If you have friends who are also engaged, it’s worth sounding them out about their wedding plans to avoid date clashes that will divide friendship groups. It’s also a good idea to run potential dates past key family members who you couldn’t imagine not being there.
WEDDING ETIQUETTE
Emerald Aisle
Chelsea Lee, 31, married Gareth Loy, 32, at Castle Leslie Estate, Co. Monaghan, Ireland, on 19 July 2014. She says:
I'm from North Dakota in the USA, while Gareth's from Northern Ireland. We met after graduating from medical school in Michigan - he asked for my number and the rest is history!
We wanted to marry at a country estate that had its own stables (I'm a keen horse rider). We each did our own research and separately came up with Castle Leslie in Co. Monaghan. We saw it as a sign and ended up paying the deposit before even visiting the venue.
I wanted the wedding to look super romantic but with a glamorous feel. We used lots of blushes, ivories and pale pinks with gold accents. Guests were served champagne in antique coupes, and afternoon tea in vintage teacups.
We both love elephants and so tried to incorporate them throughout the day, from the little gold card holders to the cake toppers. We encouraged guests to take the small elephants home at the end of the evening to remember the day by.
My biggest extravagance? My wedding outfit - I spent three times what I'd intended. Do I regret it? No way!
My top tip: Plan ahead! I had wanted to put together welcome baskets for all the American guests, with details of the venue etc. but ended up running out of time because I was so busy.
Photography by www.paulaohara.com
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Other People’s Wedding DatesThe bridal party outside Castle Leslie. Bridemaids wore blush pink gowns whilst groomsmen looked dapper in traditional tux. www.castleleslie.com
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The bride had a special eucalyptus garland made for one of Castle Leslie’s horses so he could be part of the wedding. The bride wore: dress, from £3,050, www.verawang.com. Veil, from £201, www.bhldn.com. Headpiece, from £135, www.twigsandhoney.com
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The stationery with botanical drawings and gold touches matched the couple’s palette. Invites, from £1,800 for 150, www.bhldn.com
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The bride with her maids. Maid of honour dress, similar £300, www.ladyvlondon.com. Maids’ dresses, from £134 each, and shoes, similar £100 a pair, www.bhldn.com. Flower girl dress, £50, and shoes, £25, www.monsoon.co.uk
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Gareth and Chelsea – carrying a flowing bouquet of dahlia ‘café au lait’, peonies, garden roses and eucalyptus leaves – walk down the aisle after marrying
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The arco string quartet played until dinner was announced. From £1,165, www.arcoquartet.co.uk
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Small arrangements in gold votives graced the tables. Flowers, www.theinformalflorist.com
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The place cards with antique keys sourced from www.bhldn.com
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The dessert table had nine differently flavoured cakes, including a three-tier sponge cake with vanilla buttercream, a maple chocolate cake and Boston cream pie. Cakes from £335, including cake stand rental, Brown Hound Bakery (+353 41 983 38792)
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Tiny gold elephants held the table numbersand place cards. Once dinner was over, guests were encouraged to take them home. Table numbers, from £50, and elephant card holder, from £2, www.bhldn.com
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The menus each had an antique key attached to it with a sprig of rosemary on top. Menu design, £200, www.bhldn.com
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Guests mingle in the pretty garden outside the venue
