Month: April 2024

How to Create the Perfect Invitation for your Destination Wedding

by Harmony Walton

Planning a destination wedding is an exciting adventure, and one of the first steps on this magical journey is creating the perfect wedding invitations. These little pieces of paper will set the tone for your special day and serve as a sneak peek into the destination dream you’re about to embark on. Here’s how to create the perfect invitation for your destination wedding.

Theme and Destination Integration

Begin by incorporating the destination into your invitation design. Whether it’s a tropical beach, a romantic European cityscape, or a snowy mountain peak, let your chosen location inspire the colour palette, graphics, and overall theme of your invitations. (I have some more ideas for your Irish destination wedding initiations here!)

Save-the-Dates with a Purpose

Given the nature of destination weddings, sending out save-the-dates well in advance is crucial. Include essential details such as the date, location, and a brief itinerary. This helps your guests plan their trip and ensures they won’t miss your special day.

Wedding Website Integration

Create a wedding website with comprehensive details about your destination wedding. Include the link on your invitations, directing guests to a central hub where they can find all the necessary information, from travel guides to RSVP forms.

RSVP and Guest Preferences

Given the unique challenges of a destination wedding, it’s crucial to obtain RSVPs early. Include response cards with clear instructions on how guests can confirm their attendance. Additionally, ask about dietary restrictions or any special needs they may have during their stay.

Accommodation Information

Provide a list of recommended accommodations along with your invitations. This can range from luxury resorts to budget-friendly options, ensuring that your guests find suitable places to stay. Be certain to include booking details and any special arrangements you’ve made for your guests.

Travel Tips and Logistics

Make travel seamless for your guests by offering useful information on flights, transportation options, and local travel tips. You’ll want to include details on the nearest airports, ground transportation, and any other essential logistics to help guests navigate the destination.

Weather Considerations

Depending on the season and location, weather conditions can vary. Include a note about the expected weather during your wedding dates, allowing guests to pack accordingly. This small gesture ensures everyone is comfortable and prepared.

Itinerary Cards

Design separate itinerary cards outlining the schedule of events during your destination wedding weekend. Include rehearsal dinners, welcome parties, and any other pre or post-wedding activities. This helps guests plan their time and make the most of their trip.

Cultural Sensitivity

If your destination wedding involves a different culture or customs, provide guests with a heads-up. Include any cultural sensitivities, dress codes, or local traditions they should be aware of to ensure everyone is respectful and comfortable.

Proofread (and Proofread Again)

Proofread the invitation carefully to catch any errors and ensure all details are accurate. You may also want to ask a friend or family member to review it, as well. Invitations are a lot of work – you don’t want all that time and effort to go to waste. Lastly, double check you have the correct postage for each invitation. This is especially important for invitations travelling internationally.

Crafting the perfect destination wedding invitations is a blend of creativity and practicality. By incorporating the unique elements of your chosen destination and providing comprehensive information, you’re setting the stage for a memorable celebration. These invitations not only showcase your love story but also serve as the first chapter in the adventure that awaits both you and your cherished guests. Cheers to the journey!

Slán go Fóill,

Tara

Images by Story of Eve

Aimee & Adam’s Ashford Castle Wedding

by Harmony Walton

Long before Aimee and Adam shared their first dance as husband and wife during their enchanting Ashford Castle wedding, they were teenagers meeting for the first time at Theatre Club in Dublin. The two playfully competed over who was more flexible (Aimee won) and an instant friendship blossomed, followed by romance, when the two began dating a couple years later. From there, Aimee and Adam navigated life: college, new jobs, new friends, their “dog child”, and travelling the world. They grew up together; it only made sense to grow old together, too.

So, at a view point between Adam’s family cabin and Ashford Castle in County Mayo, overlooking Lough Na Fooey, Adam caught Aimee off guard when he asked a very important question. After 11 years together, Adam and Aimee were finally engaged and they knew exactly where they wanted to host their big day.

In the 1960’s, Adam’s grandfather bought a cottage in Joyce Country for his family to spend some time away from the city. Adam’s fondest childhood memories centre around the cottage, and when Aimee was introduced to the area she fell in love with the beauty of County Mayo and was thrilled to learn she had family connections there, as well! “Ashford Castle represents the history and beauty of this area,” says Aimee. “It was an easy decision to get married in this stunning venue.” And just like that, the date was chosen, the invites were sent, and shortly after, the day arrived!

One of Aimee’s favourite memories of the day was eating breakfast, relaxing and getting ready with her girls before the ceremony. It was a special time of bonding and toasting the day to come. When it was time to get ready, each bridesmaid wore a dress from Covet.

Yet another easy decision was the time of year the couple wanted to say their vows. “Autumn is our favourite time of year,” says Aimee. Flowers in every autumnal colour adorned the wedding, bridesmaids wore gorgeous dresses to match their bouquets, and the entrance to the ceremony was even decorated with fall foliage and gourds.

 

As the ceremony grew closer, Aimee was ready. “I wasn’t nervous at all. I knew everything was being taken care of,” Aimee says. “Tara was able to get to know our personalities, our likes and dislikes, our values… and produce a wedding that was even better than our wildest dreams.” At St Mary’s Church, an historic church just off the castle grounds, guests were gathering and preparing for Adam and Aimee’s walks down the aisle.

One of Adam’s favourite memories from the day was watching Aimee walk down the aisle. His second favourite memory was their first dance.

The groom and groomsmen got their suits from Louis Copeland & Sons. Inside each suit, Adam and Aimee had created personalised designs to match each groomsmen. Inside Adam’s suit were bikes to represent his love of cycling.

With the ceremony complete, Aimee and Adam moved on to the reception where they were a special surprise was in store. “A friend of the family surprised us with waiters who transformed into opera singers midway through dinner,” says Aimee. “We were so shocked, but it was absolutely brilliant and amazing to be surprised at your own wedding!”

Boasting a surprise of their own, each guest found a personalised picture and note waiting for them at their seat in The George V Dining Room. “Watching them find and seeing their reactions was really special,” says Aimee.

 

With two full time jobs and the inability to spend every extra moment planning a wedding, Aimee and Adam say they knew from the start they wanted to hire a wedding planner. “Wedding planning is such a daunting task, without a planner we wouldn’t have known where to start,” says Aimee. “Our wedding day was one of the most important days in not only our lives, but the lives of our immediate families and we wanted it to be the best it could possibly be for everyone involved.”

Something that warms this planner’s heart? Aimee and Adam say there is nothing they would have done differently. “From going on a run to shake off the nerves first thing in the morning, to bringing our dog with us, to hiring the most incredible vendors,” says Aimee, “There is nothing we wouldn’t do exactly as we did it.”

From the incredibly grounds of Ashford Castle to the reception surprises to the very special love between Adam and Aimee, this won’t be a wedding I soon forget. I was honoured to plan such a special day and wish you two the very best of luck in life (and on your honeymoon in Kenya and the Seychelles)!

Enchanted as I am by this incredible event at Ashford Castle? Learn everything you need to know here: Ashford Castle Wedding Venue: A Complete Guide

Slán go Fóill,

Tara

Event Planner: Tara Fay | Venue: Ashford Castle |  Photography: Peter Carvill Photography| Videography: Dream Catcher Productions| Invitations: Sarah O’Dea | Groomswear: Louis Copeland | Bridesmaid Dresses: Covet | Bridal Makeup: Ashley O’Rourke | Bridal Hair: David Cashman | Flowers: Shop the Garden | DJ: Tommy Elliott | Wedding String Ensemble: D-Strings |

The Warming of the Ring Ceremony

by Harmony Walton

Often, I am asked by my lovely couples how they can incorporate Irish culture and tradition into their wedding day. One of my favourite answers is the Warming of the Ring Ceremony. Recently, I was honoured to be interviewed by The Knot in regards to this centuries-old Irish wedding tradition.

What is it?

The Warming of the Ring Ceremony is a strongly symbolic tradition that includes everyone in attendance. Each ring is held (whether in the box or out of the box) by every attending friend and family member. Guests are encouraged to speak well wishes, pray, or internally focus on some loving intentions for the couple. In this way, the rings are ‘warmed’ with love before they end up on the fingers of the newlyweds.

How does it work?

There are a couple different ways I’ve seen the Warming of the Ring Ceremony preformed.

Typically, there is an officiant with a script for each different version. In the first, the officiant meets the guests as they arrive and offers them the rings. Before they take their seats, the officiant asks each attendee to ‘warm the rings’ with their intentions for the couple.

In the second version, the tradition takes place during the wedding ceremony. In this case, the officiant asks that before exchanging, the rings are passed around to each guest. Personally, I like this version the best. The physical warming of the rings carries such a beautiful sentiment.

How can you make it yours?

For your loved ones who cannot be in attendance, I always suggest adding a personal item of theirs: like jewelry, a linen or lace hanky to pass around with the rings. Personally, I think it is more intimate to pass the rings around without a box to make the ‘warming ceremony’ even more literal. As each guest physically warms the ring with their hands, they infuse even more warmth by way of loving thoughts and wishes. In the past, we’ve read poetry or scripture as the rings are passed to each attending guest, making these moments even more sentimental and sweet.

Are you interested in incorporating the Warming of the Rings Ceremony into your wedding day? Read my interview on The Knot or get in touch!

Slán go Fóill,

Tara

Image by Barry McCall