In this enchanting tale of love and union, we find ourselves transported to the Emerald Isle, where American beauty Kelli and her Irish counterpart Stephen exchanged vows at Ballynatray Estate in County Cork. The atmosphere was alive with the essence of the Roaring Twenties, as the couple’s vintage-inspired wedding celebration brought together the best of both worlds. Ivana Patarcic Photography was the perfect choice to capture this memorable day in her distinctive candid style.
As Kelli glided down the aisle in a show-stopping Jenny Packham sequin wedding dress, Stephen stood tall in his tailored burgundy suit, exuding an air of refined elegance. The opulent decor was redolent with romance, featuring fresh flower chandeliers, vintage-inspired paper goods, and shimmering sequin table runners.
For those who cherish the idea of a carefree wedding celebration infused with glamour, whimsy, and deep-seated passion, Kelli & Stephen’s 1920s-inspired bash is sure to captivate.
Wedding Day Snapshot
Our Love Story
I’ve been living in Ireland since 2008, having moved here for an internship that never ended! It’s a funny story how I met my partner Stephen – after the Haiti earthquake in 2010, we both volunteered with a charity called Haven and spent a week building houses together. Apparently, he heard me before he saw me, which might’ve been the start of our love story. Five years later, Stephen proposed to me while we were on holiday with my family in Northern California’s picturesque Carmel-by-the-Sea. It was completely unexpected – I couldn’t stop crying for weeks! What made it even more special was having all my loved ones around to share the news with, making that moment truly unforgettable.
The Venue
For us, exclusivity was paramount. We craved the freedom to invite all our loved ones to join in the celebration without any constraints. Ballynatray Estate provided the perfect setting for a truly immersive experience. Over four days, we claimed every corner of the estate as our own, with ample space for guests to stay in the majestic mansion and charming cottages. The picturesque surroundings only added to the magic, with the tranquil River Blackwater running through the property. In fact, we were so enamored with the location that we even arranged a boat tour the day after the wedding, taking advantage of the stunning views as we drifted along the river. And let’s be honest – it’s one of the most breathtaking places I’ve had the pleasure of visiting in Ireland.
The Music
As we searched for a band to play our special songs on our big day, we stumbled upon Renovator, a talented group of rockers from Kerry who truly delivered. Two members of the band arrived early to set the tone with an acoustic guitar performance at our ceremony. The flower girls and bridesmaids floated down the aisle to ‘Dream a Little Dream’ by the Mamas & Papas, while I made my way to Stephen, accompanied by the iconic strains of ‘Here Comes the Sun’ by the Beatles. As we exchanged vows, ‘I Will’ by the Beatles provided the perfect soundtrack. Following the ceremony, we walked back down the aisle to Queen’s upbeat ‘Crazy Little Thing Called Love’, then the band segued into ‘First Day of my Life’ by Bright Eyes and ‘All You Need is Love’ by the Beatles as we greeted our guests. The full band took over for the evening’s dancing, keeping the party going until the wee hours. Our first dance was a romantic rendition of Led Zeppelin’s ‘Thank You’, followed by a sweet serenade with my Papa to Andy Williams’ version of ‘Can’t Take My Eyes Off You’
The Photography
When it came to capturing our special moments, we opted out of hiring a videographer. Thankfully, Ivana proved to be an exceptional photographer who effortlessly captured every detail without needing any direction or posing. Her unassuming business cards, featuring her own photography work, initially caught my eye and sealed the deal for me. The simplicity of her approach resonated with our mantra for the project – keep things straightforward and let the moments speak for themselves.
The Attire
My wedding day attire was a perfect blend of classic and modern, starting with my antique ivory and gold dress, the Joy Dress by Jenny Packham, which I tried on first and ultimately fell in love with. The bridesmaid dresses, in a stunning dusty mauve hue, were another story altogether, as I had to search far and wide to find the exact ‘winter rose’ colour I envisioned. In the end, it was worth the hunt, as they looked gorgeous alongside my own dress. My engagement and wedding rings, both from Delphi Antiques in Dublin, held special significance, and the earrings I wore were a loan from the lovely owner Declan. Two bracelets also took center stage: one, a diamond piece from Tiffany’s passed down from my mother and grandmother, and the other, a gold design by Irish designer Tory Long, which I gifted to my best friends on the morning of the wedding. Meanwhile, Stephen had a custom suit made to match his vision, and our bridesmaids’ outfits were the result of a collaborative effort with the help of Etsy and Divine Boutique. Even the groomsmen’s attire was carefully curated, featuring dark blue Strellson suits from Arnotts, paired with custom shirts, pocket squares, and ties.
Advice for Other Couples
When setting your budget for the big day, it’s essential to remember that you’ll likely exceed it – weddings can be notoriously expensive. Until you’ve planned a wedding yourself, it’s hard to fully comprehend just how costly they can be. So, set a realistic budget, but don’t stress if you go over slightly. After all, this is your special day, and it’s worth splurging on. To get a clear sense of direction for the event, gather inspiration from Pinterest or other sources that resonate with your vision. This will help you pinpoint exactly what you want to achieve. We found that intensive planning was key to bringing our wedding day to life exactly as we envisioned it. It took time and effort, but the end result was well worth the investment. In fact, having a good planner like Amy on board can help save you money by leveraging their contacts and negotiating special rates. While we did spend a fair amount of time and resources on our big day, we wouldn’t have changed a thing – it was all worth it in the end.
The Decor
Our décor was a lush celebration of flowers, with almost every element featuring a floral touch. The talented Jenny, our go-to florist, brought my wildest wedding fantasies to life. From the moss panels at our ceremony to the show-stopping floral chandeliers above the tables, working with her was an absolute dream and one of my top highlights – after finding the perfect dress, of course! The array of flowers used throughout the decor included amnesia roses, sand roses, aubergine lilies, seeded eucalyptus, begonia leaves, moss, hydrangea, and hanging amaranthus. To make it feel even more personal, we scattered family photos throughout the house.
The Refreshments
Imagine celebrating with a toast-tastic twist: a Champagne Tower that elevates the traditional cocktail hour. Our special evening featured a five-course, formal sit-down dinner paired with exquisite canapés served during the reception. The catering expertise of Eunice Power made menu selection a breeze, and every dish was a culinary masterpiece. As the clock struck midnight, our chefs surprised us with a delightful Waterford blaa burger spread. Meanwhile, Judith from Scrumptious Cakes crafted delectable gluten-free cake options for me, a thoughtful touch that left everyone wondering – it was so good! We even incorporated my grandparents’ cherished wedding cake topper from 1960, adding a romantic and nostalgic charm to the celebration.
The Stationery
My brother, an incredibly talented artist, was responsible for creating all the artwork featured on our invitations and stationery. We devoted a significant amount of time to perfecting every detail, and the end result was truly exceptional. I’m inclined to believe it was well worth the effort, although my brother might have a differing opinion! In addition to his work on the wedding materials, he also drew inspiration from our own Parisian escapade, capturing the iconic Pont de l’Archeveche in all its glory. We transformed this image into a one-of-a-kind guestbook, where loved ones could leave their mark by signing the locks – it became a treasured keepsake from our special day.
The Honeymoon
After exchanging our vows, we embarked on a mini-moon getaway to recharge before diving into the planning process for our anniversary safari adventure in Kenya – we’re thoroughly excited! The experience was truly unforgettable.
I must admit, Kelli’s dress is absolutely breathtaking, and Stephen’s bespoke suit really stole the show. Ireland’s traditional wedding customs are indeed lovely, but it’s always refreshing to see couples put their own unique spin on things.
We’d like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to Ivana Patarcic Photography for capturing this enchanting vintage Irish wedding so beautifully, and of course, Kelli and Stephen for sharing their special day with us. This experience truly left an indelible mark.