Imagine giving the gift of a ring that you hand crafted and created especially for the person you love?

Madeleine Blaine and her team from Silver Works are a collaborative group of silversmiths and jewellers. Working within the Irish industry, they are teaching fun, interactive classes and courses in the heart of Dublin’s Creative Quarter.

They guarantee that you will not only walk away with the ring of your dreams, but also give you an experience of a lifetime!

Workshops range from unique romantic Wedding Ring Workshops and gorgeous Girls Nights.

Never made jewellery before? No problem! You will be guided through the process with their expert tutors to make your beautiful bespoke rings.

Their engagement ring workshop begins in the morning designing your ring with their master CAD designer.

RELATED TO: How To Find Your Partner’s Dream Engagement Ring

They will help you come up with a design that fits you or your partner’s style. When you are happy with the design, it will be sent off to a company who use an ancient process called lost wax casting. This will then cast your ring into the metal of your choice directly from your design.

Two weeks later they will bring you in again to help saw the spue off your ring, and learn to finish, sand and polish it, before sending it off to have the stones set in it, ready for you to propose with!

It couldn’t get any more picture-perfect than this!

Silverworks explain why they love creating this experience for newlyweds.

“We love to share our passion with others and there is nothing we like more than meeting a great bunch of people and helping them create fantastic, handmade silver pieces. We leave a class as joyful as you do!”

“As this is a one-on-one class you will have all our expert knowledge and skills at your fingertips to make sure you have the best experience and come away with the best ring possible to suit your style and budget.”

RELATED TO: 8 Signs Your Partner Is Going To Propose

Silver Works award-winning Jewellery Making Classes have over 2,000 five-star reviews have seen them crowned ‘Most Reviewed Experience in Ireland’ by Airbnb.

They were also named a winner of Europe’s Travel and Hospitality Awards 2020 and a finalist for ‘Hen & Stag Supplier of the Year 2020’ by Weddings Online!

After winning an Irish Enterprise Award, you are guaranteed that your picture-perfect ring will be delivered with outstanding levels of excellence, customer service and innovation.

RELATED TO: 12 Modern Bridal Accessories To Take Your Look From Miss To Mrs

Silver Works will be exhibiting at our Wedding Journal Show at the Dublin Convetion Centre on Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th of January 2023!

Make sure not to miss this one!

Looking for the latest inspo and ideas? Tickets for the upcoming Wedding Journal Shows are on sale!

The post Meet the Exhibitor – Design Your Own Engagement and Wedding Rings with Silver Works! appeared first on Wedding Journal.

HOW THEY MET

Melissa and Barry, from Stadbally in Co.Laois, first met back in 2010 on a night out in the town and it wasn’t long before sparks began to fly.

“It was around 11 years ago and his friend and my friend kind of set it up which ended up working out quite well!” Melissa says. “It was definitely a mutual attraction from the start – we hit it off straight away.

“We then started seeing each other more and over the next few months it blossomed quite quickly – we’ve been inseparable ever since!”

This perfect pair have been on quite the journey from working through long distance, moving to London and finally returning home to Portlaois where they’re now enjoying married life and have just welcomed their first baby boy, Ruin, into the world.

Melissa continues: “Barry moved abroad after a couple of years for work and we did long distance for about two years. I spent all my money on Ryanair and was on a plane to Nottingham to see him every other weekend! Then we both moved to London together 7 years ago.

“London was the best. Totally different to our lives here now and we were just living the dream socialising, meeting friends and enjoying city life! We always knew we wanted to move home at some point and when Covid came it just felt like the right time.”

THE PROPOSAL

Fast forward to May 2019 when Melissa and Barry went on a dream holiday to the Philippines – think stunning white sands, crystal clear waters, tropical sunsets…we all know what’s coming next!

“We were over on an island called Boracay and he took me to the beach one night where he proposed and it was really special!” Melissa shares.

“It probably wasn’t a surprise to anyone else, but I was not expecting it at all and was totally blown away – I had no makeup on and wasn’t dressed appropriately but looking back it was all very natural and just us.

“It was our last night there too, so it was a really nice way to end the holiday. We’re quite laidback and chill so Barry just pulled the ring out of his pocket and went down on one knee and of course I said yes straight away!”

PLANNING PROCESS 

Melissa and Barry planned the most beautiful boho wedding, getting married in Curraclone Church (which was the first wedding there in 80 years!) and a simple yet stylish reception in their parent’s garden, but of course the planning process wasn’t all smooth sailing.

“We were living in London and had planned a massive wedding for the 31^st July and then Covid hit around March time and everything was put on hold,” Melissa explains.

“We spent about four months postponing everything and then we actually decided to move home in June, just six weeks before the wedding! When we came back, we still didn’t know if it was going to go ahead so we kind of framed the idea into a smaller, more intimate wedding.”

So after months of contemplation, Melissa and Barry decided to take the plunge and go ahead with their wedding on 31^st July 2020 – with just 19 guests instead of their original plans for 180.

Melissa continues: “I couldn’t face another year of stress and wondering what was going to happen. It can be hard to think the day you’ve imagined your whole life having to be reshaped. But I truly believe everything happens for a reason, and sometimes it can turn out even better than you ever imagined!

“We never thought about having a small wedding, we just knew we wanted something a bit different – I still got absolutely everything I wanted from my day, just in a different way. We’re real home birds and my parents’ house and gardens are fabulous, and my dad has corn fields nearby as well the gorgeous Stradbally woods beside us.

“The Church is actually only used about once a month so there’s no electricity. It’s all wildflowers outside and very rustic and natural. I think they haven’t had a wedding there in over 80 years which made it even more special.

 “Looking back, we got to spend so much time with our families and we felt really engaged in every moment. Even the set-up and preparations we mostly did ourselves and I loved being really hands-on and seeing it all come together!”

DREAM WEDDING SUPPLIERS

Melissa always envisoned a dreamy and different celebration and brought her vision to life, styling the ruined Church and her parents’ backyard with a little help from her dream wedding team. 

“We got the marquee from Donohues Solutions which had clear sides so we could really like we were still outside. The lovely festoon lighting and draping were from Gorilla Design and the hanging floral centrepiece was from Kate Moylan Design.

“We hired the chair and uplighters from Select Hire and the table was from Cater Hire. My sister Rachel was also able to get us some garden props from her work, Verv Marketing.

“We also did the drinks ourselves, but the food was from a local chef, Imelda Tynan, who was absolutely fab! We had lovely breads, salad bowls and fresh foods which was perfect for the setting.”

To add to Melissa’s rustic and bohemian theme, she went for a mix of wild and dried flowers from The Flower Witch in Portlaois – which she now has hanging in her home as keepsakes!

“My mam said there’s this girl Emily Lawlor nearby who’s started a business and she’d be right up your street, so I was thinking ‘what could this be?” Melissa laughs.  

“When I went to check her out, I was blown away! Emily grows a lot of her produce and everything was so beautiful and natural which is exactly what I like. Even that morning, she was out picking things for my bouquet and adding pheasant feathers and bits of corn and barley.

“It was really interesting and intricate. I was also able to keep all the flowers and dry them out so they’re now hanging around my house as decorations. My mam and aunt have lots of flowers in the garden which we got use in the rest of the arrangements as well.”

Melissa also went for a stunning red velvet naked cake covered in flowers by Kelly Lou Cakes in Portlaois.

CAPTURING THE DAY

Niamh from the Photography Hub and Kevin from Little Bear Films were the dream team, capturing Melissa and Barry’s perfect day with an array of beautiful candid moments to cherish forever.

“I really loved the light in Niamh’s images and how natural and relaxed her style is. I didn’t want anything too posed and she captured us candidly in the moment and she was just amazing to deal on the day!” Melissa says.

“With Kevin, I was just so impressed with what they came up with and what I had seen online from the Little Bear Films. Their style was so relaxed and seemed to really capture the emotion and the day itself. He and Niamh had also worked together before and were the perfect team!”

WEDDING WARDROBE

Is someone playing Fleetwood Mac? Well, that’s the soundtrack we think of when it comes to Melissa’s bohemian Rue De Seine ‘Adelia Lune’ gown from Wild Reflections in Norwich.  

“Bohemian is the perfect way to describe it! That’s my style to a T and I’m very relaxed so I didn’t want anything too formal,” Melissa says.

“I wanted something with details like the fringing and embroidery. It was very kind of Stevie Nicks, Fleetwood Mac inspired, and was really comfortable too which was a big plus!

“I was actually looking for something off the shoulder but when I tried it on, I just fell in love with all the detailing especially the back and sleeves! Then I added my accessories to really make it my own.

“I usually choose a lot of accessories so it was hard to narrow it down – I wore a veil to the church and then afterwards I put on my hat from Lack of Colour. I am definitely a hat person!

“My husband also gifted me the Converse which were custom-made with our date and the rose gold eyelets. I changed into them on the evening and during the day I wore a gold pair of heels I jazzed up with some pearls – later on my sister actually saw that Jimmy Choo came out with shoes just like them!”

Barry also looked sharp wearing chinos from M&S, a blazer from River Island and a waistcoat from Eamon Bracken Menswear, Portarlington. His groomsmen wore a mix of M&S and Diffney Menswear. Melissa also went for neutral pink and purple bridesmaid dresses from Asos.

FAVOURITE MOMENTS

Having had such a special and sentimental wedding, Melissa and Barry found it hard to choose just one favourite moment from their day.

“Barry said before that one of his favourite moments was in the woods getting our photos taken, or watching me getting my photos taken, more like!” Melissa laughs. “We were just having so much fun soaking up the day and it was really relaxed.

“My dad’s friend also drove us down in a vintage Model T car and we had such a fun time.  It was only a short journey back to the house, but it was so exciting and nice to have a minute to ourselves.

“Outside the church my aunties and uncles also brought some scones and champagne and we had mini reception outside before we went back to my parents which was really sweet.

“My granny was also in hospital at the time, and she was told she only had three days to live but was adamant we went ahead with our date, so we made sure to stop by and see her. It’s now been over a year and she’s here with us and thriving again!”

BRIDAL ADVICE

For all the brides-to-be out there trying to plan their day in the middle of a global pandemic, Melissa has some positive words of encouragement.

“I would say just go for it – you will regret it if you don’t and it can turn out even more special than you could have ever imagined,” she says.

“You need to remember that a wedding is just one day and it may not look exactly like you thought, but it can still be everything and more. The most important thing for us was having our closest people there and we were so ready to start our new chapter.

“Looking back now, we’re so in love with our day and wouldn’t change a thing. People have suggested maybe having a bigger party next year, but I don’t think we will. It was just perfect as it was.”

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The post Summer of Love: Melissa & Barry’s Beautiful Boho Affair appeared first on Wedding Journal.

We recently wrote about how to plan a cosy intimate wedding, but what better place to say ‘I do’ than the comfort of your own home? If you’re not convinced, we’re here to tell you exactly why you should consider an at home wedding and all the things you can do to make it just as magical as you always wanted.

Why go for an at home wedding?

Well for obvious reasons we’re still in a pandemic, but there’s something special about creating a beautiful ceremony at your forever home. After all, that is the place you both hope to spend the rest of your lives so starting with your wedding will make it even more memorable. It can also be a great way to save money on a venue and gives you total freedom to customise and design exactly as you like.

What do you need to consider?

There are some things you will need to consider when it comes to planning an at home wedding. The first thing is the guest lists and how many people you can safely fit in your home. If you’re aiming for an indoor wedding, we recommend dedicating separate areas for different parts of the day – this will allow you to have everything set up in advance and each room will have a different vibe. For example, you could choose the prettiest room to exchange your vows, then head outside for some food, drink and a dance!

Here’s some tips to think about when planning an at home wedding…

Have a rain plan

We all wish for sunny weather on our wedding day, but we know how temperamental Irish weather can be – that’s why it’s so important to have a backup plan just in case! If you are hoping for a backyard or garden wedding, consider booking a marquee – you don’t have to use it for your entire wedding but it can come in handy if the rain wants to make an appearance, plus it can make for a nice evening reception area too.

Enhance the entrance

One of the best things about planning an at home wedding is having the freedom to transform the space into exactly what you like, so get creative with it! If you’re having your wedding in the garden go for a statement entrance to really bring the wedding to life. Flower arches are a big thing right now and you can also add dramatic drapes to really distinguish the altar – it will also look extra beautiful with any outdoor greenery and scenic views.

Bring the bar outside

This one speaks for itself, I mean what could be better than sipping cocktails in the sun at your own outside bar? And it doesn’t have to be anything fancy, in fact a home-made wooden bar can bring a rustic vibe that goes perfectly with an at home garden wedding! If you want to kick things up a notch you could also bring in a bespoke wagon to showcase cocktails and other beverages – adding a little vintage flair.

Embrace the outdoors

If you are fortunate to have attractive scenery, views or trees in your garden space make sure to take advantage of that – picture saying ‘I do’ under fairy lit trees or  being framed by a stunning scenic backdrop of natural views, sounds like something from a fairy tale right? If you don’t have this kind of thing in your garden, don’t worry. You can always add some extra greenery here and there to tie in the outdoor aesthetic, such as adding some ivory through white drapes for an effortless and elegant look.

Detailed décor

It’s all about the little things when it comes to creating your wedding at home. Whether you’re hosting indoors or outdoors, the right décor is what will really bring your wedding to life! Fairy lights and candles are a given and will always add magic to any setting. You can also add earthy centre pieces or mini planted trees alongside bespoke furniture to add a relaxed an authentic feel to your day.

Include your pets

If you have much-loved fur babies at home how could you not include them in your big day? They will already be comfortable with the setting and think of all the fond memories you’ll have looking back through photographs of how they got involved.  Depending on how well trained your pet is you could have them bring the rings down the aisle to you, even throw in a little dress or tuxedo to make it extra cute!

Enjoy local delicacies

This is the time to look at you and your loves favourite near-by food places and what better time to help out local businesses than right now! Make sure to check out if food catering options are available and pick all the best dishes that you already know you and your guests will love.

The post Why You Should Consider An ‘At Home’ Wedding appeared first on Wedding Journal.

Feeling and looking good comes from within however, having a makeup artist work their magic on your big day definitely helps! Choosing your makeup artist is important but knowing which foundation is best for you is so important. 

You’ll need the perfect base for your wedding day makeup, take a look at our favourite flawless foundations to help you choose yours!

We all know weddings are super expensive so if you’re looking to do your own make up we suggest practicing and trying new things to find what works for you! The benefits of doing it yourself are 1) you’re in control- no bridezilla moments should arise and 2) It’s cheap, no more bridal trials and forking out for an expensive makeup artist. 

Georgio-Armani – Glowy, Dewy Skin

Get glowing dewy skin with the amazing Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation.  Slightly pricier than normal foundations this foundation is a go to for many celebrities and beauty influencers, even the Kardasians have this in their makeup bags! 

‘Luminous Silk’ is perfect for a bride looking for a light weight minimal coverage foundation which still covers up imperfections – because let’s face it who is?

Coming in at £41, it’s not super affordable and it doesn’t have any SPF in it, but for some reason, we all still love it and swear by it. It’s one to consider and might just be a Wedding Journal favourite.

Charlotte Tilbury Magic Foundation – £32

There’s just something about Charlotte Tilbury makeup that has a rich luxurious orra around it. 

Charlotte Tilbury somehow seems to achieve product perfection time and time again, with no exceptions and that goes for our readers favourite their ‘magic foundation’. 

The foundation experts from Charlotte Tilbury claim to pack this product full of Vitamin C- ideal for nourishing your skin and giving you a long tem skin care fix as it claims to reduce imperfections over time. Bearing this in mind, wearing this foundation on the run-up to your wedding and not just on your big day is fully recommended. 

This foundation is more full coverage giving you the ultimate flawless complexion most brides strive for. 

Zoeva Authentik Skin Foundation – £25

All hail long last foundation! If you’re over spending time and money on foundations that fade within a few hours Zoeva could be your perfect match. It’s renowned for being long-lasting and weather proof (perfect for all of our Irish brides). 

Zoeva’s Authentik Skin Natural Luminous Foundation is enriched with rose hip oil, which makes your skin feel soft and it’s coverage lasts all day long. The foundation applies easily (perfect for a DIY kind of bride).  We’d recommend a buffing brush to create a flawless bridal make up look.

Your wedding day goes in fast for you but in reality your make will need to stay on for a number of hours. Our brides tried and tested this foundation and 95% of them agreed that the foundation didn’t budge. Choosing a great primer and setting powder can help you keep the flawless look for even longer – be sure to read up on your options!

Estée Lauder Double Wear Foundation – £33.50

Hello full coverage! This foundation is a total must-buy for anyone who loves full coverage, and if you’re hoping to avoid any makeup touch-ups on the big day, it will be your new best friend.

Double Wear Stay-In-Place is the #1 prestige Foundation in the UK. It’s one of favourite longlasting foundations especially for bridal makeup. 

According to Estee Lauder this product is long-wearing , stays fresh and looks natural through heat, humidity and nonstop activity. It feels lightweight and comfortable and promises not to change colour, smudge or come off on clothes. Now the flawless look you see in the morning is the look you keep all day. 

L’Oreal True Match Foundation – £9.99

Loreal-true-match

Hello high street favourite! If you’re looking a great foundation at an affordable price this ones for you. The high street has some amazing foundation options out there, for a fraction of the price of higher-end alternatives. For brides doing their own bridal makeup we recommend this easy to use, blend-able foundation. 

L’Oreal are known fior having a great shade range, so finding your perfect match couldn’t be easier. Available in 23 shades, this foundation is a favourite among tan lovers who constantly alter their tanning regime throughout the year. On paper, it should also suit most skin types – it has a lightweight consistency perfect for oily skin however for those with drier skin types watch out as we don’t our foundation to cling to those dry patches. Fear not a great moisturiser and primer can go a long way in creating a neutral base before make up application. 

MAC Studio Fix Fluid SPF 15 30ml, RRP £24.50

Available in a host of colours to suit all skin tones, MAC Studio Fix Fluid SPF 15 Foundation offers a natural matte finish. It is thicker than foundations you may be accustomed to, the oil-controlling formula provides medium to full coverage for a flawless base that stays put. (Ideal for your wedding right?) 

When we say full coverage – we mean it! If you’re looking for a light natural look maybe MAC isn’t for you. However if you love your make up and want to feel 100% flawless you’ve found your match. It’s perfect for those who have make up experience, as it is a heavier consistency it’s important to work fast and use a flat foundation brush or buffing brush to blend. 

Vichy Dermablend Corrective Fluid Foundation 16hr – £20

This is the one you’ve probable seen on youtube and all over social media if you haven’t lived under a rock. It’s dominated the internet with viral videos of the foundation covering extreme cases of acne. If you have acne prone skin or scarring, then you’re probably on the look-out for a wedding day foundation which will guarantee an airbrushed look. This will do just that! 

Vichy Dermablend Fluid Corrective Foundation can even cover tattoos if you wish. It promises 16 hours of coverage plus hides skin concerns from acne to rosacea and dark circles. Who needs beauty sleep anyway?

We recommend a buffing brush or beauty blender to seamlessly blend this flawless foundation. Remember that a little goes a long way so start off small and build up as you go, it really goes go a long way.

Bobbi Brown Skin Long-Wear Weightless Foundation – £32

We love a weightless foundation! Dubbed by legacy brand Bobbi Brown as “the foundation you can smile in” (thanks to its ultra-comfortable feel), the Skin Long-Wear Weightless Foundation is a full-coverage, natural and matte foundation that is ideal for a flawless bridal finish. 

It’s a hard task for any bride to find the right fit for their wedding day foundation. Choosing from a range of coverage levels and finishes it really is a game of trial and error until you find one that makes you look and feel like a flawless bride. In this case the finish is matte, basically the opposite of a day finish. If you’ve oily skin this is most likely your safest bet to avoid shiny patches and your make up sweating off a few hours in. 

The product is enriched with Shea butter helping moisturise the skin while you wear the product. (Don’t panic if you have oily skin, this will just moisturise the skin it won’t lave you looking shiny. Also we are thrilled that this product has SPF 15 – good old Bobbi Brown looking out for our skin and reducing the effects of sun-skin damage. 

Top tip- keep a powder handy and just touch up any areas to keep the ‘flawless finish’ look in place. 

Max Factor Miracle Touch Skin Smoothing Foundation – £13.99

Last but by no means least! We are big fans of Max Factors ‘Miracle Touch’ foundation. At only £13.99, this product is a steal and perfect for a budget conscious bride.

This thicker feeling foundation aims to combine the best elements of a solid and liquid foundation. Despite its solid constancy and appearance it comes a liquid as soon as it touches the skin. Cool right? 

This foundation is medium – high coverage so we would recommend using your trusty beauty blender to apply. It really is value for money and if you’re looking to save ahead of your wedding this is one to try. The great thing about Max Factor is the natural finish this product leaves. It’s all about shade selection and remember to match it to your skin tone ‘post tan’ that’s right, you don’t want your face to be a different colour to your body so shade shop smart!

So there you go that’s our WJ foundation faves! When it comes to being a bride we know the pressure to look ‘perfect’ can be overwhelming. Just remember that if you look after your skin in the lead up to your wedding day whatever make up you go for your radiant healthy skin will shine through. However if you would rather leave it to the experts and find the right makeup artist for your big day trust our online directory. We feature some of Ireland’s best makeup artists. 

The post The 7 BEST Wedding Day Foundations! appeared first on Wedding Journal.

Wedding planning just got a whole lot easier! Whether you choose spicy, autumnal vibes or more zesty pops of colour your personality will shine through with the help of some of our fabulous wedding ideas.

Orange is a great colour theme to run with, as it’s flattering when paired with a wide selection of textures. From watercolour stationery to vintage velvet details, check out some of our favourite colourful ideas.

Dramatic Table Decor

The decorations you choose for your wedding venue have the power to set the tone for your entire wedding.

Where do your guests spent a significant part of the day…at their table. Linens, coloured glassware, plates, cutlery, candles and centrepieces all create the ultimate tablescape. Mix different heights, textures and shades of burnt orange across the table. The options here are endless.

Firey Bridemaids

When it comes to choosing a bridesmaid dress design, bold and bright tones, and even floral prints are customary for spring and summer weddings.

We’re seriously crushing on this look for bridesmaids this season. It’s playful and fun, at the same time still feminine and formal.

READ MORE: How To Embrace Colour On Your Wedding Day

Bold Bouquets

We’ve found traditional bouquets in bold palettes and in unstructured form. Mixing textures and shapes within the bouquets is a huge trend recently, so it’s time to go big or go home.

We are head over heels in love with the mesmerising apricot, coral and burnt orange florals.

Creative Backdrops

Designing a funky ceremony backdrop will instantly give your guests the WOW factor. You can mix these up using florals, wood, pampas, brick, balloons, fringe, anything your heart desires.

You can re-use your ceremony backdrop as a cool photobooth backdrop during your reception. Your guests will love taking selfies and posing in front of it, especially if it looks this cool – waste not, want not!

Colourful Cakes

You don’t have to look too far to find a stylish and scrumptious wedding cake, we’ve been drooling over these gorgeous designs.

Don’t forget fresh foliage and seasonal berried are another way to customise and add texture to your decor.

Signature Cocktails

Another popular hot-spot for guests to mingle would be beside the bar of course, so what better way to express your love for orange with some zesty signature mixes. You’ll have them dancing all night long with just a few of these flavours.

It’s always nice to incorporate your two favourite drinks into your bar menu, then making one ultimate cocktail that can represent your marriage. Naming your signature drinks can also be a fun activity, we find the funnier the better!

Sunset Save the Dates

Stationery and wedding invitations are typically sent between 6-8 weeks before the big day, so this will be your guests first impression on you theme.

Creative couples can go wild for bold palettes, colourful graphics and vibrant textures. Meanwhile watercolour and pastels tones might work best for the more introverted couple, we love both options!

Smoke Bombs

Create unforgettable wedding photographs while putting on a show for your wedding guests with these fabulous smoke bombs.

This bright pop of colour can be subtly held behind your backs, just be careful not to get any of it on your wedding dress!

There are so many fun and creative ways you can explore and experiment with colour on your wedding day.

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Set Featured Image Credit – The Parks Gown from Chosen by One Day’s Clair de Lune Collection

The post Burnt Orange Wedding Ideas For Colourful Couples appeared first on Wedding Journal.

Some couples have even gone one step further and went the DIY route. Going DIY is a great way to spend time together with family and friends as they can chip in too.

There are many ways to DIY a wedding; décor, flowers, favours, food and even clothes. By putting their skills and passions together, couples can achieve a really unique wedding.

We looked through our recent Real Life Weddings to see how our couples did it!

Melissa and Ronan got married on 16^th March 2018 at Ballymagarvey Village, Co. Meath and as Melissa is an event planner by occupation, she loved planning her day and commented how it never felt like a chore.

Together the couple designed and handmade frames for their table numbers and restored a vintage bike, painted it pink to match the colour scheme and set it out as a welcome to the church door.

Edel and Shane married on the 21^st April 2018 at Mulranny Park Hotel, Co. Mayo and the bride wore blue! Edel comments how everyone gave a hand towards the big day. Edel and Shane personalised their day by using décor that reflected their personalities and occupations; wheat, burlap and milk jars, Irish Wedding Facts in frames and handmade pallets for the table plan.

Edel and her mum arranged the flowers themselves; silk artificial with greenery, wheat stalks and baby’s breath. The couple also designed their own invites, Mass booklets and other forms of stationery.

Hannah and Chris wed at an Autumn wedding on 4^th October 2018 at Lusty Beg Island Resort, Co. Fermanagh. This bride went to town with DIY! Hannah challenged herself to design and make her bridesmaid dresses and did one fine job while she was at it. Wanting the entrance to be rustic, she took a pallet and painted a favourite Bible verse on it and paired it with rustic ladders, apple crates, welcome signs and bunting.

The table plan consisted of a world map and a sign asking ‘where in the world are you sitting?’ and the stationery was made by the bride, as well as the PowerPoint with the cool graphics for the church service. Her cake was also a polystyrene shaped cake, spray painted and decorated by the bride, which saved a lot of money!

Aisling and Antony went as far as customising their ceremony at their 22^nd December 2018 wedding at Belfast Castle. They wanted it to be fun and reflect their personalities. Instead of place names, the couple went for place photos, with guests having to find themselves on the table plan.

Family pitched in too and helped the couple find the decorations they needed and rather than have wedding invites, the couple made a wedding website for their international guests. The bride and groom also ditched the top table for a sweetheart table!

On 28^th September 2018, Laura and Andrew married at Riverdale Barn, Co. Armagh. They too made wooden pallets and a stand to welcome guests. Also, they designed rustic frames and inserted wedding typography in them. The couple recycled an old tractor tyre and had the stationery garland painted on it.

Speaking of stationery, Laura’s talented mum created it with the ideas coming from the bride and groom! Also, the name cards were held in the pieces of tree cut and fashioned from their own back garden.

Wanting something different, Sylviane and Derek undertook their own planning. On 31^st May 2018, Blackwater Castle in Co. Cork was transformed into Westeros. The bride had her Gothic wedding dress made from her idea and created her own bridal look by doing her own hair and makeup.

As for her flowers, they were picked from the castle grounds a day or two before the wedding! The talented bride also built a website filled with details and tips for the guest as well as designing her own stationery. She comments how it was a thrill to see it all come together.

Though they planned the wedding 10,000 miles away, Gráinne and Paul certainly pulled it off! Ballyliffin Lodge and Spa, Co. Donegal was transformed in a Christmas theme on 29^th December 2018. Taking the stationery into their own hands, the couple also designed their own table plan and an ‘unplugged ceremony’ sign featured at the church.

10,000 miles away from Donegal, 170 invites were made by hand and the night before the wedding, the bride was seen making same about of Mass booklets with the help of family.

So there it is, the possibilities for a DIY wedding are endless. Most couples tend not to risk the DIY route for the venue, photographer or outfits but anything is possible with the right amount of work and passion!

The post Fancy A DIY Wedding? Our Real Brides Show You How appeared first on Wedding Journal.