JUL ‘18

27

Today was our wedding day. The big ONE with our family and friends from home.

We spent a total of 4 weeks, seeing everyone we could, flying back and forth between Dublin and London, with a good sprinkling of wedding appointments, hen / stag do’s, and catch-up feasting in between.

This day couldn't have been more amazing.

I  writing this at 5am, after just having washed my bare feet, hung up my wedding dress, taken the pins and flowers out of my hair, and cleaned my still beaming face. This day was amazing on all possible levels. 

I am not going to be able to capture in words the entire awesome-ness of this day, but to remember my raw thoughts and feelings in these moments:

Hair and makeup looked amazing on all of us! Thanks to @sugarcubemakeup and @sinead.hairmob

First look was fiddly but fun. Felt giggly and excited to see Dave. The girls helped me lift my dress and walk out to the gardens. Dave and I had written letters to each other for the morning of our wedding day, and we ending up reading them to each other. It was perfect.

Seeing Pa for the first time before the ceremony brought tears to my eyes. He came to walk me down the aisle, and I knew I’d remember this particular moment forever. Always a man of few words, there was a lot of emotion between us as he took my hand in his. He also took a moment to thank Rachel, Bel and Mariane for all they’d done. 

Ceremony was lovely and not long. The day was cloudy but warm. It got quite grey at one point but not a drop of rain dared fall, hurray! #irishsummer

The wedding flowers amazing thanks to @vitafloral. I’d asked to include some tropical colours and leaves, and she did it beautifully! The blue orchids looked great with the pink and orange flowers. 

We read our own vows, mine made the crowd laugh :)

We had a ring warming ceremony, similar to a Māori wedding tradition that was important for us to bring to our Irish wedding from our home in New Zealand. All the energy shared, every wish made, and positive thoughts imparted over our rings turned them from being jewellery into symbols of our union strengthened by our family and friends, and a way we will forever carry them with us throughout out marriage.

Lots of people who hadn’t heard how we got together loved hearing that during our ceremony. Our celebrant @wickloweddingcelebbrant was a star, planning with me across the timezones and even accepting vows from me all the way up till the morning of the ceremony.

Drinks reception I wasn’t there for a lot as there were lots of photo’s to be taken!. Though Dave and I managed to have some time with each other whilst people got called for dinner. After everything it was so nice to talk and hangout with each other. When we did get called down we walked into the room with lots of cheering. 

Speeches first. Dave went and did a really lovely speech. Surprise videos made my bawl like a baby! Liam, Ton, AK, work friends, Karen & Sam, Luke, Tayo, aunties, Carrie- it all was amazing to see and gave me all the feels. Glen’s speech was great. Bruce’s made me cry, and the girls made my entire heart overflow with love. I said a few words to thank everyone too. Had no time to prepare my speech so just spoke from my heart. People said they liked my speech and it made them cry. 

Food was a hit, everyone full! Vegan menu was AMAZING and everyone love our wedding cake by Wright Cakes!! Top tier was carrot cake, with tiered mini cakes below of chocolate orange / carrot / vanilla, topped with fruit and buttercream, all vegan :)!

The Vinyls wedding band were incredible, and the DJ played all of my requested tunes!!! I danced my butt off, barefoot, wedding dress and all. The whole night was on a massive high!!

I got to talk to Liam on the Skype :)

Mum and pa went to leave. Then I saw Mum back on the dance floor 10mins after, waving her arms in the air and dancing happily. I danced with her and loved every moment of seeing her smiling, dancing, and having a blast with everyone. Dave danced with her too :) His friends and family lifted us both up in the air to a Freddie Mercury song. Bel caught my bouquet.

Need to sleep now. Amazing night 💗💗💗💗💗