The Station House Hotel Wedding | Niamh&Stephen | Meath Wedding Photography

I always like to ask my couple – How did you meet? And to hear the answer ‘ – I just came home one day to find him on my couch! ”. How excited can it be?! Would like to know their experience on the Big Day? You might find it really helpful when preparing for your wedding!

Niam& Stephen, please tell about your love story:

We met when I was in college and Stephen moved to Dublin for work. He was my roommate’s friend – I just came home one day to find him on my couch! Three years later we started dating, and three years after that he proposed quietly and romantically at home.

Describe your wedding planning process:

We were engaged for just over a year and a half, which gave us plenty of time to plan. We were very lucky to get lots of help from both our families and from the bridal party. Our best decision was to keep all the parts of the wedding at locations close to each other. It really helped to make the wedding feel laid back and relaxed.

Recap your big day for us:

I don’t even know where to start! The day was a big happy blur! The speeches were a real highlight; Stephen’s best man, his brother, made everyone cry. We were both so nervous about our first dance, but it ended up being a close and memorable (though not well choreographed!) moment. A real highlight was spending time with friends and family we don’t see as often as we’d like to.

What about the details?

We really wanted a relaxed wedding with good food and good music. The atmosphere in the Station House Hotel (co Meath) was perfect for this, and our fantastic band kept everyone dancing.

 

What’s the best advice you can give to a bride and groom planning their own wedding?

Take your time with the planning and try to enjoy it. It can be stressful, but it’s fun too! Oh, and try to eat something the morning of the big day!

What has surprised you most during the first few months of marriage?

Nothing, although the first time I introduced Stephen to someone as my husband was a bit of a shock. Sometimes I still have to remind myself not to call him my boyfriend!

What do you look forward to most as Mr and Mrs?

Everything! A life full of joys and challenges, shared.

The wedding team

Wedding Photographer Renata Dapsyte

Florist:  Flowers by Moira

Cake: Creative Cakes

Venue: The Station House Hotel

Hair: Denise Bray

MUA: Anne Marie Doherty

Wedding Dress: Timeless Bridalwear

Groom’s Apparel: Love Suits

Bridesmaids’ Apparel: Folkster

Groomsmen’s Apparel: Love Suits

 

Your wedding day soundtrack

Ceremony processional: ‘I See the Light’ from Disney’s Tangled

First dance: ‘Sway’ by Blue October

Thank you Niamh and Stephen for sharing the love!

The Station House Hotel Kilmessan DIY Wedding

I decided to write my first blog post about the weddings I photograph from the couple, who was really easy to photograph and I call their wedding DIY Wedding. They had a stylish and budget-friendly wedding. Have a look, maybe you will find some ideas for your wedding!

The Couple:

Erica and Joseph.

Photographer:

Renata Dapsyte (renatadapsyte.com)
Florist:

Mother and mother in-law

Cake:

My sister
Invitations and Calligraphy:

Homemade with lots of help from family and friends
Venue:

The station house hotel in Kilmessan, Co Meath, Ireland (https://www.stationhousehotel.ie/)
Jewelry:

My engagement ring and wedding ring made by Eily O’Connell (http://www.eilyoconnell.com/cms/), Joe’s wedding ring – family heirloom
Hair Styling:

Lorraine Browne (http://lorrainebrownehair.com/)
MUA:

did own make up!
Wedding Dress:

Timeless Bridalwear (http://www.timelessbridalwear.ie/)
Groom’s Apparel:

Massimo menswear Dublin (https://www.facebook.com/MassimoDublin/)
Bridesmaid’s Apparel:

They all chose and bought their own within a specified colour range
Groomsmen’s Apparel:

They all chose and bought their own within a specified colour range, ties and bow ties were from The tie room (https://www.tieroom.co.uk/)

Your wedding day soundtrack – which songs did you use? Feel free to add others if not prompted below.
Ceremony processionals/recessionals: Pachelbel canon in D for the processional, The Sound of Silence (piano/violin version) for the lighting of the candles, Hallelujah (piano/violin version) for signing of the register, A Thousand years (piano/violin version) for the recessional
First Dance: Dance me to the End of Love by Leonard Cohen
Tell about your love story! How did you meet? What makes your mate a perfect match? How was the question popped?

We met at a 21st birthday party and were together for 8 years before Joe proposed in front of both our families at a barbeque at my parents house.

Describe your wedding planning process. How long were you engaged? Who helped plan? Did you hire a planner? What planning tools did you use? What turned out to be your best decision surrounding the big day?

We were engaged for just over a year, both of our families and the bridal party helped with the planning and preparation, contributing to all the home made bits especially like the cake, the invitations, place settings, favours etc

Recap your big day for me. What made you laugh? What made you cry? What were the most memorable moments? What unexpected things happened that weren’t planned for?

The speeches were not too long and very entertaining, also Joe jumping ahead to the kiss during the ceremony before he was supposed to – I couldn’t stop laughing for 10 minutes! There were so many memorable moments that I couldn’t even begin to chose one. It was wonderful from the very begining to the very end, from getting ready and having brunch with the girls in the morning, to dancing to the fantastic band at the reception.

What about the details? What was your vision/theme? How did you bring it to life?
My vision was of a largely home-crafted, relaxed and comfortable day, without worrying too much about the little things and if everything didn’t go exactly as planned. It worked out brilliantly! The guests really seemed to enjoy the laid-back atmosphere and it made life much easier for me.

What’s the best advice you can give a bride and groom planning their wedding?

Don’t let it stress you out or you won’t enjoy your day, which is the most important thing.

What do you look forward to most as Mr. & Mrs.?

Settling down and starting a family

What has surprised you most during the first few months of marriage?

Nothing, life is exactly as it was before except that I keep having to remind myself to use my married name!

Aoife & Brian. The Station House Hotel outside wedding.

First Holy Communion Session. Roganstown hotel & country club

I know, the First Holy Communion Season is finished this year, but I never got a chance to blog about it at all as this year is really crazy for me.

Here in Ireland the May month is called First Holy Communion and Confirmation month. Communions are held every weekend during this period. It’s one of the biggest celebrations in child’s life after Christening.

Communion season was very very busy this year and I met lots of beautiful children and their families. Some of them were my returning clients, some of them – new.

One of them – wonderful Lucia. We met at the Roganstown hotel & country club where she had her party dinner with her siblings. It was a short mini session and I got a chance to photograph only her. Hope, next time to meet all her family!