“It turned into a two day festival… on the evening before our wedding, Paul met a bluegrass band (there was a bluegrass festival on in Mohill the same weekend) and as luck would have it, he knew a member of the band from way back. The band, The Greasy Coat String Band, agreed to play at the barbecue on the Sunday.“
The couple: Alice Cummins & Paul O’Dwyer
Length of engagement: 2 years 5 months | Wedding date: 10th August 2013.
Wedding location: Lough Rynn Castle, Mohill, Co. Leitrim
Photographer: Michelle Prunty
We met… We met at a gig in the Temple Bar Music Centre (since renamed Button Factory and something else again now!) My brother was managing a band and we had two mutual friends in the band. Paul and I got chatting and Paul was suitably impressed when I offered to buy him a drink back. I explained the ‘rounds’ system as I understood it, and he explained it hadn’t worked out in his favour on previous occasions!
Our proposal… As a treat, Paul had brought me away for a weekend in Knockranny House Hotel, in Westport. Sometime in the past, as part of some deal or other with Paul, I had agreed to climb Ireland’s holiest mountain; Croagh Patrick (Paul had wanted to do this for years). When we reached the summit, Paul suddenly walked away from me and stood at one side looking out (into the clouds). I was a bit puzzled at his behaviour but just put it down to him having a religious moment! Around two minutes later he came back over to me with a beaming smile, knelt down on one knee and asked the tried and tested line: “Will you marry me?” I was shocked and asked him: “are you sure?” and he said “Yes”, and I said “Yes”; and the rest is history. It was a fantastic proposal, it caught me totally off guard – I had a feeling a proposal might be on the cards around that time and always thought it would take place in a restaurant with me dolled-up to the nines and not in a tracksuit, runners, no make-up and on top of a mountain!
His suit… Since I’ve met Paul I’ve turned him into a real slick dresser… when we first met, he had with him his father’s coat from the 1960s! We’re big fans of Italy and travel there at least once a year. He knew the type of suit he wanted and tried on around 10 suits in various shops in Florence and then finally found an Italian designer made suit that was a perfect fit and was at a somewhat reasonable price! He now only does his clothes shopping in Italy!
What our bridal party wore… My bridesmaids wore dusky pink lace knee length dresses from Ariella at House of Fraser teamed with pink four inch heels from Nine West. Our flower girl wore a peach/pink dress, peach shoes and a butterfly band from Monsoon and our pageboy wore a suit from Next.
Our wedding theme/colours… Our theme was a traditional Irish wedding with vintage touches. Our colours were dusky pink, lace and naturally arranged Irish countryside flowers.
Our ceremony… Our ceremony was held in St.Patrick’s Church in Mohill. We chose this church because of the lovely high vaulted timber ceilings and its proximity to the venue. Alice’s parish priest officiated and was quick to make both of us at ease in the church. We had excellent musicians in the church called The Tuttels from Galway who played Irish aires (including aires from my great granduncle’s collection – Frank Roche had travelled the country collecting Irish aires and published a collection of Irish aires called ‘The Frank Roche’ collection). They also played a few lively numbers during the signing of the register which thankfully the priest enjoyed…
My dress… My dress was a full length lace and silk gown with lace trim veil and headpiece from Edel Tuite Bridal Designs in Drogheda, Co. Louth. I wore gold Jimmy Choo shoes from Brown Thomas.
We chose our photographer because… We met Michelle Prunty initially at a wedding fair. We liked her natural classic style and warm personality. She had the option of having all our photographs on a ‘disc only’ package if we wished which meant we got all our photos from our wedding day. After the wedding, we opted for an album and two tailored parents albums. We made the right choice with Michelle.
We chose our venue because… Lough Rynn Castle is a lovely restored manor home overlooking a large lawn and Lough Rynn. It has excellent gardens including a walled garden. The food and service is five star.
Our menu…
Starters
Choice of Tian of Smoked Chicken and Mango, Mixed leaves, Tarragon Vinaigrette or
Ham Hock and Sweet Potato Ballontine with Balsamic Oil
Soup
Carrot & Coriander (Choice of Pea and Mint for Top Table)
Main Course
Choice of Pan Fried Fillet of Beef, Roasted Shallots Ragout, Creamed Potatoes, Red Wine Jus or
Pan Fried Fillet of Seabass, Sweet Potatoes Fondant, Mixed Vegetables Saffron Veloute
Vegetarian Option
Filo Parcel with Mascarpone Cheese, Sun Blushed Tomato and Spinach, Balsamic Reduction
Dessert
Trio of Mini Desert (Banoffi, Raspberry Crème Brûlée, Strawberry Cheesecake)
My favourite part of the wedding day… I can’t narrow it down to one single thing. It turned into a two day festival… on the evening before our wedding, Paul had met a bluegrass band (there was a bluegrass festival on in Mohill the same weekend) and as luck would have it, he knew a member of the band from way back. The band, The Greasy Coat Stringband agreed to play at the barbecue on the Sunday. Friends, cousins and neighbours played music, sang songs, recited stories all evening and long into the night – we were thrilled that people stepped-up to the plate and made the occasion so special.
My piece of advice for other brides… Be well organised and this will help you relax and enjoy the day.