Incredible Wedding was Highlight of 2018

We may be in 2019 but looking back to last year, there was really only one outstanding highlight from our perspective.

It is nearly six months since Kirstin and Mark’s wonderful wedding at Ballymagarvey Village in County Meath and we have had great fun recently looking through the photos and the video, seeing all the bits that we missed on the day. It honestly could not have been more perfect.

They met through their mutual love of and involvement in amateur musicals. I wrote before on how Mark proposed in The Olympia Theatre by writing a mini musical about how they met and their ensuing ‘courtship’ (not sure if that term is even used still!).

So, the wedding followed a similar theme. The invitation was a pastiche of the poster for the Brad Pitt/Angelina Jolie film “Mr & Mrs Smith”, with the addition of Logan who decided to interrupt proceedings. They did consider sending the invitation electronically and if they had would have used Paperless Post. Have you heard of them? In today’s digital age it would have been the perfect choice. First of all it would have cut down on costs and secondly it would have saved a lot of time.

Their table plans were small posters of well-known films and musicals (see below) with Kirstin, Mark and members of both families superimposed on them. We spent an afternoon getting our headshots taken at just the right angles; even Logan made an appearance.

The day started at our home with the arrival of make-up artist Sarah Keary, who did an amazing job (never re-touched my make-up for the rest of the day), hair-stylist, sweetheart and genius Darren Lacken from Crow Street Collective and Kirstin and Courtney’s ‘oldest’ friends known as the ‘Biscayne Forever’ gang (below).  The colour co-ordination of their dresses, by the way, was completely accidental.

It was one of the hottest days of the summer and I was so glad that I had chosen a light silk LK Bennett dress as my  outfit. I had fun searching for the mother-of-the bride outfit (some of you might remember that post), but I definitely made the right choice in the end!

The entire day’s proceedings took place in Ballymagarvey Village. 

They opted for a spiritual, humanist ceremony (they wrote their own vows), which was so moving that many of us (including the Best Man Matthew Carpenter) were in tears. OK, I decided not to show you that one, so here is one of him (with the groom) looking happy!

The music, as you would expect, was exceptional, with very talented friends lending their voices and musical talents for the occasion.

The fact that they were married by Kirstin’s good friend Jean Noonan (whom she met in India 12 years earlier during their university days when they both taught children in the Delhi slums) meant that there was a very personal touch. (Jean is an Officiant of the Spiritualist Union of Ireland, a registered Solemniser and a qualified Yoga teacher with Anam Solas Yoga).

Jean’s sense of humour and engaging personality made it a unique and special occasion. It is no wonder she is in great demand in her native Cork and its environs, but I know she travels further afield also.

Did I mention that it was probably the hottest day of the summer and the celebrations, enhanced by music from The Prickly Pairs, continued inside and out until very late!!!

I am not getting paid by Ballymagarvey to write this, but Kirstin and Mark could not have been happier with the venue from the décor, ambience, wonderful food, top notch-service and their professional approach to all aspects of their day.

Both of them were determined to spend the least time possible on formal photos and the husband-and-wife team Neil and Kristy Campbell captured the relaxed vibe of the day with very little posing and plenty of candid pics. The lovely Keegan family shot (below) was one of the few posed ones, but even that is relaxed.

 

The videographer David from DC Media delivered a wonderful memento of the day, both in highlights and a longer version. Graham and I sat recently for over two hours looking at the longer version, realising that we missed several funny episodes.

It was a very emotional day and I admit I shed a few tears, but it was also an incredibly happy day and our daughter made a stunning bride. Courtney was a wonderful Maid of Honour, giving incredible support to her sister both on the day, but also during the months running up to it. Courtney’s dress was from the Needle and Thread label and virtually chosen at the last minute.

I loved Kirstin’s dress which was extremely comfortable (very important when you have a toddler to pick up and carry around) as well as beautiful. The three of us enjoyed the search for it, and her dream dress was found eventually in Myrtle Ivory.  Megan was so helpful, nothing was too much trouble, the entire experience was relaxed and enjoyable and that is exactly what you want. The flowers were beautifully simple and very reasonably priced.

We all know how important it is to enjoy the special moments in our lives.  Graham’s health scare soon after the wedding certainly reinforces that.

Kirstin and Mark’s wedding will be up there with our wedding day (our 36^th year anniversary was the following day), the birth of our girls and more recently the birth of our grandson Logan.

 

                              ‘Cherish your yesterdays, dream your tomorrows and live your todays.’