“Having already been together over a decade, we started a very short journey from deciding in May to get hitched to tying the knot that very August with literally only the 3 month’s notice we needed to give the registrar of our intention to marry!”
The couple: Karol Ryan & Brendan Tallon
Length of engagement: 3 Whole Months | Wedding date: 21st of August 2016
Wedding venue: Tinakilly Country House, Co. Wicklow
Photographer: Konrad Kubic Photography
We met… In the ‘Bluelight’ Pub in the Dublin mountains in 2002. It’s an authentic Irish bar with regular live music, we both used to go there and got chatting a couple of times. We hadn’t any mutual friends so it took a while before we got to know each other and then arrange to go out.
Our proposal… Having already been together over a decade, we started a very short journey from deciding in May to get hitched to tying the knot that very August with literally only the 3 month’s notice we needed to give the registrar of our intention to marry! We booked ‘The Venue’ straight away!
My hair and makeup… I wanted old Hollywood glam, so I watched a few Youtube videos on how to recreate that look. I have not been happy with my hair after having it done for past weddings. I did not want that to happen on my wedding day. In general, I’m good at doing my own hair so I did it myself and I was happy with how it turned out. I also did my own makeup and used Urban Decay Naked palette for my eyes.
His suit… We bought it in House of Fraser.
Our ceremony… Brendan plays in the wedding band BeatClub and the lads in the band provided all the music for the ceremony and drinks reception, Trumpet fanfare on bride’s arrival as you do, Beatle ballads, Bach. And after, light Jazz while guests enjoyed Prosecco.
My dress… A Badgley Mischka gold sequin gown with a train, capped sleeves and cowl back which I bought from Saks in New York and absolutely loved wearing.
We chose our photographer because… We checked through so many photographers photos online and a lot of them were either too stiff or obscure, with Konrad (Konrad Kubic Photography) he seemed to capture the essence of people without it looking forced or unnatural. I wouldn’t say we were the easiest clients because neither of us like getting our photo taken! We had opinions on what we didn’t like before we even got started, poor Konrad! However, Konrad is a total gentleman and nothing was a problem, he has an amazing eye and is naturally artistic. The album we got was absolutely beautiful, the nicest finish I’ve ever seen and he is really well priced for the quality of his work!
We chose our venue because… We wanted a civil ceremony, a different room to dine in, a gorgeous old building with beautiful views and grounds to wow the guests with and to look amazing in our wedding photos. It also had to be somewhere close to Dublin where we and our guests live and old fashioned rooms where you could stay.
Brendan, having played music at a couple of weddings in Tinakilly Country House recommended it early on. I went down not having any knowledge of the place. From the contrast of driving through traffic heavy Rathnew village to the long green drive of Tinakilly, I was massively taken aback. I was so surprised to see this big old and beautiful house showing through the foliage at the end of the long driveway. With its lawns and sea views, it’s perfect for weddings.
The Halpin room was shown to us no problem, no appointment and it was so full of light that I knew the ceremony and décor of the room would be beautiful in our photos. I was convinced after just one viewing that Tinakilly would be the ideal venue for us. I met Catherine who answered all my questions promptly and I don’t believe she ever said the word no to us once. We wanted to put our own stamp on the venue and with Tinakilly we could. There was just 50 plus at our wedding, family and close friends, relaxed, no fuss, it was just perfect! All of our guests were blown away by the venue, their rooms and the ambiance of Tinakilly.
Our wedding theme/colours… Gold, turquoise and pink.
Our menu…
Starters
Salad of beetroot, walnut and caramelised pear with goats cheese croquettes
or Duck Liver parfait with cognac madeira jelly, toasted brioche
or Finest quality smoked salmon creamed cheese roulade with herbs, tomato, capers and lemon
Mains
Prime roast sirloin of Irish beef with glazed onions & red wine jus
or Seared fillet of seabass, braised chicory, chive beurre blanc
or Roast breast of chicken with wild mushroom and spinach risotto, roasting juices
Afters
Selection of cakes and Irish farmhouse cheeses
Our honeymoon… was in Portugal in the hills outside Loulé. We toured the medieval villages all around, Roman ruins, castles, spent a few days at the beach, mornings by the pool, went to festivals, markets, sampled all the little local restaurants we could find and had a fantastic time.
My favourite part of the wedding day… We don’t have one favourite part but we definitely enjoyed the music and dancing, we never danced so much (BeatClub were our band)!
My piece of advice for other brides… Think of it as the biggest party you’re ever going to throw and you want to enjoy every minute of it, if the hosts are having fun, everybody else will too!
Suppliers:
Venue: Tinakilly Country House, Wicklow | Photographer: Konrad Kubic Photography | Band: Groom arranged the music using his band BeatClub | DIY: Bride made the invitations, headpiece, buttonholes and centrepieces, place names, table plan, wedding sign and flower arrangements in the lead up to the wedding.
