Irish Dancer Elegance for A Spectacular Celebration at Gosford Castle in Northern Ireland

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Welcome to the wedding of Carla and Ronan, which took place on 20th September 2013. It was a beautiful day held at the most elegant of settings – Gosford Castle in Country Armagh, Northern Ireland – and filled with meaningful touches. I’m sure that now, almost a year on, the couple adore reliving the details of their day through these photographs by Paula O’Hara.

Broadcast journalist Carla and trainee public health consultant Ronan married in the Carla’s home village of Caledon, County Tyrone, with a reception in the grounds of Gosford Castle.  The couple planned their day in little over a year with the very able assistance of Julie-Anne Robertson at Event Planners NI, who also sourced and styled all the décor on the day.

We wanted to get married in my beautiful home village and we got engaged at Gosford Castle, so it has a special place in our hearts. We were thrilled to be able to hold our reception in the grounds.”

Photography Copyright (c) 2014, Paula O’Hara

river dancing bride, gosford castle, paula ohara photography

“We met on 28th February, 2008. I was touring Germany at the time and Ronan was visiting a friend from college – who happened to be our troupe physiotherapist, Conor. He and my good friend Niamh thought this would be a ideal time to play matchmakers. How right they were! From the minute we clapped eyes on each other we knew something very special had happened. The next day was 29th February – my sister Emma joked that I should’ve asked him to marry me!

I was due to finish touring a few months later and Ronan was due to start research work in Galway, so we knew being in the same country could make this all work out. The rest as they say is (a wonderful) history. We got engaged at Gosford Castle in August 2012.”

river dancing bride, gosford castle, paula ohara photography

Carla shares the story behind her stunning gown.

“My dress was the result of collaboration between my mum, Teresa O’Brien, and Alison-Jayne Wilson, from Alison-Jayne Couture in Belfast. My mum is a wonderful creator of Carrickmacross lace and Irish crochet. Together, we agreed on a design for the back of my dress which my mum made, together with the crochet lace trim. Alison-Jayne made the rest. 

I loved how Alison-Jayne and Mummy worked together. Their attention to detail, flair and passion for their craft made this dress – which I could only have dreamt of before – a wonderful reality. It felt very special to be able to wear something my mum had made. Her talents know no bounds. She made her own wedding dress over 40 years ago, elements of which she re-created for mine, so I felt like I had a little bit of her with me throughout the day.” 

river dancing bride, gosford castle, paula ohara photography

The bridesmaid’s gorgeous blush-pink maxi is from Ted Baker.

river dancing bride, gosford castle, paula ohara photography

“We loved our flowers, which came from The Flower Studio in Dundalk. I didn’t want roses or anything too formal, and just wanted them to be relaxed, wild and cheerful. We were delighted with what Caroline and her team did for us.”

river dancing bride, gosford castle, paula ohara photography

“Our photographer was Paula O’Hara and she was an absolute dream to have around us on the day. At times we didn’t even know she was there, but she somehow managed to capture each and every special moment. Paula listened to our requirements intently and gave us wonderful memories we’ll cherish for a lifetime.”

river dancing bride, gosford castle, paula ohara photographyriver dancing bride, gosford castle, paula ohara photography

river dancing bride, gosford castle, paula ohara photography

Carla also wore a pair of earrings from Etsy and a bracelet inscribed ‘Partner in Crime’ – a gift from her best friend. Those amazing (and amazingly high!) salmon-pink shoes are from Kurt Geiger. Her make up on the day was taken care of by Carol Beecher, based in Dublin, and her pretty up-do was styled by Jess Kinnersley and Joanne Mulgrew, Holywood, County Down. The incredible smile is the bride’s own!

river dancing bride, gosford castle, paula ohara photography

river dancing bride, gosford castle, paula ohara photography

river dancing bride, gosford castle, paula ohara photography

river dancing bride, gosford castle, paula ohara photography

river dancing bride, gosford castle, paula ohara photography

river dancing bride, gosford castle, paula ohara photography

river dancing bride, gosford castle, paula ohara photography

Carla walked down the aisle with her mum, Teresa, to the traditional sound of The Home Ruler Hornpipe, performed by Cathal Hayden, Mark Mohan and Damien Mullane.

“My favourite memory from the day is seeing Ronan’s smile as I walked towards him. Our ceremony felt very special and I wished it could have gone on forever!”

river dancing bride, gosford castle, paula ohara photography

river dancing bride, gosford castle, paula ohara photography

river dancing bride, gosford castle, paula ohara photography

river dancing bride, gosford castle, paula ohara photography

river dancing bride, gosford castle, paula ohara photography

river dancing bride, gosford castle, paula ohara photography

river dancing bride, gosford castle, paula ohara photography

river dancing bride, gosford castle, paula ohara photography

river dancing bride, gosford castle, paula ohara photography

river dancing bride, gosford castle, paula ohara photography

river dancing bride, gosford castle, paula ohara photography

river dancing bride, gosford castle, paula ohara photography

Catering on the day came from Jane’s Kitchen“David and Jane Allen provided us with a wedding feast that could not have been more delicious. Their professionalism, creativity and the quality of their food was astounding. Our guests are still talking about how beautiful the food was on the day!

river dancing bride, gosford castle, paula ohara photography

river dancing bride, gosford castle, paula ohara photography

river dancing bride, gosford castle, paula ohara photography

river dancing bride, gosford castle, paula ohara photography

river dancing bride, gosford castle, paula ohara photography

river dancing bride, gosford castle, paula ohara photography

river dancing bride, gosford castle, paula ohara photography

river dancing bride, gosford castle, paula ohara photography

river dancing bride, gosford castle, paula ohara photography

Carla and Ronan had their first dance to Galileo by Declan O’Rourke, and later enjoyed entertainment from covers band The Housem8s. I love the photos from later in the evening, when shoes are kicked off and everyone joins hands and just loses themselves in the music.  Carla actually toured as a professional dancer with the the hit show ‘Riverdance‘, and Irish danced the night away with her old friends and cast from the show. So much laughter and fun, and just the perfect way to round off an incredible day.

river dancing bride, gosford castle, paula ohara photography

river dancing bride, gosford castle, paula ohara photography

river dancing bride, gosford castle, paula ohara photography

river dancing bride, gosford castle, paula ohara photography

Thank you so much Carla and Ronan, and of course photographer Paula O’Hara too,  for sharing your story and these lovely images.

Love Kate xx

 

Photographer – Paula O’Hara
Venue – Gosford Castle, County Armagh
Event planner – EventPlannersNI
Dress – Alison-Jayne Couture, Belfast, together with the bride’s mother
Shoes – Kurt Geiger
Accessories – Earrings from Etsy
Hair – Jess Kinnersley and Joanne Mulgrew, Holywood, County Down (no website)
Make-up – Carol Beecher, Dublin
Groom – suit Next+ shoes Schuh
Rings – engagement ring Delphi Antiques, Dublin + wedding rings John Brereton Jewellers, Dublin
Bridesmaids­ – Ted Baker
Flowergirls – Ted Baker for Debenhams
Flowers – The Flower Studio, Dundalk
Cake – Made by friends and family
Caterers – Jane’s Kitchen
Entertainment – The Housem8s

 

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