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Real Wedding: Emma and Lane’s Wedding at Adare Manor

January 30, 2024January 3, 2024 by Harmony Walton

On April 15th, 2023, a fairytale came to life at Adare Manor Hotel in Adare, Co. Limerick, Ireland. Emma and Lane tied the knot amidst the verdant Irish countryside, orchestrating a wedding that was both incredibly personal and uniquely beautiful. Learn more about the day’s charming details, and the heartfelt journey that led Emma and Lane to say, “I do.”

Emma and Lane’s Adare Manor Wedding

Emma and Lane’s story began in Houston, where they were introduced to each other through mutual friends. After a blind date, they quickly found themselves in a long-distance relationship when Emma relocated to Chicago for a fellowship. Their love only grew stronger, and a year and four months after a picturesque Central Park proposal, they celebrated their wedding.

Emma’s wedding ensemble took centre stage with a carefully crafted floral design that adorned her dress, veil, and topper. This recurring motif subtly permeated the entire event, tying everything together in an elegant way. It was imprinted on wedding stationery and even the cake, thereby being an integral part of every aspect of the wedding, from beginning to end.

The couple’s personal touch was particularly evident in the wedding logo, which Emma had designed, inspired by the Rosewood Miramar Hotel’s logo. With a twist of creativity, two intertwined W’s were crafted to look like an old-world regal emblem, sitting atop a Celtic Knot.

Their choice of Adare Manor as the wedding venue was a sentimental tribute to Emma’s Irish grandparents, who had vacationed there several times. As a young girl, Emily’s grandmother often sent her articles about the hotel’s renovation, expressing hope that her granddaughter might consider it for her wedding. And indeed, it came to pass.

Emma’s design flair manifested again in the place cards. Guests found their names written in calligraphy on colourful purple and green envelopes. Inside, a card held a handwritten note from Emily or Lane, expressing their gratitude for the guests’ friendship—a gesture that left many attendees emotional.

The couple, with their eyes on details, did not let any aspect of the wedding preparation go unattended. A humorous incident during the week leading up to the wedding saw Emma suffer from food poisoning. She attended her doctor’s appointment all dolled up, ready to proceed to the welcome party right after!

The couple’s creativity also shone through in their DIY projects. Emma’s mother crafted unique party favours and explained the cultural significance of Ireland’s 99 ice cream through creative notes. She even included euros for everyone to experience this treat, a nod to their Irish roots.

The couple’s outfits were a showcase of sophistication. Emma’s stunning dress, a Carolina Herrera piece, featured a high neck and long sleeves inspired by Grace Kelly, Kate Middleton, and Pippa Middleton. Lane complemented her in a suave groom’s outfit that perfectly matched the elegance of the occasion.

When it came to their theme, Emma wanted to highlight traditional Irish elements. The colours of the Irish countryside, green and purple, were given a modern twist in the wedding’s décor. As for their favourite detail from the day, the couple had a hard time picking just one. From the tactile invitations that replicated Adare Manor’s window patterns to the breathtaking reception design and well-curated music, every aspect was meticulously planned and executed.

Emma and Lane's Real Adare Manor Wedding

Emma and Lane's Real Adare Manor Wedding Reception

Looking back, Emma and Lane cherish their first dance the most. The intimate dance to “Yellow” was a joyous realization of their dream becoming a reality. Emma’s mother’s reaction to the ballroom design was another touching moment, her eyes welling up with tears of joy.

While planning a destination wedding amid a pandemic was a challenging feat, the couple found over-communication was key. By keeping their guests updated with timely emails, travel recommendations, and reminders, Emma and Lane ensured everyone felt comfortable and excited about the celebration.

All in all, Emma and Lane’s wedding was a heartfelt celebration that honoured their Irish heritage and personal love story, made all the more memorable by the majestic backdrop for their wedding. It was a testament to the power of love and the magic that can be woven when personal stories meet exceptional creativity.

Slán go Fóill,

Tara

Fairytale at Adare Manor: Ryan and Emily’s Enchanted Wedding

November 7, 2023December 6, 2023 by Harmony Walton

You may have heard the saying before: It’s all about who you know. In the case of Ryan and Emily, a string of knowing-someone-who-knows-someone is what brought the two together. At a business dinner, Emily sat next to one of Ryan’s friends. The next day, the same friend told Ryan all about Emily. Interested, Ryan started asking around. When he found a mutual friend, he wasted no time asking Emily out on a date. His persistence paid off. Fast forward: Emily was returning from a trip to the Galapagos Islands. Looking for a place to grab dinner and pass the time during a 12-hour layover in Quito, Ecuador, Emily suddenly found herself inside an empty restaurant – empty, except for a multitude of candles and flowers – and Ryan, down on one knee.

With the magic of their first meeting and Ryan’s perfect proposal, the couple felt certain Adare Manor, adorned with their theme of white, green and a myriad of candles, would be the ideal place to say their vows. The couple booked the venue “sight unseen” and accepted the fact that they wouldn’t see the place until the day of their wedding.

Little did they know their wedding planner (me!) would soon discover they were vacationing in London. With a little coaxing, the couple agreed to take a minor detour. In a whirlwind of 12-hours, Ryan and Emily were swept away by the grandeur of Adare Manor. They toured the venue and the surrounding village, explored after party locations, tasted cake options, and even worked in a hair and makeup trial! It was certainly an undertaking, but if their mind wasn’t made up on Adare Manor before, it certainly was now!

When the day finally arrived, Emily and Ryan stayed true to their color scheme. Emily wore a gorgeous white gown by Zuhair Murid and adorned heels by Manolo Blahnik. Ryan wore a dark green, custom-made suit. Once all the details were in place, it was time for the ceremony to begin. A white horse and carriage arrived to whisk Emily off to the ceremony, where guests were taking their seats amongst the meticulously groomed gardens of Adare Manor.

When Emily felt the horse and carriage pull forward, she began to cry. Her fairytale wedding was in motion. Shortly after, tears of joy were transformed into tears of laughter when she encountered all of her best guy friends in kilts and knee high socks. The invitation had specified “Black Tie or Kilt” and her friends had made sure their attire fit the regulations.

During the ceremony, more laughter ensued when Ryan attempted to follow the Jewish tradition of breaking a glass under his foot at the end of the ceremony. Surprisingly, it was much more difficult than he had anticipated. After three tries, the glass finally shattered. It was then that Ryan realized the simple drinking glass had been replaced with a nearly indestructible whiskey bottle!

After the ceremony, Ryan and Emily spent some quiet time together, reflecting on their new roles as husband and wife. With so many emotions surrounding the wedding, it’s easy to be swept up in all the special moments. Taking time away from the crowd post-ceremony to meditate on such a monumental day is imperative. In fact, these are the moments many couples will remember the clearest when recalling their wedding day.

When Ryan and Emily returned to their guests, they were met with a wonderland of green and white floral, candles, and all of their family and friends. The atmosphere was absolutely enchanting.

Emily and Ryan spent the evening celebrating with all their favourite people under a chandelier of lush white and green florals. The Event Band kept the party going so everyone could let loose on the dance floor. Even Emily slipped into a light and breezy Vera Wang party dress that made it much easier to move. With so much to celebrate, dancing all night felt entirely appropriate!

If you ask Ryan and Emily for their advice, the couple’s first recommendation is to inquire with others who have gone before you. Find out what they did and how they did it. Secondly, the couple advocates strongly for an experienced wedding planner. Emily and Ryan knew they wanted a planner from the beginning, but they couldn’t have known how freeing it would be to have someone take control, help make the big decisions, and be there to navigate any unforeseen bumps in the road.

Emily and Ryan’s wedding at Adare Manor was an absolute vision. The beautiful couple spread their contagious joy wherever they went and their true love was evident to everyone in attendance.

Slán go Fóill,

Tara

Make Your Irish Destination Wedding Stand Out

October 24, 2023 by Harmony Walton

Planning a destination wedding is not for the faint of heart. In fact, it requires quite a bit of heart (and a fantastic wedding planner) to pull it all together. If you want to make your Irish destination wedding stand out, it’s truly all in the details. You’ll want to focus on personalisation and infusing your unique story and personality into every aspect of your wedding.

Start with Personal Details

Every couple has a unique story to tell; include it in the story of your wedding day.

Maybe it’s a location that holds significance to your family or to you as a couple. Maybe it’s where your grandparents met, where you had a special date, or simply a place that resonates with you.
When the day arrives, you can set up a display with photographs of important moments in your relationship, from the time you met to your engagement. This visual timeline can be a touching way to share your journey with your guests.
Write vows that reflect your past, present and future. Share anecdotes, promises, and aspirations that are uniquely yours.
Incorporate family heirlooms into your wedding attire or décor. This could be jewelry, a veil, or even a piece of fabric from a family member’s wedding attire.
Create a playlist of songs that are meaningful to you as a couple. Include both Irish tunes and songs that hold significance to your relationship.
Create decorations that reflect your personalities. This could be through personalized signage, table centerpieces that represent your hobbies or interests, or mixing in your favourite colours.

Stand Out with Cultural Elements

If you’ve travelled all this way, Ireland must hold a special place in the hearts of you and your partner. For this reason, incorporating Irish cultural elements will truly make your wedding standout.

Include Irish wedding traditions, such as the Claddagh ring, which represents love, loyalty, and friendship. A handfasting ceremony, where your hands are bound together with ribbon or rope, is a beautiful symbol of unity.
Traditional Irish music and dance will create the perfect ambiance. Consider having a traditional Irish band or dancers perform.
Irish folklore, phrases or blessings in your vows are a memorable way to honour the culture and traditions of the country.
Showcase Irish cuisine in your wedding menu. Incorporate dishes like colcannon, soda bread, Irish stew, and seafood. To make it personal, share stories about why certain dishes are meaningful to you.

Great Details Make Great Memories

There are many ways to make your Irish destination wedding stand out. Start with memories that will last a lifetime.

Engage your guests with interactive elements that showcase Ireland. You could have a whiskey tasting station, Irish dancing lessons, or a DIY station where guests can learn how to make traditional Irish crafts.
Offer guests wedding favours that are tied to Ireland. This could be local chocolates, miniature bottles of Irish whiskey, or small trinkets representing Irish culture.
Instead of a traditional guest book, have guests sign a map of Ireland or a piece of artwork that can be displayed in your home as a lasting memory of your special day.

Remember, it’s all in the details! It’s the personal touches that really create a memorable experience for you and your guests. By incorporating the unique aspects of your love of each other and of Ireland, your wedding will truly be a reflection of your journey together.

Slán go Fóill,

Tara

Images by Brett Harkness Photography, Brosnan Photographic, Under The Veil Weddings, Fred Marigaux Photography

Planning a Memorial Service or Celebration of Life

June 26, 2020June 22, 2020 by Harmony Walton

Over my years as an event planner in Ireland, I’ve been honoured to become part of my clients’ lives. I’ve shared in their happiest moments, such as weddings, birthdays, and baptisms. And I’ve also been called on to help them celebrate their loved ones when they unfortunately pass away, by planning funerals, memorial services, and celebrations of life.

The first time I was asked to do a funeral and memorial service was about thirteen years ago. It was for a very old client, a very well known businessman in Ireland. I had worked with his whole family at different stages. He knew he was ill and dying, so he approached me to plan his funeral and memorial himself. It was an honour and a privilege to be asked.

Since then, I have been asked to plan one or two memorials each year, usually for families I have worked with previously. Most are akin to small state funerals, so I have to liaise with the police, local authorities, etc.

In Ireland, we are known to do death particularly well. We like to treat it as a celebration of life, frequently with a lively wake. Unfortunately, this has not been possible during the time of Coronavirus, where large gatherings are impossible. So I do think that many families will throw a much bigger memorial celebration later on. Meanwhile, they have time to think about the type of service they would like, and the details they will include to remember their loved ones. For example, which music they would like played, which prayers (if any) they might like said, and so on.

If this is something you’re dealing with at the moment, I’m so sorry. Losing a loved one is always heartbreaking, but it must be especially difficult at the moment. To help you, I’ve put down a few of my top tips for planning a meaningful and memorable celebration of life.

You aren’t alone

Planning a memorial service isn’t something you have to do alone. And, while I work closely with the funeral directors, my role has always been a different one. I act as a central point of contact between the family, the florists, musicians, the press, and media (when relevant). In many ways, it’s similar to my role as a wedding planner. It allows the family to hand all the coordination over to me at what is already such a difficult and stressful time.

Consider the seating carefully

That first funeral I planned was at home in a small family chapel, but the memorial was very large. Over a thousand people attended from all over the world, including dignitaries, presidents, and other heads of government. I had to update my knowledge of seating etiquette, and it showed me how important seating is at a memorial.

When creating the seating chart, it’s important to take into account the different aspects of someone’s life, and seat guests accordingly. If you’re dealing with a particularly large headcount, consider creating a second space with video feed. We have often done this, especially where there has been a live broadcast of a funeral mass.

Include a book of condolence

A common feature at a funeral or celebration of life is the book of condolence. At two different memorials, we had areas for guests to sign this, creating a lasting gift for the family. You can also use this opportunity to really stamp your loved one’s personality on the tradition. For example, one person had been involved in the aviation business. We had the undercarriage from an old plane set up in the tent and encouraged all his friends to sign and place messages on it. His children proudly displayed it later, as an homage to their father. Another client was an art collector, so I hung a blank canvas and placed a pot of lipsticks and black sharpie pens beside it so guests could leave their messages.

Select meaningful flowers

Flowers always add warmth and beauty to an event, and a funeral or celebration of life is no exception. Choose flowers that are meaningful to your loved one. For example, you could include their favourite flower varieties or colours, or the flowers of their birth month or the place they were from.

Include those who cannot attend

Even when large gatherings are allowed again, some people may not be able to attend or might be uncomfortable doing so. This is especially true for elderly people who are at higher risk but will want to celebrate the life of their friend or family member. One option is to webcast the memorial service, so they can attend virtually. You could also invite them to share their favourite stories or memories, and play them as part of a tribute video.

If you would like to talk to us about helping plan a funeral, memorial service, or celebration of life on your behalf, do get in touch. I hope we can help make this difficult time one of happy memories.

Slán go Fóill,

Tara

Image by John Ryan Photography