Month: September 2020

As the days get shorter and the colours begin to change here in Dublin, my thoughts always turn to autumn and especially to all the beautiful Irish wedding flowers for fall. It really is a special time here, with the most stunning leaves on display, and I love it when couples embrace this rich palette and wealth of natural texture as inspiration for their fall weddings. There’s nothing lovelier than a radiant autumn bride carrying a gorgeously loose, unstructured bouquet made up of seasonal blooms, foliage, and berries.

While it’s often possible to buy almost any variety of flower at any time of year these days, I would still encourage you to embrace seasonal Irish wedding flowers for fall or any other specific time of year. For one thing, it’s a more sustainable choice, which many couples find appealing as they try to keep their wedding carbon footprint low. It’s also more budget-friendly, and using local blooms means your florals will be fresher and therefore last longer. Even if you’re not using a traditional autumn palette or including fall wedding details in your styling, seasonal flowers are still a good choice, as they can be made to work with any style of wedding. For example, Chocolate cosmos and Cafe Au Lait dahlias can add an autumnal touch to white or pastel blooms, or work alongside darker ones for a moody modern arrangement.

And it’s not just about Irish wedding flowers for fall! The season also offers a bounty of berries, ferns, fruits, acorns, and mosses that will add depth and dimension to your bouquets and table arrangements. These unexpected elements provide a touch of whimsy and capture the imagination, making a big impression on your guests.

While it’s important to talk to your florist about what’s available, the following list will give you a good idea of which flowers are in season in Ireland in autumn.

Fall Wedding Flowers in Ireland

• Amaranthus
• Amaryllis
• Anemone
• Astrantia (Masterworts)
• Aster
• Astilbe
• Butterflyweed (Asclepias Tuberosa)
• Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia)
• Blushing Bride Protea
• Calla Lily
• Caramel Phlox
• Carnations
• Chrysanthemum
• Chocolate Lace Flower (Daucus)
• Cosmos
• Craspedia (Billy Balls)
• Dahlia
• Freesia
• Eryngium
• Garden Rose
• Hydrangea
• King Protea
• Lisianthus
• Marigold
• Phlox
• Pincushion Protea
• Purple Coneflower (Echinacea)
• Rose
• Safflower (Carthamus)
• Scabiosa
• Sedum
• Spiked Speedwell (Veronica)
• Sunflower
• Vibernum
• Waxflower
• Yarrow
• Zinnia

Seasonal Fruits, Foliage, Berries & Fillers

• Agonis
• Artichoke
• Blackberry
• California Pepperberry
• Chinese Lantern (Physalis Alkekengi)
• Clematis Drummondii (Old Man’s Beard)
• Crab Apple
• Fern (Bracken)
• Hawthorn Berry
• Honesty (Lunaria)
• Ornamental Cabbage (Flowering Kale)
• Poppy Seed Head
• Rose Hip
• Ryegrass
• Scabiosa Pod
• Setaria Italica (Red Jewel)
• Silver Brunia
• Skimmia
• Snowberry
• Wheat

Which Irish wedding flowers would you choose for your autumnal wedding?

Slán go Fóill,

Tara

Images by Lisa O’Dwyer

Brooke and Stephen’s Adare Manor wedding was stylish, sophisticated, and so much fun! Incorporating both Irish and American traditions, it was the perfect celebration of love for this transatlantic couple. The pair met working at Google while Brooke was on rotation in the Dublin office, and nearly a year later, found themselves both in the NYC office. They’ve been inseparable since. Their families also share a very special bond, after Stephen’s mother, unfortunately, had a fall on her first visit to Chicago and had to be hospitalised. The next few weeks included lots of quality time, a tear or two, and plenty of laughs. At the time, Stephen also confided in his mother that he was planning to propose to Brooke, and soon wedding planning was in full swing! This gorgeous Adare Manor wedding was recently featured on Wedding Chicks – be sure to check out the full feature here.

Stephen was born and raised in Wicklow, Ireland, while Brooke has lived in various places, from Chicago to London, Hong Kong to Singapore, Austin and New York City. Before deciding on their wedding location, they opted to visit Ireland for a week-long venue tour. They were looking for a wow factor property, a stunning setting, plenty of local accommodation options, and accessibility for international guests. So, of course, I knew that the luxurious Adare Manor in Co. Limerick had to be top of the must-see list! And, having driven through the charming thatched village of Adare into the lavish manor grounds, they quickly agreed that it was the perfect place for their Irish destination wedding. The reception was set to take place in the showstopping Grand Ballroom, which we transformed using the color navy to complement the stationery and bridesmaid dresses. Although it was a bold choice, since the ballroom is large and light, it worked beautifully with the tall, colourful floral arrangements and hundreds of candles on the tables. The lights reflected in the sparkling chandeliers that hang from the ballroom ceiling, creating an intimate, opulent atmosphere.

Another important aspect to the design of their Adare Manor wedding was that Brooke and Stephen wanted to give their guests a true taste of Ireland, while also incorporating American traditions. Working with a calligrapher, we came up with a design that highlighted the guests’ nationalities as well as the couple’s history. We used this beautiful watercolour motif throughout the destination wedding, from welcome bags to table plans and table names. Brooke and Stephen also came up with a limerick (a tribute to the wedding location of Limerick in Ireland) that was given to guests on a printed card when they checked in:

We are so excited to welcome you to Adare.
Jetlagged or not, we don’t care.
We expect you at 2,
So this is your cue:
Get ready to go on the tear.

Of course, another Irish tradition is the weather, and the rain started just as Brooke and Stephen were leaving their traditional church ceremony. Naturally, we had lots of umbrellas on hand! However, they did manage to get outside for some beautiful photos during a dry spell. Brooke was a little frozen afterwards, so we brought her into our production office space and had four hairdryers warming up her feet and drying the hem of her wedding gown. All whilst her glam squad worked their magic to touch up her hair and makeup! When she was all fixed, we replaced our team with her bridal party and the photographer got some great shots. Spontaneous moments like these often make for the best memories – and pictures!

Brooke’s wedding dress was an absolute dream! She wanted a simple gown with no lace or embellishments, but with a ball gown silhouette to suit the black-tie wedding (and who doesn’t love an excuse to dress up!). Pockets were also a must-have. As soon as she tried on Suzanne Neville’s Swanson, with its Jackie O-style collar and open back, she fell in love. The dress was brought to Ireland the August before their Adare Manor wedding, and we worked with a Dublin seamstress to create the perfect fit. It looked incredible!

Brooke and Stephen love to dance, so as a nod to American tradition, we arranged for a big band at the reception, and had a father-daughter dance. Brooke and Stephen worked with a dance teacher and choreographer during the week of the wedding in Ireland, and their first dance was a hit with the crowd! Afterwards, Brooke changed into a white beaded one-shoulder Retrofete dress that was short, fun, and sparkly – and most importantly, would allow her to move around on the dance floor! She paired it with her favourite platform Supergas, that kept her dancing until 4am!

But the party didn’t end there! The wedding cake was a beautiful, tiered creation featuring three of Brooke’s favourite flavours. She was worried that not all the guests would have the chance to taste it, so the day after the wedding, they hosted a tea party with champagne and wedding cake. Later that day, the couple also hosted a traditional Irish pub night, complete with Irish musicians for the enjoyment of their guests from around the world.

Congratulations again to this wonderful couple!

Slán go Fóill,

Tara

Planner: Tara Fay Events | Venue: Adare Manor | Photography: Christina Brosnan | Flowers: The Garden | Dress: Suzanne Neville | Bride’s Second Dress: Retrofete | Bride’s Shoes: Jimmy Choo | Bride’s Jewellery: BHLDN | Groom’s Suit: Hall Madden | Video: The Story of Eve | Stationery & Invites: Appleberry Press | Dinner & Reception Music: Connor McKeon | Ceremony Music: Seaver Consulting | Band: Connor McKeon | DJ: Gordon Johnson | Bridesmaid Dresses: Jenny Yoo | Hair: David Cashman | Makeup: Christine Lucignano | Cake: MM Cookies | Aisle Runner: Original Runners | Lighting & Staging: Gorilla Design | Linens: Total Event

 

You might also like:

Ireland’s Best Historic Wedding Venues
Getting Married in Ireland: Where to Start
7 Irish Wedding Traditions to Include in Your Destination Wedding

There are so many incredible wedding photo locations near Dublin and in the city itself. From Georgian doorways and historic buildings to beachy bays, there’s something for everyone. But I think there’s something extra romantic about outdoor backdrops that show off the sweeping beauty of our Irish scenery. Whether you’re planning a destination wedding in Ireland and are looking for a dreamy backdrop for your couple pics, need a scenic spot for engagement photographs or even ideas for a proposal, you’ll find a location to love on this list.

Phoenix Park

Dublin has several lovely parks to use as outdoor wedding photo locations, including Iveagh Gardens and St Stephen’s Green. But for a true urban oasis, seek out Phoenix Park. It’s the largest park in Ireland, so you can always find a romantic, secluded spot for pictures. And if you’re lucky, you may even get some of the park’s deer in the background!

Killiney Hill

Killiney Hill is popular amongst walkers and hikers, as well as being a truly breathtaking photographic location. It’s especially popular for engagement shoots, but would make a wonderful backdrop for wedding pictures too.

Howth

This affluent seaside village is one of the most idyllic spots in Dublin, with its quaint harbour, cliff walks, and panoramic views back over the bay and the Mourne and Wicklow Mountains. It’s also the place where the protagonist of James Joyce’s Ulysses proposed to his future wife, so literature lovers take note!

Glendalough

South of Dublin city lies what is surely one of the most photogenic places in Ireland. Glendalough is a glacial valley with tranquil lakes, moss-covered monastic ruins, and incredible views. You may recognise it from the film P.S. I Love You, adapted from Cecelia Ahern’s popular novel. Powerscourt Estate, also in County Wicklow, is another wonderful wedding photo location.

Lough Tay

Also known as The Guinness Lake, Lough Tay is another idyllic outdoor location for wedding photographs. You might also recognise this area from the silver screen, since it has acted as a setting for numerous films and television series, including Vikings, Leap Year, and Excalibur.

The Cliffs of Moher

A little further afield than the other wedding photo locations near Dublin, but I couldn’t leave this one off my list! Besides, the iconic Cliffs of Moher are well worth the trip. They’ve appeared in many films, from The Princess Bride to Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, and make a stunning location for a post-wedding couple shoot.

Of course, these are just a few of the iconic wedding photo locations near Dublin, and across Ireland and Northern Ireland as well. But whichever backdrop you choose, your wedding album is bound to be spectacular when you wed in our gorgeous country!

Slán go Fóill,

Tara

Top Image and Bottom Image by Eric Kelley, Other Images by Lisa O’Dwyer