We are so in love with Sarah and Nick’s intimate wedding at an Irish ruin on the Aran Islands! Their sun-kissed multi-cultural wedding day sparkled and glowed off the Irish coast. The day was filled with lots of incredible personal details like Sarah’s grandmother’s heirlooms, a custom designed dress and gorgeous veil, and a bespoke ceremony combining both spiritual Celtic traditions with Greek Orthodox ones. There to capture the day was the incredibly talented Wim of In Love Photography.  From rocky ruins to sparkling coastal waters, we’re completely in love with this intimate wedding. This, is their story….

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How It Began

“We met online!” says Sarah. “We started dating in January, moved in together in December and were engaged by the next November. Nick proposed on a November day at Disney’s Epcot Park in Orlando, Florida. The plan was to wait later into the evening after changing into fancier attire, but he got a little too nervous.  “He ended up proposing only about 10 minutes after we got into the park which was around 10:00 in the morning! Our wedding shower was a Mad Tea Party theme because of that and because we both have a tea obsession.”

An Intimate Wedding in Ireland

Sarah and Nick envisioned a small, intimate wedding in a memorable location.  “We wanted just a few close friends and family without all the fuss and craziness that usually goes on during a wedding,” she recalls. They were really inspired by coastal Ireland in particular — the location’s combination of incredible natural backdrop, rich cultural history, and uniqueness made a perfect fit for the intimate wedding ceremony they wanted.  “We really love how it incorporated ancient traditions but also let us add our own elements like the Stefani crowns which are a Greek Orthodox tradition.”

The Details

Sarah’s gorgeous dress was made by designer Vieled By ChaCha in Glen Ellyn, Illinois.  “I went to school for fashion design and did my internship in her store, there’s nowhere better and I’m not just being biased! We designed the veil specifically to match my dress so it’s one of a kind. Also, the designer name of my dress was In Love,” says Sarah.  She accessorized her look with her grandmother’s earrings and a pair of sensible flats to navigate the rugged island terrain.  Nick’s look was a custom tailored suit from England.

The ceremony was a mix of Celtic, spiritual, and traditional religious.  Taking inspiration from the incredible Irish monastic ruins, their celebrant created a Celtic/spiritual-based ceremony and incorporated the Greek Orthodox tradition of the bride/groom stefana — two circlets joined by ribbon to symbolize the couple joining together.  The best man is responsible to “crown” the bride and groom the “king and queen” of their own castle, as they embark on their journey together as husband and wife. “We decided to wear our wedding rings on our right hands since Nick’s family is Greek Orthodox but felt off not having anything on our left hands. We purchased silver claddagh rings for our left ring fingers in Galway before leaving for the island,” explains Sarah. Her Maid of Honor delivered a very moving reading, bringing everyone there to tears.

After taking some gorgeous photos with their photographer Wim, Sarah and Nick joined their loved ones at the local pub for a low-key, casual celebration. Toasting with the freshest of Guinness and dining on local seafood, it was a great way to keep the theme of an authentic Irish wedding day into the celebration. “Our wedding was perfect,” says Sarah. “It was exactly what we wanted.”

After the wedding they spent about two weeks traveling around the UK, ending with their honeymoon in Paris. “We had a wonderful trip and can’t wait to go back, especially to Ireland and Scotland!!”

 

Sarah and Nick — we love your wedding day! You made a glorious bride Sarah and we love how you incorporated so many unique and personal details into the day to truly reflect the both of you. Congratulations and we wish you both a wonderful life together, more travel adventures and hope to see you in Ireland again soon!