A celebration of love and community, Niamh and Ciarán's real wedding was a party to remember! Taking place at the unique country house venue Orlagh House, which is spectacularly located in the foothills of the Dublin mountains, joy permeated through every moment of their spring celebration.

Niamh's bridesmaid, Roisin of Flowerpop, played an instrumental role in bringing their stunning styling to life, you can expect bold pastel flowers and playful decor aplenty. Add in bridal style with an ethereal twist, a sweet-as-can-be first look, oodles of incredible personal touches including an epic cake cutting moment, you're sure to be spellbound by their special day. We can't wait for you to experience the magic with photos from Kheffache Studios.

Niamh and Ciarán are both from Dublin. Fun fact, they both grew up ten minutes away from the beautiful venue where they would tie the knot. They met through mutual friends and found themselves crossing paths fairly regularly through the years. They tell us, "It took a while before anything came of it, but as we got to know each other better, we naturally started spending more time together. Before there was any real romantic feeling, there was probably already a sense that we enjoyed each other’s company and wanted to see more of each other."

Ciarán proposed on the 22nd November 2024 and his suggestion of a sunrise hike to Crone Wood in the Wicklow mountains did not raise any eyebrows with Niamh. "There had been snow that week so walking up the forest was a beautiful winter scene, but Ciarán, knowing the sunrise was due, was barging through the forest to get to the viewpoint over Powerscourt Waterfall. As we got there it was right on time and the sun came up over the Sugar Loaf. Niamh turned around to show me we’d made it and I was down on one knee asking if she’d marry me. Niamh start bawling crying and didn't answer so I had to ask her again. I had the day planned and a night away booked so we got down off the mountain and did a tour of our families - it was a surprise to all of them and telling them together was really fun."

Their loved ones were their top priority when it came to planning the big day. While they initially thought of having an intimate celebration when they totted up the guestlist they knew it was going to be all about having as much fun as possible so they planned the kind of party they would want to go to. "We had told people fancy house party (i.e. fancy for a house party not a fancy house party) so we wanted the vibe to be quite casual and a collection of all the people who were important to us."

The inspiration for their d-r-e-a-m-y aesthetic? "The advice of our amazing friend/ florist/planner Roisin and her keen eye and fab style." She arranged the blooms and the ceremony display and their reception table settings all of which exuded colourful character that was undeniably chic.

Before they headed for the aisle, the couple had an utterly gorgeous first look with the city providing a magical backdrop.

Niamh's fit and flare wedding dress was from Odd Muse which she styled with daisy embroidery heels by Carvela, a Chupi necklace and the most romantic ruffle veil.

Their immensely elegant wedding car was a 1969 Rolls Royce Silver Shadow which belongs to Niamh’s dad.

Niamh's cousin Feargh was always going to be their celebrant. “He is such a good friend and we knew him so well, he knew what we wanted in the ceremony and worked with us to tailor. The ceremony was such a highlight of the day and all of our guests were so impressed (in fact I think someone booked him for their wedding on the spot). He was invaluable to us as a celebrant but also as a wedding planner and helped us so much to set the vibe we wanted for the day."

Niamh and Ciarán's rings have the most beautiful connection to their home. "Janice Byrne made Niamh’s engagement ring in summer 2024, it is a bespoke ring made with a branch of a cherry blossom tree outside of our house in Walkinstown. Ciarán’s wedding band is made of a cast of the same branch and then Niamh's wedding design is another design. All three were made bespoke and in consultation with Janice."

Their ceremony included the sweet Celtic ritual of a handfasting with their chord was made from five braids that represented important elements of their marriage - Love, Respect, Fun, Family/Friends, and Partnership. "Five people who were important to us presented the braid and made an intention for us on one of these themes."

Makeup was by Niamh Martin and their friend, who was also Ciarán’s groomsman, that owns Branch Studios in Inchicore did hair along with Sarah and Sophie also from the salon.

Their drinks reception included scrumptious canapés and fun caricature drawings by Niall O'Loughlin.

Their sage piece of wedding advice is, "Accept and embrace the spotlight and attention you are going to get on the day. Everyone knows why they are there and everyone loves you so just go with it."

"The fancy house party vibe was only achievable by a venue like Orlagh. At one point in the day my cousin said it felt like we were in our nannies for Sunday dinner just on a grand scale. It felt like our space - which was really big for us."

Summing up what made their celebration so special to them, they highlight a beautiful quote from her wedding photographer Kevin Kheffache. He said, “'It was a wedding where everything meant something to someone', which was really touching to hear but so many parts were really bespoke and tailored to us. The day was made up of contributions from the people we love and love us - and that's something that we really value, in general and on the day.  From the rings to the ceremony, the flowers, Niamh getting dropped up in her dad's car, the guest cakes, the Sunday dinner vibe, the whole day was very US."

Why have one wedding cake when you can have... as many as you want! "One day while watching The Great British Bake Off, Niamh had the idea to have a range of cakes to serve as table centre pieces. From there we had the idea to ask guests if they had a ‘showstopper’ if they would bring it along. So the cakes were provided by about 10 or 12 of our friends, aunts, uncles, cousins and so on."

The couple shared their first dance to Forever in Blue Jeans by Neil Diamond and The Brass Monkeys kept everyone on the dancefloor all night long.

After a long winter Niamh and Ciarán were craving sunshine so they went to Lanzarote for a week for their honeymoon.

Congratulations Niamh and Ciarán! The warmest thank you to our fantastic couple for sharing their utterly magical Orlagh House wedding with us and to Kheffache Studios who captured it so beautifully.

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