Eilis and Mark celebrated their wedding in the Victorian Country House, Middleton Park House. With a mix of the traditional and a twist of vintage glamour these lovebirds kept it real with memorable music and family and friends - not to mention a stunning Jenny Packham gown.
Getting back into the swing of things slowly but surely this morning, what could cheer up the Post-Bank Holiday Tuesday blues better than a gorgeous real wedding? This morning we pop down to Westmeath to Middleton Park House where Eilis and Mark celebrated their wedding in the Victorian mansion, surrounded by fun-loving family and friends. With a mix of classic style and a dash of old school glamour these lovebirds created a celebration that was grand but personal, as every wedding should be. Special thanks to David McClelland for sharing his lovely images.
Eilis and Mark met over a mutual love of giving back, a great start to any relationship - Eilis told us their story... "Mark and I met in 2005 in Barretstown Camp. I was volunteering with the amazing charity and the handsome Mark was working there at the time. We met during camp thanks to a ‘misdirected’ flying Frisbee (according to Mark). We struck up a close friendship straightaway but actually getting together didn’t happen for some time. I travelled the world for a year but we kept in touch as much as we could, and it was back in Barretstown one year later that we met again. I think we both knew straightaway that we’d try and give it a shot. We faced a few challenges along the way, Mark got an internship in the US and spent two years working in Connecticut so we spent all our hols and all of our pocket money travelling back and forth to one another. Finally I convinced Mark that I was worth coming home for and we made the big move West to the beautiful city of Galway.
Eilis chose a stunning Jenny Packham dress for her big day. A delicate and feminine A-line dress with the bodice and skirt made of cream tulle, with a beautifully detailed jewel embellished band at the waist - drop dead gorgeous!
We are loving Eilis' style, complimenting her fabulous Jenny Packham dress she added vintage shoes rented from Covet a soft up-style for her hair, a flower hair accessorie and a delicate smoky eyes and natural blush, she is a vintage bride with a modern edge.
Eilis and Mark chose Middleton Park House as the location for both ceremony and reception. The gorgeous Victorian country house is hidden in secluded woodland with views of lovely rolling countryside, an idyllic setting for two lovebirds to tie the knot, and perfect for a mad hooley afterwards! Eilis and Mark had their ceremony in the basement of the house which created plenty of atmosphere, and then came up the stairs for a champagne reception.
Now there's some happy looking newlyweds, yay!
We really wanted our wedding to be a relaxed, genuine party, reflective of the couple we are and a day to share with all of our closest family and friends. We can honestly say that every single bit of the planning, preparation and the actual day itself was more than we could have hoped for. Our ceremony was such an important aspect to the day. Mark and I created our own ceremony together with music, passages poetry and vows that meant so much to us — it was definitely our outstanding memory of the day.
Eilis and Mark added their own personal touch to elements of the day, they framed pictures of their own parents on their wedding day and even spent some long evenings creating C.D.s with the music from the ceremony and their first dance songs to give to guests as wedding favours in the words of the lovely bride... Music can sometimes say a lot more than words can!
After a world wind day, the couple stole a few moments alone before heading into the reception. How sweet are these portraits - go David McClelland!
Having the house to themselves was a huge plus as they were able to have the dinner in a Victorian dining room and dance the night away in the grand entrance hall.
It was such a celebration from beginning to end with so much input from all our family and friends. I think everyone felt as relaxed as we did and that is exactly what we had hoped for. It was the people that made our wedding — to see all our family and friends so genuinely happy, mingling so easily and partying late into the night — what more could a bride and groom ask for!
Any final words of wisdom to share with us? "Our advice would definitely be remember why you are getting married and what it all really means. Don’t get caught up in the craziness of the wedding world! Create a day together that is reflective of you as the couple you are. Don’t think about other people’s expectations — it is your day and those that love you only want to see you smile!"
Congratulations Eilis and Mark - long life and happiness to you both! And of course a big Thank You to David McClelland for sharing his work with us to see more of David's beautiful weddings pop over www.davidmcclelland-photography.com.