Tag: unique wedding details

Extravagant Garden Weddings Inspired by the 2024 Met Gala

by Harmony Walton

In my opinion, nothing exudes romance and sophistication quite like a garden wedding. In 2024, the Met Gala has set an inspiring precedent for lavish, nature-inspired events, making it the perfect muse for couples seeking an extravagant garden wedding. This year’s Met Gala was a feast for the senses, blending opulence with the organic beauty of nature. Ultimately, it created a vision that seamlessly translates into the ultimate dream wedding.

The Allure of Nature Meets High Fashion

The 2024 Met Gala, themed “Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion” and with a dress code of “The Garden of Time,” showcased the most glamorous interpretations of the natural world. Celebrities graced the red carpet adorned in couture gowns reminiscent of blooming gardens, cascading waterfalls, and lush bouquets. This celebration of nature’s splendor provides the perfect blueprint for a grand garden wedding.

Setting the Scene: A Verdant Venue

Choosing the right venue is paramount to capturing the essence of a Met Gala-inspired garden wedding. Opt for a botanical garden, an estate with sprawling lawns, or a historic mansion surrounded by lush greenery. A great example of this theme is found in the above image of Ryan and Emily’s Fairytale Wedding at Adare Manor. These venues offer a natural backdrop that can be enhanced with luxurious floral arrangements and elaborate landscaping. Picture a ceremony beneath a canopy of wisteria, with petals scattered along the aisle, or a reception under the stars with twinkling fairy lights woven through ancient trees.

If we are taking inspiration from the Met Gala, where florals were not just accents but central to the overall aesthetic, your wedding should feature abundant, artfully arranged flowers. Think oversized floral installations, such as arches dripping with orchids and roses, tablescapes overflowing with peonies and hydrangeas, and even floral chandeliers. Each arrangement should display the wild beauty of nature, but with a touch of curated elegance to make it feel like an enchanted forest.

Sumptuous Dining in Nature’s Lap

Continuing the theme, a garden wedding inspired by the Met Gala should offer a dining experience that is as visually stunning as it is delicious. I imagine this as long banquet tables adorned with cascading floral centerpieces, gilded tableware, and crystal glassware. Menus can draw on fresh, seasonal ingredients, reflecting the bounty of the garden. I love the idea of serving dishes that incorporate edible flowers and herbs, along with signature cocktails infused with botanical flavours.

Fashion Forward Bridal and Guest Attire

The Met Gala is ultimately a fashion show, so it’s imperative to channel the high-fashion sensibility of the Met Gala into your wedding attire. For the bride, consider a gown that combines traditional elements with avant-garde details—perhaps a dress with intricate floral appliqués, a dramatic train that mimics cascading vines, or a delicate lace bodice reminiscent of spider silk. Bridesmaids can wear gowns in varying shades of green, pink, or even metallic hues that imitate the organic colours of the garden.

To take it one step further, guests should be encouraged to dress in their finest garden-inspired attire. With this motivation, your wedding will be sure to create a scene straight out of a fashion editorial. You can aid your attendees in choosing the right attire by offering the image of a natural theme with botanical prints, soft pastels, and elegant fabrics.

Entertainment to Enchant

In true Met Gala fashion, entertainment should be an unforgettable spectacle. Live music can create a magical atmosphere. For a touch of whimsy, consider adding performances by acrobats or dancers dressed as woodland creatures, bringing a fantastical element to the evening. When you give your entertainers a enchanted place to perform, they will seamlessly blend in to the celebration and likely be inspired by such a creative and marvellous atmosphere.

When you have gone to such great lengths to create an extravagant garden wedding, it’s important to ensure that every moment is captured with the same meticulous detail that characterizes the Met Gala. Hiring a skilled photographer and videographer who can capture the interplay of light and nature, the intricate details of the décor, and the joyous moments shared with loved ones will allow you to relive the magic for years to come.

Inspired by the grandeur and natural beauty celebrated at the 2024 Met Gala, an extravagant garden wedding can be a breathtaking blend of opulence and organic charm. With an event planner that prioritizes thoughtful organisation and attention to detail, your special day can become a timeless celebration that mirrors the elegance of the Met Gala and the timeless beauty of nature.

Slán go Fóill,

Tara

Images by Brosnan Photographic

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

Pantone Colour of the Year: 2024 Wedding Ideas

by Harmony Walton

Pantone has selected the colour of 2024 and they’ve gone with warmth for the new year. Pantone 13-1024, also known as Peach Fuzz, is a gentle mix of oranges and pinks that creates a warm peach tone. There are a thousand ways to incorporate the colour into your big day, but here are a few ideas on how to use the Pantone colour of the year in your wedding décor.

Florals and Lighting

Florals are always a great way to add pops of colour into your wedding day and lighting just enhances every tone. You can opt for an all peach fuzz bouquet like the one above or mix in a few subtle whites and greens to make the colour really stand out.

A touch of this orange-pink hue also makes for a great floral centrepiece. Couple these stunning displays with warm lighting, or even a gently tinted light to enhance the colour, and your venue is sure to wow!

Table Runners

A table runner can be any texture you desire, and it is a perfect way to weave the colour of the year into the details of your big day. Whether you opt for silk, satin, cotton, or any other fabric, peach fuzz is going to be an easy find in the new year.

Take your décor one step further with a table runner made completely of florals!

Bridal Party Attire

We can’t talk about colour without addressing bridal party attire! One of the most essential pieces of designing your dream day is the bridal party, and the most important people in a bride’s life will be front and centre with her throughout the ceremony.

Nothing will say “the colour of the day is peach fuzz” quite like a bridal party all adorned in the gentle tone. It may be easiest to purchase the same outfit for every bridesmaid to keep the colour cohesive, but if you want to have different designs make sure to start with one and colour match from there.

Embroidered Linens

Want to include the colour of 2024 in a subtle way or even in the smallest details of the day? Embroidered linens are a great touch if you’re looking for subtle, or even if you want to have the colour included in the little pieces of décor.

Tip: Choose a base colour like white or off-white and have the embroidery done in Pantone 13-1024 for an elegant look.

Candles and Cakes

Another centrepiece of any wedding décor is the cake, and with it, the candles across the tables. One way to include the warm peach tone is like in the cake above, having a one-tone cake with texture as the accent to make it pop.

If you aren’t fond of the one-tone approach, you can choose a base colour to act as the main hue of the cake and opt for peachy florals or other decorations to make the dessert pop.

Whether you go all in with the Pantone colour of the year, or opt to have it as a secondary accent tone for your big day, the results are bound to be stunning. I personally can’t wait to continue to use the gorgeous warm colour in the 2024 wedding season!

Slán go Fóill,

Tara

Images by Unikeye, Ivana Patarcic, and Studio Brown

Destination Wedding Trends for 2024

by Harmony Walton

One of the beautiful things about life is that it’s always changing. It makes sense that love and weddings are ever-evolving, too. Here are some 2024 destination wedding trends to consider as you begin your planning adventure:

Unplugged Weddings

While this isn’t a new idea, it’s gaining popularity year by year. Some guests might struggle with unplugging from their ever-present electronic devices, but if you make it a wedding rule, you’ll find that most will thank you for the break from reality by the end of the event. Without distractions, your guests can truly spend some intentional time with one another. When you ask guests to disconnect from their devices during the ceremony, it encourages a more present and intimate experience. Plus, you don’t have to worry about the incredibly awkward moment of a ringing phone in the middle of your vows!

Virtual Elements

It might sound like I’m contradicting myself with the last point, but with the rise of virtual weddings during the pandemic, lots of couples have continued to incorporate virtual elements into their destination weddings for guests who can’t attend in person. Being able to attend in real-time, even though they are miles (or countries) away, will mean so much to your loved ones. Plus, with the ability to record and live-stream each precious moment, this reduces your guests’ compulsion to grab their devices and record for you. It also reduces the amount of cell phones inelegantly held overhead during the ceremony.

Eco-Friendly Weddings & Cultural Experiences

Sustainability and eco-consciousness have been on the rise in the wedding industry. Couples are choosing eco-friendly destination wedding locations, minimizing waste, and opting for sustainable décor and practices. They have also become much more culturally aware. Couples have been going out of their way to incorporate the customs of local culture into their wedding, including cuisine, music, and traditions. Here are some unique ways to incorporate cultural aspects and Make Your Irish Destination Wedding Stand Out.

Unique Locations & Intimate Gatherings

Couples are looking beyond traditional wedding locations and seeking unique, off-the-beaten-path destinations for their weddings. This might include mountains, forests, historical landmarks, or (may I suggest) beautiful historic Irish castles? With locations becoming more remote, we’ve seen another trend sprout forth – smaller, more intimate gatherings. Couples are often opting for quality time with a select group of loved ones rather than hosting large affairs. Pared-down events might also allow couples to invite their guests to spend more days or attend more activities.

Multi-Day Celebrations

That being said, some couples are extending their destination wedding festivities over several days, allowing for more relaxed and meaningful interactions with their guests. Knowing there are extra days to spend celebrating means more time for conversation with family and friends. It also means more time for adventures – like hiking, hot air ballooning, boating or falconry! Yep. Falconry.

As trends vary from year to year, you can depend on your wedding planner to keep you in the loop on factors like culture, economy and current events (especially if you plan on having your destination wedding in Ireland or any other country). One thing that never changes, though, are that weddings will always be about celebrating love and bringing friends and family together for the most important moment of your lives. That’s something we can always rely on.

Slán go Fóill,

Tara

Images collected from Story of Eve 

Make Your Irish Destination Wedding Stand Out

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