Bride: Karen Deenihan, Marketing Manager
Groom: Vincent Brennan, Engineer
Length of engagement: 1 ½ years.
Wedding date: 12 August 2012.
Wedding ceremony: Sacred Heart Church Kilmoyley, Co. Kerry.
Wedding reception: Ballyseede Castle.
Wedding photographer: Deirdre O’Keefe – DOK Photography.
We met… On a blind date six years ago. He wanted to go for coffee, but I managed to drag him to a dinner party with three of my friends and their partners! Brave man, good sign!
First impressions of Vincent… Tall, dark and very handsome. Vin struck me as a cool and quirky character with a unique sense of style and taste. From the get go I knew he was special, the kind of guy that everyone likes. He’s very sociable, generous, kind and he has a great sense of family about him. Little did I know at the time that he is also a fabulous chef, singer and guitar player!
Vincent’s first impressions of you… Fun, feisty, gorgeous and fabulous. I got to know a very genuine and lovely person who was very kind-hearted and whose values I admired.
Our proposal… In Nice in the gardens of the Matisse Museum on a gorgeous sunny day in March.
Our ceremony… Our priest, Fr Tadgh Fitzgerald gave a fantastic and touching ceremony. He only met us a couple of times, but I really felt he captured the essence of me and Vin as individuals and as a couple. It was the proudest moment of my life saying I do to Vin. I was amazed I managed to hold back the tears (I feel teary thinking about it now!).
Our favourite part of the wedding… There were so many. From my bridesmaids, hairdresser and makeup artist being so amazing the morning of the wedding, to walking up the aisle and seeing Vin’s smiling face waiting for me, to breaking down laughing at the isle as I couldn’t get the ring on Vin’s finger, to our amazing photographer Deirdre, who made everyone laugh and feel at ease while still getting some amazing photos, to our first dance, to the speeches (where I grabbed the mike and did an impromptu speech on the day) to sharing the day with everyone we love. These memories are cherished and will last a lifetime.
Our wedding theme/ colours… No theme! We just went for elegance and simplicity all the way. My dress was champagne, our flowers were cream, the bridesmaid’s dresses were raspberry and our invites were ivory and raspberry. It was back to first principles, committing our future to one another in the company of our family and best friends and celebrating a great occasion. We themed our tables after 80s’ TV shows – once a child of the 80s always a child of the 80s.
Our bridesmaids… My sisters and best friends, Gilly (chief), Joey and Narry.
Our groomsmen…Vincent’s brothers in arms Lee Harlow, Mark Cunniffe and Shane Mannion.
We chose our venue because… We always loved Ballyseede Castle and we were not disappointed. They pulled off a truly spectacular and faultless day for us. Between excellent food, amazing service to just beautiful décor. We intuitively knew this venue was the place where we wanted to celebrate this special occasion and time in our lives. It was remarkable.
Our favourite wedding picture… There are so many, but the two I really love are the one of me and Vin kissing on the beach where I’m holding my dress up.
My dress… I loved, loved, loved my dress. It was a simple champagne silk boned dress, with a diamante feature on the waist and a gorgeous organza silk skirt. I purchased it in Sharon Hoey, who was an absolute dream to deal with. The minute I tried it on I knew no other dress would compare. I felt like a princess in it.
Our first dance… Wonderful World –a gorgeous song that summed up how we felt on the day.
My advice for other brides… A wedding is as stressful as you make it. Leaving everything to the last minute will stress you out. Not worrying too much about the small things and getting the big things (band, church, venue, music and photographer) organised early will make for a nice and chilled out run up to the wedding. Get plenty of hair and make-up trials, I tried loads of different looks until I got the one that I felt captured me. Your wedding day is the most wonderful and special day of your life, so looking forward to the day is the feeling you foster, not stress!
Vendors
Dress: Sharon Hoey
Headpiece for when the veil came off: Timepieces, Roscommon
Shoes: Gina
Suit: Donnellans Roscommon.
Bridesmaid Dresses: Debenhams
Flowers: All Seasons Florist
Music: Church and drinks ceremony – Lucia McGuiness on the harp. Reception – The Connor McKeon Band.
Cake: Mary Bennett, Roscommon
Make-up: Aspirations of Tralee
Hair: Patricks of Tralee
Stationery: Daintree