So many fantastic places in Ireland to get married, and Kinsale is no exception! This charming seaport town boasts everything you want for a relaxed intimate wedding: some of the best food and wine on the island, lots of cute and quirky shops, a healthy dose of history and historical sites to visit, and some breathtaking natural scenery. Seattle couple Dawn and Scott knew instantly Kinsale was their perfect choice. “We were set on being outside in nature…and Ireland in October was stunning! Scott wanted a cobble stone street and good beer, and we wanted a place that expressed us, that wasn’t formal but that was thoughtful,” they said. “Ireland was the natural choice.” Planning a destination wedding can be intimidating, but Waterlily Weddings was there to help them plan their day, every step of the way. “It was a leap of faith for sure, having never visited Ireland, but Michelle made it easy.”

We love their casual style throughout the day. From a relaxing morning getting ready, Scott and Dawn did a fun First Look incorporating lots of the colorful buildings and doors in the village, then made their way to the coastline to enjoy some champagne and taking in the gorgeous scenery, beautifully captured by Shane O’Neil of Aspect Photography.  They walked the cobble stones hand in hand before making their entrance together at the historic ruin perched on the picturesque seaside, where a traditional Irish spiritual ceremony was performed. Then they celebrated with their loved ones in town, dining on delicious local fare and dancing to Irish music. Check out more of their day below!

 

From Emerald City to the Emerald Isle

Scott and Dawn met in the Pacific Northwest outside of Seatle on the eastern slopes of the Cascade Mountains, over a glass of wine. They knew they wanted a destination wedding, so started thinking of options. Ireland quickly rose to the top of the list, a decision solidified by a friend’s recommendation. “We have friends that have friends in Kinsale and they said it would be a perfect fit for us, as we love food, wine, and authentic places.” Truly blessed, their October wedding day was filled with a warm sunshine that absolutely shown on the seaside village. The already-bright colors of the architecture just popped and the water became a gorgeous, glistening blue that as you can see, really made for some stunning photos.

The Details

Dawn and Scott opted to have a simple, spiritual ceremony heavily influenced by Celtic traditions. The backdrop was a gorgeous historical site overlooking the sea. We love how they chose to walk in together, hand in hand, into their ceremony space! After the ceremony and lots of heartfelt congratulations, they all made their way to a local pub for a pint.  As the sun began to set, they moved on to the Supper Club for their reception. A custom dinner menu was created just for them, using lots of fresh local ingredients including oysters, wild boar, local greens, venison welington, local fish and a cheese course featuring lots of incredible local Irish cheeses with Kinsale honey and local fruits and jams! Of course wine, beer, and champagne flowed throughout as a traditional Irish band created the perfect mood for this intimate celebration.

A Piece of Advice

“Be true to what you want. Listen to your chosen guides (planner, officiant, photographer, culinarians). And remember that this is about your love and a moment to allow all to see what you both live every day.”

Congratulations Dawn and Scott!!! We wish you a long life full of great food and wine and many more visits to Ireland!!!