A Magical Romance at Farnham Estate by Claire Durkin Photography

Real Wedding: A pre-Patrick's Day champagne proposal (how apt!) led to the magical and romantic Christmas wedding of today's gorgeous couple at the WeddingsOnline.ie Award winning Lakelands Venue of the year - Radisson Blu Farnham Estate. The stunning bride Lorraine sashayed down the aisle in the most incredible Irish custom made gown and Jenny Packham headpiece before she and Padraig (in a very slick navy Reiss suit) exchanged vows in a magical, personal ceremony. We were bowled over by these photos, from Longford lass Claire Durkin of Claire Durkin Photography, and we're sure you'll be feeling the love for them too!

"All I could see were candles everywhere...he had made a little pathway to our sitting room. He had the most amazing engagement ring for me and a bottle of bubbly just chilled enough to start our celebrations..."

Length of engagement: 9 Months | Wedding date: 29th Dec 2012
Wedding location: Radisson Blu Farnham Estate, Co Cavan

Photographer: Claire Durkin Photography

We first met... at a youth disco in Roscommon in 1993 and bumped into each other again in 2006. We knew it was meant to be this time and as the saying goes the rest is history!

"I sat down with Caiomhe (Que Va) and together we designed my dress. It came out so stunning and on the day I felt absolutely amazing in it. It was so romantic, a little bit sparkly and a little bit different, exactly what I wanted..."

Our proposal... It was the night before St. Patrick's Day and Padraig met me after work, he brought me for cocktails to the Shelbourne. Afterwards, he suddenly didn't feel well so he thought best to head back to our apartment... Upon arrival to our front door Padraig asked me to wait for two minutes; he had a surprise for me! Two minutes later I walked in and all I could see were candles everywhere (one of my most favourite things are candles), he had made a little pathway to our sitting room and when I entered the room Padraig popped the big question, of course I said yes. He had the most amazing engagement ring for me and a bottle of bubbly just chilled enough to start our celebrations...

Our wedding theme/colours... From the beginning we knew we wanted very neutral/champagne tones, which we thought were nice, calming colours.

My dress... I had a picture in my head of the type of dress I wanted, something that flowed when I walked with a vintage feel and as our wedding was at Christmas time I also wanted some beading and sparkle on it. But after trying five bridal shops I hadn't come across anything I really loved. Lots of amazing dresses but not my amazing dress! Luckily a very talented girl was recommended to me - her name is Caiomhe Keane or Que Va as she is otherwise known as. I sat down with Caiomhe and together we designed my dress. It came out so stunning and on the day I felt absolutely amazing in it. It was so romantic, a little bit sparkly and a little bit different, exactly what I wanted... I'd highly recommend Que Va, super nice and super talented.

Our ceremony... For our ceremony we had Romy McAuley from A Beautiful Ceremony. It was so beautiful and so so personal. Romy did such a gorgeous job. All our family and friends commented on how beautiful and unique our ceremony was.

"We enjoyed every part of our day it's hard to pick just one part but I will admit our ceremony certainly holds a special place in my heart..." 

We chose our photographer because... I actually saw Claire Durkin's wedding photographs on WeddingsOnline.ie! I loved her photographs and knew that her work would also be fab. I'm also a Longford girl so figured it would be lovely to have a Longford girl photograph our big day! Claire was amazing and is such a talented wedding photographer. She was assisted by Ben on the day and he is also very talented too.

"Our wedding photographer Claire (Durkin) was amazing and so talented. I'm also a Longford girl so figured it would be lovely to have a Longford girl photograph our big day!"

We chose our venue because... I surprised Padraig with a stay in Farnham Estate for his birthday two years ago. From the second we stepped inside the front door we knew we would get married there. It's one of the most amazing places to stay. It's welcoming, has amazing food and such friendly staff. Patsy and Clodagh are great to deal with and were very helpful in the run up to our day.

"Farnham Estate one of the most amazing places to stay. It's welcoming, has amazing food and such friendly staff."

My piece of advice for other brides... Enjoy every second of your planning and organising as time flies by so quick. Don't stress too much and whatever help is offered from family or friends, take it as it does help and people just want to do whatever they can to make it easier for you. As for the day itself all I can say is, it was MAGICAL...

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_{By Karen Birney}

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