins
