There is a shift to more intimate weddings and elopements given the current climate of the world. And honestly, as much as we absolutely love incredible large wedding celebrations, intimate weddings and elopements are top of our list too. Natalie and Justin’s incredible elopement to Northern Ireland is made of dreams. The breathtaking scenery featured soft, rolling green hills with castle ruins and majestic cliffs. They exchanged their vows and tied the handfasting chord completely in the moment, the gentle sea and a few seagulls serving as witnesses. Once again, featuring the incredible photographic talents of the incomparable Paula O’Hara Photography. Make sure to scroll down and see and read it all…. this will for sure inspire you to dream your own perfect intimate wedding day in Ireland soon. This, is their story….

From Hometown Irish Pub to Eloping In Ireland

Natalie and Justin met back in 2014 at an Irish pub in Natalie’s hometown through a mutual friend. Three years later on a drizzly Canadian fall evening, Justin and Natalie got in their little aluminum boat (as they often do) for a little ride near their house with a couple of their friends. As they made their way down the creek, a huge sign read “Natalie, will you marry me?” Surprised and so happy, of course Natalie said yes! Justin had thoughtfully arranged for friends to help out with the sign, making dinner, and they all excitedly toast the night as they told their family and friends the good news. “Justin and I knew that we didn’t want to have a traditional wedding back home,” recalls Natalie. “We wanted to do something different.  Ireland always stood out to me and it’s a country that has always been on my bucket list…. we decided it was perfect because of the beautiful scenic views, castles, vast green land…to me Ireland screams romance!!”

A Romantic Ceremony

After some initial research, Northern Ireland quickly rose to the top of the list for locations. They wanted something simple and straightforward, but totally romantic. The location was perfect, combining everything they loved about Ireland that appealed to their adventurous spirit. The ceremony was humanist, focusing on their love and being together there in the moment. The entire day had a nice sense of casualness about it — of course nervous jitters here and there, but overall the relaxed schedule and serene atmosphere allowed them both to really focus on the day and each other and be present in the moment. “Standing hand in hand on the cliff side with the castle ruins in the background, listening to the waves hit the rocks below us as we said our vows,” recalls Natalie. “That is an image I will never forget.” After the ceremony they took some truly incredible photos with their photographer, exploring everything from rolling green hills, cliffs, even sandy beaches! Then, a romantic casual local dinner was the perfect way to celebrate. Natalie and Justin would return back to Canada and have a larger celebration with their friends and family after. It was exactly what they wanted. “Michelle and the team at Waterlily
Weddings were so easy to work with. You would think that it would have been difficult to communicate with the team since we are in Canada and they are miles and miles away but it was EASY! Everyone was so fast at responding to my emails. It was a very simple process as it was just going to be Justin and I the day of the wedding. I couldn’t have planned our wedding without their help; they made our vision become a reality!”

A Piece of Advice

“Remain calm through the entire process, have fun with it!! Everything works out in the end and it will be a day you will always remember!! Working with Waterlily Weddings made our planning so easy and effortless!”

CONTACT US today for more information on the incredibly talented vendors and more information on planning your dream elopement!