Peter and Diana’s wedding day was one of dreams! Midsummer carried the theme of the day, both as the wedding date and drove the overall style and vibe.  Blush pink and golds took center stage, accented by bright pinks and greens.  The vibe was fun and bright, down to the bubble send off and pink gin served with strawberries and edible flowers! Lot’s of personal touches dotted the day, including custom table numbers like “milk and cookies” and “carrots and peas.”  From breathtaking cathedral to romantic castle, this wedding is an exercise of how your day can be fun, relaxing, and a total blast! Gorgeous florals and styling by uber-talented Frog Prince and there to capture the day, as always the equally fun The Lou’s. Enjoy the slideshow and details at the end!!

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Coming Home to Ireland

Diana and Peter are both natives of Ireland, she from Dublin and he from Belfast. They met back ten years ago while Diana was in her final year at Trinity College. “He gatecrashed my 21st birthday with John (one of his groomsmen) and then about ten months later, I returned the favor crashing his 23rd birthday!” recalls Diana. They became friends through their mutual group of friends until a kiss under the mistletoe that year in Bruxelles in Dublin took the friendship to the next level. Peter proposed to Diana back in 2017 while in New York City. Diana had moved there for work and was running a 10k one weekend when Peter booked a surprise trip to come support her. He secured a gorgeous penthouse suite at the Roger Hotel, and it was there on the balcony overlooking the entire city he got down on one knee. “We were overlooking the Empire State Building which was randomly lit up all green,” recalls Diana. A perfect detail for this Irish proposal indeed!

Since living abroad, getting married for this Irish native couple ended up being a destination wedding for them.  “We are big home-birds at heart,” recalls Diana.  They booked a trip back home to visit some venues and when they visited Castle Leslie, it was an instant match. The location was perfect being mid-way between Belfast and Dublin, the service is second to none, and as Diana puts it, “if it’s good enough for Paul McCartney to get married here, then it’s good enough for us!”

The Details

Castle Leslie is a lovely castle village town — picturesque in the heart of the Irish countryside with a lot of charm and character.  The bridal party all stayed in their own village cottages the day before the wedding. “Amazingly, the  morning of the wedding was a fun part of the day,” recalls Peter.  “Myself and the groomsmen woke up, kicked the football around a bit, ate some bacon sandwiches, and then it came time to get ready. That’s when the nerves set in a bit. Diana made me a wonderful gift box with some lovely messages which was the highlight of my morning!” She included an engraved key chain, special wedding cologne, and the funny Penguin guide to ‘The Husband” and ‘The Wife’ in addition to a pack of Rolo’s (“he can always have my last.”).  Diana chilled in her cottage with her bridesmaids, munching on fresh berries and pastries and sipping tea and champagne while Van Morrison tunes played in the background.  It was a really relaxing but fun way to start off the day!

And speaking of the day, they were simply blessed with a brilliant June day! The sun was in full effect to highlight the gorgeous bright pink tones of the color palette! Midsummer was the theme (and date of wedding) so lots of summer-inspired details ruled the day, including a gin tasting featuring a limited-edition Hendricks Summer Solstice Gin served with edible flower petals! Blush pink and gold served as main color palette, accented with pops of bold hot pinks and bright Irish greenery. Overall the vibe was fun and upbeat, seasonally fresh and just full of brightness!

The ceremony was a traditional Catholic ceremony at the cathedral. A modern touch came by way of music — featuring contemporary songs from U2 and Stevie Wonder. Their priest is a close family member who also married Peter’s parents, his uncle and his wife Nicky and also baptized four of their children, making the ceremony even more meaningful.

The reception was a traditional Castle Leslie marquee reception.  The Midsummer theme carried through in the bright florals and lots of fairy lights.  We love Diana’s floral crown, another nod to the festive traditions of Midsummer. The semi-naked cake was brilliantly bold in color and flavor, featuring lemon, sticky toffee, blackberry and prosecco and was accented with a custom bride and groom cake toppers make in their likeness.  The best part — they got to cut the cake with the castle’s saber sword!

Music played a big part of the day, featuring lots of contemporary music and a sax band for cocktail hour as guests imbibed on a custom gin tasting display!

Dress: Karen Willis Homes  ·  Accessories:  sequin blet, chiffon overskirt/train and veil by Karen Willis Homes,  beaded clutch by Elizabeth Bower  ·  Shoes: Badgley Mischka and Asos Bride  ·  Jewlery:  earrings and bracelet by Oliver and Piper,  something old was grandmother’s ring  ·  Groom: navy blue tux from Protocol (Dublin)  ·  Accessories: engraved cufflinks and pocket square  ·  Bridesmaids:  ASOS  ·  Stationary:  Minted.com  invituation suite + on the day stationary by Appleberry Press  ·  Special Details:  “Love Is In The Air” bubbles, custom gin bar featuring local gin, pink gin, edible flowers,  custom cake topper

The Favorite Moments

So many to choose from! “The moment I saw Diana walk down the aisle…” recalls Peter with fondness, “all the memories of us as a couple and emotions really hit me. I couldn’t help but think how far we’d come and how much I loved her.”  Diana got emotional when her father picked her up to take her to the church, but also held back tears at the aisle. “When I got to the top of the aisle and saw Peter…. then too.”  Favorite parts of the day included the brief moments they got to steal away together alone, including their photo shoot on the castle grounds, holding hand during the ceremony, and a few minutes in a room at the castle when they first arrived at the reception before engaging their guests.

A Piece of Advice

“I encourage any bride to make a speech.  It’s probably the only time in your life you will have that many people in one room together. It’s pretty overwhelming and such a special opportunity to tell the people you love how much you love them and what they really mean to you.  And in the planning process — know what you want, be decisive and hire the best suppliers you can will make your life really easy. But overall — don’t stress! Have fun and enjoy it all!  It’ll all come together and no matter what happens, you will have not only the best day of your lives but the best year of your life too!”

Congratulations Diana and Peter!! Your future no doubt is bright! Cheers and to many more happy days to come!