This Belleek Castle wedding was one of my favourite kinds of destination weddings! The gorgeous American couple, Patti and Dom, chose Ireland as the location for their big day to honour their shared Irish heritage. Both of their families emigrated from County Mayo to the United States, and so it was only fitting that their big day took place at a castle venue in the same county. It’s a privilege to reconnect couples like this one to the culture and traditions of Ireland, and this heritage was the inspiration for all their wedding details and design.
Another very special element of the wedding is how Patti and Dom met. Both of them have a background in law enforcement and Dom is a bagpiper with the NYPD Pipes & Drums while Patti is a tenor drummer with the Cleveland Police Pipes & Drums. The two became friends through the close bond the two pipe bands share and their annual meeting at the Greater Cleveland Peace Officers Memorial Tattoo. One day, friendship turned to romance and the rest, as they say, is history!
Belleek Castle is a fairytale venue in the west of Ireland that has won multiple awards for its food and service, as well as ‘most romantic castle’. With a site dating back to the early 15th century, the Neo-Gothic castle is nestled in 200 acres of scenic woodland and gardens just outside Ballina in Co. Mayo. As Patti and Dom’s wedding took place during COVID, they had a limited guest list, with 22 friends travelling to Ireland to join them for the big day. Belleek Castle caters for both larger and more intimate wedding parties, and the atmospheric medieval-style Great Hall, with its open fire and intricate wood panelling, provided the perfect backdrop to the couple’s reception.
The Belleek Castle wedding ceremony took place in the restored 19th century stables, a beautifully rustic space which we decorated with candles and greenery that complemented the bride and groom’s attire. Both Patti and Dom wore the Co. Mayo tartan, which had featured on their invitations. Dom and his groomsmen opted for traditional kilts while Patti had the tartan incorporated on the hem and buttons of her dress. The couple had a traditional handfasting ceremony – another tribute to their Irish heritage.
We also used the Co. Mayo tartan as the inspiration for the reception design. A long banqueting table was draped in emerald green, with a tartan runner and dozens of smaller arrangements of traditional Irish flowers and greenery, as well as tall red, gold, and white taper candles. Guests were seated on red velvet chairs, and each found their menu and napkin tied with a tartan ribbon. It was a regal setting, befitting the incredible cuisine served up by the Belleek Castle kitchens!
Here’s what Patti had to say about her experience of working with Tara Faye Events for their Belleek Castle wedding:
“Invest in a wedding planner! I am the ultimate convert to this. I cannot recommend Tara Fay and her staff enough. Do yourself a favour and do this! Weddings and events are their profession, Tara guided us through so much that we never even dreamt of. We would have been lost without her knowledge and contacts.”
Congratulations again, Patti and Dom! I like to think that your Irish ancestors were smiling down on us – and that we did them proud!
Slán go Fóill,
Tara
Planner: Tara Fay Events | Venue: Belleek Castle | Transportation & Logistics: Ireland Chauffer Travel | Stationery: Lucky Onion | Groomsmen’s Kilts: Corless Formal Wear | Groom’s Kilt: USA Kilts | Dress: A.Daley Bridal | Whiskey Tasting: Connacht Distillery | Bridal Party Gifts: Olde Shillelagh Stickmakers | Luggage Tag Favors: Currys Leather on Etsy
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